BEYOND Youth Programme

The programme BEYOND is facilitated by Dr Melissa Shamini Perry, CHRISTE's Research Fellow in Social Semiotics and Multimodality, this interactive discovery programme is designed for youths aged 18 to 23 years (who have completed high school or secondary school education) to provide space for them:

1. To understand themselves, their faith and the world and the challenges that they face;
2. To develop the skills to respond to these challenges.

Generation Z face many challenges as they enter adulthood in the digital age. Digital technology has both positive and negative effects for individuals, families, communities and the world at large. Personal, cultural and religious values are being redefined and challenged. They face issues pertaining to culture, literature, media, gender stereotypes, relationships and family life.
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This eight-session programme, characterised by plenty of observation, analyses, and discussion, is inspired by a course created and taught by Dr Melissa Perry at the university since 2017. Run in collaboration with CHRISTE, it is now open for participation (online) from all youth who have completed high school or secondary school education regardless of their geographical localities. Youth who fully participate in this programme will receive a Certificate of Completion from CHRISTE.

BEYOND will be publicised before a cycle is scheduled to run, so that those interested can participate. It is also possible for us to run the programme exclusively for your organisation if you already have a group of 10 to 15 participants. Please contact us for further enquiry.

SESSION 1: MY STORY

• Reflection on understanding and defining self and individual identity
• Sharing of personal stories and experiences that have been extremely significant, life-changing or most memorable (general and faith related)

SESSION 2: WHO AM I & WHERE AM I FROM

• Reflection on past events in the history of the individual, family, nation and world that impacts one’s way of life in terms of faith, culture, interests, attire, language, etc. Basically it is finding one’s roots
• Topics covered include narratives of nationhood, culture, ethnicity and how it affects one’s identity
• Colonialism, diaspora, multicultural society

SESSION 3: EDUCATION, CAREER & SELF-WORTH

• Reflecting on learning styles, intelligences, multiple intelligences
• Recognising potentials and abilities
• Identifying career paths

SESSION 4: MEDIA, REALITY SHOWS, MOVIES, SUPERHEROES

• The role of archetypes and characters in reflecting specific ideals, values and pursuits
• Leading to an understanding of personal values, role models and inspirations

SESSION 5: GENDER CONSTRUCTS

• Reflection on reinforced stereotypical gender identities and roles
• Influence of religion and culture
• Critically analysing depiction of gender roles, stereotypes in media and popular cultural texts

SESSION 6: RELATIONSHIPS

• Understanding our Love Language
• Types of relationships
• Healthy versus toxic relationships
• Setting relationship goals
• Evaluating current relationship with self, family, God and society
• God’s Plan for a Christian Marriage
• Sacrament of Holy Matrimony and Holy Orders

SESSION 7: FAITH AND FAMILY

How faith affects family life and relationship with parents and siblings

SESSION 8: INTERGENERATION INTERACTIONS

Relating to babies, children, teens and the elderly