An author and aspiring social scientist, Dechen is
Invested and interested in social and political sciences. With countryside roots, formal education including stints in Spain and the United Kingdom opened Dechen’s door to understanding public affairs beyond his native village of 11 households. Rural upbringing vis-à-vis educational and professional experiences place Dechen in a position to situate Bhutan’s public policy challenges such as rural-urban migration, regional inequality, and inter-generational value differences in Bhutan’s development trajectory. He publishes his writing about Bhutan’s public affairs and his lived experiences on his personal website, www.dechenrabgyal.com.
What is Youth Political Participation for Dechen?
Youth engagement in the political process is important for two reasons.
For the present, young people are one important sector and group that can affect and are affected by policies of the day. Engaging them in the political process enhances relevance and legitimacy of the policy so endorsed.
For the future, their participation creates spaces for them to learn and prepare to take the leadership reins which is inevitable (a matter of time). Leveraging on the ‘initial social activation’ process, young people can be mentored, shaped, and trained to be better leaders.
Personality Dechen admires most
My mother ensured that I did not miss out on the opportunity she missed – education. She enrolled me in the school at the age of 6 which was relatively early back in the villages of those days. Even to this day, she shares her deep yearning for formal education. She is very candid, and she will be the first person to acknowledge her shortcomings. As my father went for long distance work to earn cash to supplement our household needs and meet my education related expenses, she took care of the two households – at two different places. As her oldest child and having lived through all her challenges, I imbibed values and traits such as honesty, sincerity, resilience, and perseverance from her.
Unconventional fact about Dechen
I am a teetotaller yet I used to be quite adept in giving company to my friends and colleagues who stayed late into early morning drinking – observing and listening!
Work already published
Rabgyal, D. (2022). From votes to voices: Socialise politics and normalise public affairs to address Bhutan’s ‘Democratic Dilemma’. Accessible at: https://tdy.lol/XXYVg
Rabgyal, D. (2022). From Mongar to Thimphu via London: On My Way to Mayul. Thimphu.
Rabgyal, D. (2021). Forces Shaping Bhutan’s Young Social Capital in Bhutan After the COVID-19 crisis. The Druk Journal, Spring Issue, 2021. https://drukjournal.bt/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Forces-Shaping-Bhutans-Young-Social-Capital.pdf
Rabgyal, D. (2020). Youth Voices: Youth Matters – A Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy Report. Thimphu: Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy (co-author).
Rabgyal, D. (2018). Youth civic engagement: concepts, agents, reflections, empowerment. Kanglung: Sherubtse College.
Rabgyal, D. (2014). Role of Schools in deepening Civic Education in Bhutan’s youngDemocracy. RIM Digital Repository, PGDPA Research Report -2014 (2014). http://202.144.157.211:8080/jspui/handle/1/69
Link to relevant projects /collectives Dechen is part of
- Project Coordinator for community impact project, ‘Basic Information and Technology training’ for higher secondary students (2021) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXfSSIDsr4Q&t=180s
- Project Leader of Youth Alliance, Bhutan (2020), International Republican Institute, Mongolia. Implemented community project, ‘Food Security and Poverty Alleviation in Bhutan’. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJRIwm4eTqY&t=1s
- Reviewed the National Youth Policy of Bhutan and co-authored the report from the review process (2020), ‘Youth Voices: Youth Matters – A Bhutan Centre for Media and Democracy Report’ https://bcmd.bt/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Youth-Voices_-Youth-matters-BCMD-Final-Design-layout.pdf
Get to know Dechen
