2nd High-level YPEER Coordination Mechanism Meeting held at Gaedu College of Business Studies
![Photo of DYS Director General leading the discussion](http://www.education.gov.bt/dys/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/IMG_1692-300x200.jpg)
The Youth Center Division of the Department of Youth and Sports, MoE conducted a 2-day high-level YPEER Coordination Mechanism Meeting at Gaedu College of Business Studies for the YPEER Networks based in Western and Southern Bhutan. The meeting that was held from 29-30 September 2018 primarily aimed at institutionalizing a mechanism to ensure systematic functioning of the Networks. The representatives of the Networks from Samtse College of Education, College of Science and Technology, Royal Thimphu College, Faculty of Nursing and Public Health, Norbuling Rigter College in Paro, Paro College of Education, College of Natural Resources, Khuruthang TTI and Gaedu College of Business Studies were invited to attend the meeting.
YPEER Bhutan was established in 2012 as part of the global network to educate and advocate young people on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) through peer-led initiatives. Since youth are found to open up more with their peers, the YPEER members use peer-to-peer approach to help other youth cope with issues affecting their lives. Considering the rising trend of SRHR issues especially amongst the youth population such as substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, STIs, sexual abuse, gender-based violence, youth suicides and other mental health issues, it is felt important to streamline and strengthen YPEER Networks in the colleges and institutes to ensure that young people have a safe and conducive environment to grow up and successfully transition into adulthood.
![Group photo with participants](http://www.education.gov.bt/dys/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/IMG_1798-edt-300x200.jpg)
Today, YPEER Bhutan has 28 Networks including 11 Youth Centers. With more than 1000 members led by 355 members who have attended National Training of Trainers, 15 members who have attended Advanced Training of Trainers (AToT) and 2 members who have attended ToT on Legal Toolkit for Young Key Population, the networks have been taking numerous initiatives in their respective colleges/institutes to promote SRHR amongst young people so that they would be able to lead a responsible and meaningful life.
This meeting was designed to further strengthen those Networks in the colleges/institutes where they are based so that they get full support from the Management. The meeting was chaired by the Director General of DYS, MoE and was supported by UNFPA.