By Rushika Rodrigo

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), with support from the Australian High Commission, recently launched #PAVE – Participate. Advocate. Voice. Empower to amplify young leaders and cultivate democratic engagement across the nation.

#PAVE conducted a Tamil Sign Language training in Jaffna, following its first session in May 2025. The program helped 21 aspiring young leaders sharpen their skills and competencies in expression and vocabulary.

The initiative featured sessions on practicing introductions, using facial expressions and body language, and learning advanced vocabulary for both formal and informal settings, with professional guidance from trainers from the Sri Lanka Tamil Association for the Deaf (SLTAD).

By enhancing communication that goes beyond voice, #PAVE is helping Sri Lanka move towards a more inclusive and harmonious future!