Adam Sharpe has worn various hats since moving to Thailand in 2009. The Londoner first became known in the local music scene and human development sector through his work with MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking), a campaign to raise awareness and increase the prevention of human trafficking by MTV EXIT Foundation. Adam, who’s also the founder of Sofar Sounds Bangkok and Jenny & The Scallywags’ ukulele player, recently started his new role as a consultant to UNESCO’s upcoming youth programme. His band recently released an EP and their single Sounds Like Maybe topped the chart of indie radio station Cat Radio. In this exclusive interview, he tells us about his journey so far and how youth empowerment has become his new music. In the meantime, follow him via Twitter @MrAdamSharpe and get involved in the future project yourself.
How did you end up living in Thailand?
There wasn’t much strategy involved, to be honest. The economy wasn’t good in the UK and I wanted to see what else was out there. I had a short trip in Vietnam and few contacts in Thailand before I moved here for a better life. I was 25 and two years out of university (where he studied politics). It was a pretty crazy thing to do — a gamble that definitely paid off. Thailand has allowed me to do so many exciting and fun things since.
How did you get start producing the youth empowerment programme?
I was in the right place at the right time. I was becoming known for my music but things took off for me after I designed and produced some successful events, including a fundraiser for a children’s home in Mae Sot. It was there I learned about human trafficking and migration issues in Thailand. Soon after that I got a job offer from MTV EXIT.
What was your role at MTV EXIT?
I was a roadshow coordinator, producing youth empowerment programmes across the Asia Pacific. My job was to educate young people, through workshops, concerts and other activities, on how they could help prevent this issue and how to spread messages for prevention in their communities. After MTV EXIT closed down, I started my own digital agency called Crowdid Digital. Unfortunately, it failed miserably and I found myself at square one and a bit jaded. I needed a new challenge, so I founded Sofar Sounds here in Bangkok to produce secret live music shows in people’s living rooms and create music videos for YouTube. Soon I was also consulting with STAND Limited, helping leaders in multinational companies spearhead sustainable business models and designing campaigns to help prevent rape and sexual violence in universities around Thailand. Eventually it got to a point where I longed for focus. Entertainment or development? I decided to go with the latter because I wanted to focus on the work that matters most to me. When an opportunity to empower young people for UNESCO came up, I jumped at it.
What can you tell us about the upcoming UNESCO programme?
We will launch a youth programme to encourage intercultural dialogues between young people in the SEA. Details are still up in the air but it will definitely empower young people and provide them with opportunities to make their voices heard.
What have you learned from working with youth in SEA?
From my experience, they often feel underrepresented. Some feel that their views are not necessarily heeded. Youth policies are discussed by adults behind closed doors. They feel like they don’t have much say on issues that affect them directly. I want to encourage them to have the confidence and skills to be headstrong and to try to make changes in their countries. That’s why the new project is very important. I want them to realise that their voice matters and that they are future leaders. Some I’ve worked with in the past carry on what we taught them by creating their own organisations or Facebook campaigns to better their communities. Some have overcome many obstacles in their lives that make mine petty. I also would love to shine a light on how to make a truly impactful development programme by having them involved from the get-go.
What do you find rewarding about working with youths?
I love seeing them growing in confidence and fulfilling their potential. Once people get confidence, you can see the positive impact it has on their lives, the relationships they can build with others and the opportunities that they can have. I get a real kick out of that. g
This source first appeared on Bangkok Post Lifestyle.