State Minister of the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Division, Zunaid Ahmed Palak on Sunday said the current government is always keen to invest in youth and took initiatives, like start-ups, to bring out different innovative ideas from them using digital tools.
"Today's youths are the architects of Smart Bangladesh by 2041 as a vision of the government," he said.
Palak, speaking as the chief guest, said their partnership with UNDP in promoting a tolerant and Inclusive Bangladesh among our youth, will continue in the future.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in association with the ICT Division, organised the National Gala Round of the Digital Khichuri Challenge (DKC) on Sunday at the BCC Auditorium of the ICT Division, with a promise of youth to make the digital space safer, and work towards a more tolerant Bangladesh.
UNDP Bangladesh Resident Representative Stefan Liller, said, “UNDP has been organising Digital Khichuri Challenges for the past 7 years, as one of our flagship activities in support of achieving SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions.”
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“This year, we organised the Digital Khichuri Challenge with the theme “Pathway to Peaceful Societies: Catalysing Youth as Responsible Citizens” to promote responsible/global citizenship so that youth are aware of their rights and responsibilities and can actively participate and contribute to their communities and the progress of their country in a constructive way,“ Stefan added.
Silje Fines Wannebo, Deputy Head of Mission, The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka, said, "Democracy without human rights is not the democracy we want. DKC is a platform to support human rights and promote cultural harmony among all."
Supported by the Royal Norwegian Embassy Dhaka, Digital Khichuri Challenge is an initiative of the "Partnerships for a Tolerant, Inclusive Bangladesh" (PTIB) project of UNDP since 2016 that seeks to bring together the youth in forming and creating narratives as well as platforms ideas that promote peace, tolerance, and diversity to counter hateful and divisive narratives actively.
In 2022, DKC was held in five districts where ten teams as winners initiated two-month-long social media campaigns to promote cultural diversity, tolerance, and awareness against hate speech and misinformation.
Among others, Ranajit Kumar, Additional Secretary and Executive Director (Grade 1), BCC, ICT Division, Md. Shamsul Arefin, Secretary, ICT Division, and Robert Stoelman, Project Manager UNDP, were also present.