“The future of Bangladesh is in the hand of the young generation,” said the advisor while addressing the opening ceremony of a three-day ‘Youth Leadership Summit’ organised by Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC) at Bangabandhu International Convention Centre in the city.
“The Youth Leadership Summit has given us a great opportunity to interact with and learn from the youth. I especially commend BYLC on developing a youth manifesto, which will be of great interest to political parties in the coming months,” said Gowher Rizvi, also an international advisory board member of BYLC.
BYLC organised the summit for the fifth time with the theme – 'My Country, My Responsibility'. The Daily Star is a strategic partner of the event while United News of Bangladesh (UNB) and Nagorik TV are the media partners.
The prime minister’s advisor urged youths to imbue themselves with the ideals of democracy, Liberation War, diversity of culture and plurality.
“What was impossible before 1971, Bangabandhu's leadership made it possible. You will find several characteristics in this great man like passion, belief and empathy,” he added.
He also said, “If you have to learn how to listen to others and become a leader, you can see Bangabandhu who has such ability to respect and listen to others. This quality made him greatest Bangalee in the 20th century.”
Addressing the delegates, founder of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed remarked, “Change in any society is a gradual process. Despite all challenges, one needs to retain a sense of optimism and be patient and persistent over a long period of time to bring social change.”
Kanbar Hossein-Bor, acting British High Commissioner to Bangladesh, said, “I am delighted the UK is supporting Bangladesh Youth Leadership Centre for its fifth Youth Leadership Summit aimed at empowering the young people of Bangladesh. I had the opportunity to meet 400 young people of diverse backgrounds and professions from all over Bangladesh who have come together for leadership training and discussions on social issues through an inclusive and collaborative approach.”
CEO of Nagorik TV Dr Abdur Noor Tushar said Bangladesh is going ahead in the full swing. “So challenges should not be considered as the barriers to development. You have to face the challenges proving your leadership.”
President and founder of BYLC Ejaj Ahmad said in his welcome speech, “A democratic society should serve as a container capable of holding diverse, and often opposing, viewpoints and ideologies. It is with this conviction that we organized the summit—to create opportunities for youth to listen to and dialogue with peers and experts from different backgrounds and affiliations, and exercise agency by co-creating a youth manifesto and advocating on its behalf.”
A conversation programmee 'Why youth voices matter' with Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed was held as part of the summit.
The three-day Summit brought together around 400 university students and young professionals, selected competitively from all over Bangladesh, for three days of inter-generational dialogue, leadership training, and networking.
The 2018 Summit features knowledge-sharing sessions on reimagining education for a changing world, the future of work, safe spaces for youth, fostering inclusiveness, and engaging youth in politics and policy making.
During the three days, the delegates will work together and co-create a youth manifesto outlining their priorities and aspirations. The manifesto will be widely disseminated among political parties ahead of the national election to draw attention to youth voices.
The title sponsors of the Youth Leadership Summit 2018 are The British High Commission, UKAid, and The Asia Foundation. Silver sponsors are New Asia Group and Aamra.