The programmes were supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.

A total of 339 students from English and Bengali medium schools and Madrassas graduated from the BBLT and BBLTJ programmes in 2020, said a press release.

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Participants selected for the programmes went through rigorous sessions of virtual training on the theoretical and practical concepts of leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication.

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In her speech as the chief guest at the ceremony, Paula Schindeler, Chargé d'affaires, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Dhaka, applauded BYLC for establishing an innovative approach to leadership by inculcating values of tolerance and inclusion in youth.

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 “BBLT and BBLTJ programmes don’t just have an impact on the students’ lives. There is also a spillover effect on communities and Bangladesh as a whole through the social development projects that students design and implement,” she added.

“Seeing the graduates of our leadership programs gives me hope that Bangladesh has a bright future. Through their practice of leadership, these young men and women will surely take our nation forward,” said Ejaj Ahmad, President of BYLC.

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Aside from leadership training, students also worked in small groups to apply their lessons in online social service projects. They designed and implemented small but realistic, measurable, and results-driven projects to serve impoverished communities.

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