During the inaugural plenary of ‘Let’s Talk’ organized by Young Bangla, lawmakers promised to complement the efforts of youths.
Conducted by Nobonita Chowdhury, the webinar was graced by State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid and Nahim Razzaq MP with their presence.
Senjuti Saha, a Bangladeshi scientist at the Child Health Research Foundation, Salma Khatun, the captain of Bangladesh T-20 team, and Joy Bangla Youth Award winner Shakila Islam also spoke at the session.
Samdani Art Foundation Trustee Rajeeb Samdani, Founder and President of Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC) Ejaj Ahmad, Jaago Foundation Founder Korvi Rakshand, and JCI Bangladesh President Sarah Kamal participated as well.
At the beginning of the webinar, members of Young Bangla recounted the gamut of activities youths had undertaken since the onset of the Covid-19. Reflecting on the diverse issues that youths dealt with, they talked about raising social awareness in addition to training on hygiene.
“Now the one topic rolling off every tongue is the vaccine, which is thought of as the one single solution to all problems. But, is it reality? Though Bangladesh is blessed with 95% vaccine coverage, the Covid-19 crisis is taking a toll on the vaccine coverage as well,” said Senjuti Saha.
“We can prevent many diseases simply by providing children with the existing vaccines against the diseases children are prone to. While we are anticipating the launch of Corona vaccine, we should not miss out on the vaccines for other diseases that we already have. Youths have a role to play on that front as well,” she added.
As observed by Microbiologist Senjuti, the worst victims of Coronavirus are children and women.
Nasrul Hamid said, “Let’s Talk will shed light on how youths are facing the Coronavirus epidemic, how they are conducting their activities and what they are recommending in this situation. We will carry forward their recommendations to the policymakers and lawmakers.”
On Friday night, the second episode of Let’s Talk focused on youths’ activities to fight Corona crisis.
The programme, conducted by Prime Minister’s Special Assistant Shah Ali Farhad, attended by State Minister for Disaster Management and Relief Dr Md Enamur Rahman, Senior Secretary to the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development Helal Uddin Ahmed, Social Welfare Ministry Secretary Zainul Bari, Jaago Foundation Founder Korvi Rakshand, Israt Farzana Tanni of Young Bangla, Joy Bangla Youth Awardee Kamrun Nesa Mira, and Rafi Hoque Ontor of Volunteer for Bangladesh.
In another session, Shilpakala Academy Director General Liaquat Ali Lucky stressed the need for introducing the cultural centers of Bangladesh in different cities across the world to advance the culture of the country.
There will be a total of seven episodes taking place between Friday and Sunday.
Shuchona Foundation Chairperson and Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF) Thematic Ambassador Saima Wazed Hossain will deliver her speech in the ending session on the third day.
Ministers, state ministers, lawmakers, government officials, and high officials of the private sectors will interact with youths in almost all the sessions.
Young Bangla has been organizing ‘Let’s Talk’ since 2014 to create a bridge between the country’s policymakers and youths.
Also read: COVID-19 Recovery: CRI's 3-day ‘Let's Talk’ prog begins Friday
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina graced the program with her presence prior to the 2018 election.
Prime Minister's ICT Affairs Adviser Sajeeb Wazed Joy also interacted with youths in a handful of episodes of Let’s Talk.