Finance Minister Amir Khosru on Thursday said Bangladesh must develop its soft power by nurturing its cultural identity and creative potential.
“Soft power is all these things combined. We have to build it in Bangladesh,” he said, referring to arts, music, film, theatre, sports, and other cultural pursuits as essential elements of a nation’s identity.
The Finance Minister made these remarks while addressing the closing ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh Shishu Academy at its auditorium in the capital.
He said a country’s strength is not only measured by the size of its economy, stressing that a distinctive national identity built through culture and creativity is equally important.
He said children should therefore be encouraged to develop their abilities in areas beyond formal education, including sports, drawing, music, theatre and film.
“Studying is certainly necessary, but life is not just education,” he said.
He urged families and society to give children opportunities to discover their interests and develop hobbies, saying a generation’s intellectual and creative growth depends on such exposure from an early age.
The Minister also said there should be no discrimination between boys and girls in access to opportunities.
He said the government is working to bring artists, filmmakers, theatre practitioners, cultural workers, and traditional artisans into the economic mainstream under a new creative economy initiative.
The Minister also stressed the importance of exposing children to nature and developing empathy toward animals and biodiversity.
He said many birds, butterflies, insects, and fish that were once common are declining or disappearing as their natural habitats shrink.
“We have moved far away from nature,” he said, urging greater attention to environmental and biodiversity concerns in development activities.
He also called on parents to encourage children to ask questions and maintain open communication with them.
“Children will ask many questions. We have to answer all of them,” he said, describing childhood as the critical stage for learning and developing curiosity.
He said Bangladesh Shishu Academy has an important role in sending a broader message about how the country wants its children to grow and what kind of future it envisions for them.
The minister expressed hope that families, institutions, and the government would work together to provide children with the guidance and opportunities needed to develop their full potential.