Speakers at a webinar have said it is critical to promote equal learning opportunities and gender-responsive environment for skill development and volunteer engagement to foster incredible youth contributions. The webinar titled ‘Volunteerism and Reimagining Youth Skills Post-Pandemic' was jointly arranged by UN Volunteers in Bangladesh and UN Women Bangladesh on Thursday. Read:'Volunteerism, Reimagining Youth Skills Post-Pandemic' webinar Thursday Women and Children Affairs Secretary Md Sayedul Islam spoke as the chief guest at the event.  "We’ll look into ways to work on incorporating more young people, volunteers, especially female volunteers, to include them in different initiatives and design programmes around their overall development, promotion and recognition," he said. Subhra Bhattacharjee, Strategic Planner and Head, United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office (UNRCO) in Bangladesh, said the positive effects of volunteerism can be very empowering for youth and young women in particular, providing access to social networks, new skills, and an influential role in the community for individuals who may otherwise have few formal routes to education or influence. "If we can properly utilize the huge young population and turn them into a skilled generation and inspire them to volunteer then we shall have the asset to leading towards a smoother path to achieving SDGs," said Md Azharul Islam Khan, Director General of Department of Youth Development. Md Aktar Uddin, Country Coordinator, UNV Bangladesh, pointed out that volunteering engagement can be an alternative tool for promoting skill development and civic responsibility among the youth. 

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said Bangladesh is blessed with a vibrant young population who can play an enormous role in the economic growth of the country.