Speakers at a webinar have discussed the opportunities and struggles of the country’s youth for securing a livelihood in today’s tough economy.
They also shared their personal experiences, struggles, and achievements to inspire youth toward definite action.
The webinar was held on Sunday on the occasion of the Bangabandhu National Youth Day in the city. Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF) and FCDO of the UK Government, Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC) hosted the webinar in light of this year’s theme, ‘Mujib Year: Youth Employment’.
The objective of the programme was to shed light on the current status of youth leadership in different aspects and give perspective on what the future holds for today’s youth. This program was organized jointly with IED, FIVDB, Bandhu Social Welfare Society, Ghashful, BGS, VAFWSD, JSKS, LEDARS, and ESDO.
Given the significance of the Mujib Year, the”Bangabandhu National Youth Day 2020″ was celebrated with grandiose, focusing on creating livelihood and reminding youth of the potential they hold.
How young people are changing the society: stories of 10 youth changemakers were discussed in the programme.
During the programme, Mithun Das Kabbo, the founder of a grassroots NGO called Alokito Shishu, is currently running two schools in Bede and Sweeper community providing formal education to children of underprivileged communities;
Rani Chowdhury is a youth volunteer of Bandhu Social Welfare Society (Bandhu) working for the transgender/Hijra population across Bangladesh as a young and pioneering social entrepreneur she has provided food support to 2000 families during Covid-19.
22-year-old physics student Md. Naimul Hasan Shanto has created a group of 150 blood donors. He is also involved in raising awareness against drug addiction, child marriage, and eve-teasing.
Hasanur Rahaman is an active youth leader of BGS MJF Youth Project. His goal is to inculcate the habit of reading books among young people in the community.
Rubel Ahmad Robi has championed the blood donation movement through donating blood 24 times and founding “Blood Donation and Social Welfare Society”-a grassroots initiative in his community in Sylhet.
Sonia Akhter identifies herself as an affiliate of ESDO-Promotee project in the northern district of Sherpur, serving as a role model for the pan-district youth diaspora scattered throughout the country.
Shahedul Alam Chowdhury is an activist for violence against girls and women. He continues to voice strong resistance against violence on women in his community at Chattogram.
Md Mominur Rahman from Satkhira has inspired more than 1,500 youth and is working with marginalized people like Munda and Rishi.
Sohagi Akter the president of the volunteer organization, Divine Helpers of Bangladesh, has been working to educate the illiterate adults of Sherpur and so far has taught 240 adults read and write in Bangla.
21-year-old Hapijur Rahman established the organization Dream IT Solution, where 30 youth including seven female employees are working under him.
Special guest Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of MJF, stated, “Courage is a name synonymous with youth. Our young leaders must stand up against injustice and take responsibility to promote equality in society.”
“Real knowledge means human education, education of values, education of knowing oneself, education of thinking about life. And our children are being deprived of this knowledge from the very early stage of their life,” said the chief guest Asaduzzaman Noor, MP and a renowned actor and activist.
The webinar was moderated by Adnin Mourin, Manager of Operations at BYLC.
