The Royal Norwegian Embassy in Dhaka and Plan International Bangladesh on Monday jointly organised a seminar titled 'Listen to the Voices of the Youth' at the residence of the Norwegian ambassador in Dhaka, where some 25 youths from diverse backgrounds participated.
Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Espen Rikter-Svendsen inaugurated the seminar. In his welcome remarks, he stated, "Bangladesh still has a youthful population, but the voices of young people are seldom heard. Solutions to the country's and the world's many challenges and pressing issues must be sought in dialogue with the people who will still be here in the decades ahead."
Plan International Bangladesh Country Director (CD) Kabita Bose emphasised increasing investment in youth activism and leadership and mentioned, "We want girls and youths to have ample opportunities to flourish as we want youths to fulfil their dreams. Plan International Bangladesh is here to provide them assistance in achieving economic empowerment and network them with proper channels to increase their leadership and entrepreneurship quality."
Afterwards, keynote speakers Raka Noshin Nower and Nasima Akter Nisha brought forth important topics like promoting better social awareness of youth matters, gender equality, freedom of speech, creativity and tolerance among youth, creating a more skilled youth workforce, and facilitating youth entrepreneurship to combat unemployment in their speeches, according to a press release.
Addressing some important social issues faced by Bangladeshi youth, Nower said, "Youths should be motivated and provoked positively. They have to practice and exercise their dreams to achieve those."
Meanwhile, Nishi focused on entrepreneurship, skills and opportunities for Bangladeshi youth. She pointed out, "Skill development is required for the youths to move forward in this competitive society."
The seminar included a panel discussion and breakout sessions where the youth participants came up with their take on these crucial social issues and possible solutions towards navigating them. The participants also raised other related societal issues like key factors that drive child marriage, disability inclusion in institutions and workplaces, problems of gender norms and stereotyping, and preventing persecution of minority and marginal communities, including their youth.
Plan International Bangladesh's Policy, Advocacy, Influencing and Campaigns Director Nishath Sultana provided the closing remarks.
The release claimed that this unique event provided a platform to engage in in-depth discussions, exchange innovative ideas, and gain valuable insights into the current situation and future of Bangladesh's youth.
