Eight teenagers to represent Bangladesh in IESO 2023

Eight teenagers who championed the National Earth Olympiad (NEO), organised by the Embassy of the United State in Dhaka, will represent Bangladesh in the International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) 2023.

The NEO programme was organised as part of celebrating World Environment Day to recognize 30 earth youth champions. The first eight among the youths were selected for the IESO 2023 due to be held in Beijing, China.

According to a press statement, the Bangladesh Youth Environmental Initiative (BYEI), with US Embassy support, implemented the NEO 2023 and announced the names of the eight youths who are students of grade 8 to 12 studying in different institutions across the country.

Since 2012, NEO has been an education and knowledge movement aimed at mainstreaming earth and environmental science education in Bangladesh. This year’s theme is “Saving the Bengal Delta: Restoring Our Water Commons.”

US Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) Helen LaFave said, “The record-breaking heat, floods, storms, droughts, and wildfires have devastated communities around the world. Through our actions at home and our leadership abroad, the United States is helping to build a net zero-emission, resilient future that creates good jobs and ensures a healthy, livable planet for generations to come.”

British Deputy High Commissioner (development director) to Bangladesh Matt Cannell termed these activities as generational changes that are witnessed by all right now. “The small steps that you all are bringing are more inspiring. “

Mentioning his tour in Sylhet during the flood, he described how the youths are aware of the climate change.

He said in Sylhet when he asked about the reason for the flood one of the boys there simply said “climate change.”

“It is great to see how the people from all over the country are becoming aware of climate change,” he added.

According to BYEI founded in 2009, they organise a one-year-long Earth Championship Program and also organise NEO every year.