The British Council Bangladesh, in partnership with Civil Society organisations including Centre for Communication and Development (CCD), Democracywatch, Rupantar, Rural Reconstruction Foundation (RRF), SIL International, Shushilan, The Hunger Project, Uttaran, and Wave Foundation, have celebrated International Youth day on 12 August 2018 in 25 locations of Rajshahi, Khulna, Shatkhira, Chuadanga, Dhaka and Manikganj districts.
This year the theme for International Youth Day 2018 is ‘Safe Spaces for Youth’. Youth need safe spaces where they can come together, engage in activities related to their diverse needs and interests, participate in decision-making processes and therefore freely express themselves. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically SDG 11, emphasizes the need for the provision of space towards inclusive and sustainable urbanization.
Active Citizens and PRODIGY (Promoting Democratic Inclusion and Governance through Youth) youth leaders jointly celebrated this day with numerous activities. More than 8000 young people along with representatives from local government, Department of Youth Development (DYD), civil society, electronic and print media attended in these events.
To celebrate the International Youth Day, youth leaders organised different activities including small seminars, community clean-up program, showcase their brilliant work in the community to increase civic participation in local government and social cohesion and harmony enhancing activities like, sports and cultural programme.
Barbara Wickham, Director Bangladesh, British Council said, “The next generation of young people in Bangladesh have a key role to play in improving the overall socio-economic status of the country and our flagship youth social leadership programme Active Citizens has already supported nearly 40,000 young people to develop their skills and the country need."