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In light of Bangladesh’s recent political landscape and the anniversary of the July uprising, the Centre for Peace Studies at North South University and Germany’s Arnold Bergstrasser Institute jointly organised a special dialogue and a three-day photo exhibition at the NSU in Dhaka on Wednesday.

The exhibition was inaugurated by AK Kashem, board of trustees and founder life member of the NSU Trust, said a press release on Wednesday.

The dialogue, titled One Year On: Revisiting the Role of Youth and Bangladesh’s Transition Towards Democracy, brought together prominent speakers who emphasised democratic values, constitutional reforms, and the historical importance of memory.

In his introductory remarks, CPS director and moderator of the session M Jashim Uddin said, ‘This dialogue is not a mere formality—it carries the legacy of a history. Democracy is not a political structure; it is the spirit of the soul. We must build the foundation of our democracy through these two paths: memory and education.’

The chief guest, law adviser, Professor Asif Nazrul stated that the 2024 movement marked the beginning of a new, transformative chapter. He noted, ‘People protested even at the risk of death, because our young generation has overcome the fear of the ruler. The revolution is not over—it is an ongoing process.’

Asif Nazrul also commented on the dichotomy of human rights, saying, ‘The very countries that advocate for human rights are the ones involved in arms trade, which violates the human rights of other nations. To counter this double standard, we must foster a culture of introspection and education.’

During the panel discussion, political analyst Bobby Hajjaj remembered the students’ sacrifices, saying, ‘This movement was not just political; it was a journey of self-realisation. Everyone should celebrate and preserve this moment.’

Advocate Shishir Manir highlighted the lack of coordination among the three pillars of the state: the judiciary, the executive, and the legislature.

Barrister Mir Ahmad Bin Quasem, who returned after being forcibly abducted for eight years, said, ‘I feel like a man buried in a grave. The fact that we are speaking today is due to the sacrifice of thousands of young people. We must not forget—we must learn to see people as human beings, not by their party affiliations.’

Barrister Asaduzzaman Fuaad remarked, ‘Bangladesh today seems like a movie stage—one group is shouting, one is silent, and a third group is embracing death with a smile. This third party is the true symbol of freedom.’

Mahdi Amin said, ‘In this movement, there was no influence of right-left, Islamic-secular, or class divisions. Everyone stood under one flag, solely for Bangladesh. Now is the time for constitutional and administrative reforms that will help change the fate of the common people.’

Bilkis Zaman, mother of the martyred Tanvin, was present as a guest of honour. She said, ‘I do not want any more mothers to lose their children.’

Photographer and social activist Shahidul Alam said, ‘In both 1971 and 2024, the marginalised communities were the driving force of the resistance. Most of the martyrs were working-class people. To bring about change, their voices must be brought to the center.’

The chargé d’affaires of the European Union to Bangladesh Bernd Spanier said, ‘Observing what happened in July in the past year, I realised that a small demand can trigger a major change. However, the success of that change depends on a fundamental transformation of political culture.’

The event was chaired by the vice-chancellor of North South University Professor Abdul Hannan Chowdhury. He stated, ‘No nation can develop without education. If one generation is willing to sacrifice, the next can enjoy the fruits of that achievement. We must all believe in the dignity of human beings so that the nation never has to bow its head.’