Marking the International Youth Day, Ministry of Youth and Sports and the United Nations system launched the design phase of a Youth Voice Mechanism at the ministry鈥檚 conference room in Dhaka on Thursday.
This launch programme was headed by secretary of the ministry Md Mahbub-ul-Alam, said a press release.
This innovative platform aims to amplify the voices of young people in Bangladesh in policy development and governance processes, ensuring their active participation in shaping the country鈥檚 future.
鈥榃e are committed to working with the UN system and young people across Bangladesh to make the Youth Voice Mechanism a success,鈥� said Mahbub-ul-Alam.
This initiative will help us to better understand the needs and aspirations of young people and ensure that their voices are reflected in our policies and programmes, he added.
He also said, 鈥楾his generation is the largest and most dynamic in our history, a powerful force driving us toward prosperity. Time and again, Bangladeshi youth have demonstrated extraordinary resilience and leadership-be it in disaster relief, grassroots innovation, or championing social and environmental causes.鈥�
Yet, their representation in formal governance structures remains limited, particularly for young women, and those from marginalised national minority communities, rural, and climate-vulnerable communities, he mentioned.
Led by the Ministry of Youth and Sports with UN support, it creates a structured platform for youth engagement. Importantly, it is co-designed by young people through surveys, workshops, focus groups, and a youth-led steering committee.
鈥楤y creating a platform for meaningful engagement through peaceful and structured means, we are empowering young people to contribute their unique perspectives and shape a more inclusive and sustainable future for their country,鈥� added Rana Flowers.