Workshops: International Youth Day in Bangladesh
Impact Snapshot
Beneficiaries: 200 attendees
Location: Dhaka
Timeline: Aug. 4 2023
Partners: Light to Life, YASD
SDG Alignment: SDG 4
Light to Life, a pioneering youth-centric organization, marked International Youth Day 2023 by initiating policy-backed activities. The weeklong event, "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World", was undertaken in partnership with BacharLorai and a spectrum of community organizations, public sector bodies, and faith-based groups, aiming to bridge policy gaps in mental health, sustainable action, and youth inclusion.
With participation from over 200 nationwide youths, the agenda featured a blend of policy discussions, workshops, and partnerships. Key areas of focus included mental wellness, climate policy, and the linkage between Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and environmental shifts.
United in Mind: A policy workshop, in conjunction with the Kaleidoscope club of ULAB, to formulate policy recommendations on youth mental health. Expert insights were provided by practitioners including Samira Binte Zaman and Afrin Islam.
Mirpur Pora Bosti Health Initiative: Orchestrated with Prime Bank Eye Hospital, this health outreach program underscored the policy needs for accessible eye care, benefiting 93 locals and identifying 23 for cataract surgeries.
Mental Health and SRHR Policy Session: In collaboration with YASD, this dialogue sought to influence policy frameworks integrating SRHR within the larger climate action narrative.
Green Skills Workshop: Set in Jashore Shimulia and crafted with faith-based entities, this session elucidated the policy imperatives for fostering eco-awareness and sustainability among the youth
SDG Alignment
4.4: Substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
4.7: Promote sustainable development education, including human rights, gender equality, and a culture of peace.
Context
The International Youth Day 2023, hosted by Light to Life in partnership with BacharLorai and other stakeholders, focused on developing 'Green Skills' among youths, preparing them for a sustainable future. This event, aligning with the theme "Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World," featured Aftab Ahmed, BacharLorai's Director of Policy Research, who played a central role in various activities centered around youth empowerment, mental health, and sustainable development.
The weeklong celebration attracted over 200 youths nationwide, engaging them in workshops and discussions that echoed BacharLorai's mission and Ahmed's expertise. One of the event's highlights was the "United in Mind: Embracing Diversity, Promoting Mental Health" workshop, led by Ahmed, focusing on the importance of mental wellness in the younger generation.
Ahmed's involvement extended to the Mirpur Pora Bosti Workshop and a Free Eye Screening session, in collaboration with Prime Bank Eye Hospital. These activities demonstrated BacharLorai's commitment to providing essential services to underserved populations, a cornerstone of their policy research initiatives aimed at making healthcare accessible to all.
A notable session where Ahmed's contributions stood out explored the relationship between Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and climate change. This session illustrated BacharLorai's dedication to integrating health education into environmental advocacy.
Additionally, the Green Skills Workshop in Jashore Shimulia served as a platform for Ahmed to showcase his policy research skills, highlighting the importance of eco-consciousness and sustainability in youth education, in line with BacharLorai's focus on environmental policy and youth development.
Labib Tazone Utshab, Founder and Technical Advisor of Light to Life, emphasized the urgency of empowering youth, a vision strongly supported by Ahmed and BacharLorai, advocating for an educated, conscious, and proactive younger generation.
