Ensuring participation of people from all walks of life in the policy discourse has been an important objective of IID. Originating from here, IID undertook a Youth Manifesto project with Asia Foundation in 2013. As part of this project, IID conducted several online FGDs with youth from around the country including Sylhet and Rajshahi. Other than FGDs the urban youth population were also consulted for their perspectives and collectively a youth manifesto was developed on the basis of all the collected data. IID also organized an interactive session with young leaders of different political parties in 2013 as a part of the input process for the ‘Youth Manifesto’ program. As a continuation of such initiative, IID has again served the youth of the country with a platform for voicing their demands. Amidst all the rhetorical talkshows, IID partnered with Dhaka Tribune and ATN News to promote informed and focused debate among mayoral candidates of Dhaka City Corporation. The town-hall style debate took place on 20 April 2015. Among the DCC North candidates Abdullah Al Kafi, Annisul Huq, Bahauddin Ahmed, Mahi Badruddoza Chowdhury, Md. Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki and Tabith Awal took part in the debate. Among the DCC South candidates Bazlur Rashid Firoz, Md. Golam Mawla Rony, Md. Shahidul Islam, Mohammed Saifuddin, Mohammed Sayeed Khokon and Mohammed Shafi Ullah Chowdhury were present in the debate.
As the research partner of the event, IID conducted youth consultations and polls and organized their priorities into a Youth Manifesto. The Manifesto helped informing the moderator, candidates and audience members about the role of mayors, and people’s aspirations. After a lively and constructive debate, both Dhaka North and South mayor candidates pledged to put their highest attentions on issues highlighted in the Dhaka Youth Manifesto, if elected.
To download the Youth Manifesto, click here.