IID organized a Policy Forum titled “Empowering Youth” last month (May 25) in Khulna, Bangladesh. The idea was to expand our Policy Breakfast model beyond Dhaka and gauge its usefulness. We were very pleased with the result as participants readily engaged in spirited conversation and where eager to share their stories, experiences, and ideas. We wanted to hear what stakeholders, experts, local government officials, and especially the youth had to say and bring the information back to key policymakers in Dhaka.
The discussion revolved around areas that concern the youth, especially challenges faced by today’s youth, such as drug abuse, child marriage, and the spread of extremism through wider access to the internet. Participants unanimously agreed on the need for a common network and platform where youth can connect with a larger community and have a collective voice and means of action.