Youth manifesto demanding expansion of youth budget

Regardless of promises made by the political parties, the new government must reform policy and invest on youth by expanding youth budget to ensure national progress.

Youths from different regions came together placing their demands at the roundtable meeting with The Daily Prothom Alo on ‘Election 2018: Youth Manifesto (নির্বাচন ২০১৮: তারুণ্যের ইশতেহার)’ organized by IID & ActionAid on 25^th December, 2018.

IID has been initiating Youth Manifesto series since 2013. As a part of it, two before election candidate-debates was arranged and implementation of the manifesto was monitored after 2015 Dhaka City Corporation election. IID plans to continue this session with the upcoming national election. “Most of population in workforce, almost 100 million people, live around the suburb or in the marginal region. I would like to request the next government to ensure balanced growth of those marginal regions along with urban development.” Said one of the Youth for Policy volunteer, Wahidul Islam.

Meanwhile, volunteer from Active Citizen, Nasir Uddin stated, “Research based education will help flourish the innovative ability among our youth, creating employment.”

Specific suggestions were made by the participants at the roundtable:

• Expanding benefits & facilities on private job sector along with govt. sector
• Creating opportunity for youth in non-urban area
• Training facility to encourage young entrepreneur
• Establishing region-based factories
• Ensuring balanced growth of marginal regions along with urban development
• Investing in academic research at both public & private educational institutions
• Increasing public transport for women
• Considering suggestion from youth seriously
• Effective measures against unemployment

“Even though the election manifesto, as a whole, is ambiguous, specific promises were made targeting the youth. The center of those promises is to create employment opportunities.” said Syeed Ahmed. He urged youth to be more involved in the policy making process saying, “It’s up to the youth to be vigilant about the implementation of the manifesto.”

Almost all the participants emphasized on the fact that expanding youth budget  will help our youth reach their full potential. IID & ActionAid’s joint study on ‘Status and Public Expenditure on Youth-Responsive Public Services and Employment-oriented Skills Development’ also suggested to an expansion on youth budget.

Among others, Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid, Youth for Policy volunteers, Active Citizens of ActionAid and students from around the country attended the roundtable.