Through access to information and technology, modern libraries can play a crucial role in youth employability, participants discussed at the IID policy breakfast held in Dhaka on 26 July 2017.
Globally, library services have been transformed by Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Although, government’s Vision 2021 Digital Bangladesh aims to convert libraries into digital libraries, the use of ICT in library services is yet to take off in Bangladesh. According to the findings of NextGen survey , 75 per cent of the youth agreed that there is lack in ICT education of the countries education system. In this context, IID, as the Policy Partner of the Libraries Unlimited programme, organised this policy breakfast in partnership with the British Council.
The policy breakfast on “Digital, Youth and Employability: Role of a Modern Library” focused on aspects of digitalisation in domains of a library space and also suggested that rural school libraries could be connected to the district level libraries to build a knowledge based society. The session also emphasised on responding to the needs of skills deficit of youth not in employment, education or training with a special focus on increasing opportunities for employability using ICT services as the knowledge hub of libraries.
The panelists included Zunaid Ahmed Palak MP, the Honourable State Minister for ICT Division, Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology; Sir Ciarán Gearoid Devane, Chief Executive, British Council; Barbara Wickham, Director, British Council Bangladesh, among others. Syeed Ahamed, CEO of IID, facilitated the session.
Participants included representatives from government, political parties, library professionals, academics, CSO/ NGOs, development partners, among other relevant stakeholders.
