To advance an inclusive society, youth play a pivotal role in driving policy advocacy to bring about meaningful change. Effective advocacy demands foundational knowledge and skills, including evidence collection, contextualizing realities, and mobilizing stakeholders to take decisive actions.
To empower youth leaders with the knowledge and skills needed for impactful public policy advocacy, IID and Youth for Policy (YfP) jointly organized the Policy CampX Training of Trainers (ToT), a two-day residential program held from November 22–23. The training, which welcomed youth leaders from 20 districts, took an unconventional approach: participants worked entirely offline, using paper and pen for tasks and eliminating digital tools like PowerPoint. This immersive format fostered deep engagement and creativity.
Youth leaders, equipped with skills from this program, will return to their communities to host Policy CampX sessions, amplifying the impact of this initiative.
The training kicked off with a creative exercise where participants selected random images and explained their choices. This activity fostered self-reflection and connection, with many linking their selections to personal traits or life experiences.
Participants also reflected on lessons from the MOOC Public Policy 101 course, identifying factors crucial for successful government initiatives, such as teamwork, diverse perspectives, effective planning, skilled human resources, and bridging gaps between citizens and governance.
The Learning Action Framework session encouraged participants to analyze past mistakes and design strategies to mitigate risks and achieve better outcomes in future advocacy efforts. This segment underscored the importance of collaboration between youth and government in driving sustainable development and impactful policies.
Day two focused on the role of students in shaping societal and political narratives. A mock voting session engaged participants in a debate on student politics, dividing them into groups advocating “For,” “Against,” and “Reform of Politics.” This session spurred critical thinking and dialogue on challenges and potential improvements in student participation.
In a session dedicated to combating societal violence, the program highlighted mutual respect and accountability as key tools. Ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, participants were trained to lead community sessions on fostering respectful relationships and ensuring accountability in schools by forming anti-harassment committees.
The program concluded with a certificate ceremony celebrating the participants’ active engagement and readiness to lead change. Youth for Policy remains committed to equipping the next generation of leaders, fostering an informed, inclusive, and equitable society, and paving the way for a progressive Bangladesh powered by youth-driven initiatives.
