The Youth Policy Summit 2024, organized by the Institute of Informatics and Development (IID) and Youth for Policy (YfP), took place on December 21-22, 2024, at the Bangla Academy in Dhaka. This summit emerged as a pivotal platform for youth engagement, focusing on the urgent need for systemic reforms in Bangladesh following the transformative July revolution. The event aimed to empower young leaders to contribute to a nation striving for inclusivity and freedom from discrimination.
The summit opened on December 21 with an inaugural panel discussion titled “From Protest to Progress: Building Inclusive Learning and Economic Systems for the Youth.” Esteemed panelists included Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of CPD; Manzoor Ahmed, Head of the Consultation Committee on Quality Improvement of Primary and Non-formal Education; AKM Zakaria, Deputy Editor of Prothom Alo; Nazmul Hasan, Coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement; Tony Michael Gomes, Director of Communications at CARE Bangladesh; and Mostofa Sarwar Farooqi, Advisor to the Ministry of Cultural Affairs, who attended as Chief Guest.
An interactive session led by Tony Michael Gomez focused on communication strategies in policy advocacy, equipping participants with essential skills such as public speaking and networking. This session played a key role in fostering effective dialogue among attendees.
Day 1 of the summit also featured an impactful anti-discrimination photography exhibition. In collaboration with the Bangladesh Debate Federation (BDF), six engaging debates addressed some of Bangladesh’s most pressing challenges. The day concluded with a vibrant performance by F Minor, an indigenous female band.
Day 2 began with an interactive art session, where participants expressed their vision for an inclusive Bangladesh on a shared canvas. This session reflected the transformative spirit of the July Movement, which began as protests against public service quota discrimination and evolved into a broader call for systemic reforms.
The day continued with a treasure hunt-style activity focused on aligning policy reforms with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), followed by an intergenerational dialogue with changemakers like Julian Francis and Dr. Manzoor Ahmed.
The closing session featured a thought-provoking panel discussion on fostering equitable youth participation. Esteemed speakers included Nurul Haque Nur, President of Gono Odhikar Parishad; Nazifa Jannat, Coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Students Movement; Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC Bangladesh; Barrister Sara Hossain, Director of BLAST; and AKM Fahim Mashrur, CEO of Bdjobs.com. The session was moderated by Syeed Ahamed, CEO of IID.
The summit concluded with the Policy Action Award, honoring six organizations for their impactful initiatives. Additionally, Youth for Policy volunteers were recognized across six categories, celebrating their outstanding contributions in performance, advocacy, reporting, and emerging leadership. The event ended on a high note with a captivating concert featuring performances by Kaktal Band and Kanak Aditto, leaving attendees with an unforgettable musical experience.
The Youth Policy Summit 2024 reaffirmed the transformative power of youth-led initiatives in shaping a discrimination-free, inclusive Bangladesh.
