Invest in country's youth development
Bangladesh will be in a serious socio-economic crisis after 2041 unless investments are made in education, skills development and employment for youths, said speakers at a youth conference in the capital yesterday.
As a result, the country may fail to reach the status of a middle-income country and to achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs), they added.
Policymakers, researchers and development partners working with youths in Bangladesh made the observations on the inaugural day of a two-day youth conference titled “Investment for Youths” at a city hotel.
ActionAid Bangladesh organised the conference where it presented several reports of research works conducted on problems and prospects of youths in the country.
Speaking as the chief guest, State Minister for Youth and Sports Biren Sikder said Bangladesh would reach its desired goals and “the SDGs before the deadline if participation of youths were ensured”.
Abdus Salam, director general of the NGO Affairs Bureau, said youths can help the country achieve its goals and there has to be investments in youths for that reason.
ActionAid Bangladesh Country Director Farah Kabir said, “Almost half the country's population now consists of youths… They won't be able to contribute to the country's development if they are not skilled and qualified… So, we need to hear the stories of youths to understand their thoughts. We have to invest in our youths.”
Saleemul Huq, director of International Centre for Climate Change and Development, said Bangladesh is a country of immense possibilities due to its youth population. He urged the youth to be watchful about the climate change issues.
Peter Bøgh Jensen, head of Danish government's development organisation Danida, said development of youths is one of their fields of work in Bangladesh.
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