Shadow Danish envoy for a day
Sayma Afrin, a student of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (Buet), shadowed Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mikael Hemniti Winther for a whole day on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old student of the university's chemical engineering department, also took over the ambassador's Twitter account where she live-tweeted about her day.
This year's theme for the shadow ambassador initiative was anti-corruption, said a Danish embassy press release.
Sayma, the shadow ambassador explored how young people can take part in the fight against corruption. As the first order of business, Sayma accompanied the ambassador to Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB).
At TIB, she met young volunteers, working to raise awareness on anti-corruption among students.
“I was really inspired by hearing these smart, young people talk about their experiences... Corruption can sometimes seem as an easy solution, but they had the courage to reject it and tell others to reject it as well,” said Sayma.
The Danish ambassador said, “Sayma did great as a shadow ambassador. She is a role model for many young people in Bangladesh. Young people are crucial for the anti-corruption agenda. Change will never occur if policy makers, authorities and diplomats do not include them in the solution.”
“Sayma and I used the day to explore how young people can be a part of the solution and what authorities and diplomats… can do to empower them,” he added.
During the day, Sayma held meetings with the embassy's trade, development and visa departments.
She also attended a formal lunch at the ambassador's residence. The day ended at a business-get-together for Danish and Bangladeshi companies, where she gave a speech about her experience of the day.
The “shadow ambassador” initiative comes ahead of the International Anti-corruption Conference in October in Copenhagen, where governments, companies and civil society members from all over the world will meet.
Sayma Afrin was elected the shadow ambassador after entering a Facebook competition where she gave her thoughts on how to involve young people in the anti-corruption agenda.
Comments