Unicef, Bangladesh Scouts to enhance youth empowerment
Unicef Bangladesh has signed a programme cooperation agreement (PCA) with Bangladesh Scouts to empower and mobilise 1.68 million members of Bangladesh Scouts in the areas of community awareness and disaster risk reduction.
Building on the experience of the Scouts and Unicef's approach in engaging with youths and adolescents, the project will focus on engaging adolescent boys and girls of Scouts in community development initiatives, awareness raising and campaigns on children's issues such as newborn health, menstrual hygiene management, handwashing and ending child marriage.
The project will also focus on enhancing knowledge and increased participation of adolescent boys and girls on community-based disaster risk reduction.
The agreement was signed in Dhaka yesterday by Arshadul Mukaddis, executive director in-charge, Bangladesh Scouts; and Edouard Beigbeder, Unicef Bangladesh representative, said a Unicef press release.
“UNICEF emphasizes on empowering adolescent as agents of change. We believe that young people must be involved in identifying and implementing solutions to address the challenges facing adolescents and youths. Implementing solutions for adolescents can be enhanced through use of innovative platforms and tools.” said Edouard Beigbeder.
The activities under this initiative include trainings on life skill based education, online safety and disaster risk reduction.
Through this initiative, the Scout members will also have access to and connect through online platforms such as U-Report and social media to gather opinions of children and young people on issues affecting them, enhance their knowledge on child rights, take up challenges, and be engaged in community development.
The initiative will be implemented in Satkhira, Sunamganj, Patuakhali and Cox's Bazar; and in Sylhet and Dhaka, considering potential hazards such as flood, cyclone and earthquake.
“This new partnership with Bangladesh Scouts will promote their broader engagement in various initiatives to address children and adolescent issues, while deepening the capacity of Scouts in targeted locations in disaster risk reduction,” said Edouard Beigbeder.
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