UNDP to host youth dialogue with DNCC mayor aspirants

United Nations Development Programme will host the first-ever Youth Dialogue with the mayoral candidates of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) on Wednesday.

The programme scheduled to be held at Spectra Convention Centre at Gulshan aims at providing the young generation of Dhaka city a platform to voice their concerns and questions regarding the upcoming DNCC polls, said a UNDP press release.

With the theme “Raising Young Voices!” the event highlights the concern that approximately 50 million youths in Bangladesh are largely left out of the socio-economic and political plans that affect their lives, the release reads.

Designed to emphasise the voices of youths as an integral part of the society, this event will moderate youths’ concerns and questions and allow the candidates to respond to the queries.

The release said it has received over 150 questions from different youth organisations as well as from social media platforms reflecting a wide range of issues and queries from young people.

Out of these 150 questions, the UN Youth Advisory Panel selected 20 questions which will be asked to the mayoral candidates during the event.

Although young people comprise approximately 40 percent of Bangladesh’s total population, they are rarely included in the election and policymaking processes of the country, added the release.

“Hence the event aims at strengthening advocacy for youth inclusion surrounding current issues that matter to them. The event acknowledges that youths have something to say about their city.”

By creating a platform for young people to engage with mayoral candidates, the UNDP aims to galvanise youth participation in the election process.