Voluntary humanitarian work deterrent to radicalisation

Youths today are being radicalised as they do not get any scope to engage themselves in voluntary work through which they could showcase their potential.

Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi made this observation yesterday at a press briefing organised in the capital's Jatiya Press Club to introduce a campaign titled "100 Million for 100 Million". 

The world has never seen these problems that the children are facing today and many children have never faced so much violence as they are facing at present, said Satyarthi. The 100 Million for 100 Million campaign, organised by the Kailash Satyarthi Children's Foundation, aims to bring an end to child labour, child slavery and violence against children. It also works to provide education for children.

The campaign will engage 100 million youths to help 100 million disadvantaged children and youths in the society.

The youths can bring changes in the society by involving themselves in humanitarian cause, Kailash said.

"The young people are not only full of energy and enthusiasm, but [they] also have an element of ideology, dreams and aspirations. However, we do not see any global platform where youths can find a better purpose in life, where they can showcase their enthusiasm. So, their ideology is being misled." 

The growing trend of suicidal bombings and cyber crimes are effecting the youths in our society. "These emerging minds can be the champions, change makers and leaders of tomorrow by engaging themselves in positive work such as contributing in the deprived society... However, we notice youths being frustrated, intolerant and violent, which is very alarming,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kailash Satyarthi said there are 170 million child labourers as opposed to 210 million jobless adults in the world and this scenario has to be reversed to end child labour.

The winner of Nobel Peace Prize 2014 was delivering a speech at Dhaka University.  Development Studies department of DU and “100 Million for 100 Million” Bangladesh, organised the programme. Former adviser of a caretaker government Rasheda K Chowdhury and Chairman of the department Abu Eusuf also spoke.