Developing human capital

Bangladesh's achievements in the social sectors have won the country appreciation. Dr. Babatunde, Executive Director of UNFPA, while citing this fact laid emphasis on human capital development without which population cannot be manpower. The focal point of his recommendation is that we set the order of priorities in terms of investment. If the country covets an ICT-based economy then education system should be geared to that end. We can take cue from the Bangalore experience. At the same time, it is crucial that investment is funnelled towards green economy. The education priorities will have to be attuned to both these objectives.
The overarching priority has to do with mainstreaming young people. The cornerstone of such a policy should consist in listening to the young ND ensuring their participation in nation building. This is easier said than done because their minds would have to be taken off their frustrations and anxieties. Their energy and potential creativity need to be constructively channelised. Let's not forget that many of them are given to drug addiction and violence. The problem areas will have to be addressed along with holding them to a proper value system.
We have to make sure they have access to build skills, credentials and education that connect to the society. Both public and private sectors will have to come forward with youth-centered investment plans.
Government policy should be focused on the fact that the curses of empty stomachs and joblessness will have to be overcome before we can succeed in mainstreaming the youth in nation building efforts.
Simultaneously, we should pay attention to empowerment of young women so that they can take their "rightful place in society," as the E.D. of UNFPA says. In Bangladesh we have already made substantial headway in woman empowerment through harnessing women in the RMG sector and involving them in a large variety of microfinancing projects. But we still have a long way to go insofar as expanding their role in decision making goes.