Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus yesterday urged young people to participate more in political activities to translate their dreams into reality and bring meaningful changes to society.

Yunus made the call when a group of young political activists from different political parties of Norway called on him at the state guest house Jamuna.

"We are encouraging young people to join politics; otherwise they cannot play an active role in policymaking," the CA told the visiting activists.

The visiting Norwegian delegates include Najma Ahmed, deputy leader of the Socialist Youth League; Fawzi Warsame, international leader of Workers' Youth League (AUF) and member of its central board; Dane Skofterud, member of the Centre Party; Ola Svenneby, member of the Conservative Party; Hadle Rasmus Bjuland, member of the Christian Democrats; Tobias Stokkeland, member of Green Party-affiliated group Green Youth; and Thyra Hakonslokken, former leader of Young Liberals of Innlandet.

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Will youth political engagement ever go beyond protesting?

Yunus enquired about their political backgrounds, visions, and activities. He also asked about the percentage of youth participation in mainstream politics of Norway.

The visiting political activists shared their experiences about meeting young people in Bangladesh, saying that many of these young Bangladeshis haven't even voted in their lifetimes.

They asked what the interim government of Bangladesh was doing to ensure their voting rights.

"The main commitment of the new government is systematic reforms. For the last 15 years, people couldn't vote. Across three terms, a fake voting system was in place; while authorities claimed it was a huge success, in reality, no one could vote. So, the reform of institutions is necessary to ensure young people can exercise their voting rights," Yunus said.

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Youth leading the way to good governance in Bangladesh

Calling the country's political environment "old-fashioned," Yunus said the main challenge the interim government is facing is "cleaning the mess" that it had inherited.

"Creating new structure in the new beginning by picking up pieces from rubble is the challenge," said the chief adviser.  "This is a transitional period for us. I just hope this transition will be short," he said.