DHAKA CLIMATE TALK 2018

Youth Environment and Social Development Society (YESDS) & Department of Environmental Science, Stamford University Bangladesh, in association with ActionAid Bangladesh, Oxfam and Independent University, Bangladesh, organised a pre-COP (Conference of Parties) event titled, Dhaka Climate Talk 2018. The programme was held recently at the university's Siddheswari campus. 

The purpose of the dialogue was to provide a platform to exchange experiences, showcase the best practices, raise awareness and encourage cooperation between youth activists, policymakers, NGOs, academicians, media and civil society. The daylong event began with the inauguration and welcome speech by the chief guest Prof Mohammad Ali Naqi, Vice-Chancellor of Stamford University Bangladesh, followed by speeches from the special guests, Prof Dr Gulshan Ara Latifa and Prof Dr M Feroze Ahmed. Later, a presentation was made by Zuhair Ahmed Kowshik, General Secretary and Co- Founder, YESDS.

The panelists scheduled for Panel -1 focused on 'Confronting Climate Crisis: Literacy, Youth Entrepreneurship and Climate Action' and comprised of Prof Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Chairman, Department of Environmental Science, Stamford University Bangladesh; Md  Rashedur Rahman, Executive Director, Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship Center, and Assistant Professor, Dept of Organization Strategy and Leadership, University of Dhaka; Saqib Huq, Program Coordinator (Climate Finance), International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD); and, Syeda Nishat Naila, Strategic Partnership Executive, YESDS. The discussions focused on the youth, so that they can be the agents for change to take Bangladesh forward as a resilient nation.

After lunch, an interactive energiser session was conducted by Khalid Bin Masud, a Master's student at the Institute of Disaster Management and Vulnerability Studies. It seemed to have a rather positive impact on the audience. Panel-2 emphasised on 'Taking Youth Voice to Global Platforms: Role of Government, Development Partners and Media'. The lineup included Farah Kabir, Country Director, ActionAid Bangladesh; Md Mohsin, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief; Ranjit Kumar Chakraborty, Project Manager, IBFCR Project, UNDP; and, M B Akhter, Program Director, Oxfam in Bangladesh. The dialogue focused on ensuring that the voice of the youth is taken into consideration when prescribing climate related actions.