Ms. Tahnia Shahid, Program Manager of American Center, was the key presenter who elucidated the procedures of applying for the U.S exchange programs. She gave all sorts of valuable information on U.S exchange programs for Bangladeshi student with fluent presentation and interactive question and answer session. She also provided three brochures containing information of the undergraduate programs for each participant. Two state alumni who attended SUSI, NESA program and a group from K-L YES alumni shared their experiences individually with interactive presentation. Ms. Sunera Saba Khan, a state alumnus who attended SUSI program, shared her experiences and explained how to prepare for SUSI gateway. Waseka Whaid, a state alumnus who experienced NESA program, shared her experiences of studying at Washington University in St. Louis and expressed how to face Viva-voce for NESA program. A group containing three members of K-L YES alumni also shared their experiences life at USA. At last the program was ended with thanks to the respected guests and participants.

At the program Md. Shariful Islam , Assistant Professor of Political Science, University of Dhaka, Towheedul Islam , Assistant Professor of International Relations, University of Dhaka and Muhibbur Rahman , Research Analyst of BISS were present as  a panelist at the panel discussion.

Around 55 students from University of Dhaka, NSU, Ahsanullah University of Technology, Daffodil International University, Brac University, Eden college, International Islamic University Chittagong (Dhaka Campus), Jagannath University, North South University, Sunnydale School and some more academic Institutions participated at that event.

 Panel Discussion on “Youth in Democracy” opened the floor for the young participants to discuss on youth participation in democratic process. A panel discussant Towheedul Islam said “Youth participation brings qualitative change and they are forward looking to bring positive contribution at the democratic practice with their active participation through blogging and new media. It was our youth who had the glorious history in bringing democracy dismantling the autocratic regime in early 90s.“Still we have to inspire more youth to participate through new media, seminars and discussions to express their views” he added.

Participants at the discussion criticized the current student political practice at the university campuses and claims that only increasing numbers of youth participation can remove bizarre student political practice. One of the participants Sadik Hasan Shovo student of Public Administration of University of Dhaka says “Our civic engagement practice has been confined in the traditional student politics and the progress of these student political groups have been constrained by their internal groupings and group violence”

Discussants and Participants talks on democratic process of Bangladesh and United States of America and compares Bangladesh election process with United States. Zunaed Al Mamun a student from Peace and Conflict studies of University of Dhaka at the discussion said “I would prefer the US presidential debate for our next election in Bangladesh to ensure accountability of the candidate towards people”. Warda Azad a student of O level from SunnyDale International School said, “The difference between Bangladesh and USA election process is in transparent and lucid flow of information of the nominated candidates and vigorous debate among the competitors. In U.S.A before election electoral debates holds what makes people clear about the nominated candidates pledges and capabilities. But in Bangladesh we don’t see any electoral debate or don’t get transparent information on nominated personal affairs.”

In question of youth in democracy, Participants strongly said that student politics should have been the role model of youth democracy but unfortunately they are not on the right track. They blame the lack of transparency, lack of accountability, autonomous decision making and black interference of mainstream political parties on the student politics as result of their instability. Panelists argue that student politics should exist but they should run democracy from the very root level in order to smooth democratic practice and its institutionalization since the today’s youth is going to be the future leader. The discussants draw some effective and valuable salutations towards perfect democratic practice and they share their thoughts regarding the responsibility of youth organizations in this regard. They believe power of youth can lead the way to democracy.

A shadow pre-election debate according to US presidential debate was followed by where two of the participants were nominated by the discussants. The nominated participants placed their manifesto about what would they do for people and state if they were elected prime minister of this country. The verbal combat was pretty lively. An evaluation paper was to be filled up by the participants at the end of the event evaluating the program and overall discussion along with their suggestion towards strengthening democracy in Bangladesh. At 6.30 pm, participants left the EMK Center with a new dream of a democratic Bangladesh, after the program winded.

]]> http://www.byesbd.org/thought-provoking-discussion-on-youth-in-democracy-inspired-youth-in-democracy/feed/ 0 http://www.byesbd.org/research-volunteer-training/ http://www.byesbd.org/research-volunteer-training/#comments Fri, 21 Sep 2012 15:38:24 +0000 Md. Jillur Rahim http://www.byesbd.org/?p=2694 BYES held a comprehensive training for its research volunteers and assistants on the 21st of September 2012, to train them for the upcoming research BYES is undertaking on ‘The Current Scenario of Democratic Practices among the Youth of Bangladesh’. The training session started off at 9: 00 am, with the BYES president, Mr. Shamimul Islam presiding over the Orientation phase. The trainers and assistants introduced themselves and thus the main session started.
Then Towheedul Islam, Lecturer, International Relations, University of Dhaka took over the presiding and enlightened everyone with the knowledge of data collection techniques for a research. He explained that the research BYES is undertaking is mainly a qualitative research and stressed on the qualitative interview techniques. He also explained why DATA TRIANGULATION was very important in a research of this sort.

After that, Md. Mujahedul Islam took over the session and solely explained the entire methodology of data collection, interviewing and very importantly the practical challenges of conducting a qualitative research. He explained how important mannerisms and strategic thinking is in this research. Enamul Mazid Khan Siddique, Research and Communications, IUCN and Research Associate at the first phase, explained that the interviewer in a qualitative research is not bound to a questionnaire but rather to a checklist of information that he/she needs to bring out. How he/she does that depends entirely on the respondent and the environment. He focused on the importance of observational artifacts in an interview as such, artifacts like the state of the respondent’s office, his postures, gestures, change in voice tone. These are very noteworthy points, since the researchers need to focus on these as well during the interview.
The interviewers are to focus on given themes to get an understanding of the democratic practices of the youth. Then the entire group of interviewers was broken down into groups of 2 for each interview. Each group fell under a specific cluster. With that our session ended. And it was a very successful session indeed for now all the researchers have a very clear idea on the research design, methodology and the key points of the research.

Mr. Shamimul Islam, President of BYES presented the opening speech during the ceremony. He welcomed all the participants and delegates who were present despite the heavy rain. In his speech, he presented BYES’s main aim- to create a voice for the youth and make the society hear its opinions. Ansar Anas, Program Associate of BYES later on gave the audience a few minutes of his wonderful demonstration about BYES. The 5 minute demonstration on BYES’s journey created a clear picture in the mind of the audience.

The most attractive part of the event was the auspicious speech by HIV/AIDS specialist Dr. Tajuddeen Waaliyol from UNICEF Bangladesh. In his speech, he described youth as “a part of stage in life when we begin to think and try wholeheartedly to bring about a positive change in society”, that is, today’s youth is tomorrow’s future. That’s why he asked the youth community of Bangladesh to become more aware of their social responsibilities.

Next session of the event was a competition called “Making Friends”- a maximum of 10 minutes was allowed for each participant to make as many new friends as possible. In the end, there were 4 winners who were awarded books. The session was conducted by Md Jillur Rahim, Human Resource Officer & Kawser Jahan, Program Associate of BYES.

Debating has always been a thrilling engagement, for which it was also reserved as a part of the International Youth Day celebration 2012. Two different panels were formed including youth & adult. Representatives in the ‘Youth Panel’ included young sponsor, TED fellow, and founder of the Arch Society Mr. Muhammad Tauheed & Nabila Hossain, Lecturer, American Intl. University Bangladesh (AIUB). The ‘Adult Panel’ was formed with Shariful Islam, Asst. Professor, Dept. of Political Science,University of Dhaka& Shishu Academy’s senior officer Razina Akhter. The discussion topic was “Mutual collaboration between the adult and youth community is the key to successful advancement of a society”. An intense and enjoyable debate happened between these two groups discussing serious youth related problems.  Youth are the torch-bearers of new thinking and decision makers of tomorrow.

A separate session for the young participants was arranged near the end, in which they were divided into 5 groups, each one tasked to discuss one given topic, its related problems and come up with their solutions, which involved tree plantation, education for the deprived class of society, establishing human rights, democracy within the family and building bridges amongst youth. Inspired by their brilliant performances, members of BYES took a strong pledge to work harder for them in future.

A “sign-up” session continued where delegates and participants signed and commented about the event, followed by awarding certificates to IYD participants from BYES. At the end, event coordinator Mr. Ashiqur Rab concluded the ceremony by thanking everyone again for their participation.

By mid-day, everyone had left, yet the cheerful and energetic voices of young minds still continued to echo around the place where the event happened.

About the Program:

International Youth Day (IYD) is a unifying banner from which individuals can draw the inspiration to take action and initiatives. The the me chosen for International Youth Day 2012 – “Building a Better World: Partnering with Youth” – is a global call to action for young men and women, as well as other stakeholders around the world, to develop and engage in partnerships with and for youth towards building a better world.

International Youth Day 2012 provides an important opportunity to build upon the priorities of the Secretary-General’s Action Agenda, as well as to respond to calls from youth organizations and UN Member States around the world to strengthen mechanisms for partnerships with young people by exploring various and innovative ways that the United Nations, Member States, civil society, the private sector, academia and philanthropists effectively partner and collaborate with young people, especially in the areas of employment, entrepreneurship, political inclusion, citizenship and protection of rights, and education, including on sexual and reproductive health.

Now, BYES is going to celebratethe day with youths drawing the inspiration to take action.

Activities of the program: 

• A presentation on ‘Building a better world: partnering with youth’ by UN.
• Team Work on“Think Globally, Act Locally”
• Panel Discussion on “Youth-Adult partnership in building better society”
• Sign Up& Making comments. 

Event Date: August 12, 2012(from 10:00 am-12:30pm)

Event Venue:

 American Center Auditorium, US Embassy Extension

Plot No-1, ProgatiSharani, J-Block Baridhara Residential Area, Dhaka (Beside Noton Bazar Moor), Dhaka, Bangladesh

Qualifications to apply:

The participant has to be a student of Undergrad level preferably from 1st year to fourth year of any University/ College of Bangladesh.

Participants Role:

• Working in a team and presentation
• Interactive Discussion
• Signing up

Apply Online:

http://www.byesbd.org/iyd-2012apply/

Once you are short listed, you will be notified through email. Get updates from: www.facebook.com/byes.bd

Selection Criteria:

• Your understanding on Young Engagement
• Your intention and commitment to Social Activism
• Good Communication and insightful write up

Participants Benefits:

• Certification on appreciation of participation.
• Best write ups will be awarded and featured in social media, BYES blog.
• learning global approach, interacting & sharing your views, thoughts with likeminded people

Application Deadline:

August 5, 2012 before 12.oo PM. (Late submissions will not be considered)

Contact for more details:

Email: byes.bd@gmail.com

Website:www.byesbd.org

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/byesbd

Cell phone: 01841 664166 (Jillur Rahim), 01911 101258(Ashique) 

Project Title:

Empowering Youth Leaders through Cultivating Culture of Peace to Strengthen Democratic Practice 

Project Description:

The project seeks to develop a “Youth University Democracy Network” through creating a pool of “Youth Democracy Ambassadors” by extensive leadership program on Democracy. The selected 35 Youth Democracy Ambassadors (target group 18-24 years) would be trained up who would be selected from 6 Universities with well-balanced gender approach. After the training, Youth Democracy Ambassadors will conduct 6 Seminars and Dialogues at 6 universities to create awareness among students to gear up the debate on democratic practice in Bangladesh.

Subsequently a three days “South Asian Youth Democracy Summit 2013” will be organized to formulate ‘South Asian Democracy Advocacy Network” where the Youth leaders, Political leaders, Civil society leaders, Academicians, Business leaders would be brought to bridge themselves to catalyze the awareness of democracy throughout the University Campuses.

Main Goal of the project:

To cultivate and strengthen Democracy in Bangladesh by creating a group of empowered Youth leaders and a University Democracy Advocacy Network.

Objectives:

#To build leadership skills of the Youth Democracy Ambassadors.

# To promote the spirit of Young people towards Democracy and Youth Participation issues.

# To promote tolerance in University Campuses whereby Youth of different thoughts could coexist.

#To bring the state alumni members and other students coming from different backgrounds into one platform to speak and facilitate them to exchange meaningful thoughts and ideas freely and lively to build a more tolerance society.

#To create a University Democracy Advocacy Network in different Universities.

# To Promote a National Democracy Advocacy Forum involving different stakeholders.

# To uphold the importance of dialogues for the culture of Peace to strengthen democracy.

The meeting was convened by BYES’s Vice President Nabila Hossain .  President of BYES conducted the brainstorming session and discussion on upcoming project. On the Meeting, Mohammed Iliyas , Program Officer , BYES Youth in Governance and Democracy Program(YGDP) , presented  a concept note on  thematic  development of Youth in Governance and Democracy . Junior members of BYES Shakib Hossain, Tanin Jaid , Tasnim Jahid and Bushra Tabassum  have been primarily selected for  BYES’s signature program YSLP on the meeting.

BYES next bimonthly general meeting will be held at the first Friday on May 2012.