SERAC-Bangladesh Elected to WHO South-East Asia Regional Youth Council
We are thrilled to announce that SERAC-Bangladesh has been selected to the World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Regional Office (SEARO) Youth Council for the 2025–26 term. This is a historic milestone, as it is the first-ever council of its kind, designed to formally integrate youth perspectives into regional health priorities and national-level initiatives.
Our Executive Director, S M Shaikat, will proudly represent SERAC-Bangladesh on this council, bringing the voice, experience, and insights of young people from across Bangladesh to the regional stage.
A Platform for Youth Leadership in Health
The newly formed WHO SEARO Youth Council provides a structured platform for meaningful youth engagement in health decision-making. For the first time, young leaders will have a direct channel to influence strategies, programs, and policies that impact the health and well-being of communities across South-East Asia.
Speaking on this opportunity, Shaikat said,
“This is a timely chance to elevate youth-driven evidence, integrate health rights within primary health care, and strengthen accountability so no one is left behind. We look forward to collaborating with peers across the region to translate community insights into practical policy solutions.”
SERAC-Bangladesh’s Contribution
As a youth-led, rights-based organization with over three decades of experience, SERAC-Bangladesh will contribute expertise in:
Through this council, we aim to amplify local youth voices, ensuring that insights from grassroots initiatives help shape regional health policies and implementation pathways. This is a crucial step in WHO’s broader effort to embed youth participation in health governance.
A Legacy of Youth Empowerment
For more than 30 years, SERAC-Bangladesh has worked to empower young people and marginalized communities, advancing health, gender equality, civic engagement, and peacebuilding across the country. Our programs have touched thousands of lives, promoting SRHR, GBV prevention, democratic participation, and climate resilience.
Being part of the WHO SEARO Youth Council is not just recognition of our efforts—it is an opportunity to scale our impact, ensuring that young people have a seat at the table in shaping the health policies that affect them.
Media Highlights
Our selection has been covered by major national media, including:
We are honored and excited to contribute to shaping the future of health in South-East Asia, ensuring that youth voices are not just heard, but acted upon.