SERAC-Bangladesh successfully organized the National Youth Day 2026 Roundtable Discussion under the Youth Share-Net Project, funded by AmplifyChange and supported by RedOrange.
The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, young people from diverse backgrounds, and representatives from youth organizations for an engaging and interactive dialogue on youth aspirations, skills development, employment, and meaningful participation. Throughout the discussion, young participants openly shared their experiences, challenges, aspirations, and ideas on how they can contribute to building a more inclusive and prosperous Bangladesh.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Md. Salim Miah, Director (Program), SERAC-Bangladesh. Md. Nazmul Hasan, Project Manager, Youth Share-Net, SERAC-Bangladesh, delivered a presentation highlighting the importance of investing in young people, emerging opportunities and challenges, and the changing landscape of future employment, setting the context for the roundtable discussion. He subsequently moderated the interactive panel discussion.
During the panel discussion, Aruja Islam Sifat, Project Officer, Youth Share-Net, RedOrange Group, reflected that creativity is a key driver of youth empowerment. She emphasized that nurturing creativity enables young people to develop new skills, adapt to changing realities, and create innovative solutions for the future.
S M Shaikat, Executive Director of SERAC-Bangladesh, shared lessons from his international experiences, highlighting how many countries nurture children’s talents, aspirations, and practical skills from an early age. He encouraged young people to build their aspirations, continuously invest in their skills, and prepare for emerging career opportunities, including the growing care economy. He also emphasized the importance of promoting gender equality in education, noting that fields such as child development and caregiving should be recognized as valuable professions for both boys and girls.
As the Chief Guest, Dr. Shaikh Mohammad Jobayed Hossain, Joint Secretary (Youth Wing), Ministry of Youth and Sports, highlighted the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to expand opportunities for young people despite resource constraints. He welcomed stronger collaboration with NGOs, civil society organizations, and development partners to maximize the impact of youth development initiatives. He also shared that the Ministry is increasingly focusing on assessing the effectiveness of its training programmes to ensure future investments are evidence-based and responsive to labour market needs. Drawing on successful examples from agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, and entrepreneurship, he encouraged young people to identify their passions, strengthen their skills, and pursue sustainable livelihoods with confidence.
The event also provided a valuable platform for participants to engage directly with policymakers, exchange ideas, and discuss practical pathways for strengthening youth participation, skills development, and employment opportunities in Bangladesh.
The programme was attended by Faruk Ahmed, Finance Officer; Sumaiya Akter, Volunteer Management Officer; and Mahmudul Hasan, Intern, SERAC-Bangladesh.
Together, the discussion reaffirmed that investing in youth skills, creativity, aspirations, and meaningful participation is essential for building a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous Bangladesh. SERAC-Bangladesh remains committed to creating platforms where young people can engage with decision-makers, share their perspectives, and contribute to shaping policies and programmes that affect their future.
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