Bangladeshi teenager Mainul Islam has received a nomination for the prestigious International Children's Peace Prize 2023, often referred to as the Nobel Prize for children.
This notable recognition comes from the Kids Rights Foundation of the Netherlands.
In the current year, a total of 88 children from 35 different countries have been nominated for the International Children's Peace Prize across various categories.
The award was established in 2005 during a gathering of Nobel Peace Prize laureates in Rome, initiated by the Children's Rights Foundation. It is presented annually to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to advancing children's rights, safety, and overall quality of life.
Mainul Islam, a 17-year-old from Bangladesh, is known for his role as a changemaker and social innovator. Since 2020, he has been dedicated to promoting safe internet use among children and adolescents, as well as advocating for the rights of young people to foster peace in Bangladesh.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the increased use of the internet by children raised concerns about issues like addiction, cybercrime, suicide, and drug addiction.
Motivated by these concerns, Mainul, head of PR and Communications of BabyTube, which is Bangladesh's sole platform dedicated to safe video sharing for children.
Through direct engagement with 11,400 students from approximately 21 educational institutions and outreach efforts involving more than 21,000 parents through workshops, seminars, and community meetings in remote areas, Mainul has significantly raised awareness about responsible internet and technology usage.
The BabyTube app, available on the Google Play Store, has been downloaded by over 35,000 people to date.
In addition to his work with BabyTube, Mainul serves as a co-founder of the non-profit organization "Mentor Mashai," which assists underprivileged children and teenagers, starting at the age of 15, in areas related to education and cybersecurity.
Mainul Islam, the youngest child of Gias Uddin and Parveen Akhtar, from Raipura upazila in Lakshmipur, is currently in the 12th grade at RM Kamil Madrasha in Hyderganj Taheria of Raipur upazila.
Mainul expressed his feelings about the nomination, saying: "Words cannot express how I feel about being nominated for this award. I come from a remote area and have been working from there for a long time. There is truly no greater honour than representing Bangladesh on the global stage in this manner. I am immensely proud."
Notably, Sadat Rahman became the first Bangladeshi to receive this award in 2020, with Malala Yousafzai earning it in 2013 and Rena Kawasaki of Japan in 2022. The Children's Peace Prize is typically presented by a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and the award ceremony is scheduled to take place at London's White Hall on November 17.