A discussion titled “A movement for change: The journey continues” was held at Lakeshore Hotel in Dhaka yesterday aiming to encourage the country’s youth to get involved in politics and bring positive change through a democratic process.
Organised by Projonmo Bangladesh, the discussion was attended by former president Dr AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury, members of the diplomatic community, members and leaders of Facebook-based youth movement Blue Band Call, Centre for Generational Change, and other youth leaders and activists.
At the event, Blue Band Call Founder Mahi B Chowdhury read the keynote speech.
“Our values resonate with the dreams and aspirations of the projonmo (generation) for positive political change, politics of merit and knowledge instead of muscle, politics of unity, inclusiveness and harmony instead of division, politics of programmes and development instead of emotional rhetoric, and politics of tolerance and non-violence instead of confrontation.
“We seek to promote a positive political culture based on tolerance, accountability and respect, prioritising human dignity,” he said in his speech.
He also presented statistics gathered by the British Council Next Generation Report 2010, which states that only 1% of the country’s young people belong to a political party, while 74% have no interest in politics and 76% believe young people have no capacity to influence government decision.
Mahi said the political scenario change in the major milestone historical events, such as the movements for language, liberation and democracy in 1952, 1971 and 1990, were led by youth. But now they are rejecting politics because of the use of muscle, division, emotional rhetoric, and violence.
He said the young generation aspires for a land of religious, ethnic, social and economic equality, seeks to promote human dignity, respect and rights, and aims to uphold the spirit of 1971 and Bangladeshi nationalism.
If the youth does not come forward for positive change in the political scenario, politics will be confined to a handful of people and political prospects will be static, Mahi said.