Muktiforum envisions the creation of a liberal, pluralist and pro-people society in Bangladesh.
Several leaders of the organization expressed this vision on Saturday, at the Royal Paradise Hotel in Gulshan-2 while speaking at the Youth Manifesto Dialogue 2026 program organized by the forum.
Muktiforum member Asif Imran told Dhaka Tribune: "The country is ours, so we have to take the responsibility of building the country. Through this forum, we want to develop the young generation as competent and skilled workers for building the country." We want Bangladesh to move forward with young leadership who will play a role in building a crime, corruption, and drug-free society. In addition, the people of the country will regain their civil rights. Here, youth are encouraged to think critically about the policies of state for the betterment of the people of this country. The contest was held in two segments: vision articulation and public engagement, and policy pitch before the jury. This contest is not only of importance for the youth, but it is also important for the people of the whole country.
The program started with a welcome speech from Muktiforum’s executive member Aparajita Debnath.
The first round is conducted by Araf Ibn Saif, co-founder of Muktiforum. Here, the contestants presented their manifesto regarding the socio-political issues such as corruption, clientelist politics, security of person, women, and gender-diverse people’s safety, etc.
In between the two rounds, human rights activist Rezaur Rahman Lenin and law lecturer Evnat Bhuiyan gave speeches and a presentation named Gen-Z ballot by M Rajibul Islam Talukdar Bindu was given.
The second round started with five contestants: Anika Bushra Imam Bela, Aziz Ibna Mahbub, Md Hasan Ul Hasib, Md Sajidur Rahman Sajir, Nafis Fuad, selected based on their performance in the first round. The second round is conducted by Anupam Debashis Roy, co-founder of Muktiforum and editor-in-chief of Muktipotro. This round is held in a debate form. Every contestant presented their vision in one minute. One participant Aziz Ibne Mahmud raised the issue of the judiciary.
The judges for this stage were: Asif Saleh, Executive Director/CEO, Brac; Nazmul Ahasan, Executive Editor, Netra News, Nazia Nusrat Adnin, Digital Distribution Coordinator for Bangladesh, Deutsche Welle; Rezaur Rahman Lenin, human rights activist; Evnat Bhuiyan, Lecturer of Law, Bangladesh Open University; Ferdousi Begum, Assistant Professor, Department of Law, American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB)
The judges questioned the contestants one by one. The newer issues were traffic management, bribery, illegal vehicles, lack of training, bureaucratic complexities, national security and geopolitics, cultural rights and preservation of archaeological sites, animal welfare, conflicts between aspirations and implementation of public trust etc.
Contestants replied with students’ role in traffic management after the July-August mass uprising, lack of training, lack of security equipment, knowledge gap in youth, CHT security, self-dependence, repealing the Special Powers Act, preserving indigenous cultures, budget, reforestation etc.