‘Youth, Integrity and Leadership,’ a two-day long convention organised by Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) was inaugurated Wednesday at the Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban at University of Dhaka (DU).In the conference, around 200 members of TIB’s youth wing, Youth Engagement Support (YES) took oath to fight against corruption.
Youths have the capability to bring changes in society by building up positive character and necessary skills resonated with patriotism, the speakers said at the conference.
The chief guest of the event, Dhaka University vice-chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique recalled the tragic grenade attack on a rally of Awami League on this very day in 2004.
The keynote speaker, Editor of renowned English daily, The Daily Star, Mahfuz Anam, underscored the need to change oneself first in order to bring changes in the surroundings.
He said, “There is a common tendency among us to dump our responsibilities on others. But we need to be aware that the world would not become a better place until we start taking responsibilities and change ourselves.”
“If the world changes for the better but you do not change yourself, then the change in the world would mean nothing to you,” he added.
He shared an experience from his life when a rickshaw-puller handed him over the money that he had left in his rickshaw. The rickshaw-puller kept roaming around streets until he found him.
“When I asked him why he took the trouble, he said I was the first ever passenger to address him with ‘apni.’ It proves that even a small act of kindness can make a difference,” said Anam.
He said though we have an excessive population, it could be turned into the most valuable resource.
“You have got two hands which you can use for begging, but again, the same hands can be used for creating. Transforming the begging hands into the creative ones is where the actual challenge lies,” said Anam.
TIB executive director Dr Iftekharuzzaman conducted the session.
Quoting the historic speech of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, he said, “We need to build fortresses in each and every household against corruption. There needs to be a social movement against this menace of society.”
The session was followed with a question-answer round and lunch.
