Experts have said that social ethics and public awareness need raised among the young generation in order to prevent religious radicalism, extremism, terrorism and violence against women and children.
The comment was made at a roundtable discussion organized by The Hunger Project at CIRDAP on Thursday morning, titled “Building Youth Leadership on Pluralism and Social Harmony.”
Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, Bangladesh country director of The Hunger Project, presided over the discussion while former ambassador M Humayun Kabir made a presentation as the chief guest.
''Violence cannot be prevented in a coercive way. Creating awareness among the young generation is mandatory to uproot violence from society'' said Dr Badiul Alam Majumdar, adding that ethical values and morals were a fundamental indicator of democracy.
The Hunger Project, in collaboration with National Endowment for Democracy (NED), conducted a pilot project to create awareness and develop ethical values among youths in six unions of three districts in May, 2017.
The aim of the project was to prevent violence between social groups who differ on religious or political issues by building up a sense of brotherhood, Dr Badiul added.
Meanwhile, M Humayun Kabir said developing social ethics among the young generation was important as it was the burden of the youth to lead Bangladesh to the future in the right way.
He added that the young generation needed to take advantage of technological advancement, without being corrupted its dark side.
Furthermore, the former ambassador said educational and religious institutions, society, and the government all needed to play a positive role in molding the next generation.
Mahmudul Hasan Milu, a member of The Hunger Project, displayed a power point presentation on the progress of the leadership project initiative conducted from June 2017 to April 2018.
According to the presentation, the project began its journey with 180 youth leaders and 30 mentors from the six unions of Satkhira, Bagerhat and Brahmanbaria districts. The leaders were directed and trained by the mentors.
Leaders of the youth groups from these districts participated in the discussion and shared their experiences. They said they conducted many daily programs such as front yard meetings, sports, knowledge competitions, peace rallies, and signature campaigns. In all the events, they tried to communicate and inform people about social unity and peace.
Monday, March 17, 2025
