Carnival of Change 2025 showcased social initiatives and innovations by young entrepreneurs and innovators. The two-day event also featured discussions, workshops, and exchanges of ideas, all aimed at driving the nation forward. Held from 29 to 30 November (Saturday and Sunday) at the BRAC CDM premises in Savar, it brought together over 250 young people from across Bangladesh in an inspiring assembly of young changemakers.
Addressing the participants, Hossain Ishrath Adib, Senior Director of BRAC’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Integrated Development, and Ultra-Poor Graduation Programmes, noted that solutions often fail when they are forced into a preconceived frame, and that real progress requires unlearning the theories and processes we tend to rely on. The point was emphasised that the local community remains the true teacher when addressing local problems, and that our role is to adapt our thinking to society rather than making society fit our frameworks.
One of the highlights of the day was the intergenerational dialogue, Building a Better World, moderated by Md Shariful Islam Hasan, Associate Director of BRAC Migration Programme and Youth Platform.
In the panel discussion, columnist and researcher Afsan Chowdhury said that the Liberation War was a revolution made possible through the sacrifices of the people. In this context, he highlighted BRAC’s founder, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, noting that people like him are rare in society. He also mentioned that Sir Abed had raised funds from abroad to support the Liberation War.
Sara Hossain, Senior Advocate at the Bangladesh Supreme Court and Executive Director of BLAST, also addressed the youth, emphasising the need to raise their voices about the various injustices in society. She encouraged young people to debate, discuss, and express themselves freely.
Triathlete and Ironman Mohammad Shamsuzzaman Arafat; Dr Manoshi Saha, Founder, Travelettes of Bangladesh; and July 2024 Student Movement survivor Kazi Abdullah, also shared their insights during the session.
A session on personal well-being was conducted by Miftah Zaman, Assistant General Manager, Learning and Leadership Development, BRAC.
In ‘Impact Talk: Story of Resilience’, weightlifter Mabia Akhter shared her personal journey of overcoming challenges.
The event also featured a youth-driven interactive panel discussion on career guidance with Shamma Tasnim, General Manager at Robi Axiata; Rezaur Rahman Nafiz, Vice President at bKash; and Nazibul Islam Sharker, Assistant General Manager at BRAC. The session was hosted by Tasmim Hossain Tuba from Amra Notun Network.
The panel discussion Paths Less Taken, moderated by Dipty Chowdhury, included Shah Rafayat Chowdhury, Co-Founder and President, Footsteps Bangladesh; Athai Das Tinni, Content Creator, Books and More with Athai; Rashad Imam Tanmoy, Founder, Cartoon People; Sabbir Ahmed, AI Instructor, Learning Bangladesh; Pushpita Chowdhury, Founder, Paint Your Thoughts.
Mahfuz Russel, founder and Executive Director of Pittachhara Forest and Biodiversity Conservation Initiative, shared his story of resilience. The event also featured sessions under Amra Notun Adda, encouraging youth engagement and peer learning, covering topics such as Learning beyond Barriers, Let’s Air it Out, Fact or Fake, Heal and Chill, Unlearning Pink and Blue, Hands on Climate, Click to Thrive, and First Aid for Everyone. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Detepriya Roy, Senior Manager of BRAC’s Youth Platform.
On the first day, twelve initiatives were selected from the participants’ innovations and social ventures. Stories of Inclusion, an accessible audiobook initiative for children with disabilities; Jolshikha, producing eco-friendly charcoal from coconut shells; and GoodDo Toys, creating educational and inclusive toys for children won the Young Changemakers Award 2025. For the first time, winners of the award received BRAC’s Social Entrepreneurs’ Fellowship.
BRAC’s Amra Notun Network (ANN) engages university students, equipping them with training, mentorship, and opportunities to develop future leadership skills. Established in 2018, ANN has now expanded to 17 districts across the country. More than 2,600 young people have received training through this initiative, and many of these young changemakers have earned recognition and awards from the Gates Foundation, NASA, and the United Nations. Alumni of the ‘Amra Notun Network’ remain actively involved in the platform, providing mentorship to their juniors.
