The rigorous admissions process competitively selected 400 students from over 2,700 applications from all over Bangladesh and 60 countries around the world. With financial support from UKAid, YLS 2016 brought together university students and young professionals from seven countries for three days of exploration, leadership training, and networking.
“The summit facilitates intergenerational dialogue, which is critical in finding innovative solutions to the problems we are facing as a society today,” said Akhter Matin Chaudhury, FCA, chairperson, BYLC, at the opening ceremony on August 18.
Speaking as the chief guest, the speaker of Bangladesh Parliament, Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, said, “BYLC is doing the important work of building bridges between people from different backgrounds and creating a shared vision for our future.”
Highlighting UKAid’s commitment to youth development in Bangladesh, Jane Edmondson, DFID country representative, said, “The new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) look forward to a world where the goals have been met for everyone. It is young people who have the biggest stake in this future, and it is young leaders who will make it happen, here in Bangladesh and worldwide. This is why the UK Government’s development programs support young people and why we were delighted to support the Summit.”
Other speakers at the opening ceremony included the Prime Minister’s International Affairs advisor, Gowher Rizvi, and state minister for Youth and Sports, Dr Biren Sikder. The keynote address was given by Sir Christopher Ball, former warden of Keble College, Oxford University.
This year’s leadership faculty included Ejaj Ahmad, founder and president of BYLC, and Harvard professors, Dr Dean Williams and Dr Hugh O’Doherty.
The leadership sessions centered on examining the opportunities and dangers of exercising leadership in an uncertain world and collectively exploring creative solutions to society’s most urgent challenges. Dr Dean Williams spoke about how current leadership practices are insufficient to enable progress, and stressed the importance of crossing boundaries to exercise leadership in a fractured world.
Experts from different sectors participated in thematic plenaries on globalisation, education and entrepreneurship to explore the nuances of leadership within different contexts.Manzoor Hasan OBE, founding board member and former chairperson, BYLC, chaired the session on “Leadership in an inter-connected world,” where Marcia Bernicat, US ambassador to Bangladesh, and Abrar Anwar, chief executive officer of Standard Chartered Bank, also spoke. Chairing the panel on the “Changing landscape of tertiary education in the 21st century,” Gowher Rizvi remarked, “Being the best in the nation is no longer enough, young people now have the challenge of being exceptional global citizens.”
Pradeep Singh, deputy dean and chief executive officer Indian School of Business (ISB), Mohali Campus, spoke about the new demands on modern education institutions. Annisul Huq, mayor, Dhaka North City Corporation, chaired the plenary on “Inclusive economy & entrepreneurship.” Discussants included Saima Chowdhury, board member, BYLC and chief executive officer, Noi Solutions; David Hasanat, chief executive officer, Viyellatex Group; and Kamran Bakr, chairman, Unilever.
Foreign secretary Md Shahidul Haque chaired a plenary on, “Investing in the next generation,” which featured prominent youth icons.
The summit aimed to provide Bangladesh’s youth with a platform to be inspired, exchange ideas, and implement their learning in the real world.
Dhaka Metropolitan Police, Elite Force, Renata Limited, Adcomm Limited, Majumder Group, Abdul Monem Limited, F-commerce platform Shop Up, and Aamra Limited were valuable partners.
