Listening to Youth Voices in Bangladesh

Bangladesh: the next generation

Objectives Harnessing our biggest resource: an insight into the thoughts, aspirations and concerns of the youth of Bangladesh and how we must respond to them

A snapshot of what Bangladeshis between the age of 15 and 30 think, feel and hope for

Key Findings

• grounds for optimism– 79% are interested in development issues– 70% think the country is heading in the right direction

• cause for concern– 60% fear corruption will get worse– 71% are concerned that climate change will result in thousands

of displaced people across the country• the next generation: ‘willing but unable’?

– 98% want to take part in social work – 70% are not active in the lives of their communities

/bangladesh

Recommendations

• Build young people’s capacity • Create opportunities for community engagement • Form national and international networks• Create a national platform for influence

Addressing the recommendations

• Active Citizens Project– 10,000 trained and active– 500 community based social action projects– 50 international opportunities created

• Partnering with BRAC to establish the Bangladesh Youth Parliament

British Council: what next…?

• Developing a networking offer to sustain and build on young people’s engagement

• Identifying areas where there is genuine scope to support the development of new policy

• Focusing on the importance of intercultural competence to help young people across the world to debate global issues, to understand the interdependencies between nations and to build trust

Thank you