State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam has said that it is time “to allow our young generation to dream large and address any skills gaps in their career path through training in communication, cooperation, and leadership”.
“I request support and cooperation from all the stakeholders including private sectors, NGOs, development partners in the forms of knowledge, skills and technology as well as investment in the employment generation and skill development of our youth to utilise their full potential,” he said while speaking at a policy dialogue.
The Junior Chamber International (JCI) organised the dialogue on “Skill Development of Youth for Better Employment Opportunity”.
The State Minister highlighted the initiatives taken by the government for the youths and said youth can play a pivotal role in fostering social transformation, economic development, and political stability in a country.
“Their participation in the development efforts is essential for global peace, solidarity, justice and prosperity.”
He said Bangladesh was announced as the “OIC Youth Capital 2020” marking a “significant recognition” for the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government in the youth sector.
The recognition is a “significant achievement” to enhance the image of Bangladesh globally especially among the youth.
“In order to ensure the desired outcome, we need strong political leadership, adequate resource allocations, knowledge, experience and expertise of the young population in all phases of planning, implementation and monitoring of national policies,” he said.
“Our government has provided highest priority to youth in its development, policy plans and programmes. During the three successive tenures, our Government has endorsed a number of pro-youth policies and has been implementing those policies with specific action plans.
“However, there are certain challenges that we need to combat together. We need to ensure full employment and decent work for all men and women including the youths by 2030. Global standard education and skill development are twin key factors to this endeavour. The government has to strengthen its action plan to undertake more programmes with sufficient resource allocations for your development in education, health, skills, sports and culture,” the state minister said.
To include young generation in the fight against the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and other challenges, he said: “We need to adopt a holistic and universal approach at the national, regional and international level in this regard.”
