Students showcased climate knowledge, environmental ideas and creative solutions through competitions, exhibitions and workshops during the four-day festival.
A four-day national environmental festival aimed at raising awareness among young people about climate change, environmental conservation and a sustainable future ended at BRAC University in Dhaka, with organisers calling for greater youth engagement in addressing environmental challenges.
The “Green Genesis 2026” festival, held from September 8 to 11 at BRAC University’s Merul Badda campus, brought together school, college and university students from across Bangladesh for competitions, exhibitions, workshops and discussions focused on environmental issues.
The festival was organised by BRAC University’s Outreach Team as a national platform for young people to present ideas, innovations, creativity and leadership skills aimed at addressing environmental challenges.
Organisers said nearly 3,000 students registered for the festival, while more than 3,500 applications were submitted across 12 categories. Participants included students from nearly 100 educational institutions, 88 clubs from 53 organisations and about 50 representatives from different regions of the country.
The first day featured the “A Letter to Nature” competition, in which students from different parts of Bangladesh wrote letters expressing their thoughts, concerns and expectations for nature. The entries explored participants’ personal relationships with nature, their sense of responsibility for protecting the environment and their thoughts about the future of the planet.
The second day featured the “Climate Science Olympiad” and “Climate Oratory”. The Olympiad tested participants’ knowledge of climate science, environmental change and contemporary global challenges. In the Climate Oratory segment, young participants delivered impromptu speeches on various climate and environmental issues, demonstrating their analytical skills and leadership abilities.
The third day included a special session titled “Green Genesis Inspiration”. Golam Rabbani, director of C3ER, presented a keynote paper on climate change and environmental crises. Tahsina Rahman, head of Student Life at BRAC University, discussed leadership development among students and the university’s role in the area.
The day also featured an Environmental Project Display, Eco Decode Problem-Solving Challenge, poster design, wall magazine, photography exhibition, AI art, environmental reels and Green Journalism, among other segments. Participants presented ideas on environmentally friendly technologies, sustainable solutions, research, creative communication and environmental storytelling.
The organisers said the activities encouraged participants not only to identify environmental problems but also to work on practical solutions.
Five workshops were held during the festival. They were conducted by C3ER Director Golam Rabbani, Director of the Office of Communications Khairul Bashar, Prothom Alo’s digital content lead and writer Khairul Babui, C3ER Assistant Director Sharmin Nahar and BRAC University alumnus Srijan Banik.
The workshops covered environmental communication, research, journalism, public awareness and techniques for effective and creative presentation.
At the closing ceremony, Ainun Nishat, emeritus professor at BRAC University, was the chief guest. Referring to the importance of youth participation in addressing environmental and climate crises, he said, “To build a sustainable Bangladesh of the future, we must work by combining knowledge, innovation and awareness. And young people are the greatest force in that journey.”
BRAC University Treasurer Ariful Islam visited the students’ exhibitions.
BRAC University Registrar David Dowland delivered the welcome address, while Dipti Sarkar, assistant director of the university’s Outreach Team, delivered the closing remarks.
Students, parents and representatives of various educational institutions attended the closing ceremony. Prizes, certificates and honours were presented to students who achieved success in different competitions and exhibitions.
The four-day festival was supported by BRAC University’s Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) and Youth for a Green Earth (YGE). BRAC University’s Leadership Development Forum, Environmental Club, Community Service Club and Natural Science Club served as co-organisers.
