More than 200 students joined Chattogram’s Youth for Climate Action programme, taking part in climate debates and quizzes to strengthen environmental awareness, leadership and local action against climate change.
More than 200 students from colleges and universities across Chattogram took part in a climate awareness debate and quiz competition on Tuesday as youth organisations sought to encourage young people to play a greater role in tackling the impacts of climate change.
The event, titled “Youth for Climate Action”, was held at the Theatre Institute Chattogram (TIC) in Bangladesh’s second largest city. It featured an exhibition debate and quiz competition aimed at raising climate awareness among young people and strengthening their leadership in environmental protection.
The programme was jointly organised by Drishti Chattogram and the Young Power in Social Action (YPSA). It was supported by Solidar Suisse, the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangladesh and the CALL project.
Speaking at the event, environmental experts, government officials and media representatives said the world is facing an increasingly severe climate crisis and stressed that young people must take the lead in addressing its impacts at the local level. They said the leadership, innovation and awareness of the younger generation are essential for building a sustainable future.
The programme was chaired by Drishti Chattogram founder Masud Bokul. Guests included Mohammad Jamir Uddin, Director of the Department of Environment in Chattogram; Mohammad Mahbubul Hasan, Deputy Inspector General of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments in Chattogram; Shamsuddin Illias, Chattogram Bureau Chief of The Business Standard; Bridget D’Costa, Vice President of the Chattogram District Women’s Sports Association; Koshshaful Haque Shehzad, former president of Drishti Chattogram; and Mohammad Ali Shahin, Head of Advocacy at YPSA.
Addressing the gathering, Shamsuddin Illias said climate change has pushed the environment to the brink of crisis, adding that river erosion, extreme heatwaves and biodiversity loss demonstrate that climate change is already affecting people’s lives.
He said young people need to become more vocal in protecting the environment and described their active participation in grassroots environmental initiatives as encouraging. He also said the media would continue highlighting the realities of climate change while standing beside young people in their positive efforts.
In his presidential address, Masud Bokul said Drishti Chattogram has been working for the past 33 years with young people to promote environmental conservation, intellectual development and social awareness.
He said young people have always been the driving force behind the organisation’s activities and would also have to lead efforts to confront the growing climate crisis. He expressed confidence that Chattogram’s talented youth would help build a climate-resilient and environmentally sustainable future, adding that the Youth for Climate Action programme would further strengthen their sense of responsibility and awareness.
Among those present were Yasir Silmy, Chairman of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at BGC Trust University Bangladesh; Drishti Chattogram Joint Convener Bonkusum Barua; NewsNow24 Chattogram Bureau Chief Partha Protim Nandy; DBC Television reporter and Drishti Chattogram Executive Committee member Mujibul Haque; Chief Coordinator Munna Majumder; and Joint Coordinator Ridwan Alam Adnan.
One of the highlights of the event was a special exhibition debate between the debating clubs of BGC Trust University Bangladesh and Premier University. Participants presented arguments on the role young people can play in addressing climate change and mitigating its impacts.
More than 200 students from colleges and universities across Chattogram also competed in the climate-themed quiz competition. Following evaluations by the moderator and judging panel, winners and participants received prizes and certificates at the closing ceremony.
