Bangladesh should focus on the youth's engagement in economic activity to achieve its development goals as they constitute one third of the population, speakers suggested at a dialogue on Wednesday.
In order to make the best use of the demographic dividend, they proposed that it identify the challenges facing the youth.
The speakers were addressing a dialogue styled 'Addressing vulnerability of youth in Bangladesh: Policy and resource allocation' hosted by the South Asian Network on Economic Modelling (SANEM) and ActionAid Bangladesh at a city hotel.
LGRD and cooperatives minister Md Tazul Islam attended the programme as the chief guest while SANEM executive director Dr Selim Raihan and ActionAid country director Farah Kabir, among others, spoke.
In his speech, Mr Islam says the country needs to incorporate its youths in economic activity in a bid to establish a developed nation by 2041.
"The youth's role is crucial for the development journey as their participation will facilitate the country's endeavour for achieving the goals," he adds.
The minister further says that the country is making progress despite manifold challenges.
The government has taken a cautious stance to tackle the global economic crisis that stems from the Russia-Ukraine war, he says.
"Many countries have undertaken austerity measures to cope with the crisis that emerges from the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia."
Mr Islam says it has made an impact on many countries' energy supply, food price and export-import trade.
Not only Bangladeshi taka, he adds, but a number of currencies are facing devaluation as well.
Dr Raihan says there is a need for increasing allocation for youth development.
Ms Farah says a wide range of programmes are in place to address the need of the nation's youth.
However, the emerging situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic needs a special attention to address.
Students stayed aloof from socialisation scope as they couldn't go to school, whereas many even couldn't participate in online class for lack of access to amenities, cites Ms Farah.
Mental health has become a vital issue for the youth following the pandemic, she adds.
Increasing budgetary allocation for the youth is important, Ms Kabir says, also emphasising the comprehensive use of the current allocation.
Shakil Ahmed, a senior research associate of SANEM, makes a presentation on the topic at the programme.
The country is now experiencing a 'demographic window' of opportunity with more than one-third young population, he says.
"If this opportunity is to be translated into a demographic dividend, the youth must participate meaningfully in the national economy."
saif.febd@gmail.com