Chief Adviser pins hopes on youth leadership

FE REPORT

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus pins hopes on youth leadership for problem solving as he urges the young to lead from the front in tackling the nation's most pressing challenges through turning voluntary services into a force for innovation, social justice, and long-term transformation.

Speaking at the Youth Volunteer Award 2025 ceremony in Dhaka on Monday, Yunus warned that the path ahead for Bangladesh would inevitably bring new and complex obstacles -- from public health crises to inadequate access to education and climate-induced disasters. "These challenges must not leave us in despair," he told the audience. "Instead, we must confront them unitedly with our own strength. I hope our young people will lead this work."

At the event, held at the Shapla Hall of the Chief Adviser's Office and organised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, 12 young people were honoured in five categories for their contributions through voluntary service. Yunus personally handed over the awards, describing the winners as exemplars of the "driving force of the nation."

"We are celebrating the power of youth. When a country's young generation is active, energetic, and empowered by innovation, no obstacle can halt their journey forward."

The head of interim government stressed that the creativity and initiative of Bangladesh's youth was no longer confined to the classroom. Increasingly, young people were at the forefront of healthcare delivery, environmental protection, poverty reduction, and the struggle for social justice.

"It was the youth who led the uprising of 2024, and it has been youth, generation after generation, who have shaped this country's history," he said.

The Chief Adviser argues that voluntary service is more than a humanitarian act and defines it as also a vital tool for personal growth. "Volunteering is not only for the welfare of others. It is an ideal means of self-development, of building character, of cultivating leadership. We want our youth not to remain only volunteers but to rise as policymakers, innovators, and architects of change."

For that to happen, he said, young people must develop the confidence, skills, and leadership qualities required to take on larger responsibilities.

The awards, Yunus emphasised, should be seen not merely as recognition but as a challenge.

The Nobel-laureate pioneer of microfinance underscored the transformative potential of youth-led initiatives. He notes that even modest efforts can ripple out to bring profound results.

"A small initiative in healthcare could save thousands of children from diseases. A little effort in education could advance the quality of learning across the country. And your collective action in protecting the environment could ensure a safe and green planet for future generations. Remember, each of your small contributions lays the foundation for great achievements."

Yet he also acknowledges the difficulties volunteers face -- from financial constraints to the emotional strain of working under pressure. The road, he warns, is rarely smooth. Any noble endeavour demands sacrifices of time, money, and mental strength. "But it is through these struggles that we cultivate patience, resilience, and leadership."

"Let your success not be confined to personal achievements. Make it an inspiring example for others. I believe that if our young people remain active, there is no problem this country cannot solve."

He went further, setting out a vision in which young Bangladeshis would become pioneers of policy, bold new ideas, and social reform. "We want to see you as the vanguard of change. With your collective effort, Bangladesh can emerge as a developed, humane, and innovative nation, standing tall on the world stage."

The awards, now in their annual edition, are intended to highlight the role of volunteerism in national life and to encourage young people to invest their energy in civic causes. By honouring volunteers in multiple categories -- from health and education to environment and social inclusion -- the government hopes to normalise service as an essential component of citizenship.

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com