All the projects and initiatives, taken for youths, need to be streamlined and well integrated for ensuring proper utilisation of the country's higher demographic dividend, speakers at a discussion said on Tuesday.
They said 22 ministries and divisions are directly implementing various initiatives for young people, but there is lack of efficient monitoring and implementation of these schemes.
To ensure decent work for the youths, the discussants also suggested enhancing investment on skill development and rigorous training for the community aged between 16-35 years.
The observations and suggestions came at a discussion titled 'Investing on Young People: What does the Budget Reflect?'
The Economic Reporters' Forum (ERF) and the ActionAid Bangladesh (AAB) jointly arranged the programme at ERF office in the city. Farah Kabir, Country Director of the AAB, moderated the event.
Ruling party lawmaker Nahim Razzaq said they have formulated the National Youth Development Policy in 2017, but an action plan is yet to be formulated in this regard.
"I hope we will be able to formulate it within August. Many things are happening for the youths, but streamlining these activities and efficient monitoring are very important to this effect," he added.
Asjadul Kibria, Planning Editor of The Financial Express, in the keynote presentation, suggested enhancing the share of education sector to at least 20 per cent in the national budget, focusing more on skill development and rigorous training.
He also recommended paying ample importance to youth-centric issues in the upcoming Eighth Five-Year Plan.
Dr. Mustafa K. Mujeri, Executive Director of the Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development, emphasised higher investment for skill development.
He said the investment should come from the stage when a baby is in mother's womb. "So, we should look into the matter (investment) in an integrated way," he added.
Rubana Huq, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), focused on three 'Es' - energy, education and employment.
She said 22 ministries and divisions are implementing various programmes relating to development of the youths in a scattered way, which needs to be streamlined.
The BGMEA chief suggested allocating special fund for their mental health alongside ensuring subject-oriented quality education to cope with the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
Professor Tahmina Akhtar of the Institute of Social Welfare and Research under Dhaka University, and Saif Islam Dilal, president of the ERF, and S M Rashidul Islam, its secretary, also spoke at the event.
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