Planning Adviser Prof Wahiduddin Mahmud has called for stronger mentorship and intergenerational collaboration to channel the energy and aspirations of young people into meaningful national progress.
He made the remarks while speaking as Chief Guest at a national youth dialogue titled “Youth Perspectives on Social Progress: Grassroots, Networks, and Leadership Voices,” organized by the Power and Participation Research Centre (PPRC) with support from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) at the Hotel InterContinental Dhaka on Wednesday.
The event brought together youth representatives, policymakers, academics, and development partners to discuss how young Bangladeshis can play a transformative role in the country’s democratic and social future.
In his address, Prof Mahmud emphasized that while young people possess strong motivation to serve their country, many lack the guidance needed to translate enthusiasm into effective leadership. “The youth have the desire to contribute,” he said, “but it is the responsibility of seniors to mentor and guide them so that their energy becomes a force for constructive change.”
Dr. Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive chairman of PPRC, led the proceedings and introduced the centre’s initiative titled Meaningful Youth Engagement for a Democratic Future of Bangladesh.
He highlighted the need to recognize the diversity among young people and tailor engagement strategies accordingly. “Youth are not a monolithic group,” he said. “To empower them, we must understand their different realities—by age, gender, socio-economic background, and experience.”
The dialogue featured intergenerational reflections from Professor Syed M. Hashemi, Altaf Parvez, Nishat Majumdar, Nazifa Jannat, and Umama Zillur, followed by a panel on pathways of youth engagement with Farah Kabir, Tanim Noor, and M. M. Fazlul Haque Arif.
Thematic youth discussions focused on aspirations, barriers, inclusion, and agency, led by emerging youth voices including SM Shaikat, Md Sabuktagin Shovon, Ruhul Amin, and Audrika Eshna Purbasha under the overall facilitation of Dr. Rahman.
The day concluded with the IPSP Global Social Progress Week Youth Panel, linking Bangladesh’s youth dialogue to broader global discussions on democracy, justice, and sustainability.
The convening reaffirmed that meaningful youth engagement is not an isolated agenda but central to Bangladesh’s democratic and developmental future. Insights from the dialogue will guide the next phase of PPRC’s initiative—advancing evidence, dialogue, and action to strengthen youth leadership and inclusive governance.