Building a New Bangladesh: Effective Reflection of the Hopes and Aspirations of Youth

International Youth Day 2024

From the British colonial resistance movement to the Language Movement, the 1969 mass uprising, the Liberation War, and all subsequent democratic movements, the youth of Bangladesh has always played a pioneering role. A prime example of this is the leadership of students in the anti-discrimination movements. The youth of this country have set a "textbook" example of how to defeat and overthrow autocratic and undemocratic forces. They have shown what it means to dedicate oneself selflessly and without personal gain. We pay our deepest respect to those who sacrificed their lives, who were injured and subjected to various forms of torture. Gratitude is due to those who led these victories and continue to play a central role in sustaining and implementing the movement's ideals through relentless efforts on the streets as vigilant guardians. The youth of Bangladesh will serve as an exemplary model for any justice-based global movement in the future. At the same time, it is crucial to ensure that the victory of youth, regardless of religion or ethnicity, does not get trapped in narrow or regressive ideologies. Effective steps need to be taken and implemented to reflect their freedom of speech, freedom of thought, and, most importantly, their hopes and aspirations. Based on the aspirations of the youth, let us strive to build a new, equitable, merit-based, democratic, accountable, and well-governed Bangladesh as the key message of this year's International Youth Day celebration.

The Unstoppable Power of Youth, Uprising, and the Dream of a New Bangladesh

As the world looks to youth to build a sustainable and prosperous future, Bangladesh has already witnessed the immense power of its youth. A peaceful and just demand for change was initially ignored, and then met with unnecessary and unprecedented state violence, pushing the nation’s framework into crisis. Despite facing brutal killings, shameless lies, oppression, torture, assaults, lawsuits, mass arrests, and even crimes against humanity, the youth could not be subdued by authoritarian rule. According to unofficial sources, nearly four hundred students, children, journalists, and other professionals lost their lives in these violent confrontations. The autocratic government was swept away by the tidal wave of youth leadership and had to resign and flee the country.

For full concept note in Bangla click here.