23 young political leaders receive fellowship certificates

23 young political leaders receive fellowship certificates on Thursday

Dhaka: The USAID-funded Strengthening Political Landscape Program, implemented by Democracy International (DI), awarded certificates to 23 young political leaders from across Bangladesh at a Young Leaders Fellowship Program (YLFP) graduation ceremony organized in Dhaka on Thursday. 

The graduating fellows are active leaders of Bangladesh Students League (BSL), Bangladesh Jatiyotabadi Chatro Dal (JCD), and Jatiyo Chatro Shomaj (JCS). This is the 20th graduating class. During four months of training, fellows gained a broad knowledge of politics, leadership, democratic practices, conflict mitigation, political party building, and working with the media. 

So far, a total of 489 young political leaders successfully completed the program. The Young Leaders Fellowship Program aims to enhance the political skills of young leaders, advance their careers within their parties, foster empathy for their counterparts in other parties, and create professional relationships that can overcome the polarization of the political landscape in Bangladesh. YLFP is well-known among young political leaders in Bangladesh, as it provides unique opportunities to learn about leadership and politics typically not available elsewhere.  

At the graduation ceremony, Bangladesh Awami League’s Cultural Affairs Secretary Sri Ashim Kumar Ukil, MP; BNP’s Information and Research Affairs Secretary Azizul Bari Helal; Jatiyo Party’s Joint Secretary General Golam Mohammad Raju; and Democracy International’s Chief of Party Dana L. Olds presented certificates to the fellows. 

Ashim Kumar Ukil, MP, said, “Once I led the student council at Dhaka University. Your student politics are done for the welfare of students. Student politics is a leader-making factory. Democracy International is doing a remarkable job through this program. I hope DI will continue its university-based training all the time.’

Azizul Bari Helal said, ‘’The politics of this country developed in the background of student politics. An essential aspect of student politics is the campus issues student politicians are working on across the student organizations of political parties with the help of Democracy International. To be an efficient political activist, you need to acquire political knowledge. The beauty of democracy is showing kindness to all.’’

Golam Mohammad Raju said “The situation of sterility, political instability and making student organizations as an incumbent tale of mother political parties that was created in the student politics of the country after the 90s, these training of Democracy International are helping to reduce this instability. The close friendships you have developed while working together will not be destroyed. May you continue to work together through political amity and harmony.”

Graduating fellows presented what they learned from the YLFP class and how they plan to fight youth political apathy in their communities. They presented how they will positively impact and serve as examples of constructive democratic practices for a peaceful society. 

During her closing remarks, DI Chief of Party Dana L. Olds stated, “You are the first group comprised exclusively of university students.  I am impressed with your innovative ideas to address political apathy amongst youth. You are important change agents and bright future leaders. You prove it’s possible to build relationships across political parties for the benefit of all students.” – Press release