Ottwa (Canada), 19 January: The High Commission for the People\u2019s Republic of Bangladesh in Ottawa, in collaboration with Progressive Action for Community Empowerment (PACE), hosted an inspiring event at the Albert Campbell Public Library in Toronto as part of the ongoing Youth Festival 2025, an initiative by the Government of Bangladesh.<\/p>\n
The event, themed \u2018Let\u2019s Change the Country, Let\u2019s Change the World,\u2019 served as a platform for Bangladeshi-origin youth in Canada to explore their role in shaping a progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. A diverse group of students and young professionals who actively supported and organized protest events in Toronto during the historic July\u2013August 2024 movement in Bangladesh attended the gathering.<\/p>\n
A Davos-style panel discussion was the key highlight of the event, where participants shared innovative ideas and solutions to address critical challenges facing Bangladesh\u2019s future. Srijoni Rahman, one of the young panelists, emphasized the transformative potential of the Bangladeshi diaspora in driving positive change. While thanking the High Commission of Bangladesh in Canada, she stated, \u2018Bangladeshi foreign missions should encourage youth engagement and foster a positive mindset so that the youth of the Bangladeshi diaspora can meaningfully contribute to Bangladesh\u2019s transformation.\u2019 She also maintained that, \u2018Bangladesh has always been a model and an inspiration for youth-led movements, and youths have always been catalysts for bringing about change. We should draw lessons from our values \u2013 the values derived from our War of Independence in 1971 and the July-August movement \u2013 to ensure social justice and equity.\u2019<\/p>\n
Another panelist Urbi Khan, a youth representative from the Bangladeshi community and a journalist at the Toronto Star, reminded the audience that the youth have always been the vanguard of change in Bangladesh\u2019s storied history, including during the recent July-August movement. She mentioned that Bangladesh itself is the cherished fruit of revolutionary struggles, nurtured by the sacrifices and indomitable spirit of its people.<\/p>\n
Ms. Nahida Sobhan also participated in the panel discussion, where she commended the commitment and unity exhibited by Bangladeshi-origin youth in Canada during the 2024 movement. She further highlighted the critical role of young voices in driving sustainable nation-building efforts.<\/p>\n
While addressing the gathering, Nahida Sobhan, the High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Canada, underscored the vital role of young people in nation-building. She stated, \u2018The High Commission remains fully committed to engaging with Bangladeshi-origin youth in Canada, empowering them to be catalysts for progress and representing Bangladesh\u2019s dynamic potential.\u2019<\/p>\n
The moderator of the session Emamul Haque, Executive Director of PACE a leading community organization in Canada emphasized on the importance of collective<\/p>\n
action in advancing Bangladesh\u2019s development goals and strengthening its global standing. He remarked, \u2018The solidarity of Bangladeshi-origin youth during the movement in Canada has demonstrated the power of shared vision and action in transforming Bangladesh.\u2019<\/p>\n
In addition to young participants, a significant number of community members attended. Notable guests included social entrepreneur Ahad Chowdhury, Mujibul Hoque, Abedin Khan, Ghulam Hilali, former student leader Nasir Ud Duza, Barrister Nusrat Jahan, and journalist Shaikat Rushdee, among others. The participants profusely thanked the High Commission for organizing this event.<\/p>\n
This program is part of the broader Youth Festival 2025, a series of initiatives \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0designed to position Bangladesh as a vibrant, youth-driven nation while enhancing its global influence.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ottwa (Canada), 19 January: The High Commission for the People\u2019s Republic of Bangladesh in Ottawa, in collaboration with Progressive Action for Community Empowerment (PACE), hosted an inspiring event at the Albert Campbell Public Library in Toronto as part of the ongoing Youth Festival 2025, an initiative by the Government of Bangladesh. The event, themed \u2018Let\u2019s […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":2144,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[140,23,42,131,563],"tags":[586,587],"class_list":["post-2143","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-corporate-news","category-global-trade","category-top-news","category-world-news","tag-progressive-action-for-community-empowerment-pace","tag-youth-festival-2025"],"yoast_head":"\n