In the 15 years’ time frame of implementing  Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), the youth of today will still remain fledgling but with better skills, insight, and aspiration.  The youths are the major beneficiaries and key stakeholders of the Agenda 2030. Hence, the potential of the youth needs to be valued supported by appropriate policies and their implementation for achieving SDGs.

These were the key topics of discussion at the “Youth Conference 2018: Agenda 2030 – Aspirations of the Youth”. Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, organised the day-long conference with the objective of improving the knowledge of the youth regarding SDGs and creating a platform for them to participate in implementing SDGs.  The conference was held on 14 October 2018 at Krishibid Institute Bangladesh, Dhaka. More than 1500 youths from across all class, sex, religion, and profession spread over the whole country participated in the conference. Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) as the Secretariat of the Citizen’s Platform executed the event along with 87 other partner organisations of the Platform.

The Chief Guest for the opening session, Professor Dr Gowher Rizvi, Hon’ble Prime Minister’s Adviser on International Affairs, stated that the society is yet to ensure the rights of the youth. Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Convenor of the Citizen’s Platform and CPD’s Distinguished Fellow, presided over the session. He urged the political parties to prioritise the youth-related concerns in their election manifesto.

A total of 8 parallel sessions were held throughout the day with presentations from partner organizations. 16 policy briefs were also launched during the conference. In the closing session, a Youth Declaration 2018 was adopted by the youth participants.

In the opening session; Ms Sabina Khatun, Captain, Bangladesh National Women’s Cricket Team; Advocate Sultana Kamal, Core Group Member, Citizen’s Platform; Mr Hanif Sangket, Special media personnel and Special Guest Speaker at the Conference; Dr Sri Biren Sikder, MP, State Minister for Youth and Sports, also spoke at the event. Mr Osbama Bin Noor, Queen’s Young Leaders Award 2016 winner; Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Core Group Member of Citizen’s Platform; Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed, Chairman, Bishwo Shahitto Kendro; Mr K M Abdus Salam, (Additional Secretary) Director General, NGO Affairs Bureau, Prime Minister’s Office; Chief Guest of the session, Mr Abul Kalam Azad, Chief Coordinator for SDG Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office; and Chair of the session, Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director, CPD, spoke at the closing session.

There was also an exhibition showcasing the contributions of the youth organisations in implementing the SDGs. The conference ended with a cultural function depicting the rich diversity of Bangladesh as well as various elements of the SDGs.