Encouraging Youth Activism and Social Development

Much like the sudden increase in Earth's temperature due to global warming over the past few decades, so have increased the amount of study and ambition of today's youth. However, this ambition has led to one of the vital keys to societal progression to take a big hit, that being the youth involvement in the social development processes. Therefore to enhance the current youth's contribution to society and to consequently accelerate progression of society, YES Alumni Bangladesh conducted a workshop on April 7, 2016, titled "Youth Activism and Social Development" (YASD).

The workshop was funded by the Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State and sponsored by International Education and Resource Network - Bangladesh (iEARN-BD) and BRAC University Computer Club (BUCC). The workshop trained students from several reputed schools in Dhaka on how to take active part in the social development processes and how to be a youth activist using current technology. Facilitators from several different fields, including Mozilla and Google Development Group Dhaka, came in to motivate with their respective expertise and to train the participants on how to develop the community through fun-filled activities. One of the Cultural Affairs Officer from the US Embassy was also present to help inspire the participants by talking about ways develop the community.

Throughout the workshop, the participants were shown on how to properly identify and find a solution to a societal issue on a case by case basis over the duration of six hours. The participants were also made to develop ideas of their own to solve a given problem and to present as groups as the workshop activity. 

At the end of the workshop, the participating teams from different schools were given a task for the next round of the event where they will have to make a video identifying a social issue and finding a solution to the problem. The team which makes the best solution to their found problem will be given a chance to implement their solution in the real world with a grant from the American Center.