The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organized the “Smart Bangladesh Roundtable Discussion for Youth Perspective” on 12 September 2023. Foreign Minister Dr. A. K. Abdul Momen, MP graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Senior officials from the Foreign Office and a2i joined the discussion session.
This roundtable aimed to engage the youth of Bangladesh in envisioning and creating a smarter, more innovative nation. The discussion also focused on the introduction of the Smart Bangladesh Olympiad, marking a milestone in the nation’s commitment to youth engagement and innovation. The roundtable brought together young representatives from diverse educational backgrounds, including public, private, polytechnic, national universities, and madrasas. It has sought to bridge a historical gap by empowering the youth to participate actively in impactful policymaking dialogues, ensuring that their voices shape the future of the nation. This initiative recognizes that the youth are not just participants but the most significant stakeholders in the Smart Bangladesh journey.
In his speech Foreign Minister stated that the youth are the driving force of our nation, and their innovative ideas and perspectives are invaluable. He mentioned that Bangladesh has indomitable spirit and with collaborative approach we will be successful in transforming Bangladesh into a prosperous nation. He highlighted the government’s initiative for the betterment of the people of Bangladesh and hope that younger minds will come forward with their unique ideas to uplight Bangladesh’s economy, society and development to a new high. ‘Smart Bangladesh 2041’ initiative of the government is a pathway for the younger people to set priorities and work accordingly to achieve meaningful gain in the field of innovation and technology.
The roundtable also had the gracious presence of Md. Abul Kalam Azad, Former Principal Secretary & Vice-Chair of Smart Bangladesh Network (SBN), as the Special Guest. In his remarks, he said that this initiative marks a significant step toward a smarter Bangladesh. The youth’s active involvement is essential to our success, and the Smart Bangladesh Olympiad will serve as a catalyst for innovation.
Dr. Syed Muntasir Mamun, Director General and Chief Innovation Officer of the Foreign Office highlighted the activities of the Foreign Ministry in the frontier technology and innovation arena. The Foreign Office is committed to build a culture of innovation within the Ministry and beyond. The ICT Wing of the Ministry is working on Digital Public Infrastructure initiatives and globally deployed strength. In this connection, Foreign Ministry has sought more direct youth participation in its developmental ambitions through its various initiatives such the “Innovation corner” and “iLab”.
Mr. Ashfaq Zaman, Strategic Communications Advisor of a2i and Coordinator, MOFA-a2i iLab, who moderated the discussion, mentioned that this marks a paradigm shift, where we not only work for the youth, but also with the youth. Today’s participants reflect inclusivity from diverse backgrounds representing Polytechnic, Madrasa, national universities, Public-Private Universities, and great gender balance. We, from a2i, along with the Foreign Ministry, are here to foster the culture of innovation, to promote our youth in Bangladesh and beyond, chasing the perception of Bangladesh locally and globally.
The roundtable also comprised a presentation on the Smart Bangladesh Olympiad by Mr. Shariful Islam, Founder and Managing Director and Mr. Sajid Mahbub, Chief Operating Officer of Bangladesh Brand Forum. by the Smart Bangladesh Network. They provided a comprehensive briefing on the Smart Bangladesh Olympiad’s objectives, plans, and potential impact, captivating the audience’s attention.
