Over 500 youth delegates, legislators, medical professionals, and stakeholders from all over the nation came together for Bangladesh’s 10th National Youth Family Planning Conference on Thursday. Strengthening family planning programs, promoting adolescent health development, ensuring gender equality, and incorporating climate action into health and development policy were the conference’s main goals.
The theme of this year’s conference was “Advocate, Accelerate, Amplify – Together We Transform the Future.” The event was inaugurated by S M Shaikat, Executive Director of SERAC-Bangladesh and Secretary General of the conference, in the presence of representatives from national and international development organizations, as well as adolescents and youth, accompanied by the national anthem and cultural performances.
The Chief Guest at the opening ceremony was Dr. Ashrafi Ahmad, NDC, Director General (Grade-1),Directorate General of Family Planning, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The session was presided over by Professor Dr. Nawzia Yasmin, Pro-Vice Chancellor, State University of Bangladesh. Special guests included Felix Helgesson, Second Secretary/Health AdvisorEmbassy of Sweden in Bangladesh and Dr. Vibhavendra Singh Raghubanshi, Chief of Health, UNFPA Bangladesh, while the keynote presentation was delivered by Dr. Kamrun Nahar, Professor at James P. Grant School of Public Health, BRAC University.
In his welcome address, S M Shaikat emphasized that youth are the centerpiece and driving force of the global development agenda. Their active participation and leadership form the foundation of an integrated, rights-based health system.Dr. Ashrafi Ahmad, NDC highlighted that sexual and reproductive health, family planning, climate change, and youth engagement are deeply linked to the country’s sustainable development. With one-third of the population being youth, effectively engaging and empowering them will accelerate national development.
Adolescent and youth health services, access to reproductive health care, nutrition, preventing child marriage, youth leadership, and evidence-based policy formulation were all topics of discussion during sessions. Health awareness, data-driven decision-making, and integrated care delivery were highlighted by experts.
The closing ceremony featured Md. Saidur Rahman Khan, Director General of the Department of Social Services, as Chief Guest. Special guests included Dr. Zobaed Hossain, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Edward Cabrera, First Secretary, Canadian High Commission, and youth representative Munia Akter, with Dr. Halida Hanum Akhter, Chairperson of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, presiding.Md. Saidur Rahman Khan stressed the need to create “corridors” for youth participation in decision-making across all sectors, noting that active youth involvement in social initiatives contributes significantly to national development.
An awards ceremony marked the end of the conference. Marie Stopes Bangladesh received the Exemplary Partnership Award, Dr. Halida Hanum Akhtar received the Lifetime Achievement Award, Md. Nazmul Hasan received the Youth Excellence Award, and Aniva Akter received the Adolescent Change Maker Award. SERAC-Bangladesh is the organizer.
Sida, BYHAN, CYOB, Marie Stopes Bangladesh, Plan International, Share-Net Bangladesh, SMC, UNFPA, and other national and international partners provided assistance for the conference. The event became a powerful platform for promoting inclusive, successful, and long-lasting health and family planning activities across the nation thanks to the active participation and leadership of young people.
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