'Follow your dreams': Abdullah Abu Sayeed inspires youth at BRAC's 'Carnival of Change'

BRAC has launched the "Carnival of Change 2025" to showcase the ideas, innovations, and initiatives of young people aimed at advancing the country. 

The two-day event, which started today (29 November) at the BRAC CDM premises in Savar, featured exhibitions by young entrepreneurs and innovators alongside discussions, workshops, and exchange sessions.

Speaking as the chief guest, renowned writer, educationist, and founder of Bishwo Shahitto Kendro Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed told the young participants to not stop, do something new in life, and follow their dreams.

"Nothing in life needs to be abandoned once it becomes part of one's passion. Ask yourself what your life wants, what your dreams want. If you follow them, you will reach the top," he said.  

More than 250 young people from different parts of the country took part in the event, which aimed to promote youth leadership, creativity, and their role in driving positive change.

The first day began with an inspirational session titled "Youth Voices Echoing the Essence of Changemaking." 

This was followed by a talk on "The Way to Success," where Safi Rahman Khan, director of BRAC's Human Capital Development Cluster, said there is no universal definition of success and that each person defines it based on their own life experiences. 

"Society often limits the idea of success to narrow, material terms, which do not reflect what truly matters in people's lives," he added. 

One of the key highlights of the programme was the launch of the "Amra Notun Young Changemakers Award 2025," inaugurated by Md Shariful Islam Hasan, associate director of BRAC's Migration Programme and Youth Platform. He said young people have a crucial role in addressing the country's many challenges. 

"Bangladesh has thousands of problems, and it is our youth who will solve them," he said, adding that the "Amra Notun Network (ANN)" was launched in 2018 to help young people take institutional initiatives.

From the 12 shortlisted projects in the final round, three initiatives were selected for awards based on creativity, potential for positive social impact, and contributions to local communities. 

The winning projects were "Stories of Inclusion," an audiobook for children with disabilities; "Jolshikha," which produces eco-friendly charcoal from coconut shells; and "Guddu Toys," a project creating educational toys for children. 

For the first time, the Changemaker Award winners will receive BRAC's Social Entrepreneurs Fellowship.

The event concluded with a cultural programme, where invited guests and young participants enjoyed performances by ANN members along with musical acts by popular bands Warfaze and Sovvota.

On the second day of the carnival, participants will join a series of sessions on self-development, career guidance, and youth engagement in nation-building, including discussions, dialogues, and workshops.

The carnival will conclude tomorrow.