Quality education, skill dev key priorities to attain SDG targets: Youth leaders
53.8% of youth never voted in national polls: Survey
Quality education and skill development should be the top priority to create skilled human resources to achieve SDGs targets, young leaders from various social welfare and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have opined.
They made the observation at a dialogue titled "National SDG Report (VNR) 2025: Perspectives of Youth" organised by the Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in the capital's Agargaon today.
The event was part of a series of consultations jointly organised by the Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh; Office of the Principal Coordinator for SDG Affairs, Chief Adviser's Office, Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to prepare Bangladesh's 3rd Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
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Around 70 leaders from various organisations took part in the event.
From a broad spectrum of topics, they identified quality education and skill development as the foremost priority. Following this, they ranked inclusive society as the second priority, climate justice as the third, and decent employment and entrepreneurship as the fourth.
Mizanur Rahman Pavel, advocacy specialist of SERAC-Bangladesh, shared insights on health services and gender equality, decent employment, entrepreneurship, and other key development issues, emphasising the importance of youth-led advocacy in shaping sustainable policies for Bangladesh.
Presenting the main article, Research Associate of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Shourza Talukder said as a signatory of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Bangladesh remains committed to achieving the 17 global goals.
In alignment with the global review and follow-up process for SDG implementation, Bangladesh has submitted two Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) in 2017 and 2020. The government is now preparing to present its 3rd VNR in July 2025.
Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, convenor of the Citizen's Platform and distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), said the earlier two VNRs were carried out based on the perspectives of a party. However, this time, the views of the people will be taken into account.
Responding to a question, he said the number of quality daycare centres must be increased to enhance women's participation in the workforce.
CPD fellow Mustafizur Rahman highlighted the importance of implementing a minimum wage to create decent employment.
"Achieving a robust education system in the country requires the integration and coordination of the diverse existing educational frameworks," he said.
Citing a 2023 survey by the Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Shourza Talukder said 53.80% of youths (aged 18-35) have never voted in a national election, while 46% have never voted in any local election.
"A contributing factor cited by young individuals for their decision not to participate in voting was the occurrence of ballot stuffing during the night, which diminished their enthusiasm for the electoral process," Shourza Talukder told The Business Standard.
Shihab Quader, director general for SDG Affairs, Chief Adviser's Office, and Anowarul Haq, assistant resident representative, UNDP Bangladesh, also spoke at the event.
The opinions gathered at the event will be featured in the 3rd VNR, said organisers.
