Running towards a purpose

Enduring the early morning rain, nearly 500 runners gathered at Hatirjheel on August 3, 2018, for a 5K run to advocate safe spaces for youth and a positive lifestyle garnered with sound health. The run was organised by Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to celebrate this year's UN International Youth Day's theme "Safe Spaces for Youth".

Including Bangladeshis, this run brought together people of different nationalities with the age group ranging from 10 to 70 years. With the aim of engaging youth in recreational activities, and involving them in decision making process, this run intended to make them self-aware about their right to have physical and mental safe spaces. The chief guest, Youth and Sports Secretary Md Ashadul Islam, shared the same objective and assured his support in future endeavours central to youth development.

Besides focusing on safe spaces, this event was dedicated to the students who met untimely deaths due to road accidents. BYLC believes that now is the time when youth should be concerned about their own safety, health and livelihood.

The run called it a day by honouring participants with medals and certificates. The programme was organised with assistance from Praava Health, Elite Force and Paragon Group.