While applauding the spirit of youth in creating progressive impact during the pandemic, speakers at the opening ceremony of the BYLC Virtual Youth Carnival 2020, organized by Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC), also emphasized the need to show young people how they can be part of a sustainable changemaking process.    

"Youth have shown the power of transformation during COVID-19 through their actions and their work for their communities. Now we have to think about the resources and benefits that we can give to them so that they are able to give back to their communities in a stronger manner," said Shaheen Anam, Executive Director, Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF). 

In light of the ongoing pandemic, the day-long carnival, supported by MJF and Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) of the UK Government, was held virtually on December 19, 2020, with over 5,000 youth participants, aged 15 to 30 years, from all divisions of the country and socio-economic backgrounds. Through their stories, the speakers and participants expressed how youth are initiating social change in Bangladesh, regardless of whether they are studying in a school in a remote area of the country, or working for an international organization situated abroad. 

Md. Atiqul Islam, Mayor of the Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), commended youth's initiative in re-building a nation. "During COVID-19, the youth of Bangladesh have shown the transformation they are capable of implementing in their communities. Their participation is critical in developing our nation post-COVID-19," he said. 

Discussants at the carnival also emphasized on the importance of teamwork and critical thinking skills in innovating impactful social initiatives. "We need to come out of the 'meritocracy' mindset. From my experience, the most productive teams consist of people who may have mediocre grades but have great teamwork, problem-solving, and analytical skills," said scientist Senjuti Saha of Child Health Research Foundation, Bangladesh.

In his session on 'Asking "Why?": The Significance of Critical Thinking', Chamok Hasan, writer, online instructor, and R&D Engineer at Boston Scientific Corporation, said, "The main goal of critical thinking is to process the knowledge we gain from our surroundings and take objective decisions based on that knowledge, rather than what any person has to say." 

Furthermore, speakers focused on the importance of discipline in achieving one's goals and dreams. Addressing the youth participants, Mirza Salman Hossain Beg, Vice President, Head of Innovation, DTAC, Thailand, said, "You have to come out of your comfort zone. Try to learn something new every month. You will then find yourself more equipped to fight any uncertainty in life." 

Participants at the carnival gained insights on making a mark on the global platform, practicing adaptive leadership during crises, acting as key influencers in policy making, and other youth issues prevalent in today's society. A session with Bangladeshis based in countries around the world showcased how they chartered new paths, overcame obstacles, and thus continue to impact change in Bangladesh. Pavel Sarwar, co-founder and president of Youth Hub, Malaysia, mentioned in his session, "I started from a small town in Bangladesh and now I am one of the founders of a software company and a youth organization in Malaysia. Despite not being proficient in English or even lacking some certain skills, I have been able to impact change only because I have been able to persevere with my passion and continue to do what I love." 

Speakers at the carnival additionally included Mashrur Rabbi Enan, singer and founder of the viral Keto Bhai movement; Mohammad Tauheed, founding curator of Global Shapers Dhaka; Shams Jaber, founder of the Tech Academy; Palki Ahmad of the Ontario Youth United Project, Mowmita Basak Mow, co-founder of Ithika, and many others. 

The event also featured performances by popular musicians Elita Karim, Fairooz Nazifa, and Tapesh Chakraborty.