A campaign devoted especially to engaging and empowering youth in initiatives aimed at sharing evidence-based information and improving understanding of modern science and innovation was launched at a programme yesterday. The initiative aims at enhancing food security and improving environmental sustainability incorporating the use of agri-biotechnology.
Farming Future Bangladesh (FFB), a comprehensive communications initiative under the auspices of Cornell University’s Alliance for Science, USA, launched the campaign tilted “Youth for Science: Evidence, Urgency and Action” at a hotel in the capital. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation supports the initiative.
Youth representatives and academics and experts from 11 leading public and private universities, public sector, agricultural industry, and donor agencies attended the event.
Addressing the programme, Dr. Jiban Krishna Biswas, National Consultant to IRRI and Advisor to FFB, said the youth can overcome the development challenges bringing in new solution to the traditional ones.
“Youth can play a vital role in developing new technologies to overcome existing development challenges, bringing in new and traditional solutions with their dedication and creativity,” he said. Also present, Dr. Hamidur Rahman, Advisor to the Ministry of Agriculture and the FFB, highlighted the urgent need for fact-based information-sharing and said, “We need youth in agriculture and the food sector to eradicate hunger and hidden hunger from our country.”
Other experts, while addressing the event, emphasised on taking timely initiatives to encourage young scientists for becoming self-sufficient in research and innovation, and youth engagement for sustainable development of food and agriculture sector in the country.
“We are committed to engaging and empowering youth for better understanding of science and agricultural innovations, including agri-biotechnology, through the campaign activities,” said Arif Hossain, CEO of FFB.
The FFB authorities divulged that they will continue working with the public universities, including but not limited to, the University of Dhaka, Jahangirnagar University, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, North South University, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University, East West University, Independent University Bangladesh, Jagannath University and BRAC University, all of which were represented at the launch.