As part of its celebrations for Bangladesh’s 50th anniversary of independence, Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC) organised the inaugural Global Youth Climate Summit, in partnership with the California-based Foundation for Climate Restoration, Resilient Markets, and the Centre for Climate Repair at Cambridge on March 11 and 12.
The online summit created a platform for around 500 youth changemakers, aged between 13 and 24, from six continents to launch a Global Youth Commitment. These youths pledged to commit to the actions necessary to avert global climate catastrophe. It is one single commitment that is relevant for youth from both developing and developed countries. Furthermore, 12 youth climate champions were competitively selected from the delegates; each of whom will receive a full scholarship to attend a leadership course and a US$ 1,000 award for their climate restoration projects.
The Speaker of Bangladesh Parliament Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudury, former chief scientific advisor to the UK Government Sir David King, former warden of Oxford University’s Keble College Sir Christopher Ball, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of the Foundation for Climate Restoration Peter Fiekowsky, and prominent teen climate activist, Rebeca Sabnam attended the summit as the keynote speakers.
Ejaj Ahmad, founder and president of BYLC, said, "We have hosted the Global Youth Climate Summit on the occasion of Bangladesh’s 50th independence anniversary, because we believe that the climate crisis is Bangladesh’s biggest challenge in the next 50 years. Our very own survival as a country depends on how the world not only achieves net zero emissions but also brings greenhouse gases to pre-industrial levels."
BYLC, a youth leadership institute, exists to build connections among youths from diverse backgrounds, equip them with leadership skills, and enable them to have high impact on public, private, and civil sectors. All their hard work and efforts focus to strengthen prosperity, justice, and inclusiveness in societies worldwide.
The writer is currently studying economics at Bangladesh University of Professionals.
Email: zubayerwasit.bup@gmail.com