Short Report from National Youth Congress of YAH Bangaldesh
Ilona Meier (Schweiz), Dhaka, Bangladesh
On 7th August 2010 the National Youth Congress (NYC) of Youth Against Hunger (YAH) was held. The conference was held in Lather College in Dhaka. This conference was held in presence of the existing National Committee and other selected members of YAH from different working area units and some representatives of HFW attended. As a special guest Ms Hinako Suzuki, the Global Secretary of Youth Ending Hunger (YEH) Japan was invited. I attended the congress as a normal member...
On 7th August 2010 the National Youth Congress (NYC) of Youth Against Hunger (YAH) was held. The conference was held in Lather College in Dhaka. This conference was held in presence of the existing National Committee and other selected members of YAH from different working area units and some representatives of HFW attended. As a special guest Ms Hinako Suzuki, the Global Secretary of Youth Ending Hunger (YEH) Japan was invited. I attended the congress as a normal member...
In the beginning there were inaugural addresses held. After a short tea break, all units presented a report based on their activities in the last year. Ms. Hinako Suzuki reported from YEH Japan.Then there was a short discussion about the budget reports of the units. Some of the units didn’t hand in a proper report to the National Committee. This problem is caused by the fact that some members of the units are not able to handle a computer and they didn’t have enough time. The national committee promised to look for a solution to this problem. They plan to offer their members more computer training in the future.
For lunch they offered some tasty rice with chicken and eggs thats was served in a box. After the lunch, Hinako and I had to take a lot of pictures with all the participants of the congress.
In the afternoon there was a discussion based on success and failure of each unit. Often they announced that they didn’t have enough time because of the exams that were held before the NYC. Then they started the planning session for the next year. Every unit will get a budget of 10,000 Taka (~150USD) for its own projects. The National Committee will coordinate them and will provide some national projects like skill training for the members. I especially gave some input that they should not forget to fight for a prompt implementation of the National Youth Policy in Bangladesh. After the planning session there was some organized cultural programs. Members from different sub-units presented drama, songs etc. I was also requested to sing a Swiss song. It was a lot of fun and everybody was in high spirits.
In the end of the day some teachers from the BCLT participated the program during the decleration of national committee and the oath.
To sum up I have to say that it has been a very nice programm. I think that the NYC gave a lot of motivation, vim and vigor to YAH-members. All units will now plan their own activities, for some of their activities they will fundraise some additional money from their local area. All these young people are full of ideas, but there improvement of the organizational structure is necessary. They especially have to improve the communication between the national committee and the local committees to empower the young generation of Bangladesh.
It is so important that young people take responsibility in society, that is exactly what YAH is doing. Thanks a lot to all YAH members! I could learn a lot about your activieties and I had a lot of fun with you. I wish you all the best and I really hope to see you again.
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For lunch they offered some tasty rice with chicken and eggs thats was served in a box. After the lunch, Hinako and I had to take a lot of pictures with all the participants of the congress.
In the afternoon there was a discussion based on success and failure of each unit. Often they announced that they didn’t have enough time because of the exams that were held before the NYC. Then they started the planning session for the next year. Every unit will get a budget of 10,000 Taka (~150USD) for its own projects. The National Committee will coordinate them and will provide some national projects like skill training for the members. I especially gave some input that they should not forget to fight for a prompt implementation of the National Youth Policy in Bangladesh. After the planning session there was some organized cultural programs. Members from different sub-units presented drama, songs etc. I was also requested to sing a Swiss song. It was a lot of fun and everybody was in high spirits.
In the end of the day some teachers from the BCLT participated the program during the decleration of national committee and the oath.
To sum up I have to say that it has been a very nice programm. I think that the NYC gave a lot of motivation, vim and vigor to YAH-members. All units will now plan their own activities, for some of their activities they will fundraise some additional money from their local area. All these young people are full of ideas, but there improvement of the organizational structure is necessary. They especially have to improve the communication between the national committee and the local committees to empower the young generation of Bangladesh.
It is so important that young people take responsibility in society, that is exactly what YAH is doing. Thanks a lot to all YAH members! I could learn a lot about your activieties and I had a lot of fun with you. I wish you all the best and I really hope to see you again.
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