Vocational, tech edn for dev of youth urged

Staff Reporter :
Speakers at a discussion on Friday underscored the critical importance of vocational and technical education in ensuring the productivity and success of the youth population, which is projected to constitute 57 percent of the global populace by 2030.

This deliberation took place as part of the events leading up to the observance of International Youth Day 2023, scheduled to be observed on Saturday, across the world.

Light House, a local non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to the welfare of women, children, and youths, with the support of USAID and Pathfinder organised the discussion programme held at the Shishu Kallyan Parishad Auditorium in the city.

The theme for International Youth Day 2023 is ‘Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World’.

Md Harun-Ar-Rashid, the Executive Director of Light House, delivered the keynote address.

He highlighted that teenagers and young adults currently constitute 37.71 percent, or 62.28 million, of the total population of 16.9 million.

Notably, he emphasized that the global population under the age of 35 is projected to reach 57 percent by 2030.

Given the challenges posed by the burgeoning youth population, he stressed the importance of creating opportunities in productive sectors to secure a prosperous future for the nation.

Mursalin Nomani, President of Dhaka Reporters Unity (DRU), conveyed that both vocational and technical education should be made accessible to millions of youths, taking into consideration their potential in various sectors.

He advocated for technical and vocational education as a means to nurture a skilled generation that can contribute positively to the nation’s progress instead of becoming a burden.