NN Online:
The World Vision Bangladesh On Thursday morning organised a boot camp titled “The Role of Students in Creating a Pollution-Free City,” aiming to raise awareness among students about hygiene, reducing plastic use, and combating air, noise, and environmental pollution.
The boot camp was organised by World Vision Bangladesh’s Child and Youth Forum, DhakaUrban Program, in the field adjacent to MAWTS Institute of Technology with the participation of students from grade six to grade ten. Around 300 students enthusiastically took part in the camp, reads a press release issued Thursday.
Dr Md Sohrab Ali, additional director general of the Department of Environment was present as the chief guest. Among the special guests present were Farzana Sharmin, Thana secondary education officer, Pallabi; Md Abdul Kahar, Thana secondary education officer, Dhanmondi; Md Abdul Majid, district education officer, Dhaka; Marziyat Rahman, lead researcher (Pollution and Climate Change), Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS); Md Ziaur Rahman, zonal executive officer, Zone 2, Mirpur 2; and Chandan Z Gomez, senior director of operations, World Vision Bangladesh. The event was inaugurated by Dominic Sentu Gomez, manager, Dhaka East Urban Program.
The opening speech was delivered by Manju Maria Palma, deputy director, Field Program Operations, Urban and Rural Cluster, World Vision Bangladesh. In her speech, she said, “Due to environmental pollution, today’s urban life is under extreme risk. Only young students can change this alarming situation.
“As organisers, our responsibility is to raise awareness among you youngsters so that you can bring the change in future. Today’s boot camp is not just for discussion but a call to action. Let us all pledge to bring change and leave a better world for the next generation.”
Chief Guest Dr Md Sohrab Ali said, “Our youth can bring change faster than any other segment of society. All of us contribute to environmental pollution in one way or another. If we want a better environment, we must all adopt a collaborative and participatory approach to reducing pollution.
“To preserve the environment, we all need to be ‘conservative’—excess of anything is not ultimately good. Finally, I thank World Vision Bangladesh’s Urban Program for organising this boot camp.”
District Education Officer Md Abdul Majid urged everyone, especially school students, to create awareness about pollution prevention in their respective educational institutions.
Marziat Rahman, lead researcher (Pollution and Climate Change) at the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS), said students must proactively participate in preventing environmental pollution.
Chandan Z Gomez, senior director of operations at World Vision Bangladesh, said, “World Vision operates in more than 100 countries, focusing solely on children. As Gazipur ranks among the world’s most air-polluted cities, World Vision Bangladesh has been conducting various environmental awareness programs in Gazipur for the past few years.
“In rural areas, we are working on the ‘Green School’ initiative. Additionally, World Vision Bangladesh has declared a war against polythene in six locations across the country. We want to ensure effective participation of school students in reducing plastic pollution.”
Thana Secondary Education Officer Md Abdul Kahar expressed his appreciation for the event, saying, “if students embrace what they learned today, they will spread this awareness within their families and communities.”
One of the highlights of the boot camp was a quiz competition and prize distribution ceremony, conducted by Dominic Sentu Gomez. A cultural programme was also organised, featuring performances by children from World Vision Bangladesh’s Child Forum. Additionally, several educational sessions on environmental pollution, climate change, and other awareness topics were facilitated, benefiting both students and attendees.
The boot camp concluded with a vote of thanks from Joanna D’ Rozario, senior manager, Urban Program, World Vision Bangladesh.
