United International University with University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh
Department of Environment and Development Studies at United International University (UIU) in collaboration with the Environment, Development and Sustainability Club organized the “Youth Symposium on Environment, Development and Sustainability” at the university’s Dhaka campus on 19 May.
Held at United City on Madani Avenue, the day-long symposium aimed to strengthen youth engagement in sustainability, climate justice, governance, development and policy discussions, according to a press release issued on 20 May.
Event was attended by chief guest Ulrich Klepmann, Head of Development Cooperation at the German Embassy in Dhaka. Special guests included Md. Abdul Quayyum, Head of Communications at UNDP Bangladesh, and Dr. Haseeb Md. Irfanullah, Visiting Research Fellow at the Centre for Sustainable Development of the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh.
Dr. Shantanu Saha, Head of the Department of Environment and Development Studies at UIU, delivered the welcome speech, while Prof. Dr. Hamidul Huq, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, concluded the event with a vote of thanks.
Symposium featured sessions on career opportunities in the development sector, along with workshops focused on policy and governance.
Among the session facilitators were Kingbadanti Sabir, Youth Portfolio Lead at Friendship; Sumaiya Binte Selim Sudha, Youth and Gender Program Manager at ICCCAD; and Shah Rafayat Chowdhury, Founder of Footsteps NGO and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree. Other speakers included Shah Adnan Mahmood, Country Director at GeoCal; Anika Karim, Climate Change Programme Director at Bonhishikha-Unlearn Gender; Sharif Jamil, Coordinator at Waterkeepers Bangladesh and Esrat Karim, Founder and Executive Director of Amal Foundation.
Event included interactive workshops, panel discussions, networking opportunities and dialogues connecting academic learning with practical experience in the development sector.
Speakers stressed the importance of sustainable consumption, environmental conservation, youth leadership and institutional responsibility in addressing current environmental challenges and advancing a sustainable future.
