Staff Reporter

Bangladesh has seen a demographic dividend, with an increase in the working-age population. Youth are the true artists of the country’s development. They are also crucial actors in the country's prosperity and destiny. Furthermore, young people and girls are on the frontline battling climate-induced disasters and humanitarian crises.

Tackling that crisis, inter-generational ties and solidarity is important, according to youth organizers, experts and academics. They were speaking during an intergenerational dialogue on International Youth Day.

The youth-led flash flood response in Sylhet Division and Kurigram is an excellent example of youth power. The speakers praises the youth organizations and flood volunteers that provide humanitarian aid and urged the government, elder communities, and development partners to join them in their efforts.

Youth Net for Climate Justice, the largest youth-led network for climate advocacy in Bangladesh, hosted this intergenerational dialogue on Friday (August 12th) evening to foster partnerships between young and elders. Shakila Islam, the national coordinator of Youth Net for Climate Justice, chaired the discussion while Prof Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Chairman, Department of Environmental Science at the Stamford University Bangladesh, Moyen Uddin Ahmed, Program Manager - Humanitarian Response and Resilience, Islamic Relief Bangladesh were the key speakers.

Protiki Jubo Sangshad (Bangladesh Model Youth Parliament) and Coastal Youth Action Hub co-hosted the intergenerational dialogue. The organizers expressed that the major goal of the intergenerational debate was to emphasize intergenerational unity so that no one is discriminated against because of his or her age. And creating a social framework in which young women and girls are not just deemed susceptible to climatic and humanitarian catastrophes.

Taking part in the discussion, Professor Dr. Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumdar stated that if we want to change the behaviors of the mass people to deal with environmental and climatic catastrophes, we must engage with the youngsters. It is easier to bring change in the younger generation than in the elder one. The current and future generations are innocent victims of the climatic and environmental problems caused by previous generations.

Today's global catastrophe is the result of past generations' consumerism and greed, as well as rising immoral profits through commerce with little concern for biodiversity, nature, or the environment.

In coping with this challenge, there is no alternative than generational partnership and solidarity. Professor Majumdar further stated that we cannot endanger future generations.

As a result, more intergenerational conversations must be conducted so that the youth can benefit from the elders' richness of experience, both achievements and missed opportunities. We will be able to ensure a safer planet for all if we work together with the passionate enthusiasm of youth and the wisdom of the elders.

The main notion of the dialogue was presented by Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet. Young climate warriors Syed Afzal Siam of Sylhet and SZ Opu of Youthnet Central Committee discussed their experiences with flood response, moderated by Fairuse Mou.

Nawfat Adibah Ibshar, district coordinator of Youthnet Habiganj unit, and Humayra Ahmed Jeba, Sylhet's women climate warrior, discussed the experience and challenges of women leaders in dealing with humanitarian crises during floods.

Sohanur Rahman stated in the original concept note that, generational solidarity is the key to attaining sustainable development and that intergenerational equity is an important part of achieving climate justice. YouthNet aspires to improve the world by empowering young people and assuring their involvement in intergenerational solidarity and future generations.

He also stated that YouthNet aims to develop new chances for young people, particularly those who are falling behind. We are certain that if young people's inventive force is properly harnessed, meaningful change may be brought about any place around the globe.

Access to youth potential. It is right time to maximize the potential of youth in numerous disciplines and to expand their thinking. Intergenerational solidarity, on the other hand, promotes the development of status unity among persons of all ages and generations, including ageism. We must create social policies and initiatives that ensure that no one is discriminated against because of their age.

Moyen Uddin Ahmed, Humanitarian Response and Resilience Program Manager, Islamic Relief Bangladesh said, the recent record-breaking flash flood has affected 7.2 million people in 9 districts. However, the finance required to respond and rehabilitate the affected people is limited.

And, in many circumstances, available finance is insufficient in comparison to demand, falling below 10%. As a result, governments, development agencies, and youth groups all confront constraints and challenges. He further mentioned that Sylhet was hit three times in the same period.

Although Bangladesh is a disaster-prone country, climate change has increased the frequency and intensity of natural calamities. For example, in Kurigram, the advent of winter coincides with the occurrence of floods. As a result, climate change can no longer be ignored, and its consequences stand at the root of this humanitarian crisis.

By boosting the participation of youth volunteers and organizations in government and international organization response programs to humanitarian emergencies, it will be effective to deliver the appropriate aid to the right people at the right time. Furthermore, because of the dedication of volunteers, money will be saved that may be distributed to those in most need.

According to Shakila Islam, National Coordinator of Youth Net for Climate Justice, women and girls play a multifaceted role in the humanitarian crisis. We are not only the most vulnerable, but we also lead the way at the grassroots in coping with emergencies.

State policymakers understand that we can play a significant role in avoiding and tackling climate change disasters. Because women, despite individual risk and vulnerability, carry out their tasks rightly in times of calamity. However, a secure enabling environment must be ensured for them.

Shakila further stated that the Prime Minister called on developed nations to provide the money pledged to address climate risk in her speech at the COP-26 summit in Glasgow last year on the theme of 'Women and Climate.' So, additional programs are needed to acknowledge and promote women's and girls' leadership in crisis situations.