The Youth Champions of the Environment 2024 event, jointly organized by YPSA, Chittagong City Corporation, and Unilever Bangladesh Limited was held on 08 January 2025 at the Zilla Shilpakala Academy, Chattogram. This prestigious program celebrated the remarkable contributions of youth-led voluntary organizations in protecting the environment and combating climate change.
Ten outstanding voluntary organizations were honored with the Youth Champions of the Environment Award. These organizations were: Asian Nari O Shishu Odhikar Foundation; CAYEO Bangladesh; Eco Network; Lal Sabuj Society Chattogram; Rajakhali Unmukto Pathagar; Youth Action for Sustainable Development; Youth Alliance for Sustainable International Development; Youth Conservation Network; Youth Position Bangladesh; Youth Voice for Change.
These Champions are selected through an intensive and transparent selection process. The selection process is, YPSA circulated a call of Youth Champions of the Environment Award 2024 on 15 December, 2024. The circular was published at organization social media and shared different youth groups. Moreover, poster of the call is posted in various important places and different universities in Chattogram.
The call has several criterion of applicant to compete this competition such as must be over 18 years of age; must have social initiatives to protect the environment; must be a member of a social organization or voluntary organization; cannot participate in any anti-national activities and applicant not be convicted by the court. The dateline of the application was 31 December 2024. YPSA received 200 more youth actions as a response to the call. Then, these applications were reviewed by an expert jury board of YPSA.
The members of the jury board are journalists, activists, academician. The types of the actions are recycling, waste management, smart agriculture, tree plantation, campaign on environmental awareness, sustainable uses of water, green technology etc. The jury board scrutinized the applications and created a short list of the best ideas. Finally, on ground, call these applicants to share their ideas and actions on 08 January 2025 at Zilla Shilpokola Academy, Chattogram. Finally, top 10 Youth Organizations Honored at Youth Champions of the Environment 2024.
The program was inaugurated by Shamima Akhter, Director – Corporate Affairs, Partnerships & Communications, Unilever Bangladesh Limited, under the chairmanship of Md. Arifur Rahman, Founder and Chief Executive, YPSA. Sheikh Mohammad Touhidul Islam, Chief Executive Officer of Chattogram City Corporation, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Shifat Binte Ara, Assistant Commissioner of Chattogram District Administration, attended as the Special Guest.
The event commenced with presentations from the ten award-winning organizations, showcasing their impactful initiatives in environmental protection. Representatives shared their innovative strategies and local actions to address pressing environmental challenges.
The first panel discussion, titled ” Environmental Management and Climate Literacy for Youth: Integrating National Strategies and Global Polices to Combat Environmental/Climate Changes,” was moderated by Abdus Sabur, Assistant Director and Youth Focal of YPSA. The panel featured eminent speakers, including Nasim Farhana Shirin, Director of the Department of Environment, Chattogram; Shamima Akhter, Director – Corporate Affairs, Partnerships & Communications, Unilever Bangladesh Limited; Dr. Asiful Haque, Professor of Civil Engineering, CUET; Taj Sultana, Associate Professor of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Chittagong. YPSA’s Director Mohammad Shahjahan delivered the keynote address, setting the tone for an engaging discussion on national strategies and global policies to combat climate change.
The second panel, focused on ” Volunteers at the Heart of Environmental Stewardship: Local Action for Global Conservation” was moderated by Setar Rudra, Associate M&E of YPSA. This session highlighted grassroots efforts in environmental protection and featured by keynote presenter Professor Kamruzzaman Majumder, Department of Environmental Science, Stamford University Bangladesh; Zakir Hossain, Deputy Director, Youth Development Department, Chattogram; Sohanur Rahman, CEO, Youthnet Global; Amanullah Parag, Coordinator of South Asian Mobilization, 350.org; Omar Faruk Joy, Founder, We Can Cox’s Bazar.
Stalls on recycling goods and eco-products are on display in event where entrepreneurs showcases their services and products.
The awards ceremony marked the culmination of the event, where the ten winning organizations were recognized for their exemplary contributions. The ceremony concluded with remarks by Arfa Nawar Rahman, Youth Coordinator, YPSA, and organizers Palash Chowdhury, Director, YPSA, and S.M. Faisal, Manager, Unilever Bangladesh Limited.
The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from over 300 youth representatives from more than fifty voluntary organizations across Chattogram, alongside media workers and officials from government and private sectors. YPSA expressed its belief that this initiative would inspire youth organizations to engage more actively in social and environmental causes, paving the way for sustainable development and environmental preservation.
The Youth Champions of the Environment 2024 serves as a beacon of hope, underscoring the pivotal role of young change makers in addressing environmental and climate challenges.
