Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has said the wave and strength of public opinion involving youths globally can help end the plight of Rohingyas and create a more sustainable world of peace and stability.
"We must involve youths in our campaign for a better and sustainable world of peace and stability. Because they’re ones who can achieve it," he said while responding to a question from UNB at a virtual briefing on Saturday.
Bangladesh wants to take advantage of the "Dhaka- OIC Youth Capital 2020" to create public opinion across nations involving youths on justice and accountability issues.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate the "Dhaka- OIC Youth Capital 2020" on Monday virtually, connecting youths from OIC countries and beyond.
Dr Momen said youths would lead the world and the OIC countries.
"If they understand the plight of Rohingyas, they’re going to have a much better world for them. These young people can share their views and opinion once they understand issues," Dr Momen told UNB.
He said the young people, in the process, will create public opinion across the nations.
The Foreign Minister said the young people are very smart in handling social media and computers, and they can come forward to help end the Rohingyas crisis by raising public opinion in their own countries and beyond. The issues of justice and accountability are extremely important for the whole world, he said.
Dr Momen said the young people are going to lead the country and they must have a strong understanding of accountability and justice issues if they want to lead the country.
Bangladesh is hosting over 1.1 million Rohingyas and no one could be repatriated over the last couple of years despite Bangladesh's readiness.
Foreign Minister Dr Momen, State Minister for Youth and Sports Zahid Ahsan Russel and Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) President Taha Ayhan shared various aspects of the event at the briefing moderated by Amal Ouchenane.
The Dhaka OIC Youth Capital 2020 will be inaugurated with an aim to bring the youth and their spirit together from every corner of the world.
The theme of the mega event is “Parity and Prosperity: For a Resilient Future.”
Dr Momen said the event will be a great opportunity to project the positive branding of Bangladesh highlighting the brilliant works of the youths and share knowledge among the stakeholders.
"This event will surely infuse a positive energy among youth and bind us into a stronger fraternity," he said.
High level dignitaries, including Youth & Sports Minister of Qatar, Youth and Sports Minister of Azerbaijan, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr Yousef Al-Othaimeen and President of Islamic Cooperation Youth Forum (ICYF) will join it.
The year-long events coincide with the Birth Centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
To celebrate the Mujib Year 2020 and enlighten the global youths about the legacy and contributions of Bangabandhu, they are going to introduce Bangabandhu Global Youth Award for the global youths who placed an outstanding contribution to the fields of innovation, environment, humanitarianism, sports, culture & arts, entrepreneurship, said the Foreign Minister.
As part of the “Resilient Youth Leadership Summit”, a virtual tour of the “Rohingya Camp in Cox’s Bazar” will be organised in collaboration with United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), International Organization for Migration (IOM) and University of Cambridge for the shortlisted participants.
The virtual tour will introduce the displaced persecuted Rohingya community from Myanmar to the global participants.
It will help the international community know more about one of the biggest humanitarian crises in recent history and engage with the youth around the world, as well as be empowered by the leaders of the world to bring a sustainable change and prosperity, said the organisers.
It will also help build up a sense of awareness among the youth about the ordeal and struggle of the Rohingya community.
Historical background of the Rohingya crisis, situation in Cox's Bazar Rohingya camp, justice and accountability issues, operational issues, Rohingya camp management will be highlighted in the virtual live interactive session with the persecuted Rohingya community.
Source: UNB