YES Youth blogger group celebrated International Youth Day’ 2017

Tree Plantation

Abdullah Al Mamun: On 17 December 1999, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth held in Lisbon on 8-12 August 1998 that 12 August be declared International Youth Day. Since then different countries started to observe International Youth Day. The United Nations (UN) International Youth Day is celebrated on August 12 each year to recognize efforts of the world’s youth in enhancing global society. It also aims to promote ways to engage them in becoming more actively involved in making positive contributions to their communities. In each year a specific theme is highlighted on the day. International Youth Day 2017 is dedicated to celebrating young people’s contributions to conflict prevention and transformation as well as inclusion, social justice, and sustainable peace through focusing a theme on 'Youth Building Peace'.

We, the YES youth blogger group took decision to arrange an event to observe the day. We discussed with all the group members and decided that we will arrange a tree plantation program at South Mithachori high school (Ramu) and the school authority agreed with us.

Today the world is facing environmental problems. Global warming, ozone depletion and pollution are burning issues. Planting trees is one of the easiest and most sustainable ways to positively affect the environment. We need trees now more than ever. Trees are our lifeline to cleaner air and a healthier environment. Besides trees and plants are the prime source of environmental purification and beautification. Trees inhale carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen, reduce temperature and create a healthy effect, both physically and psychologically, on human beings. We believe that Youth community has such responsibilities in the development of the area, as well as the responsibility of protecting the area from the impact of climate change through environmental development or social forestry. So we decided to arrange tree plantation program on the occasion of International Youth day 2017 and also to inspire other youths and students to plant more tree for protecting our environment.

For observing the day, we invited all teachers and students of Mithachori School and trainees of the YES Centre for attending the event. On 12 August 2017, at 10am a discussion session was arranged where all students and teachers participated. On behalf of the bloggers, Syed Masud, Wasim Hasnat and myself shared the theme and significant of the International Youth Day and also shared our blog activities. After that, Ms. Farida Akter, the head teacher of the school inaugurated the tree plantation program. All the teachers, students and blogger groups of the school were present at the time.

A total of 140 participants were present in the event including eight blogger members, 20 youth who had completed various training from the YES Centre, more than 100 students of the school, teachers and local leaders. We planted 40 plants including local medicinal and woody plants like Amlaki, Haritaki, Bohera, Raintree etc. We arranged this program and bought trees at our own costs. Every blogger willingly provided his/her support. We think that we can only achieve sustainable peace and build cohesive and resilient societies if we all work together. We have demonstrated that we are willing to show solidarity and contribute to our communities!