POWER IN PEOPLE

Sports As A Life Skill Prepare Children For Future

The main objective of the Child Rights Week 2022 celebrations at Lalua-Champapur was to promote child development through sports. Sports is a means of personal development that can serve as a vehicle for the psychological, physical, cognitive, and social development of those who practice it. It reduces stress, improves the quality of sleep, prevents diseases, and has been helpful in the therapy of several chronic diseases. Additionally, it is also the source of growing interest in taking care of oneself and staying healthy. Living in a community that is extremely vulnerable to natural disasters, children don’t get that scope, so this program has been planned to enhance existing sports facilities by arranging three physical sports competitions for around 68 girls in Lalua-Champapur of Patuakhali district. Partner LRP organized this event with the support of ActionAid where local people especially the teachers supported tremendously to train these children. After 15 days of practice, they participated in this competition and showed their power and persistence performance. Ha-du-du or Kabaddi which is our national sport that is mostly played by men despite having Bangladesh Women’s Kabaddi team but locally this is rarely practiced by females. Handball is not familiar even though it is played by urban-centered clubs. On the other hand, Swimming is not just a sport, it’s a basic surviving skill that helps children prevent drowning. Swimming is popular in rural communities but not for females. This is an exciting activity among all children regardless the sex if the child knows how to swim. Children in a coastal area, where uncounted water sources are flowing, should know the skills related to swimming.  However, this is the first time, such competitions arranged for girls in this community which are outdoor sports. They might perform in races and skipping which are only limited inside the school boundary. Successful implementation of these events seemed to challenge through, but the support of guardians and community people encouraged girls’ children that can be considered as a change process of behavior. Aysha (14), the Player of the Match of Handball said, “This is the first time I played Handball. I practiced for 11 days and per day I gave 2 hours for this. We used to practice in a school field and teachers at that school allowed us to use that field and even gave us guidance on playing Handball. My team players and I did not know any rules of this sport, but we get inspiration from family, teachers, and ActionAid. I became the best player, and my father is more excited about this. I want more of this kind of opportunity to play.”

Renewable Energy Fest 2025

A just energy transition is crucial to combat the effects of climate change, especially since the power sector contributes 40% of global carbon emissions. The International Energy Agency reported that renewable energy investment reached $771 billion in 2024 but disparities in funding, technology, and capacity-building hindered progress, especially in developing nations. Bangladesh faces energy challenges and relies on fossil fuels for over 97% of its power [BPDB 2023-24], spending $12 billion annually on imports. The demand is projected to reach 27,345 MW by 2041 [CPD 2024], yet the country has vast renewable potential—156GW solar, 150GW wind. Progress is slow due to limited investment, research, and awareness, highlighting the need for a national renewable energy policy. The Renewable Energy Fest 2025 aims to bridge these gaps by encouraging policy dialogue, youth engagement, and exhibiting innovations to drive a just energy transition. This three-day event will bring together policymakers, the private sector, development partners, investors, technical experts, youth and civil society to explore pathways for a just energy transition. Objectives: • Policy Advocacy – Promote just, inclusive, and sustainable energy transition policies. • Innovation & Technology Fair – Exhibit advancements in renewable energy. • Community Engagement – Involve youth, women and CSOs in the energy transition. • Collaboration – Strengthen partnerships to accelerate renewable energy adoption. By uniting diverse stakeholders Renewable Energy Fest 2025 aims to drive policy reform, foster innovation, and build a fair, sustainable energy future for Bangladesh. Timeline of the Event: April 22-24, 2025 Event Structure and Modalities Day 01: Tuesday, April 22, 2025 Opening Rally on Energy Finance:  The fest will commence with an opening rally titled “FixTheFinance” / “FundOurFuture,” featuring speeches from stakeholders and performances focused on renewable energy finance. The rally will emphasize youth and women’s participation. Press Brief: A press brief to reflect on the Renewable Energy Fest 2025 among media and journalists Day 02 & 03: Wednesday-Thursday, April 23-24, 2025 Inauguration Plenary Session: Distinguished guests and stakeholders will engage in the formal opening, sharing insights on Bangladesh’s energy landscape and sustainable solutions. Dialogue Sessions Six dialogue sessions will run parallelly, each covering key themes Session 01: Social, Environmental, and Sustainability Concerns of Renewable Energy The dialogue session on ‘Social, Environmental, and Sustainability Concerns of Renewable Energy’ will delve into the challenges and opportunities of transitioning to cleaner energy sources. Discussions will highlight the environmental footprint of renewable energy technologies, including land use conflicts, resource extraction for solar panels and batteries, and the ecological impacts of wind and hydropower. Experts  will address the social dimensions, such as community displacement, equitable energy access, and workforce transitions in the renewable sector. The session will also focus on sustainability strategies, including lifecycle management, circular economy approaches, and policy frameworks to ensure just, responsible, and long-term adoption of renewable energy in Bangladesh. Session 02: Energy Policy and Governance The dialogue session ‘Energy Policy and Governance in Bangladesh’ will explore key strategies for a sustainable and sovereign energy future. Discussions will focus on the National Energy Transition Policy as a guiding framework, the integration of energy policies with national plans, and the role of cross-border collaboration in optimizing resources. Experts will address dynamic energy planning for both short- and long-term goals, along with regulatory processes to ensure transparency and efficiency. The session will also examine the socio-environmental impacts of energy-related land use and fossil fuel reliance, emphasizing the need for advanced transmission systems and equitable grid access to drive an inclusive and resilient energy landscape in Bangladesh. Session 03: Renewable Energy Financing and investment The dialogue session ‘Renewable Energy Financing and Investment’ will delve into key financial and policy mechanisms to accelerate the renewable energy transition. Discussions will cover investment strategies, financing models, and cost competitiveness to enhance economic viability. Experts will explore subsidy reforms, tax and tariff adjustments, and their role in fostering a more sustainable energy market. Additionally, the session will highlight the importance of global cooperation and trade policies in scaling renewable energy adoption. By addressing these critical factors, the session aims to provide insights into creating a more attractive and sustainable investment landscape for renewable energy development. Session 04: Infrastructure, Innovation and Technology of RE The dialogue session ‘Infrastructure, Innovation, and Technology of Renewable Energy’ will explore cutting-edge advancements and strategic developments in the renewable energy sector. Key discussions will focus on grid integration, energy storage solutions, and decentralized energy models, including community-based approaches. Experts will highlight the role of research, development, and manufacturing in diversifying renewable energy technologies. The session will also address innovation funding, technology transfer, and capacity building as essential drivers for accelerating the energy transition. This session aims to shape a resilient, efficient, and sustainable renewable energy infrastructure by fostering investment in emerging technologies. Session 05: Women in Renewable Energy The dialogue session ‘Women in Renewable Energy’ will focus on empowering women in the renewable energy sector through knowledge exchange, policy analysis, and skill development. Participants will engage in idea-sharing and learning opportunities to foster innovation and inclusivity. The session will also examine existing policies, identifying gaps and opportunities to enhance gender representation in the industry. Additionally, discussions will highlight the importance of capacity building and mentorship in advancing women's leadership and career growth in renewable energy. This session aims to drive a more diverse and inclusive energy transition . Session 06: Youth for Energy and Climate Justice The dialogue session ‘Youth for Energy and Climate Justice’ will serve as an interactive platform for young leaders to drive innovation, policy advocacy, and sustainable energy solutions. Discussions will highlight youth-led initiatives, capacity building, and commitments toward a greener future. The session will bridge global commitments with local actions, empowering young changemakers to influence policy and drive impact. Session on Policy Recommendation The ‘Policy Recommendation’ session will bring together experts from all dialogue sessions to summarize key discussions and insights. This platform will facilitate direct engagement with policymakers, ensuring that critical recommendations on renewable energy financing, governance, innovation, and inclusivity are translated into actionable commitments. The session aims to drive meaningful reforms and strategic advancements in the renewable energy sector by bridging stakeholder perspectives with policy frameworks.

The New Standard

National Mourning Day 2020:

Bangladesh's first President Sheikh Mujibur Rahman was assassinated along with 16 of his family members on 15thof August in 1975. His daughters Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Sheikh Rehana survived as they were abroad at the time. The day is observed as National Mourning Day in the country to mark the occasion. The nation observed the National Mourning Day on 15thof August 2020, Saturday with paying rich tributes to Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on his 45th martyrdom anniversary. Like every year, 15 LRPs arranged different programs for the children to observe National Mourning Day 2020. But this time, it was a bit different due to the pandemic situation. Children participated in different programs remotely. They participated in Drawing competition (On Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman), Essay writing competition (On Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman), Wall Magazine prepare & display, Poem writing competition, Quiz and Discussion on Father of Nation.

child sport 2024

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Youth Voice To Ensure Climate Justice

Climate change is affecting everyone, specially vulnerable communities. Engaging young people’s voice is therefore needed to bring change. To encourage the young people to raise their voice in global platform to ensure international fund and climate justice to fight climate change, Youth Environment and Social Development Society (YESDS) organized ‘Dhaka Climate Talk 2018’ in association with Stamford University Bangladesh, ActionAid Bangladesh, Oxfam and Independent University, Bangladesh. Md. Mohsin, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, Ranjit Kumar Chakraborty, Project Manager, IBFCR Project, UNDP, MB Akhter, Program Director, Oxfam in Bangladesh and Farah Kabir, Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh talked in the conference among others.

Young People Raising Voice For Social Harmony

On 5 May 2019, a debate competition titled ‘Debate for Harmony’ has been organized to create social awareness on rights and to increase social harmony, students of different schools of Kushtia took part in the competition. Alo Sechchhasebi Palli Unnayan Sangstha with the support of ActionAid Bangladesh organized the school level debate with the aim to develop skills of the students as well as making them aware about social issues and their rights. The final round took place on 5 May 2019 at Moshan Secondary School at Mirpur in Kushtia where Border Guard Public School and College won the first prize.

World Children Day & Child Rights Week 2021 Observance At Lrp52

ActionAid Bangladesh and its partners are trying to ensure child rights and their development through the Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA). Udayankur Seba Sangstha (USS) has been implementing various types of intervention to ensure child rights as one of the partner organizations of ActionAid Bangladesh and one of them is the celebration of the World Children Day & Child Rights Week 2021. Bangladesh government declared 04 October to 10thOctober 2021 as the Child Rights Week - 2021. Along with the Ministry of Women and Children Affairs (MoWCA), different organizations observe the week with different activities. The theme of the week, decided by the government, was “Invest for Children, Build Prosperous World’’ (Shishur Jonno Biniyog Kori, Somriddho Bishwo Gori)' . Events at the community level: Receptive village-based child protection Committee (VBCPC) chairpersons inaugurated the World Children Day & Child Rights Week 2021 in 2 venues in Shimulbari and Borovita Union Parishad’s hall room. VBCPC members, reflection group members, government school teachers, and local elites were present in the events proactively. Main events on World Children Day & Child Rights Week 2021 are art, quiz competition, and storytelling and sharing meeting with Upazila administration Phulbari, Kurigram. 120 children participated in different competitions in eight child spaces. Selected community people were playing the role of judges of the competitions. Finally, 09 children were rewarded for different events. Children were very happy to receive the rewards from guests. Sharing meeting with Upazila Administration: Md. Golam Rabbani Sarkar , Upazila Chairmen was present as chief guest, and Mr. Sumon Das - Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) was playing the role of the chair. Other government officials were present as special guests who were Upazila Women Affairs Officer, Upazila Secondary Officer, Upazila Social Services Officer, Upazila Youth Development Officer, Upazila Assistant Primary Education Officer, and some print & electronic media persons were present at the events. Borsha , a member of the child forum, presented her keynote which was made on the cause and effect of climate change on children. Mr. Arifur, a member of CJG raised the question to the respective authority, “When the dredging and piling of Dhorola Rivers would start?” Moreover, Sourovi, another member of the child forum said, “Government already allocated the housing facilities among the poor but need emphasis to who are losing their house in river erosion.” Aduri, a member of the child forum said, “Children are mostly affected by climate change but there is no mechanism to protect the children, we are proposing to the respective authority to take some programmatic interventions which are for child health, child protection especially for preventing child marriage.” Prize distribution ceremony: 09 Children were awarded in a different category, and they received the crest from Upazila Chairmen, UNO, and other honorable guests. Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO), Phulbari, Kurigram, and chair of the event said, “I am very happy and a lot of thanks to Borsha for presenting her innovative keynote. She carried out detailed information about the causes of climate change. At the same age as Borsha, I don’t have the same knowledge of climate change.” Some expressions of children: “I am very happy to receive the two crests for the drawing & quiz competition and these are my first awards in my life.” – said Rupanti. “My mother is very happy to receive the crest from UNO and Upazila Chairman. It is very exciting to receive the award on child rights week 2021.” added by Likhon. “This is the first time I am appearing in any competition. As a result, it increased my confidence level to appear in any competition at our school and others.” stated Sweeti.

Workshop With The Journalists In Cox’s Bazar

Since the beginning of the Rohingya crisis, journalists have played a significant role to cover the issues and facts of the crisis. Considering the possible scopes and challenges of covering Gender Based Violence issues more intensively, ActionAid Bangladesh organized a workshop with the journalists in Cox’s Bazar with the support of UNFPA and Canadian High Commission. While Chairing the session, Dr Khalilur Rahman, Member, Executive Board, ActionAid International Bangladesh said, since the journalists in Cox’s Bazar have been playing the key role of presenting the GBV related issues faced by the forcefully displaced Rohingya women in front of the world, therefore more awareness need to be created among them.