Resilience & Climate Justice

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