Dr. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser of Bangladesh’s interim government, has called for placing youth and students at the center of building a sustainable future and creating a new world in the Global South. He stated that young people are committed to shaping the new world.
Addressing the leaders of the Global South, Dr. Yunus said, “We must place the youth and students at the center, who make up a significant portion of the population in the Global South. Two-thirds of our population are young people, and they are the most powerful part of society.”
He made these remarks on Saturday, August 17, during the opening ceremony of the “Voice of Global South Summit 2024” held in New Delhi, India. Dr. Yunus joined the summit virtually from Dhaka. This was his first participation in a multilateral event since taking the oath as Chief Adviser of the interim government.
Countries from Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean are included in the Global South, where per capita income is generally lower compared to developed nations.
Praising the youth of Bangladesh, Dr. Yunus said, “The second revolution in Bangladesh took place on August 5 under the leadership of brave students. This revolution turned into a mass uprising with the participation of the people, which led to the swearing-in of the interim government on August 8.”
The Chief Adviser stated that the youth led a movement aimed at revolutionary change, and their aspirations influenced the entire nation. Now, meaningful reforms are essential to ensure democracy and human rights, through which all the broken institutions of the state can be restored.
He added that the interim government of Bangladesh is committed to transitioning towards an inclusive and pluralistic democracy and creating an environment for free, fair, and participatory elections.
Highlighting the ongoing changes in Bangladesh after the mass uprising, Nobel laureate economist Dr. Yunus invited the leaders of the Global South to visit Dhaka. He said, “Young students and children aged 12 to 13 are painting pictures of a new democratic Bangladesh on the walls of the 400-year-old city. They have no specific plan or directive, nor do they have budgetary support from anyone. It is merely an expression of their emotion and commitment to the aspirations of the second revolution.”
He mentioned that anyone reading the writings on the walls by the youth in Bangladesh would understand what they are dreaming of. He emphasized that fulfilling the dreams of the youth is our primary task.
The Chief Adviser also noted that young people around the world are different, capable, and technologically far ahead compared to previous generations. They can turn the impossible into possible. They are entrepreneurs. However, they seek jobs because the educational systems in various countries prepare them for employment, even though every individual has creativity.
Professor Yunus called for a complete restructuring of the education and financial systems that only prepare job seekers.
