Youth participation in conservation season seven engages students in Sreemangal

The Department of Environmental Science and Management (DESM) of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), in collaboration with the Outreach, Extension, and Continuing Education (OECE) and the Pro-Vice Chancellor's Office, organised the Youth Participation in Conservation Season 7 on December 19, 2024, at HEED Bangladesh, Sreemangal.

The event hosted 30 students from Notre Dame School and College, Sreemangal, aiming to build awareness and leadership skills for biodiversity conservation and sustainability.

The programme was designed to educate participants about biodiversity challenges and equip them with the tools to address them. It featured multiple interactive sessions and activities aimed at fostering students' leadership and advocacy skills.

Professor Dr Hafizur Rahman, Head of DESM, delivered the inaugural speech, emphasising youth empowerment for environmental change. He stated, "With proper guidance, our youth can become the vanguards of environmental change, turning awareness into action and securing a sustainable future for us all."

Saquib Ahmad Khan, Senior Lecturer in DESM, introduced IUB to the participants, setting the stage for the day's activities. The program commenced with a foundational session on biodiversity led by Md Ekhtekharul Islam, Senior Lecturer in DESM, and Rabila Tarannum Chowdhury, an undergraduate student. This session included the Ecosystem Auction Game, an innovative activity that illustrated the value of ecosystems and their services through an engaging format.

Another session focused on leadership and public speaking for environmental advocacy, facilitated by DESM undergraduate students Tasmin Zareen and Samim Rahman Bhuiyan. Activities such as a tug-of-war, symbolising the imbalance in nature, and creating a vision board for a sustainable future allowed participants to explore their leadership potential while addressing environmental issues.

A special highlight of the event was the introduction of Klaive, a trained dog from the Netherlands, presented by Rifa Nanziba, Wildlife Rehabilitation Officer at Creative Conservation Alliance. Klaive's demonstration showcased his ability to identify environmental elements, providing a unique perspective on innovative conservation methods.

Rifa said, "Klaive is more than a trained dog – he's a symbol of the innovative ways we can tackle environmental challenges. Seeing the students' enthusiasm for exploring such novel approaches was heartening."

One of the participants, Nion Das, a Grade 11 student, said, "This event taught me how small actions can lead to big changes in protecting biodiversity. I feel more confident about taking on leadership roles in conservation efforts."

Grade 10 student Fariha Jalal Jyoti said, "I've always cared about nature, but today, I learned how to turn my passion into meaningful advocacy. The hands-on activities made learning so much fun."

Student organiser Ahmed Abu Sayem Saikat said, "As the organiser of Youth Participation in Conservation Season 7, I am inspired by the students' enthusiasm and active participation." The event concluded with participants presenting a collective vision for sustainability and reaffirming their commitment to environmental protection.