Members of over 30 national and local-level youth organisations have been brought together under one network, called the Youth Adaptation Forum, by Save the Children and its local implementing partner Uttaran for greater climate action in the climate-vulnerable southwestern region of Bangladesh.

The Youth Adaptation Forum formally started its journey through a terms of reference (ToR) signing and launching ceremony on Saturday at a hotel in Satkhira.

It aims to amplify youth-led climate initiatives by fostering knowledge sharing, collaboration and resource mobilisation to scale up and replicate good practices on climate change adaptation and water management.

This network consists of young minds from volunteer organisations like Transparency International Bangladesh YES group, Prothom Alo Bondhushava, Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, Volunteer for Bangladesh, YouthNet for Climate Justice, Bangladesh Scouts, The Green Force – Satkhira, BD Clean, Upakuliyo Prakritik Songrakkhon Juba Forum, Rotaract Club, and more. Activities and initiatives of the Youth Adaptation Forum are being supported by Save the Children and its local implementing partner Uttaran.

President of Youth Adaptation Forum, Karna Biswas said, “We, the youth, want to stand by the local communities to ensure their wellbeing and bring greater change through this network. This is going to be the first such network where the leading representatives of over 30 volunteer organisations in Satkhira will collaborate. Unleashing the power of youth, we will work to protect the environment and reduce the impact of climate change as well as promote good practices of water management.”

The southwestern region, especially districts like Satkhira, is highly affected by climate change due to its geographical location. People in this region are often affected by natural disasters like the recent cyclone Remal. The Sundarbans in Satkhira has been devastated multiple times because of the cyclones. Due to increased salinity, iron and arsenic, the water in this region is not safe for drinking. Here, climate change has adverse impacts on food, health, shelter, education, and the economy — almost every aspect of life. So, greater collective climate action is necessary for the adaptation and resilience of the local communities.

Lawmaker Laila Parveen Sejuti was present as the guest of honor at the ceremony.

Along with the guest of honour, Assistant Director of Department of Youth Development Asmot Ara Begum, BSCIC Satkhira’s Promotion Officer Pijush Ghosh, different government officials, members of youth organisations, representatives of Save the Children and Uttaran were present at the ceremony.

bd-pratidin/GR