Youth of the Nation 2010

In keeping with the success of the previous event, JAAGO Foundation organized the second chapter of ‘Youth of the Nation’ in early May, 2011. The program was held at the Mirpur National Indoor Stadium.

The objectives of organizing this year’s program included awarding the most deserving volunteers of Universal Children’s Day 2010 celebration, recognizing the contributions of the best media and corporate partners, and acknowledging exceptional contribution to the society in the past year by a youth through the ‘Youth of the Nation’ Award.

The event began at 6:30 with the introductory speeches from the Honorable Guests, the Head of Marketing, Airtel Bangladesh, Mr. Nauman Fakhar and renowned actor, entertainer and politician Mr. Asaduzzaman Noor, Mr Faukhar spoke about the youthful image of Airtel and how technology is helping to connect people everywhere and facilitating the betterment of society, while Mr. Noor spoke at length of the importance of political participation of the youth for the betterment of Bangladesh and urged the young audience to take a stand for corruption free politics. This was followed by a few words from the Special Guest, Acting Director of British Council, Mr. Matthew Knowles and the Honorable Guest U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, Mr. James F. Moriarty. Mr. Knowles spoke about how young people these days are eager to do something god for the society but often find themselves unable to find a proper organization to aid them. He then went on to praised JAAGO Foundation and the other present organizations like 1 Degree Initiative and AISEC for facilitating the youth with an outlet. The two minute speech given in Bangla by the Honorable Ambassador to the U.S., was perhaps the most amazing part of the formal section of the event. The young audience clapped with pride and joy as Mr. Moriarty went on to address them in Bangla.

Around 200 corporate representatives attended the event including Ms. Geeteara Choudhury, Mr Nazim Farhan Choudhury, Mr. Akku Chowdhury, Mr. Garrett Wilkerson, Ms. Farzana Chowdhury and Mr. Baizid Huq. The ceremony was also attended by over 1500 young people from all over Dhaka city, from various social and academic backgrounds. A team from DeshTV covered the entire event.

The ceremony progressed with the distribution of the awards as well as some videos, skits and performances by the volunteers and children of JAAGO Foundation.

The event closed with the official photo-shoot of the Universal Children's Day 2010 volunteers.