UNICEF signs deal with Scouts to enhance youth empowerment

UNICEF Bangladesh on Sunday signed a Programme Cooperation Agreement (PCA) with Bangladesh Scouts to empower and mobilise 1.68 million youth members of Bangladesh Scouts in the areas of community awareness and disaster risk reduction.

The agreement was signed by Arshadul Mukaddis, Executive Director In-charge, Bangladesh Scouts and Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Bangladesh Representative on behalf of their respective organizations, reports BSS.

Building on the experience of Bangladesh Scouts and UNICEF’s approach in engaging with youth and adolescents, the project will focus on engaging adolescent boys and girls of Scouts in community development initiatives, awareness raising and campaigns on children’s issues such as, Newborn Health, Menstrual Hygiene Management, Handwashing, Ending Child Marriage, etc.

The project will also focus on enhancing knowledge and increased participation of adolescent boys and girls on community-based Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

“UNICEF emphasizes on empowering adolescent as agents of change. We believe that young people must be involved in identifying and implementing solutions to address the challenges facing adolescents and youth. Implementing solutions for adolescents can be enhanced through use of innovative platforms and tools.” said Edouard Beigbeder, UNICEF Bangladesh Representative.

The activities under this initiative include trainings on Life Skill Based Education (LSBE), online safety and disaster risk reduction.

Through this initiative, the Scout members will also have access to and connect through online platforms such as U-Report and social media to gather the opinions of children and young people on issues affecting them, enhance their knowledge on child rights, take up challenges, and be engaged in community development.

The initiative will be implemented in four districts – Satkhira, Sunamgonj, Patuakhali and Cox’s Bazar and in two city corporations – Sylhet and Dhaka, considering potential hazards such as flood, cyclone and earthquake.

“This new partnership with Bangladesh Scouts will promote their broader engagement in various initiatives to address children and adolescent issues, while deepening the capacity of Scouts in targeted locations in Disaster Risk Reduction”, said Edouard Beigbeder.

Source: dailysun