CRI’s youth platform Young Bangla conferred Joy Bangla Youth Award 2022 to 10 youth-led organizations for their remarkable contributions to the society on 12 November 2022 at Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Youth Development, Savar. This is the sixth edition of the prestigious award after the previous five editions in 2015, 2017, 2018, 2020 and 2021.
Joy Bangla Youth Award (JBYA), a flagship program of Young Bangla, recognizes young changemakers from different parts of the country who are working for their communities and the nation.
The award-giving ceremony started with the national anthem of Bangladesh. Nasrul Hamid MP, State Minister, Ministry of Power Energy and Mineral Resources, Bangladesh, and Trustee of CRI, delivered the welcome speech. Sajeeb Wazed, Chairperson of CRI, handed out the crests to the 10 winning organizations from 28 finalists of JBYA 2022.
Sajeeb Wazed expressed his gratitude to the youth organizations for their contribution to national development and delivered an inspiring speech for the future leaders. He said,
“I feel proud to see young Bangladeshis creating a deep social impact with their will and intelligence. They are not waiting for anyone. We have the ability to solve our own problems.”
In his welcome speech, Nasrul Hamid MP said,
“Young Bangla’s mission is to bring out the stories of youth volunteerism and innovation from the grassroots that are unrecognized. Our vision is to offer a platform to contribute to the national policy formulation and development planning for the youth who are already leading social development endeavor.”
The winners and the finalists
The 10 JBYA winning organizations are Robolife Technologies, BK School of Research, Boson Biggan Sangho, Ucchash, Youth Planet, BigyanPriyo, Mojar School (An Odommo Bangladesh Foundation Initiative), Milon Smrity Pathagar, Switch Bangladesh Foundation and BINDU Nari Unnayan Sangathan. The awards were given under five categories: Skills and Employment, Culture and Communication, Community Wellness, Social Inclusion, and Climate and Innovation.
The other 18 finalist organizations are White Board Science Club, Let’s Talk Mental Health, Wander Woman, Sharabindu, Swapnotthan, Allor Prodip Youth Organization, Swayong, Community Based Disability and Child Protection Organization (CBDCPO), Chittagong University Research and Higher Study Society, Sadhin Somajkollyan Jubo Songstha, Team Utsob, Shacheton Hijra Odhikar Jubo Shangha, Bangladesh Medical Students’ Society, Sadhin Bangla Foundation, Young Social Activism Board (YSAB), Uttara Grameen Seba Sangstha (UGSS), Green Voice, and Anondo School.
The process
The application process for JBYA began on 20 July, 2022. Over 600 applications were received. Young Bangla team and a jury panel of eleven-member from diverse professional backgrounds went through a rigorous selection process to bring out the most impactful initiatives.
The jury panel consisted of Mashrafee Bin Mortaza MP, Former Captain of Bangladesh Cricket Team; Nahim Razzaq MP, Convener, Young Bangla; Zara Mahbub, CEO at Dun & Bradstreet Bangladesh; Porimol Palma, Senior Correspondent, The Daily Star; Jaya Ahsan, Actor and film producer; Dr. Atiur Rahman, Development Economist, and Former Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Mofidul Hoque, Founder Trustee, Bangladesh Liberation War Museum; Achia Khaleda Nila, CEO at Women In Digital; Sharnalata Roy, President, Sylhet Women Chamber of Commerce; Rezwan Shahriar Sumit, Filmmaker and Scriptwriter; and Shahriar Caesar Rahman, Conservationist.
The Pathfinder
In 2021, Young Bangla introduced “Pathfinder”, a special recognition to individuals and/or initiatives who have made significant contributions to the post-independence nation-building process through their leadership, service, initiatives, and research.
This year, Younguang Mro, a writer and researcher, received the Pathfinder award for his contribution to Mro literature as he published a Mro grammar book to preserve the endangered language. He is also working to preserve Rengmitca language. Rengmitca is another endangered language and only six people of Alikadam, Bandarban speak it.
Unmad— Bangladesh’s oldest cartoon magazine was acknowledged as Pathfinder for catering to young creative minds and practicing freedom of speech and expression.
Media coverage
Joy Bangla Youth Award: Recognising the next generation of trailblazers
10 changemaking organizations win Joy Bangla Youth Award 2022
Sajeeb Wazed hands over youth award
Youths will take Bangladesh forward with merit, hard work and patriotism: Sajeeb Wazed
Young Bangla celebrates the power of changemakers at the grassroots
