Bangladesh Launches “Youth Voice Mechanism” to Amplify Young Voices in Policy and Governance

On the occasion of International Youth Day, the Government of Bangladesh and the United Nations system today jointly launched the design phase of the Youth Voice Mechanism (YVM), a groundbreaking platform aimed at amplifying the voices of young people in policy-making and governance, while ensuring their active participation in shaping the nation’s future.

The YVM is designed to create a sustainable and inclusive channel, particularly for marginalized, rural, and underrepresented youth, enabling them to directly engage with government stakeholders and contribute to decision-making. The initiative recognizes the crucial role of young people in Bangladesh’s progress and resilience and responds to the growing demand for more inclusive governance.

During the design phase, a mixed-method participatory approach will be followed, including divisional workshops, focus group discussions, expert interviews, and a national youth survey. These methods will ensure that the mechanism reflects the lived experiences, aspirations, and ideas of the country’s youth.

Speaking at the launch, UN Resident Coordinator (a.i.) Rana Flowers said:
“As Bangladesh navigates a historic transformative moment, the Youth Voice Mechanism will serve as a tool for young people to express their views on justice, equity, and issues that impact both the present and the future. This initiative reflects the call made by the Honorable Chief Adviser, Professor Muhammad Yunus, during the UN General Assembly.”

She added, “By creating a peaceful and structured space for meaningful engagement, we are empowering young people to articulate their perspectives and contribute to building a more inclusive and sustainable future for their country.”

Echoing this vision, Md. Mahbub-ul-Alam, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, stated:
“We are committed to working with the UN system and young people across Bangladesh to ensure the success of the Youth Voice Mechanism. This initiative will help us better understand the needs and aspirations of the youth and reflect them in our policies and programs.”

The YVM will operate through a multi-layered framework to ensure broad-based participation and meaningful engagement. Activities will include online dialogue platforms, regional workshops, and policy-oriented research. A dedicated secretariat under the Ministry of Youth and Sports will coordinate these activities in collaboration with youth organizations, government agencies, and UN partners.

All young people in Bangladesh — regardless of their background, education, or location — will be able to take part in the YVM. Special efforts will be made to include marginalized youth, indigenous groups, rural youth, those in climate-vulnerable regions, youth with disabilities, women, gender-diverse groups, university students, and those working in the informal sector. Young people will be able to participate through online forums, workshops, policy submissions, and awareness campaigns. The platform will also help build youth leadership capacity and strengthen their role in governance.

The process is being co-designed by young leaders and stakeholders to ensure legitimacy, inclusiveness, and effectiveness. A governing committee, under the Ministry of Youth and Sports, will include representative youth leaders from across the country, tasked with overseeing the consultation process and ensuring it remains youth-led, inclusive, and aligned with the national policy framework.

The Youth Voice Mechanism (YVM) is a joint initiative of the United Nations system and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Government of Bangladesh. Its aim is to establish a sustainable, inclusive, and structured channel through which young people can actively participate in policy-making and governance.