BRAC University's Leadership Development Forum (BULDF), in collaboration with the BRAC Road Safety Programme, organized a Road Safety Awareness Seminar titled "Towards a Youth Coalition for Road Safety" to mark National Road Safety Day 2023. The event took place on October 25, 2023, at the GDLN Conference Room at BRAC University.
The distinguished Chief Guest for the occasion was Mr. A.B.M. Amin Ullah Nuri, Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division of the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Other notable speakers at the seminar included Dr. David Dowland, Registrar of BRAC University; Mr. Nur Mohammad Mazumdar, Chairman of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA); Mr. Ahmed Najmul Hussain, Director of the Road Safety Programme at BRAC; Ms. Tahsina Rahman, Joint Director of Student Life at BRAC University; Mr. Khalid Mahmud, Manager of the Global Partnership Project (GRCP) at BRAC. The event also featured talks by Sazid Ur Rashid and Wasima Gani, from the BRAC University Leadership Development Forum.
Mr. A.B.M. Amin Ullah Nuri, Secretary of the Road Transport and Highways Division of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, urged the youth to be at the forefront of raising awareness, emphasizing their potential to effect change. He requested BRAC University to establish small committees comprising teachers and students to raise awareness among others, with the ultimate aim of saving lives.
Dr. David Dowland discussed the pressing issue of road safety in today's world, particularly in the context of Bangladesh. He mentioned BRAC University's commitment to providing a dedicated transport service for students to ease their transportation.
Mr. Nur Mohammad Mazumdar, Chairman of the Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA), highlighted the impact of road accidents on the working population, amounting to 3-5% of the GDP. He stressed the importance of raising awareness, with a particular emphasis on the youth's role in knowledge acquisition and dissemination to the general public.
Mr. Ahmed Najmul Hussain, Director of the Road Safety Programme at BRAC, emphasized that individuals aged 15-29 are the most affected by road accidents. He expressed the goal of transforming this age group from being seen as a problem to becoming an asset. He called for the creation of a youth coalition to spread awareness, extending beyond BRAC University to other universities in Bangladesh.
Ms. Tahsina Rahman, Joint Director of Student delivered the closing remarks at the seminar.