Youth is a portent of any change. It is mainly factual of self conversation and consolidation. Demographically, Bangladesh is the youngest country. Therefore, youth aspirations are vital in insisting side of governance. To engage the local youth with innovating action for climate finance transparency a workshop was held titled “Innovating Action for Climate Finance Transparency: Engaging Local Youth” at Jahan Conference Center, Karim Kutir, Barisal on 21st August, 2017. The workshop was organized by Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), BRAC University and Youth Net for Climate Justice. Professor Dr. Emamul Haque, Vice Chancellor, University of Barisal graced the event as chief guest. Mr Abdul Jalil, Climate Change and DRR Officer, UNICEF; Md. Abul Bashar, PROKAS, British Council and Ms. Roufa Khanum, Coordinator, C3ER, BRAC University joined the workshop as special guests. Students from different universities of Barisal, Barguna, Pirojpur, Bagerhat, Patuakhali and Jhalokati participated in this workshop.
The main objective of the workshop was to engage the youths for identifying the problems of their locality due to climatic effects, find innovative solutions to those problems and suggest how to ensure transparency throughout the process. The event was segmented into introductory session, ice breaking session, presentation, group discussion and brain storming session, question answer session as well as closing and prize distribution ceremony. The workshop started with a welcome speech by Mr. Sohanur Rahman, Chief Coordinator, Youth Net for Climate Justice. He briefly described the field of work of Youth Net and how they are trying to engage local youth with climate change issues and build up their capacity. Among the others Mr. Bashar gave an overview of the PROKAS program and why they are working for climate finance transparency. Mr. Siddiqui then gave a presentation on the issue based project Climate Finance Transparency Mechanism (CFTM). He talked about major issues on climate change, the difference between adaptation and mitigation and introduced the participants with some new terms like climate finance, climate fund governance, climate finance readiness, and youths’ role in these sectors. There was an interactive question answer session where Ms. Khanum answered the questions from the participants and also asked questions to them about their learning and experience from the workshop. Mr. Jalil then talked about some recent activities of Youth Net in Barisal district and how they are focusing on adolescent empowerment. At the end of the event, the chief guest, Dr. Haque, concluded the session with his speech. Dr. Haque started his speech by talking about the learning of the workshop- transparency of work and transparency of finance. He expressed his disappointment on the fact that as a country we have to hear this continuously that we are not transparent with our works and finance. So we need to give emphasis to ensure that the climate projects done are transparent.
Throughout the work shop the youths participated actively, asked questions, expressed their views on different issues and proposed innovative ideas. Also they worked as groups, shared their ideas and discussed with each other. This was a great learning experience for them because they got to develop their skills and also had the chance to gain knowledge regarding climate change related issues. Their participation encouraged CFTM team to organize more workshops like this in other areas especially in remote areas where there is least availability of climate change related knowledge. This will help to ensure climate finance transparency as the stakeholders will have ideas about the process and they will be able to identify their needs and come up with new solutions to those.