Prof Abdullah Abu Sayed urges youth to follow their dreams at BRAC’s Carnival of Change 2025

BRAC’s ‘Carnival of Change 2025’ began in Savar on Saturday, showcasing young people’s ideas, innovations and initiatives aimed at driving positive social change.

More than 250 youths from across the country joined the two-day event at the BRAC CDM, featuring exhibitions, discussions, dialogues and workshops.

In the opening-day finale, three initiatives were selected for the Young Changemakers Award 2025 from twelve nominated projects. The winners were Stories of Inclusion, an accessible audiobook platform for children with disabilities; Jolshikha, which produces eco-friendly charcoal from coconut shells; and GoodDo Toys, creating educational and inclusive toys. For the first time, the awardees will also receive BRAC’s Social Entrepreneurs’ Fellowship.

Delivering the keynote address, writer and educator Professor Abdullah Abu Sayeed encouraged youth to persevere and pursue their passions. “Once something becomes part of your soul, you must follow it,” he said. “Follow your dreams and you will taste success. Do something new in your life.”

Highlighting the multidimensional nature of human potential, he added, “Humans possess boundless resilience. We get hurt, we break, but we do not give up — and neither should you.”

In a session titled ‘The Science of Finding a Way’, BRAC Executive Director Asif Saleh said hope is essential for human survival and urged young people to dream big. Noting the country’s challenges — from unemployment and inequality to climate change — he called on youth to step forward and broaden their thinking in a world reshaped by artificial intelligence.

He added that Bangladesh’s young people must look beyond the curated world of social media and value their own identity, ideas and authenticity.

The day began with an inspirational session titled ‘Youth Voices Echoing the Essence of Changemaking’, followed by a lecture on ‘The Way to Success’ delivered by Safi Rahman Khan, Director of BRAC’s Human Capital Development Cluster. He said success has no universal meaning and society’s fixation on material gain often overlooks what matters most in life.

A key highlight was the formal launch of the Amra Notun Young Changemakers Award 2025, inaugurated by Md Shariful Islam Hasan, Associate Director of BRAC’s Migration Programme and Youth Platform. He said young people are at the forefront of solving the nation’s most pressing challenges, and BRAC launched the Amra Notun Network (ANN) in 2018 to institutionalise and support their efforts.

Twelve projects reached the final round from 50 initial applications. Those shortlisted but not selected for the main award were Eco Care, Uttaron, Arohon, TriRE, Prerona, Project Nirvoya, Shunno, Nandonik and Humanity Public Library.

The first day closed with a cultural programme featuring performances by popular artistes Warfaze and Sovvota.

The opening day reaffirmed BRAC’s commitment to supporting young changemakers and amplifying their voices. The second day will feature sessions on personal development, career guidance and youth engagement in nation-building.

BRAC’s Amra Notun Network works with university-going youths, offering life-skills training, mentorship and leadership development. Established in 2018, the initiative now spans 17 districts and has trained more than 2,600 young people, many of whom have since earned recognition from the Gates Foundation, NASA and the United Nations.