Bangladesh's Youth Leaders Commit to Uphold Commonwealth Values

In a significant development for youth engagement in governance, approximately 100 young leaders from across Bangladesh have pledged to champion the values of the Commonwealth Charter following a two-day workshop held in Dhaka from June 23 to June 24, 2025. This initiative, organized by the Commonwealth Secretariat in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, aimed to deepen participants' understanding of the Charter's core values, which encompass democracy, human rights, and freedom of expression.

The workshop attracted participants from diverse backgrounds, including media, civil society, minority groups, and academia, who are already impacting their communities positively. Through various case studies and group discussions, attendees explored how the Commonwealth values apply within the Bangladeshi context and devised action plans to promote these principles effectively.

Specific commitments made by participants included initiatives to encourage first-time voters to register, creating forums to amplify the voices of marginalized groups, particularly women, serving as neutral facilitators to resolve local conflicts, and advocating for inclusive policymaking. Nafia Islam Faria, a social entrepreneur from Dhaka, reflected on her experience, stating, "I never thought the Charter could inform the work I already do. But the discussions made me realize how its values connect to what I care about."

Faria emphasized that the value of 'tolerance, respect, and understanding' resonated deeply with her, and she expressed her commitment to embodying these principles in her work and online interactions, illustrating how grassroots change can emerge from individual actions.

Asif Mahmud, Bangladesh's Youth and Sports Adviser, who opened the workshop, described the Commonwealth Charter as a "moral compass" for the 2.7 billion people across its 56 member nations. He cautioned that undermining the Charter's values could have profound implications for nations, underscoring the workshop's timeliness and essential role in empowering youth to contribute meaningfully to nation-building.

Professor Luis Franceschi, the Commonwealth Assistant Secretary-General, urged participants to translate the Charter's values into actionable steps within their daily lives. He stated, "You are already leading with your ideas, activism, startups, and community work. Take these values back to your communities and bring them to life in how you live, lead, and serve. The future of Bangladesh depends on the choices you make today."

Zaid Ekram, founder of the Bangladesh Liberty and Rights Forum, expressed his motivation to leverage Commonwealth values to mobilize young people in advocating for environmental rights to be enshrined in the Constitution. He highlighted the workshop's pivotal role in inspiring participants to engage actively with the Charter's principles.

The Commonwealth Charter, adopted in 2013, outlines the political, social, economic, and environmental values agreed upon by all member countries. During his visit to Dhaka, Professor Franceschi also led a Commonwealth delegation in discussions with the Interim Government of Bangladesh, engaging with senior officials, the Chief Justice, and members of the diplomatic and development communities.

This initiative marks a crucial step in fostering a generation of leaders committed to upholding democratic values and social justice in Bangladesh, aligning with the broader goals of the Commonwealth to promote peace, democracy, and development across its member states.