Dutch Ambassador for Youth, Education and Work Jurriaan Middelhoff is currently visiting Bangladesh to explore avenues for strengthening youth employment and entrepreneurship.
"I'm very excited to visit Bangladesh in these important times to see how the Netherlands contributes through Youth employment and entrepreneurship," said the Dutch envoy.
At the Social Business Youth Summit, Middelhoff had a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, reports UNB.
During the fireside chat, he discussed the Netherlands' "Youth at Heart" strategy and the initiatives undertaken to support entrepreneurship in Bangladesh.
Middelhoff also met Asif Mahmud, adviser for youth and sports, to deliberate on enhancing meaningful youth participation in decision-making processes.
While walking around The University of Dhaka, he engaged with students and learned about the compelling stories depicted in the street art, which serve as reminders of the student uprising this past July.
He also visited Drik Gallery's exhibition, “A Journey Through July”, where he talked to students about media, journalism and their aspirations for the future of Bangladesh.
The Dutch envoy also attended a stakeholder dinner, where discussions centred on key challenges young people face in securing decent job opportunities, bridging the gap between education and the labour market, the impact of climate change and the necessity of involving youth in policymaking.
Recognising youths as significant stakeholders, the Dutch Embassy in Dhaka reiterated its commitment to youth development. For this reason, the Netherlands has a special ambassador for youth and a “Youth at Heart” strategy in our development policies, said the embassy.
Bd-pratidin English/Fariha Nowshin Chinika
