To foster civic responsibility and democratic leadership among students, SHISUK convened a strategic planning meeting with local teachers to launch an innovative youth-led parliamentary platform.
On September 14, SHISUK took a significant step toward youth empowerment by hosting a preparation meeting with teachers from various educational institutions across Daudkandi. The gathering served as a foundational step to introduce the Community Model Parliament, a new initiative designed to actively engage the region’s youth in civic dialogue and community advocacy.
Building a Structured Platform for Civic Leadership
The event commenced with an introduction to SHISUK’s mission led by Md. Zillur Rahman, Director of Programs. Following a visual presentation, Tipu Sultan, Senior Program Officer, delivered a detailed framework outlining the upcoming Community Model Parliament debate competition.
The primary goal of this initiative is to move beyond traditional classroom learning and establish a democratic environment where youth can critically debate pressing issues and develop hands-on leadership skills.
Collaborative Planning and Thematic Group Work
Educators play a vital role in guiding and shaping this initiative. The meeting featured a robust open discussion session where teachers expressed their insights and practical suggestions for the platform.
To actively shape the competition’s curriculum, the teachers were divided into three working groups. Each group collaboratively drafted ten relevant topics for the upcoming parliamentary debates. At the conclusion of this exercise, the designated group leaders presented their proposed debate topics to the assembly for review.
Key Recommendations and Future Venues
To ensure the success and accessibility of the Community Model Parliament, the participating teachers provided several strategic recommendations:
- SHISUK should organize preparatory grooming classes in every college prior to the main competition.
- Formal awards must be arranged for the champions, runners-up, and the best overall debater.
- Travel accommodations and costs need to be provided for both teachers and students attending the day-long events.
- A standardized registration form is required to accurately track the list of participants.
Additionally, the educators proposed a diverse range of host institutions across the region for the upcoming competitions:
- Daudkandi: Gouripur Munshi Fazlur Rahman Govt College, Hasanpur Shahid Nazrul Islam College, and Dr. Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain College.
- Muradnagar: Badiul Alam Degree College and Kazi Noman Ahmed Degree College.
- Chandina: Nawtala Islamia Senior Alim Madrasa and Chandina Alamin Islamia Kamil Madrasha.
By integrating the expertise and logistical foresight of local teachers, SHISUK is building a strong, collaborative foundation. The Community Model Parliament will soon provide students across these upazilas with a dynamic space to amplify their voices, sharpen their analytical skills, and emerge as articulate advocates for their communities.
