A thought leadership broadcast series featuring interviews of this nation's builders and pioneers was recently launched to inspire the next generation of leaders.

'Preronar Kotha' aims to bring out the stories of inspiration, success, learnings and challenges faced by people who played key roles in the nation's progress over the past 50 years.

It aspires to facilitate the many government initiatives on capitalising the demographic dividend and develop the youth, a statement said.

This will also support the fast tracking of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by encouraging the youth to play a more proactive role in building the nation, it added.

Daily Samakal, The Daily Star and MGM Consulting have partnered with Prerona Foundation, which works for marginalised communities under the guiding principles of the SDGs, in this initiative.

All will simultaneously broadcast the digital conversations on their respective Facebook platforms.

The first of four episodes in season 1 will be aired shortly with the following ones to be broadcasted on a fortnight basis.

Four eminent personalities of the country whose contributions played a major role in driving the nation's economic activities since independence have been interviewed in season 1.

All the interviews conducted in this series will later be published in a book, which will be brought out next year, marking 50 years of the country's independence.

"The youth have been active in major national movements, including the Language Movement and our Liberation War," said Jahangir Alam, director for administration and finance (joint secretary) of the Department of Youth Development.

"One third of our population is youth. So, it is essential to develop our youth population for the greater benefit of this nation," he said.

He also said the government has taken various proactive measures over the last few years for youth development.

"Over the decades, the youth have played a pivotal role in the development of this nation," said Mustafiz Shafi, editor (acting) of Daily Samakal.

"The success of our youth today is also astounding -- from business and politics, to arts and sports, the youth are making us proud with their achievements," he said.  

"And now we need to create a collaborative platform to connect the vision of the nation builders with the aspirations of today's youths.

"We hope this platform will support the ongoing initiatives by the public, private and development sectors to inspire and nurture our youth…," said Shehzad Munim, vice chairman of the governing body of Preronar Foundation.

"….to become the leaders of tomorrow by imbuing them with the knowledge, vision and motivations of the builders of this nation," he said.

The virtual launching ceremony was joined by Mohammad Moinuddin Abdullah, managing director of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation, Osama Bin Noor, co-founder of Youth Opportunities, Niaz Morshed Elite, president of JCI Bangladesh, and Anowarul Amin, acting CEO of Prerona Foundation.