An advocacy meeting was held on 13 August 2026 at the GIZ Conference Room of Khulna City Corporation (KCC), initiated by SERAC-Bangladesh, to promote meaningful youth participation in sustainable urban development and good governance in Khulna.

The meeting focused on the formation of the Khulna Urban Youth Council, its proposed electoral process, post-election activities, and future action plans. The initiative aims to create a meaningful platform through which young people can actively contribute to urban development and participate in local decision-making processes.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Nazrul Islam Manju, Administrator of Khulna City Corporation, as the Chief Guest. The session was chaired by Md. Reza Rashid, Secretary (Deputy Secretary), Khulna City Corporation.

Special guests included Engr. Mashiuzzaman Khan, Chief Engineer, Abir Ul Jabbar, Chief Planning Officer, and Dr. Peru Gopal Biswas, Veterinary Officer, along with councillors responsible for different wards of Khulna.

The session was moderated by Md. Salim Miah, Deputy Director (Program) of SERAC-Bangladesh. At the beginning of the meeting, Lutfa Pathan, Project Manager of SERAC-Bangladesh, delivered a detailed presentation on the election process of the Khulna Urban Youth Council and its post-election activities.

During the open discussion, S M Shaikat, Executive Director of SERAC-Bangladesh, highlighted the significance of the Urban Youth Council model and discussed the importance of ensuring a transparent and inclusive electoral process. He also shared examples of successful youth council initiatives at national and international levels, demonstrating how structured youth participation can contribute to more inclusive and responsive urban governance.

The meeting was also attended by Md. Kamran Miah, Network Officer, and Sumaya Rahman, Project Officer, of SERAC-Bangladesh, alongside representatives from various youth and volunteer organizations across Khulna.

A key focus of the advocacy meeting was the need to ensure that young people have a meaningful role in shaping the future of their city. The participating youth representatives emphasized the importance of giving greater priority to youth perspectives in urban development and decision-making processes.

They also called for the full cooperation and support of Khulna City Corporation in establishing an effective, inclusive, and participatory Khulna Urban Youth Council.

The discussion reflected a shared vision of creating a stronger connection between young people and local government. By providing a structured platform for youth engagement, the proposed Urban Youth Council can enable young citizens to raise their concerns, contribute innovative ideas, identify local challenges, and participate in developing solutions for a more sustainable and inclusive city.

The advocacy meeting marked an important step forward in the process of establishing the Khulna Urban Youth Council. With the active participation of young people, youth and volunteer organizations, and the support of Khulna City Corporation, the initiative has the potential to strengthen youth leadership and create new opportunities for meaningful civic engagement.

As Khulna moves towards a more sustainable and participatory future, ensuring that young people’s voices are heard and reflected in urban governance will be essential. The proposed Khulna Urban Youth Council represents an important opportunity to transform young people from beneficiaries of development into active partners in building a more inclusive, responsive, and sustainable Khulna.