ECDO’s Participation in the Commonwealth Charter Youth Workshop
ECDO attended the Commonwealth Charter Youth Workshop held from 23 to 24 June 2025 at the conference room of a prestigious hotel at Dhaka. As a representative of ECDO Tasnim Chowdhury, Project Coordinator and Documentation officer of ECDO attended the event.The workshop, jointly organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and Ministry of Youth and Sports of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, aimed to build the capacity of young leaders in understanding and promoting the values and principles outlined in the Commonwealth Charter. The event brought together youth representatives from across the country, along with senior officials for two days of knowledge-sharing, learning, and interactive discussions.
The programme formally began with a high-level opening ceremony on the morning of 23 June. The participants were welcomed by Mr. Md Mahbub-Ul-Alam, Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, who emphasised the importance of youth engagement in governance and democratic processes. This was followed by introductory remarks from Professor Michelle Scobie, Adviser and Head of the Good Offices of the Secretary-General at the Commonwealth Secretariat. Hon. Asif Mahmud Sajeeb Bhuiyan, Youth and Sports Adviser to the Interim Government of Bangladesh, also addressed the participants, reinforcing the national commitment to empowering youth. The keynote address was delivered by Professor Luis Franceschi, Assistant Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, who reflected on the purpose of the Commonwealth Charter and the need for youth leadership to uphold these shared values.
Following the opening, the workshop proceeded with its technical sessions. The first session included a pre-workshop knowledge survey followed by focused discussions on democracy and Commonwealth Youth Networks. These discussions emphasised how democratic systems ensure youth participation, accountability, and responsive governance.
In the afternoon, the second session of the workshop addressed key themes of human rights, international peace and security, and tolerance, respect, and understanding. The facilitators led dialogues on the universality of human rights and the responsibility of young people to promote and protect the rights of others in their communities. The discussions on peace and security highlighted the role of youth in preventing conflict and promoting social cohesion, while the dialogue on tolerance and respect stressed the need for embracing diversity and rejecting all forms of discrimination. The day ended with a session on workshop reflections, where participants shared their thoughts, key lessons, and personal insights from the day’s sessions.
The second day of the workshop began on 24 June with a brief registration and recap session, allowing participants to summarise and revisit key messages from Day 1. The third session began with discussions on freedom of expression and the separation of powers. Participants explored the balance between the right to free speech and the responsibility to uphold truth and respectful discourse. The concept of separation of powers was explained through examples of how an independent judiciary, a representative legislature, and an accountable executive are essential to upholding democratic governance.
Later in the morning, the fourth session centred on the rule of law. This included conversations on access to justice, the importance of legal equality, and the need for transparent legal systems. The session concluded with participant reflections on the morning’s discussions. After the lunch break, the fifth session covered the theme of good governance. This discussion highlighted transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership as cornerstones for sustainable national development and effective public administration.
The workshop concluded with a formal closing ceremony. Professor Luis Franceschi shared key reflections on the lessons learned and the importance of applying these values in real-life contexts. Certificates were awarded to all participants by the Guest of Honour, Hon. Dr. Asif Nazrul, Adviser for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs to the Interim Government of Bangladesh. The ceremony was concluded with a vote of thanks from Professor Michelle Scobie.
Throughout the two-day programme, participants had the opportunity to explore the Commonwealth Charter’s core values in detail. These values include democracy, human rights, rule of law, good governance, freedom of expression, tolerance, respect, and understanding, among others. The sessions were designed to encourage critical reflection, knowledge exchange, and practical learning, enabling participants to see the relevance of these values in their own communities and leadership roles. The interactive nature of the sessions, combined with the presence of experienced facilitators and a diverse group of attendees, created a highly engaging and meaningful learning environment.
ECDO’s participation in the workshop reaffirmed its commitment to youth leadership and democratic values.
