Dhaka, Jan. 24 -- Bangladesh stands at a critical juncture. With over one-third of its population aged below 30, the future of the nation will be determined not by policy, but by the ideas, skills, and leadership qualities of the youth. Climate change, increasing inequalities, employability, and the disruptor role of the digital age are no longer distant threats, they are realities. The debate is no longer about engaging the youth in addressing the issues, but about preparing them for the task.

This is where the Youth Connect programme of the British Council has come up with a quiet transformative force in youth leadership development. The manner in which it has redefined youth leadership development and turned ideas into action has brou...