The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

A four-day first SAARC youth camp 2007 begins in Savar toady (Monday) in a bid to increase communication, cooperation and fraternity among the youths of the member countries.

The youth camp also aimed at creating an opportunity for exchanging the culture and the experience, strengthening the friendly relation and developing the leadership among the youths of the region.

Youth and Sports Adviser Tapan Chowdhury disclosed this on Sunday at a press briefing at the PID conference room in the Secretariat.

He said that as per the decision approved at the 14th SAARC Summit in New Delhi, the first SAARC youth camp would take place in Bangladesh from December 10-13 through various programmes.

Tapan Chowdhury said Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed would inaugurate the SAARC youth camp today (Monday) at 10am at the National Youth Center of Department of Youth Development in Savar.

The main theme of the first SAARC Youth Camp 2007 is 'Connecting South Asian Youth.'

Adviser Tapan Chowdhury said some 150 youths from SAARC countries including Bangladesh are expected to participate in the programme. "Some 13 youths from India, 11 from Bhutan, four from Maldives, three from Sri Lanka, and two from Nepal already confirmed their participation in the camp."

He said that about 80 youths, both male and female, would represent host Bangladesh in the camp. "All participants' age will be between 16 and 22 years."

Terming the youths as the most committed, creative and productive human resources, the Youth and Sports Adviser said they could play important role in facing the many problems including HIV/AIDS and drug abuse in the SAARC countries.

Youth and Sports secretary Dr Md Golam Mostafa Talukder, joint secretary Mushfiqur Rahman and director general of Youth Department Ismail Hossain were present at the press briefing.