Published in: The Daily Star, January 04, 2012

A convention of the youth in South Asia will take place in Dhaka on Saturday with an objective to inspire and motivate the young generation to be the pioneer in socio-economic transformation of the region.
Some 2,000 youths, including students, are expected to join the two-day gathering at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC).
President Md Zillur Rahman is expected to inaugurate the event, which will also be attended by young entrepreneurs, executives, social activists, intellectuals, political leaders and renowned media personnel from Saarc nations, organisers said at a press briefing yesterday.
“The convention aims at encouraging the young generation to be the pioneers in bringing changes in the economic and social arena,” said Annisul Huq, president of Saarc Chamber of Commerce and Industry, at the briefing at Sonargaon Hotel.
The Saarc Chamber and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) will jointly organise the event — LEAD2012 — with the theme of “Youth of rising South Asia: promises and dreams”.
The first day sessions will be held at BICC, while the rest at Sonargaon Hotel.
The convention with a focus on youths in eight Saarc states takes places at a time when South Asia, home of about 1.5 billion people, emerges as a global economic power thanks to steady economic growth over the past years.
Huq said youths account for 40 percent of the population in Saarc states and they are building the nation in various ways.
FBCCI President AK Azad said the event will show some ways to strengthen trade and economic ties in the Saarc region by narrowing down political distances among the close neighbours.
“No notable improvement in trade took place since the inception of Saarc. The main reason for it is politics,” said Azad, citing that intra-regional trade is only 5 percent of total trade of the Saarc states.
The youth can change the society, economy and politics, he said, adding: “We hope this youth convention will be a step forward to improve political, economic and trade relations among the nations in South Asia.”
He said the region could not tap the potential of hydro-electricity in Nepal and Bhutan in full due to politics.
The convention will have five discussion sessions, including one that focuses on young entrepreneurs in South Asia.
World’s youngest chief executive Suhas Gopinath, president and chief executive of Globals Inc India, and Korvi Rakshand, another young social activist and founder of Jaago Foundation of Bangladesh, will attend the programme to share their experiences.
Rajat Sharma, chairman and editor in chief of India TV and host of one of the longest running programme on Indian television — Aap Ki Adalat; Vandana Luthra, founder and chairperson of wellness care firm VLCC of India; Vani Kola, managing director of Indo-US Venture Partners; Zarine Aziz, former president of First Women Bank of Pakistan, will also attend the event.