Hope I Don’t Quit This Time: CAYA Post-Session Thoughts

I’ve often felt that youth political participation is a big “No No” in our Bangladeshi community. It’s almost taboo - and while attitudes have shifted slightly, I still wonder: what would my parents think of me promoting this?

Yesterday’s CAYA Advocacy Fellowship session challenged all that.

Led by Mridul Upadhyay, a seasoned peacebuilding practitioner, co‑founder of Youth for Peace International, Asia Coordinator of UNOY Peacebuilders, and facilitator in youth‑peace leadership across Asia. The conversations brought such clarity and conviction to the idea of youth shaping policy from the ground up.

The session was so engaging. It wasn’t just theory, it was alive. And now, we face our next assignment: to deliver a similar session on youth policy participation within our own communities. It’s a golden opportunity to demonstrate leadership in action, but I wonder if I'll be able to follow through :)

Honestly, I’ve left programs halfway before, because the processes simply weren't stimulating enough for me to stick to them. But if I can finish this one, I promise I’ll post about it. Public accountability, right folks?

All the best to everyone participating! <33

{^^ the attached picture is from an artivism activity. Snaps where a bunch of people are having fun togather literally NEVER get boring!}