CA Urges Youth to Develop Policy-Making Skills

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has urged the young generation to develop a deeper understanding of policymaking as a continuous and evolving process, stressing that the success or failure of any initiative largely depends on the strength of its policy framework.

He made the remarks while meeting the winners of the National Policy Competition 2025, organized by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, at the State Guest House Jamuna on Friday evening.

The winners, representing nine universities and one medical college from across the country, shared their experiences from the competition and presented their policy proposals to the Chief Adviser.

Congratulating the students, Professor Yunus said their achievement reflected both intellectual excellence and the spirit of rigorous competition.

“You are sitting in the Cabinet Room — the very place where the nation’s highest-level policy discussions and decisions take place. Today, you are engaging in simulated debates, but one day you may sit here as real policymakers,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of sound policy design, the Chief Adviser noted that even the best-funded projects could fail under weak policies.

“If the policy is right, everything else falls into place. But a wrong policy can destroy all efforts,” he said.

He emphasized that policies must evolve with time and changing realities.

“A policy made once cannot remain effective forever if the world around it changes. Policies should adapt and stay relevant,” he said, urging students to see policymaking as both a professional pursuit and a personal discipline guiding their own goals.

Drawing a parallel between national and personal decision-making, Professor Yunus added, “Just as governments and organizations need policies, individuals too must have their own guiding principles to reach their goals. The key is to remain flexible and adjust as circumstances change.”

Applauding the Ministry of Youth and Sports for organizing the competition, he described it as a meaningful exercise in leadership and civic responsibility.

“This is not just a symbolic event — it’s a valuable experience. When you take real policy decisions in the future, these lessons will help you act wisely,” he said.

He also commended all participants, not just the winners, for contributing to the competition’s success and encouraged future contestants to build on their predecessors’ work.

“Keep practicing, debating, and analyzing policies. As citizens and owners of this country, it is your duty to stay aware and speak out when policies go wrong,” Professor Yunus concluded.

Youth and Sports Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain and Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi were present at the event, among others.

The National Policy Competition 2025 was held across nine universities and one medical college, with one winning team from each institution: East West University, University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh (ULAB), Chittagong University, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka University, North South University, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Rajshahi University, and Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.