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{{Short description|Youth center in Bangladesh}}
{{Underconstruction}}
{{Infobox Company
{{Infobox organization
|formation = {{start date and age|2009|01|05}}
|company_name = Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center
|logo = Bangladesh_Youth_Leadership_Center_logo.png
|company_logo = [[File:Bylc-logo.JPG|285px]]
|type = [[Nonprofit organization]]
|company_type = [[Non-governmental organization | Non-Profit Organization ]]
|name = Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center
|foundation = January 5, 2009
|founder = Ejaj Ahmad
|founder = [http://www.paragon100.asia/index.php/component/content/article/57-bangladesh/175-ejaj-ahmad Ejaj Ahmad, President]
|location = [[Dhaka, Bangladesh]]
|location = [[Dhaka, Bangladesh]]
|focus = Develop Leadership in Bangladesh
|focus = Leadership education
|homepage = [http://www.bylc.org www.bylc.org ]
|homepage = {{URL|bylc.org}}
}}
}}


'''Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC)''' is the first [[leadership|leadership]] institution in [[Bangladesh|Bangladesh]], founded with the vision of creating a more inclusive, tolerant and just society by training the next generation of leaders. Originally developed at Harvard Kennedy School’s Center for Public Leadership in 2008, [http://bylc.org/ Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center] was established in Bangladesh in 2009. The Center has successfully completed three of its signature month-long youth leadership program, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bangladesh_Youth_Leadership_Center#Activities_of_BYLC '''Building Bridges through Leadership Training''' (BBLT)]. Besides the BBLT program, BYLC also conducts executive programs and workshops <ref>[http://www.thedailystar.net/campus/2009/04/01/feature_public.htm Public Lecture on “Leadership for the 21st Century” at BRAC University]</ref> for university students <ref>[http://www.thedailystar.net/campus/2009/04/03/feature_iba.htm Exploring Real Leadership at IBA] </ref> as well as clients in the private, public, and non-profit spheres. BYLC is a strong advocate for active citizenship and many of its program alumni are actively engaged in community service and grassroots leadership.
'''Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center''' ('''BYLC''') is the first [[leadership]] institution in [[Bangladesh]]. Originally developed at Harvard Kennedy School's [[Center for Public Leadership]] in 2008, Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center was established in Bangladesh in 2009. The signature component of BYLC is the four-month-long youth leadership program, [[Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center#Activities of BYLC|Building Bridges through Leadership Training (BBLT)]]. Besides the BBLT program, BYLC also conducts programs and workshops<ref>{{cite news |date=April 2009 |title=Public Lecture on "Leadership for the 21st Century" at BRAC University |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/campus/2009/04/01/feature_public.htm |work=Star Campus |publisher=The Daily Star |volume=2 |issue=1}}</ref> for university students.<ref>{{cite news |date=April 2009 |title=Exploring Real Leadership: BYLC holds lecture at IBA |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/campus/2009/04/03/feature_iba.htm |work=Star Campus |publisher=The Daily Star |volume=2 |issue=1}}</ref>


[[File:Ejaj Ahmad, Founder & President of BYLC.JPG|thumb|right|360px|Ejaj Ahmad, Founder & President of [http://bylc.org/index.html BYLC], speaks to students at the Victory Day Rally on December 16, 2009]]
[[File:Ejaj Ahmad, Founder & President of BYLC.JPG|thumb|right|360px|Ejaj Ahmad, founder and president of BYLC, speaks to students at the Victory Day Rally on December 16, 2009]]


==About BYLC==
== About ==
===Formation===


=== Formation ===
The concept of a youth leadership center was originally developed at [[John F. Kennedy School of Government| Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government]] in January 2008. The proposal for a month-long leadership program, Building Bridges through Leadership Training (BBLT), was jointly developed by Ejaj Ahmad, then a graduate student at [[Harvard University|Harvard University]], and Shammi S. Quddus, an undergraduate student at [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)]]. The proposal won the 2008 [http://www.davisprojectsforpeace.org/ Kathryn Davis Projects] for Peace Prize in March 2008.
The concept of a youth leadership center was originally developed at [[John F. Kennedy School of Government|Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government]] in January 2008. The proposal for a month-long leadership program, Building Bridges Through Leadership Training (BBLT), was jointly developed by Ejaj Ahmad, then a graduate student at Harvard University, and Shammi S. Quddus, then an undergraduate student at [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] (MIT). The proposal was one of a hundred college projects awarded a grant by Projects for Peace in 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bylc.org/about-us/our-story/ |title=Our Story |website=BYLC }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.davisprojectsforpeace.org/projects/2008 |title=2008 - Projects for Peace |website=Projects for Peace}}</ref>


Ahmad and Quddus ran the pilot phase of BBLT in Chittagong in the summer of 2008, with technical and financial support from [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology|Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)]][[Public Service|Public Service]] Center. Building on the success and lessons learned from the pilot, the BBLT program was encapsulated within the framework of a non-profit organization, the Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC).
Ahmad and Quddus ran the pilot phase of BBLT in Chittagong in the summer of 2008, with technical and financial support from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Public Service Center. Building on the success and lessons learned from the pilot, the BBLT program was encapsulated within the framework of a [[non-profit organization]], the Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC).


In early 2009, BYLC was registered with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms in Bangladesh as a non-partisan social venture.
In October 2008, BYLC formed its Governing Board. With Ejaj Ahmad, the Founder of BYLC, as the President, the seven-member Board of Governors of BYLC consists of people representing the top echelon of the Bangladeshi education, legal, corporate and media sectors. BYLC also has a strong International Advisory Board comprising of members including renowned Harvard professors and Bangladeshi intellectuals.


The signature program of BYLC, BBLT, expanded into a four-month program for BBLT 4 in July 2010. The first month consists of intensive classroom training in leadership skills after school. In the next three months, students work in teams to implement their leadership training by designing and conducting community projects in local slums.
In early 2009, BYLC was registered with the [http://www.roc.gov.bd:7781/ Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms] in Bangladesh as a non-partisan social venture committed to creating an inclusive, tolerant and just society by training the next generation of leaders.


[[File:BBLT II Education for underprivileged woman.jpg|thumb|right|280px|BYLC program participant, Tasfia teaches the alphabet to an underprivileged woman in Korail slum in Dhaka]]
===Vision===
BYLC's vision is to create a poverty-free Bangladesh driven by the next generation of home-grown leaders.


===Mission===
== Activities ==


<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Dr. Atiur Rahman, Governor of Bangladesh Bank.jpg|thumb|right|160px|Dr. Atiur Rahman, governor of Bangladesh Bank (Central Bank of Bangladesh), addresses graduates at BYLC's third graduation ceremony on January 9, 2010<ref>{{cite news |date=July 25, 2009 |title=Youths together to decide their future |url=http://archive.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=98519 |newspaper=The Daily Star}}</ref>]] -->
BYLC works to bridge gaps in society by uniting youth from diverse backgrounds, equipping them with leadership, problem solving and teamwork skills, and engaging them in community service and active citizenship.


=== Office of Professional Development ===
===Innovation===
The Office of Professional Development (OPD), a key unit of the Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC), aims to provide students, fresh graduates, and young professionals with professional development training and placement services.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://opd.bylc.org/ |title=OPD |website=opd official website}}</ref>


==== BYLC Ventures ====
BYLC is the first organization in Bangladesh that works at the intersection of three different educational systems in the country – English medium, Bengali medium and Madrassa. In the context of the national curriculum that relies heavily on rote memorization, BYLC’s pioneering multidisciplinary youth leadership program, which uses real-time case analysis and reflection as tools to equip participants with strong leadership diagnostic skills, has already received appreciation from diverse stakeholders in Bangladesh.
BYLC Ventures funds Bangladesh's most promising founders, hone their leadership capabilities, strengthen their business acumen, and help validate their big ideas as they transition into investable business.<ref>{{Cite news |title=BYLC Ventures opens applications for its fourth cohort |url=https://www.daily-sun.com/post/586619/BYLC-Ventures-opens-applications-for-its-fourth-cohort|access-date=9 December 2021|work=Daily Sun|language=en}}</ref>


== Awards and recognition ==
[[File:BBLT III Health camp.jpg|thumb|right|280px|BYLC program participants organize a health camp as part of their community service project]]
In 2009, Ahmad was profiled as one of Asia's most promising young leaders and awarded the 2009–2010 Paragon Fellowship by the Foundation of Youth Social Enterprise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paragon100.asia/?p=66 |title=Ejaj Ahmad |website=Foundation for Youth Social Entrepreneurship}}</ref> He was also among 20 outstanding young social entrepreneurs recognized by the International Youth Foundation (IYF) for the 2010 YouthActionNet Fellowship.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.youthactionnet.org/fellows/232/ |title=Ejaj Ahmad |website=YouthActionNet }}</ref> The 2010 fellows came from 18 different countries across five continents.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bylc.org/media/pdf/BYLC%20honored%20by%20Nobel%20Laureate%20Martti%20Athisaari.pdf |title=Ejaj Ahmad honored as a 2010 Global Fellow of the International Youth Foundation |website=BYLC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120303042138/http://www.bylc.org/media/pdf/BYLC%20honored%20by%20Nobel%20Laureate%20Martti%20Athisaari.pdf |archive-date=March 3, 2012}}</ref> He was also featured in ''[[The Washington Post]]'' on a special program titled 'On Leadership: Ejaj Ahmad, bringing Obama to Bangladesh'.<ref>{{cite news |date=June 8, 2010 |title='On Leadership: Ejaj Ahmad, bringing Obama to Bangladesh' |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2010/06/08/VI2010060803824.html |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> Assistant secretary [[Robert O. Blake Jr.|Robert O. Blake, Jr.]] of the Bureau of South and Central Asia Affairs in the US government mentioned the Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center as one of "South Asia's Unheralded Stories" at the 2010 San Diego World Affairs Council.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bylc.org/media/pdf/Blake%20World%20Affairs%20Council%20remarks%20San%20Diego.pdf |title=Remarks by Assistant Secretary Robert O. Blake, Jr. at the San Diego World Affairs Council |website=BYLC |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130728175714/http://www.bylc.org/media/pdf/Blake%20World%20Affairs%20Council%20remarks%20San%20Diego.pdf |archive-date=July 28, 2013}}</ref> Ahmad was selected as one of the 150 delegates from Asia and the US in the 2010 Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia.<ref>[http://asiasociety.org/policy-politics/asia-21/2010-asia-21-young-leaders-summit 2010 Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit]</ref> In recognition of his work at BYLC, Ejaj Ahmad has received an Ashoka Fellowship in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ashokaglobalizer.org/fellow/ejaj-ahmad|title=The Ashoka Globalizer &#124; Ashoka &#124; Everyone a Changemaker}}</ref> Additionally, BYLC has received considerable media attention in Bangladesh via newspapers, radio and press conferences.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bylc.org/news/press-clippings |title=Press Clippings |website=BYLC |access-date=October 28, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151119034124/http://www.bylc.org/news/press-clippings |archive-date=November 19, 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


===Values===
== References ==
{{Reflist}}


[[Category:Youth organisations based in Bangladesh]]
BYLC’s core values are:
[[Category:Leadership training]]

*Respect for the individual
*Patriotism
*Tolerance
*Gender equality
*Transparency

===Governing Board Members===

*[http://www.yale.edu/worldfellows/fellows/sobhan.html '''Zafar Sobhan''', Editor, Editorial & Op-ed, The Daily Star]
*[http://www.paragon100.asia/index.php/component/content/article/57-bangladesh/175-ejaj-ahmad '''Ejaj Ahmad''', President, BYLC]
*Syed M. Sajjad, Director, Majumder Group
*[http://www.igs-bracu.ac.bd/about.php?pageid=26 '''Manzoor Hasan''' OBE, Director, Institute of Governance Studies, BRAC University]
*[http://www.khossain.com/law_sara.htm '''Sara Hossain''', Senior Associate, Dr. Kamal Hossain & Associates]
*Homayara Ahmed, Assistant Professor, Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka
*Pial Islam, Founder and Managing Partner, pi Strategy Consulting

===International Advisory Board Members===

*Gowher Rizvi, Honorable Advisor to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh
*[[Ronald A. Heifetz | Ronald Heifetz]], King Hussein bin Talal Senior Lecturer in Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School
*Barbara Kellerman, James McGregor Burns Lecturer in Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School
*[[Mohamed Mijarul Quayes | Mijarul Quayes]], Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh
*[http://www.integralleadershipreview.com/contributor/bio-klau-max.php Max Klau], Director of Leadership Development, City Year
*Sultana Afroz, Economic Counselor, Bangladesh Embassy in Rome

==Objectives==

===Public service===

[[File:BBLT II Education for underprivileged woman.jpg|thumb|right|280px|BYLC program participant teaches the alphabet to an underprivileged woman in Korail slum in Dhaka]]

In the context of Bangladesh, values of public service are found to be missing among the young generation. To that end, BYLC inculcates in young people the values of public service. BYLC’s leadership programs push the students out of their comfort zones, teach them to appreciate the nuanced differences in viewpoints and establish an open channel of communication. The result is the development of a creative and compassionate mindset of the next generation.

===Active citizenship===

BYLC strongly believes in nurturing a sense of active citizenship among the young generation to address the developmental challenges of Bangladesh. The difference between the wealthy and impoverished is a stark reality in Bangladesh. Being in a privileged position in society, BYLC aspires to give back to the community and bridge income, gender and cultural inequalities. BYLC promotes the notion of active community participation to seek to create a cohesive Bangladesh.


==Activities of BYLC==

===Building Bridges through Leadership Training (BBLT)===

BBLT is the signature program of BYLC. It is a month-long program that runs twice a year. After the successful completion of BBLT 1 in Chittagong, BYLC has completed two BBLT programs in Dhaka in June-July of 2009 and December 2009 – January 2010. There are three components of the BBLT program:

'''Building Bridges:''' There are three different schooling systems in Bangladesh – English medium, Bengali medium and Madrasahs. There is little or no interaction between students from different educational systems. This divisiveness in society is a threat to peace and progress in Bangladesh. One objective, therefore, of the BBLT program is to bridge this gap by uniting students from diverse backgrounds.

[[File:Mr. James F. Moriarty, US Ambassador to Bangladesh.jpg|thumb|right|160px|Mr. James F. Moriarty, US Ambassador to Bangladesh, addresses participants at BYLC's second graduation ceremony on July 23, 2009 <ref> [http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2010/01/03/event.htm Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center Graduation Ceremony] </ref>]]

'''Leadership Training:''' The curriculum for this month-long after school program is highly interactive and it uses a dynamic type of ‘case-in-point’ teaching methodology. This approach utilizes program participants’ own experiences and the classroom environment itself as a “learning laboratory” for understanding the different concepts of leadership.

'''Community Service:''' At BYLC, the word “leadership” is not used in a value-free manner. BYLC believes in practical implementation of the training. The third objective, therefore, is to help participants apply their skills and knowledge in a real world setting by serving in their local community.

[[File:Dr. Atiur Rahman, Governor of Bangladesh Bank.jpg|thumb|right|160px|Dr. Atiur Rahman, Governor of Bangladesh Bank (Central Bank of Bangladesh), addresses graduates at BYLC's third graduation ceremony on January 9, 2010 <ref> [http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=98519 Youths together to decide their future US envoy says at BYLC programme] </ref>]]

===Workshops and Executive Programs===

BYLC runs customized leadership workshops for university students and leadership executive programs for clients in the private, public and non-profit sectors in Bangladesh. Over the past year and half, BYLC has conducted several workshops and executive programs for capacity building of students, executives, senior managers, civil servants and top-level decision-makers in the following organizations:

*[[Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka | Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka]]
*[[Faculty of Business Studies, University of Dhaka | Department of Management, University of Dhaka]]
*[[Independent University Bangladesh| Independent University, Bangladesh]]
*[[North South University | North South University]]
*[[BRAC University | BRAC University]]
*[http://www.renata-ltd.com/ Renata Pharmaceuticals Limited]
*[http://www.bracu.ac.bd/I&S/ied/ BRAC University’s Institute of Educational Development]
*[http://www.pmo.gov.bd/ Prime Minister’s Office]

===Community Service===

Two of the core values of BYLC are active citizenship and patriotism. The result is an active participation in community service. So far, BYLC has organized a Health Camp on August 12, 2009, a Swine Flu Campaign on September 20, 2009, and a Winter Clothes Distribution Campaign on November 27, 2009. The BBLT graduates and facilitators conducted the campaigns along with the youth of the community.

==BBLT Admissions Statistics==


{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Program
! Number of Applications
! Enrolled
! Acceptance Rate
! Male
! Female
|-
| BBLT 1
| 96
| 30
| 31.3%
| 12
| 18
|-
| BBLT 2
| 250
| 30
| 12%
| 17
| 13
|-
| BBLT 3
| 586
| 42
| 7.2%
| 27
| 15
|}

==Patrons==

In the past year, BYLC developed relationships with several leading organizations such as BRAC and City Year. BBLT 2 and BBLT 3 were sponsored by the [http://dhaka.usembassy.gov/other_embassy_news_2009_ambassador_at_bylc_training_closing.html US Embassy] and the [http://ukinbangladesh.fco.gov.uk/en/our-offices-in-bangladesh/our-high-commission-in-dhaka/contactus British High Commission] respectively. BYLC is currently holding talks with several local and international organizations to further enhance its programming efforts.



==Quotes==

{{Quote_box|
width=80%
|align=center
|quote='''“I share an assumption with BYLC that the opportunities to exercise leadership on behalf of what you care most deeply about are available to anyone, regardless of age or position.”'''
|source=[http://www.hks.harvard.edu/about/faculty-staff-directory/marty-linsky Marty Linsky , Faculty Chair], Leadership for the 21st Century, [[Harvard Kennedy School]]|}}

{{Quote_box|
width=80%
|align=center
|quote= '''“Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center’s program is clearly a highly imaginative initiative and one that could be, if rightly implemented, an important and effective attempt to change things in a very positive direction.”'''
|source=[[Amartya Sen]], 1998 [[Nobel Laureate]] in [[Economics]] and Professor at [[Harvard University]]|}}


==Notes and references==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
* [http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=116603 '''Leadership quality of youths vital for development''', The Daily Star, Sunday, December 6, 2009 ]
* [http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=121219 '''Future of Bangladesh depends on youth leadership Says British HC''', The Daily Star, Sunday, January 10, 2010 ]
* [http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2010-01-11/news/34051 '''Graduation and Certificate Giving Ceremony of BYLC''', Prothom Alo January 11, 2010 ]
* [http://www.thedailystar.net/campus/2009/08/01/camspotlight.htm '''Bridging the Divides''', Star Campus Magazine, Volume 2 Issue 130 August 2 , 2009 ]
* [http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=93414 '''Youths together to decide their future''', The Daily Star, Saturday, July 25, 2009]
* [http://www.newagebd.com/2009/jul/24/met.html '''30 students get leadership training''', New Age Metro, Friday July 24, 2009]
* [http://www.newagebd.com/2009/jun/20/met.html '''BYLC launches leadership programme''', New Age Metro, Saturday, June 20, 2009 ]
* [http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=93414 '''BYLC launches youth leadership programme''', The Daily Star, Saturday, June 20, 2009]
* [http://www.thedailystar.net/campus/2009/05/05/feature_illiteracy.htm '''Banishing Illiteracy''', Star Campus Magazine, Volume 2 Issue 12009|21 May 31 ]
* [http://www.newagebd.com/2009/may/29/may29/xtra_also1.html '''Leadership and change''', New Age Xtra, May 29-June 4, 2009 ]
* [http://www.thedailystar.net/rising/2009/05/04/special.htm '''Want to be a leader?''', Rising Stars, Thursday, May 28, 2009 ]
* [http://www.thedailystar.net/campus/2009/04/03/feature_iba.htm '''Exploring Real Leadership
BYLC holds lecture at IBA''', Star Campus Magazine, Volume 2 Issue 12009 15, April 19 ]
* [http://www.thedailystar.net/campus/2009/04/01/feature_public.htm '''Public Lecture on “Leadership
for the 21st Century” at BRAC University''', Star Campus Magazine, Volume 2 Issue 1 2009 13, April 5 ]

*[http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=72814]

*http://www.thedailystar.net/forum/2008/september/leaders.htm

*http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=53596

*http://www.newagebd.com/2008/aug/29/aug29/xtra_inner3.html

*http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=50806

*http://www.thedailystar.net/story.php?nid=46746

*http://www.newagebd.com/2008/jul/19/met.html

*http://www.indianewengland.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?
sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications::Article&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=7FEA78D4102E469D9AA37373935AF3CF

*http://www.thedailystar.net/campus/2010/01/04/feature_unite.htm

*http://www.thedailystar.net/campus/2009/12/03/feature_bycl.htm

*http://www.thedailystar.net/campus/2009/12/02/feature_bycl.htm

*http://www.thedailystar.net/campus/2009/10/02/feature_bycl.htm

*http://www.thedailystar.net/campus/2009/10/01/feature_bycl.htm

*http://www.newagebd.com/2009/may/29/may29/xtra_also1.html

*http://www.purpleonline.net/May09/CoverStory/cover_story.htm

*http://www.thedailystar.net/magazine/2010/01/03/event.htm

Latest revision as of 15:50, 12 December 2024

Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center
FormationJanuary 5, 2009; 15 years ago (2009-01-05)
FounderEjaj Ahmad
TypeNonprofit organization
FocusLeadership education
Location
Websitebylc.org

Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC) is the first leadership institution in Bangladesh. Originally developed at Harvard Kennedy School's Center for Public Leadership in 2008, Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center was established in Bangladesh in 2009. The signature component of BYLC is the four-month-long youth leadership program, Building Bridges through Leadership Training (BBLT). Besides the BBLT program, BYLC also conducts programs and workshops[1] for university students.[2]

Ejaj Ahmad, founder and president of BYLC, speaks to students at the Victory Day Rally on December 16, 2009

About

[edit]

Formation

[edit]

The concept of a youth leadership center was originally developed at Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government in January 2008. The proposal for a month-long leadership program, Building Bridges Through Leadership Training (BBLT), was jointly developed by Ejaj Ahmad, then a graduate student at Harvard University, and Shammi S. Quddus, then an undergraduate student at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The proposal was one of a hundred college projects awarded a grant by Projects for Peace in 2008.[3][4]

Ahmad and Quddus ran the pilot phase of BBLT in Chittagong in the summer of 2008, with technical and financial support from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Public Service Center. Building on the success and lessons learned from the pilot, the BBLT program was encapsulated within the framework of a non-profit organization, the Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC).

In early 2009, BYLC was registered with the Registrar of Joint Stock Companies and Firms in Bangladesh as a non-partisan social venture.

The signature program of BYLC, BBLT, expanded into a four-month program for BBLT 4 in July 2010. The first month consists of intensive classroom training in leadership skills after school. In the next three months, students work in teams to implement their leadership training by designing and conducting community projects in local slums.

BYLC program participant, Tasfia teaches the alphabet to an underprivileged woman in Korail slum in Dhaka

Activities

[edit]

Office of Professional Development

[edit]

The Office of Professional Development (OPD), a key unit of the Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC), aims to provide students, fresh graduates, and young professionals with professional development training and placement services.[5]

BYLC Ventures

[edit]

BYLC Ventures funds Bangladesh's most promising founders, hone their leadership capabilities, strengthen their business acumen, and help validate their big ideas as they transition into investable business.[6]

Awards and recognition

[edit]

In 2009, Ahmad was profiled as one of Asia's most promising young leaders and awarded the 2009–2010 Paragon Fellowship by the Foundation of Youth Social Enterprise.[7] He was also among 20 outstanding young social entrepreneurs recognized by the International Youth Foundation (IYF) for the 2010 YouthActionNet Fellowship.[8] The 2010 fellows came from 18 different countries across five continents.[9] He was also featured in The Washington Post on a special program titled 'On Leadership: Ejaj Ahmad, bringing Obama to Bangladesh'.[10] Assistant secretary Robert O. Blake, Jr. of the Bureau of South and Central Asia Affairs in the US government mentioned the Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center as one of "South Asia's Unheralded Stories" at the 2010 San Diego World Affairs Council.[11] Ahmad was selected as one of the 150 delegates from Asia and the US in the 2010 Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia.[12] In recognition of his work at BYLC, Ejaj Ahmad has received an Ashoka Fellowship in 2016.[13] Additionally, BYLC has received considerable media attention in Bangladesh via newspapers, radio and press conferences.[14]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Public Lecture on "Leadership for the 21st Century" at BRAC University". Star Campus. Vol. 2, no. 1. The Daily Star. April 2009.
  2. ^ "Exploring Real Leadership: BYLC holds lecture at IBA". Star Campus. Vol. 2, no. 1. The Daily Star. April 2009.
  3. ^ "Our Story". BYLC.
  4. ^ "2008 - Projects for Peace". Projects for Peace.
  5. ^ "OPD". opd official website.
  6. ^ "BYLC Ventures opens applications for its fourth cohort". Daily Sun. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
  7. ^ "Ejaj Ahmad". Foundation for Youth Social Entrepreneurship.
  8. ^ "Ejaj Ahmad". YouthActionNet.
  9. ^ "Ejaj Ahmad honored as a 2010 Global Fellow of the International Youth Foundation" (PDF). BYLC. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2012.
  10. ^ "'On Leadership: Ejaj Ahmad, bringing Obama to Bangladesh'". The Washington Post. June 8, 2010.
  11. ^ "Remarks by Assistant Secretary Robert O. Blake, Jr. at the San Diego World Affairs Council" (PDF). BYLC. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 28, 2013.
  12. ^ 2010 Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit
  13. ^ "The Ashoka Globalizer | Ashoka | Everyone a Changemaker".
  14. ^ "Press Clippings". BYLC. Archived from the original on November 19, 2015. Retrieved October 28, 2015.