Large population must be transformed into skilled human resources: Speaker

Noting that a country's greatest asset is its population, Speaker of the National Parliament Hafiz Uddin Ahmed Bir Bikram has said the country's vast population must be transformed into skilled human resources. He also emphasised leveraging the potential of the demographic dividend and linking development to positive changes in people's quality of life.

He made these remarks as the chief guest at a policy dialogue titled "Three Dividends, One Window: A Parliamentary Dialogue on Population and Development" at the oath room of the National Parliament on Thursday, September 10. The Bangladesh National Parliament Secretariat organised the event under the SPCIPD project with technical support from UNFPA.

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed said the demographic dividend, gender dividend and longevity dividend are interconnected. Realising these potentials requires specific policy planning and effective implementation. Formulating policies alone is not enough; legislation and reform, proper use of budgets and ensuring accountability must also be ensured.

He said development must not be limited to economic change alone. True development must be ensured through positive changes in people's living standards and opportunities. He also called on members of parliament to play a role in implementing these policies in their respective areas.

The Speaker further said development opportunities must be ensured for every citizen. Opportunities for women's education must be expanded, healthcare for the elderly ensured and employment for the youth created.

Deputy Speaker Barrister Kaisar Kamal said a large portion of Bangladesh's population is young. If this young population can be made skilled, the pace of the country's development will increase further. He emphasised moving forward by utilising the skills of the youth and the experience of the elderly. He also said priority should be given in state policy to sending skilled manpower and human resources abroad.

The event highlighted the need for separate policy measures to harness the demographic, gender and longevity dividends in line with Bangladesh's changing population structure. Speakers also discussed "Bangladesh's Demographic Opportunity: Potential, Time and Risks." Members of Parliament, representatives of UNFPA and the SPCIPD project, and senior officials of the Ministry of Planning and the National Parliament Secretariat were present at the event.