IRI Holds Youth Fair In Bangladesh

March 31, 2006

March 30-31, 2006, the International Republican Institute (IRI) hosted a Tarunner Mela (youth fair) in Rajshahi city corporation, Bangladesh. The fair was the final in the five part Discovery Democracy civic education series. Approximately 5,500 students attended the fair.

Bangladeshi youth participated in a variety of discussion sessions designed to encourage civic participation. Discussions included my first vote, community policing, journalism, city corporation commissioner's forum, harmony in politics, democracy and good governance, and active citizenship.

The fair also included several interactive stations. At the post office station, nearly 300 youth participants wrote letters to elected officials on a variety of issues. At the campaign central station, nearly 700 youth engaged in mock parliamentary campaigns, with 12 candidates competing in mock elections.

The Discovering Democracy civic education fairs started in 2004 and have been held around the country.

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