Eastern University, in partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), hosted a daylong workshop on trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling at Rezakul Haider Hall on Sunday (3 May), aiming to build youth leadership in tackling transnational crimes.

Titled “Building a Youth Network for a Better Future”, the programme was part of the project “Preventing and Addressing Trafficking in Human Beings and the Smuggling of Migrants”.

The project is funded by the European Union and supported by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Students from 17 public and private universities nationwide attended, including those studying law, criminology, sociology, political science, and related disciplines.

Professor Dr Farid A Sobhani, Vice-Chancellor of Eastern University, attended the inaugural ceremony as chief guest.

Rebeka Khan, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, attended the closing ceremony as chief guest.

The programme began with opening remarks from Mohammad Mamunur Rashid, Head of the Department of Law, and a welcome address by ABM Imdadul Haque Khan, Dean of the School of Law.

UNODC National Programme Coordinator Tasneem Binta Karim led the first session, outlining the project and the human rights-based approach to preventing trafficking.

UNODC Law Enforcement Adviser Marcus Vinicius Paes conducted a session on the fundamentals of trafficking in persons and migrant smuggling.

Mostafizur Rahman, Additional Senior Superintendent of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, discussed trends and investigative processes relating to trafficking and migrant smuggling in Bangladesh.

ABM Imdadul Haque Khan also led a technical session on the legal framework for countering human trafficking in Bangladesh.

Participants engaged in group work, open discussions, and a quiz competition during the workshop.

The programme concluded with closing remarks from Rebeka Khan, followed by a certificate presentation.

The workshop aimed to equip university students with practical skills and knowledge to address trafficking and smuggling, and to build a youth network for prevention and awareness-raising.

UNODC said the initiative is part of its broader efforts to strengthen rule-of-law education and engage youth in combating serious transnational crime.