The first-ever “Bangladesh National Youth Nuclear Dialogue: Impact Team 2050” was held in Ishwardi, Pabna, on 7 November with the support of Rosatom.

Rosatom State Corporation and the International Youth Advisory Council – Impact Team 2050 jointly organised the event at the Nuclear Information Centre in Ishwardi.

More than 50 university students, young professionals and college graduates participated in the dialogue, which focused on the prospects of nuclear energy in Bangladesh, employment opportunities in the sector, developing a skilled workforce and increasing youth participation.

Hasan Mohammad Shoaib, Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) of Ishwardi, and Olga Vishnevskaya, Deputy Project Director for Human Resources of the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant construction project, attended the programme as distinguished guests.

Promod Chandra Baidya, a young expert at NPCNL and a member of Rosatom Director General’s Impact Team 2050, said, “We, the youth of Bangladesh, are really positive and enthusiastic about nuclear energy, and the youth of Bangladesh are ready to play their significant role in the safe and reliable use of nuclear energy in Bangladesh.”

During the discussions, participants identified several challenges, including a lack of awareness about nuclear energy, limited opportunities for specialised education and practical training, inadequate research facilities and a shortage of internships.

They also stressed the need to disseminate reliable information to address public concerns and misconceptions about radiation, nuclear safety, waste management and environmental impacts.

To address these challenges, participants recommended introducing specialised courses, scholarships, research grants, internships and career counselling programmes involving industry experts. They also proposed stronger cooperation among the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant authority and universities.

Other youth-led initiatives proposed at the dialogue included national-level “Nuclear Innovation Challenges” and “Nuclear Youth Fellowships”, along with nuclear open days, hackathons, research competitions, nuclear youth clubs and university-based nuclear ambassador programmes.

Participants said these initiatives could raise public awareness of nuclear energy while creating new opportunities for research, innovation and employment.

The recommendations from the dialogue will be presented to Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev. They will also be highlighted at COP31, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, scheduled to be held in Antalya, Turkey.

The organisers hope the initiative will encourage young people in Bangladesh to play a more active role in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology and the sustainable development of the country’s nuclear sector.

The International Youth Advisory Council – Impact Team 2050 is an international youth advisory board established under the Director General of Rosatom, a global energy and nuclear technology corporation. The team currently comprises 13 members from 13 countries, including Bangladesh.