JCI observes International Day of Peace

On September 23, 2017, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Bangladesh organised '2017 JCI Bangladesh Peace is Possible Awards' at Spectra Convention Centre in Gulshan 1 of Dhaka city.

Junior Chamber International (JCI) is a world-wide membership-based nonprofit organisation of young and active citizens between the ages of 18-40 who strive to bring about positive changes in their communities. The Peace is Possible campaign is run worldwide by JCI with the aim of facilitating young people to create awareness, take measures and commit to an everlasting world peace.

Nine individuals were recognised under different categories at the 2017 JCI Bangladesh Peace is Possible Awards. They received the awards for their contribution towards ensuring peace and creating a positive impact in the Bangladeshi society. Diplomats, government officials, business leaders, leading entrepreneurs, other dignitaries as well as 2017 JCI Bangladesh advisory board members, Senator Nessar Maksud Khan and Senator Data Magfur were present at the event. The event was sponsored by JCI Bangladesh.

The chief guest of the programme was Selima Ahmad, president, Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Prof. Dr. Abu Yousuf Md. Abdullah, chairman, Northern University Bangladesh Trust was the event's special guest. Chief guest and special guest along with JCI Bangladesh president Ahmed A. Rahman, JCI Bangladesh advisers and national governing body members of JCI Bangladesh presented awards to the nine individuals recognising their contribution.

Each year on September 21, the International Day of Peace (Peace Day) is observed around the world. The day is devoted to commemorate and strengthen the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples'.

Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to peace above all differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace. This year, UN Peace Day theme is "Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All".

The keynote speech was delivered by the Director, Peace is Possible Campaign, Bangladesh and JCI Bangladesh National Treasurer Sumon Howlader. The opening speech was delivered by the President of JCI Bangladesh Ahmed A Rahman. The event committee chair Erfan Haque and the event's media committee chair Ismat Jahan were the Masters of Ceremony of the programme.

The nine individuals who were awarded are AHM Noman, Ahona Rahman, Azra Mahmood, Bonna Mirza, Iftekhairul Islam, Lipi Khandker, Mansura Rahmatullah, Masum Reza and Nishat Mazumder.

Different local chapters of JCI Bangladesh organised different peace projects throughout the year as part of the PiP campaign such as, Embrace The Difference by JCI Dhaka West, Protirodh by JCI Dhaka Cosmopolitan, Peace is Possible Cycle Rally by JCI Dhaka Central, Annopurna by JCI Dhaka North, Fund Raising for Rohingya Refugees by JCI Dhaka West and many more.

The writer is currently working in a leading telecom company in Bangladesh. She can be reached at [email protected]