Research
Youth Voices Essay Competition
Empowering the next generation to imagine a fairer, more inclusive society.
About the Competition
The Youth Voices for Inclusion International Essay Competition invites middle school students (ages 11–14) to think creatively about real issues shaping our country.
Our goal is simple: Help young people engage with important social issues and connect their ideas to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
2025-26
Indigenous peoples and their role in building an inclusive democracy.
95 submissions received from 18 schools across Bangladesh
1st Place
South Breeze School
Saif Hossain
Project Baksa
Saif’s essay explores his vision behind Project Baksa, a global competition that unites Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to amplify marginalized voices and apply generations-old community solutions to modern society.
2nd Place (Tie)
Aga Khan Academy & South Breeze School
Taharat Nawar Aurna & Sheikh Ahnaf Al Mehd
Turn Up the Volume
Taharat’s essay examines Bangladesh’s Indigenous communities, who face political underrepresentation due to land loss, violence, and censorship, and explores a youth-led online podcast project that amplifies their voices, blends tradition with modern media, and promotes advocacy and inclusive democracy.
Waves of Resistance: Taranga
Ahnaf’s essay proposes Taranga, a digital folk music platform where Indigenous artists in Bangladesh share their work to raise awareness of their struggles, generate revenue for legal support, and blend culture with advocacy to amplify voices and foster grassroots resistance.
3rd Place
Ramnagar Adarsha Secondary Girls School
Chanantika Basak
আদিবাসীদের রাজনৈতিক ঐক্যস্বর (Political Unity of Indigenous Peoples)
Chanantika’s essay thoughtfully examines the struggles, rights, and lived realities of Adivasi (indigenous) communities, presenting a compelling argument for social justice, cultural preservation, and inclusive national development
Participating Schools
187 No. Ghola Government Primary School
Adarsha School Narayanganj
Aga Khan Academy
Armed Police Battalion School and College
Arpangashia Priyonath Secondary School
Chittagong Grammar School
Engineering University School and College
Ghola Gazi Abdul Hamin Model Academic Dakhil Madrasa
Hafiza Khatun Girls High School
Holy Cross Girls High School
Ishwaripur Abdus Sobhan Secondary School
Joynagar Aminiya Hamidiya Kalim Madrasa
Kashimari Adarsha Mohila Fajil Degree Madrasa
Kashimari Ideal School and College
Ramnagar Adarsha Secondly Girls School
Scholastica
South Breeze School
Sunbeams School
Independent Adjudication Panel
2025-2026
Pavel Partha is a Bangladeshi researcher, columnist, and activist specializing in ecology, biodiversity, and indigenous knowledge. He is a Director at the Bangladesh Resource Centre for Indigenous Knowledge (BARCIK), which empowers marginalized communities—particularly Indigenous peoples and farmers—by promoting local knowledge systems.
A frequent contributor to major Bangladeshi dailies, Partha bridges scientific research and social advocacy through his writing. His work focuses on climate change impacts on coastal communities and the Sundarbans, emphasizing climate justice and Indigenous land rights, including those of the Santal and Garo communities.
Director
BARCIK
Pavel Partha
Pallab Chakma, the current Co-Chair of the International Land Coalition (ILC), is an indigenous rights activist from Chittagong Hill Tracts, Bangladesh. Currently, he is also serving as the Executive Council member of Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP). Previously, he worked as Steering Committee Member of Indigenous Peoples Forum at the International Fund for Agriculture and Development (IFAD). Mr. Pallab Chakma, who has completed his Post Graduation in Mediation and Conflict Resolution from the University of South Australia, has been working in the field of Indigenous Peoples rights for the last 15 years.
Executive Director
Kapaeeng Foundation
Pallab Chakma
Probin Tripura is an indigenous youth activist and climate advocate from the Tripura community. He is currently serving as a Senior Assistant Director at the Institute of Informatics and Development (IID), where he also coordinates Youth for Policy, IID’s national youth network. He is also an Advisor to the Dreams Shelter Foundation, an indigenous youth-led platform.
Probin has been actively engaged with the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP), where he led the Indigenous Fellowship Programme. He also served as a Partnership Fellow with the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP).
Coordinator
Youth for Policy & Indigenous Youth Activists
Probin Tripura
Our Partners
Youth Voices Team
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Rubaina Farin
Manager, Youth Voices Essay Competition
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Aditi Zahir
Director, Policy Research