Two-day long Bangladesh Youth Internet Governance Forum (YIGF) was concluded today on 31, July 2021 through Virtual Platform due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown. The program was started at 3:00 pm and ended at 6:30 pm. Prominent experts in the tech industry and from the Internet Governance community addressed issues. 

Mr. Imran Hossen, Managing Director of EyHost Ltd discussed on Youth Entrepreneur-Domain Name Registration Process and Security.

Mr. Md. Sirajul Islam, System Manager (Current Charge), IICT and System Analyst, Dept. of CSE, Dhaka University of Engineering & Technology, Gazipur spoke on Empowering youth: Big Data & IoT. 

Mr. Abhijan Bhattacharyya, Sr. Scientist, TCS Research, Kolkata, India & Vice President-Projects, ISOC Kolkata Chapter discussed the Conundrum of Cyber Value-system and Malpractices.
Mr. Salauddin Salim, Head of Broadcast & IT at SOMOY TV discussed OTT (Over the Top) & Digital Content Monetization. 

Mr. Shreedeep Rayamajhi, Secretary, Asia Pacific School on Internet Governance (APSIG) and Founder, Learn Internet Governance discussed Regional & Local Participation in Internet Governance (IG)  

Mr. Md Sahariar Hasan Jiisun, National Consultant at a2i, ICT Division discussed Government Opportunity for Youth: Training & Grants.

Ms. Sayda Kamrun Jahan Ripa, Chairperson, Youth IGF Bangladesh announced the result of the Youth IGF Bangladesh 2021 Influencer Hunt. 

8 Divisional Focals discussed briefly, Mr. Bhubon Faisal Ahmed from Dhaka, Mr. Shazzad Hossain from Barishal, Mr. Ashrafur Rahman Piaus from Chattogram, Mr. Riad Hasan Badsha from Rangpur, Mr. Shariar Deep from Rajshahi, Mr. Imran Hossen from Khulna, Mr. Md. Mizanor Rahman from Mymensingh and Mr. Santosh Rabi Das Anjon from Sylhet.

Tashnuva Anan Shishir, Actress & News Anchor-Boishakhi Television spoke as a special guest and highlighted the importance of the event which create a new window for the youths.

Mr. Rased Mehedi, President, Telecom Reporters’ Network of Bangladesh (TRNB) and Special Correspondent, The Daily Samakal highlighted Digital Security issues. We should work for a non-controversial data protection law. We should work on misinformation and disinformation and fake news during the COVID-19 pandemic. The youths are the main forces of the society they should come forward to work on the internet governance issues.

Mr. Mohammad Abdul Haque Anu, Secretary-General, Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum mentioned in the previous years the Youth IGF discussed their issues in a session. Now BIGF has been considered that the youths are enough capable and they can play a vital role in internet governance programs. But it is the first time youths have been organized a full Youth IGF in Bangladesh. YIGF has been working to strengthen the capacity of the youth.  

Mr. AHM. Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication spoke as Special Guest, he said BIGF has been working with the government to accelerate the activities with the government and international level for knowledge creation, knowledge preservation, knowledge dissemination. The program was organized by the youth, of the youth, and for the youth. The YIGF has been working for empowering youth and the young generation in a fairer digitalization process through constructive engagement, amplify amplifying their voices through and reduce the digital divide by influencing policy-makers. For adaptation with the digital society, the youth should work on upskilling, deskilling, and reskilling for empowering, amplifying, and influencing power-holders. He also mentioned that the unconnected people who are living in rural areas should come under internet connectivity. We should use the Social Obligatory Fund for this purpose and all disadvantaged groups will come under internet connection.

Chief Guest by Mr. Hasanul Haq Inu, MP, Chairperson, Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum & Chairman Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Information & Broadcasting were present as the Chief Guest at the event.

Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum organized a two-day concluding session yesterday and today. He said 32 Speakers who spoke in this webinar participated in more than 150 participants from all over the country. He said we are now at the stage of digital interdependence. All quarters here have acknowledged that the Internet needs stability, reliability, and sustainability. 

On the other hand, it is widely acknowledged that the use of the Internet and the Internet has led to global insecurity, human rights abuses, and the empowerment and disenfranchisement of the people.

So, a "digital peace plan" is needed to move forward in such a situation. Need "digital interdependence". Which should be based on the global-regional-national level.

We need a Digitally Sustainable Plan and a Digital human rights plan 

The plan is to bring in a new system. To build an inclusive digital society and economy for all, the Internet must be Cybersecurity provisions, to ensure human rights is an effective tool to ensure the rights of entrepreneurs in the digital market.

To achieve these goals, we need to agree that we need to protect the use of digital devices in the context of internet safety and security. Therefore, it is necessary to build a national consensus and make a national agreement on the security of the people roaming in the digital world.

To have security in the digital world, sustainable digital development takes place and the rights of all stakeholders are protected.

With these policy issues in mind, some steps need to be taken on an urgent basis to make the developing digital society of the country faster and more effective. Recognition of the Internet as a fundamental right; Implementation as a fundamental right demands time. Ensuring affordable high-speed internet connection on an urgent basis. Withdraw all taxes on Android phones to ensure affordable smartphones as well as Android phones to reduce digital inequality.

Fridges, TVs are bought and sold based on equipped equipment, so to introduce buying and selling system in Android phones and installments. The local government will allocate some money for that purpose. Local governments need to monitor this to ensure broadband connectivity. An effective training system has been set up in the Upazilas and districts on an urgent basis to master the use of newly invented technologies of information and communication technology. Emergency data protection (e-commerce) law and (e-commerce) e-commerce on an urgent basis.