On August 12, 2021, Compass observed the International Youth Day 2021 with 40 youth trainees  following this year’s theme “Transforming Food Systems: Youth Innovation for Human and Planetary Health”. To celebrate the day, Compass organized a tree plantation campaign from August 1-9, 2021, and an online discussion session (i.e., webinar) on August 12, 2021, to promote the role of youth as environmental stewards and amplifying their collective efforts.

As part of the tree plantation campaign, each of the 40 YCC trainees has planted one fruit tree sapling in their backyard and shared photos of their planted sapling to present in the webinar. The webinar started with welcome remarks by Abu Mostafa Kamal Uddin, Project Lead, Compass followed by a brief on Youth Conservation Corps (YCC). Three YCC participants also expressed their feelings about the YCC activity and the day observation in the webinar. In the event, Ahsan Roni, President of Green Savers Association presented a keynote speech following the theme of the day. Keith Metzner, Acting Deputy Director, and Shahadat Shakil, Environmental Specialist, USAID Bangladesh, Steve Lenzo, Technical Expert, USFS highlighted the significance of the day and conveyed their best wishes to the YCC training program. The webinar ended with a closing remark from Justin Green, Asia Pacific Program Manager, USFS/IP.

Compass under its 1st cohort of Youth Conservation Corps (YCC) training is working to develop the capacity of 40 marginalized youth of Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar who could not complete their school education. Through six months of training, the youth will learn leadership and livelihood skills apart from transforming themselves as environmental stewards.