Dhaka: Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan today highlighted the significant role of creative storytelling and visual arts in nurturing the next generation of eco-conscious citizens. Speaking at an event titled "IKRIMIKRI: A Realm of Imagination - the World of Picture Books" at Alliance Fran§aise de Dhaka, Dhanmondi, Rizwana emphasized the influence of cultural initiatives in environmental education.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Rizwana underscored the transformative potential of picture books, describing them as more than mere cultural engagements. "Programmes like storytelling with pictures are not just cultural events - they are investments in our planet's future," she remarked. Rizwana further elaborated on how picture books act as gateways to empathy, curiosity, and respect for the natural world, suggesting they are instrumental in fostering environmental stewardship among children.
Rizwana called on society to cultivate a compassionate relationship between children and the environment, urging, "Let children grow up loving nature, not fearing it." The event celebrated the imaginative power of picture books in shaping young minds, featuring an exhibition of illustrations focused on wildlife and the natural world.
The programme drew a diverse audience of children, parents, educators, and artists, showcasing vivid depictions of forests, rivers, and endangered species. These illustrations sparked meaningful conversations around biodiversity, climate change, and conservation, communicated in a language accessible to children.
In collaboration with local educators and illustrators, IKRIMIKRI served as a testament to the power of visual storytelling in nurturing future guardians of the Earth.