Dhaka: Education Adviser and Chairman of the Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO, Professor Dr. Chowdhury Rafiqul Abrar, has stated that certain vested groups have plunged the world into crisis due to the emission of greenhouse gases. He remarked, “One of the main causes of the current global environmental disaster is multinational companies. The greenhouse gases emitted from their factories have become hazardous to the global environment. To overcome this crisis, we cannot rely solely on the government, we must take individual initiatives as well.”
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Professor Abrar made these comments as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the “Green and Clean School Campus Contest” organized by the Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO. The event took place at the conference hall of the International Mother Language Institute on Monday. The Education Adviser expressed gratitude to the teachers, students, and organizations from the 10 participating schools, hoping for the continuation of such programs in the future.
The event showcased student-created posters, which Professor Abrar found to be engaging and indicative of the students’ active involvement. He emphasized that similar initiatives during his own school days helped boost morale and creativity among students. The program, he noted, serves to motivate students to take action, thus contributing to future environmental protection efforts.
The contest was jointly organized by the Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO (BNCU) and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO). The event was presided over by Mr. Md. Mojibur Rahman, Secretary (in routine charge) of the Secondary and Higher Education Division of the Ministry of Education. Additionally, Professor Dr. Raheel Qamar from ICESCO and other notable figures, including environmental experts and ministry officials, attended the event.
The project’s goal was to increase awareness among school students about environmental cleanliness and safety, prompting concrete actions in this area. Ten UNESCO ASPnet member schools from Dhaka city participated in the initiative. Education Secretary Mojibur Rahman highlighted the roles of national and international organizations, including ICESCO, in combating climate change and environmental degradation. He noted that this project engaged teachers and students from the participating schools in efforts to raise awareness and promote participatory competitions, aiming for a positive impact beyond school campuses.