On 28 June 2026 (Sunday), the Reproductive Health Services, Training and Education Program (RHSTEP), through its Unlocking Youth Potential (UYP) Project, organized a Networking Meeting in Sylhet to strengthen coordinated efforts toward health system reform, sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and youth leadership development.

The networking meeting was held at Paradise Inn Hotel in Naya Paltan, Sylhet, bringing together representatives from government departments, educational institutions, media, NGOs, community organizations, local leadership, youth advocacy groups, and UYP mentors. The meeting provided an important platform for stakeholders to exchange perspectives and explore opportunities for stronger collaboration in advancing youth health and development.

The session was chaired by Nihar Ranjan Das, Unit Manager of RHSTEP Sylhet Center. Distinguished guests included Mohammad Abdur Rouf Shah, Deputy Director of the Department of Youth Development, Sylhet; Shahina Akter, Deputy Director of the Department of Women Affairs, Sylhet; Abul Mansur Azad, Assistant Director of the Directorate General of Family Planning, Sylhet; Dr. Swapnil Saurav Roy, Medical Officer at the Civil Surgeon’s Office, Sylhet; and Tofayel Ahmed Chowdhury, Programmer at the District Education Office, Sylhet.

The meeting also brought together Gulzar Ahmed, President of Sylhet Online Press Club; Jiten Sabar, Panchayat Head of Malnichhara Tea Garden; Chaitanya Mudi, Panchayat Head of Tarapur Tea Garden; Brikkholota Patra, President of the Indigenous Women Development Forum, along with teachers from different educational institutions, NGO representatives, community leaders, and UYP youth advocates and mentors.

At the beginning of the meeting, UYP Project Officer Mehedi Hasan delivered a PowerPoint presentation highlighting RHSTEP’s overall activities, youth development initiatives, and the achievements, ongoing activities, and future plans of the Unlocking Youth Potential (UYP) Project.

The presentation provided participants with an overview of the project's work and created a foundation for discussions on strengthening youth participation in health and development initiatives.

During the open discussion session, participants shared their views and recommendations on a range of issues, including young people’s access to healthcare services, leadership development, social inclusion, adolescent health awareness, and greater youth engagement with government services.

Participants emphasized that young people must be recognized as active and meaningful partners in bringing sustainable change to the health and development sectors. They highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for youth to participate in decision-making, community initiatives, and advocacy related to their health and rights.

The special guests appreciated the activities and achievements of the UYP Project and emphasized the importance of initiatives that support youth potential development, SRHR awareness, and meaningful participation of marginalized communities. They also expressed their commitment to continuing cooperation and support for future project activities.

In his presidential remarks, Nihar Ranjan Das emphasized that effective coordination among government institutions, non-government organizations, media, and community leadership is essential to strengthening youth capacity and ensuring rights-based development.

He expressed his expectation that, with the continued support and participation of all stakeholders, the UYP Project would become more dynamic, collaborative, and impactful in the future.

The networking meeting concluded with an active exchange of ideas and a shared commitment among participants to strengthen collaboration, expand youth engagement, and contribute toward improved healthcare access, SRHR awareness, social inclusion, and youth leadership development in Sylhet.