Khondaker Abdul Motin, Editor, DHAKA, May 9, 2024- Addressing the pressing issue of air pollution, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) orchestrated a workshop titled "Let's Breathe Well: Clean Air Campaign Design" at the UN Office in Dhaka.

The workshop convened various university clubs nationwide, tasking students with crafting campaigns aimed at raising awareness about air pollution.

Hailing from over 230 university clubs across 8 divisions of Bangladesh, the top 10 teams emerged as champions of this vital initiative, as stated in a UNDP press release.

Expanding upon the success of last year's "Breathe Well Dhaka" campaign, which spotlighted air pollution issues, this year's endeavor, "Let's Breathe Well," seeks to involve university students from all corners of the nation.

The workshop, inaugurated by Stefan Liller, the Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, stressed the importance of a comprehensive approach to combat the multifaceted challenge of air pollution.

Liller emphasized, "Air pollution is a multifaceted challenge demanding a holistic and systematic strategy, encompassing factors like climate, transportation, and socio-economic dynamics. It poses a critical health risk for all, particularly in densely populated cities like Dhaka, often cited as one of the world's most polluted cities."

Highlighting the pivotal role of youth, Liller remarked, "As stewards of the future, your innovative ideas are instrumental in shaping sustainable solutions. Through active engagement in this campaign, we aim to empower your generation to lead the charge towards a healthier, environmentally conscious future."

Key speakers at the workshop included Maliha Muzammil, Programme Specialist - Climate Change, UNDP; Professor Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, Chairman of the Department of Environmental Science at Stamford University Bangladesh; Arif M. Faisal, Environment Sustainability and Energy Programme Specialist at UNDP; and Md Abdul Quayyum, Head of Communications at UNDP.

Following the workshop, the 10 selected teams will each receive a grant of BDT 10,000 to develop and execute their campaigns. Based on their performance, UNDP Bangladesh will collaborate with the top 3 teams to launch a joint campaign on Clean Air.