Staff Reporter
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, has emphasized the need to build national consensus on reforms. She stated that achieving this may require some compromises, and we must be prepared to make them. She noted that unity is essential in various areas, including communal harmony, political reform, and ensuring the inclusion of the aspirations of the younger generation in governance. Public participation is crucial to achieving consensus.

She expressed these views while speaking at the first session of the National Dialogue 2024, held under the theme “Unity, Reform, Elections” and titled “Which Path to Unity,” at the Krishibid Institution Auditorium in Dhaka on Friday.

The Advisor remarked that agreement on reforms should not result in treating one another as adversaries. Decisions on what reforms are necessary, who will implement them, how they will be carried out, and within what timeframe must be made. She stressed that backing down from reforms is not an option, as broad cooperation is needed to ensure public opinion is reflected in these changes. Failure to meet public expectations will lead to repeated political instability and complications.

Addressing the broader responsibility for change, she noted that it is not just the task of an interim government but a collective obligation. Merely drafting reforms on paper will not suffice; these changes must be practiced to benefit the public. Leadership changes alone are not enough without a shift in mindset. We must internalize that leadership is about responsibility, not power, and commit to fulfilling these responsibilities.

She also underscored the importance of public engagement in governance, noting that although the need for reform is widely acknowledged, the path forward remains challenging. She warned that breaking away from entrenched political norms or eliminating inequalities will not happen overnight. Patience and persistence will be essential.

Expressing faith in young leadership, Rizwana Hasan stated, “I remain optimistic and hopeful about the youth. Major changes are likely to come from them because they bring fresh perspectives and innovative approaches. However, change is a process—it cannot be achieved solely through new laws. Training ourselves to sustain this process is vital, and both youth and experienced individuals have roles to play.”