The Fourth episode of the Telenor Youth Forum (TYF) in Bangladesh sees Rafsan Sabab Khan and Ramim Ahmed both students of IBA, University of Dhaka selected for the global event in Norway.

The Telenor Youth Forum, in partnership with the Nobel Peace Center, offers an opportunity for young people, aged 18 to 28, from 13 countries to step up and present impactful ideas that can alter lives. The theme for this year’s TYF is ‘Digitalization for Peace’. Bangladeshi selection round was arranged by Grameenphone with Grand Finale held on September 21, 2016.

This year’s winning ideas are ‘One Young World,’ a site encourages the creation of reach out networks for the youth to bridge towards meaningful connectivity and “We are 1” a crowd-funding platform that helps communities across the world connect for a united cause to help disadvantaged or distressed communities in need of support.

Seven candidates, selected through a stringent selection process, presented their ideas to a judging panel consisting of experts from Grameenphone, university faculty members, local entrepreneurs from established startups, and other invited guests, including journalists, government officials, digital and social media experts, and senior staff members from different universities, and scholars. Out of these two best ideas were nominated for the TYF conference in Oslo, which will be held in December.

Annisul Huq, Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation was the Chief Guest at the program. Hossain Sadat, acting Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Grameenphone was also present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the Mayor said, ”Thanks to Grameenphone and Telenor for creating such a platform that inspires the youth.”

Welcoming the guests, Nehal Ahmed, Head of Communications of Grameenphone, said that “in a few short years the Telenor Youth Forum had transformed itself into a highly acclaimed global platform for the youth and to inspire them to unleash the full potential of digitalization.”

The candidates chosen from Bangladesh, along with winners from the other Telenor operation countries, will attend a three-day conference in Oslo, Norway, where these young people will meet to explore, collaborate and realize the transformative power of mobile and digital communication. They will also have the opportunity to attend the Noble Peace Prize giving ceremony.

Grameenphone launched TYF 2016 in Bangladesh in July through a press conference. The company invited students and interested applicants to submit their ideas through various online submission channels like Telenor webpage, Grameenphone webpage, official Facebook page etc.

Grameenphone and Telenor Group have a vision of “Empower Societies,” through Youth Forum  Telenor wants empower the youth to bring about positive changes in the life of general people through digital and mobile technology.