Transformative Young Leadership: An Anthropological Assessment of Youth Empowerment and Sustainable Social Change in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Abstract

This thesis explores the notion of youth empowerment in the context of Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is based on an anthropological research of ten weeks. It discusses the role youth empowerment can play in the global struggle for socially sustainable development through social change. It discusses the motives, strategies, obstacles and goals of the Bangladeshi youth involved with social change and the institutions working with them, so as to give an idea of how the youth in Bangladesh are creating the change they wish to see through both institutional and social participation in society. In this process of empowerment and particiaption, one of the key elements is transformative leadership of the youth. This means youth are taking charge in their surroundings, in their communities and amongst their peers, to create an equal and just platform for community-based change thatleaves room for diversity.