I am Probin Tripura, a young indigenous activist from Tripura Indigenous Community, Bangladesh. I have been passionate about social work and environmental issues for many years, and I have been working to increase indigenous youth participation in social activities for over five years.
In 2021, I had the opportunity to attend the Policy Camp organized by Youth for Policy. This camp was a transformative experience for me. I learned about public policy and the tools and mechanisms for policy advocacy, and I had the chance to put my knowledge into practice by preparing and presenting a policy brief to Members of Parliament.
Before attending the Policy Camp, I had no idea how policy advocacy worked. But after the camp, I had a much better understanding of the process and I was confident that I could use my skills to make a difference in my community.
One of the most valuable things I learned at the Policy Camp was how to build relationships with other stakeholders. I met other young activists from all over Bangladesh, and we shared our experiences and ideas. We also built relationships with policy makers, which has been essential in my work to advocate for the rights of indigenous peoples.
After the Policy Camp, I returned to Mymensingh and formed a committee of Youth for Policy. We have been working to increase youth participation in public policy making in our region. We have organized workshops and trainings on public policy, and we have also implemented several campaign programs on different social issues.
In October 2022, I had the privilege of attending a policy breakfast on “Loss and Damage from climate change: a pre-COP27 discussion”. This was an important opportunity for me to represent the indigenous community and share our experiences with climate change. I was able to speak about the challenges and struggles that indigenous peoples are facing due to climate change, and I also called for increased international support to address the loss and damage caused by climate change.
I am grateful for the opportunities that Youth for Policy have given me. They have helped me to develop my skills as an activist, and they have also given me a platform to advocate for the rights of indigenous peoples. I am confident that I will continue to make a positive impact in my community through my work with Youth for Policy.
I hope this story inspires other young people to get involved in social activism and policy advocacy. We need more young people to speak up for the rights of marginalized communities and to demand that our voices are heard in the policy making process.