Digital Khichuri Challenge held at Ctg

Chattogram city mayor AJM Nasir hands over the prize to the winning team at Digital Khichuri Challenges in Chattogram on Thursday. Photo: Courtesy
Chattogram city mayor AJM Nasir hands over the prize to the winning team at Digital Khichuri Challenges in Chattogram on Thursday. Photo: Courtesy

After four successful Digital Khichuri Challenges in four divisions, Chattrogram version of Digital Khichuri Challenge was organised on Thursday at port city to find new solutions from the youth that can promote diversity, peace and tolerance.

Partnering with Facebook and Bangladesh ICT Division, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) initiated “Digital Khichuri Challenge” in 2016 in order to glean ideas from the youth with a view to building a more peaceful and tolerant society and promoting cultural diversity, reads a press release.

Before the final day, participants of the Digital Khichuri Challenge spent two days together in an ‘Idea-Lab’ to brainstorm ideas and presented that in front of a jury panel. Among eight teams, “Are You Serious,” won the first prize for their idea on addressing the issue of racism and intolerance with comedy.

The two Runners-up were, “Team Shadhin” for their idea on tackling the issues of fake news through citizen journalism, and “Team Surge Foundation” for their online counter narrative idea.

The winners will be further guided by UNDP to implement their ideas as start-ups.

“Platform like Digital Khichuri, will help Bangladesh to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 16 -Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions,” said UNDP Bangladesh’s deputy country director Kyoko Yokosuka.

Chattogram city mayor AJM Nasir said digital literacy among young people is crucial to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and to make Bangladesh progressive and tolerant.

Attending the closing and award giving ceremony of the event Chittagong mayor stressed the importance of digital literacy among the young people to prevent cybercrime and propaganda.

Among others, Mahmuda Afroz, Robert Stoelman, Shidartho Goushami from UNDP, Tina Jabeen from the ICT Innovation, also spoke at the event.