Young people must take initiative and turn ideas into action rather than waiting for opportunities, said Junior Chamber International (JCI) Bangladesh National President Arefeen Raafi Ahmed, stressing that leadership begins with responsibility and service.
In an interview with TIMES of Bangladesh’s Muhammad Ibrahim Mojid, he said his motivation for youth leadership grew from the belief that leadership should serve communities and create meaningful change.
“My inspiration comes from the belief that leadership is about service and responsibility,” he said.
Ahmed said his journey began through volunteering in youth initiatives and organising community-based programmes focused on collaboration and social impact.
Those early experiences shaped his understanding that leadership is less about holding positions and more about creating opportunities for others to grow and contribute.
His involvement in different leadership roles within JCI Bangladesh, including serving as Deputy National President in 2025, further strengthened his commitment to building platforms for young people to develop leadership capacity.
JCI Bangladesh works with individuals aged between 18 and 40, offering opportunities in leadership development, entrepreneurship and community engagement.
The organisation emphasises learning through action, where members gain practical leadership experience by planning and implementing projects.
Through training programmes, workshops and mentorship platforms, participants develop skills such as communication, strategic thinking, teamwork and decision-making.
The organisation also promotes entrepreneurship by connecting young professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs through networking and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
With members in more than 120 countries, JCI provides opportunities for international exposure through conferences and collaborative projects that allow young leaders to exchange ideas and perspectives.
Community engagement remains a central focus of the organisation’s work, with members organising initiatives such as leadership training, health awareness campaigns, blood donation drives and environmental activities including tree plantation and community clean-up programmes.
Many of these initiatives are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and encourage young people to contribute to community development.
Ahmed also highlighted several challenges facing young leaders today, including limited access to mentorship, financial constraints and the pressures of navigating a rapidly evolving digital environment.
Building strong professional networks, seeking mentorship and continuously improving skills can help young leaders overcome these barriers, he said.
“Continuous skill development, financial literacy and resilience are essential for navigating challenges and creating sustainable impact,” he added.
He also emphasised the importance of transparency, innovation and stronger collaboration between the public and private sectors to address economic challenges and support sustainable business growth.
