Bangladesh is a young country but hardly there is any scope for the young people to express their views on matters that concern the nation and themselves. Young people in our society are only spoken to but seldom, if ever, heard. Our young people have acquired skills and competence that need to be recognised and brought into the mainstream of our planning and policy making process. It is therefore, very inportant that we hear our young people. Not only because they are far more knowledgeable and competent than ever before, but also because information revolution and globalisation have opened up a whole new world of opportunity in the forefront of which lies the young entrepreneurs and professionals. This is true for the whole world, and more so for Bangladesh.Therefore with a view to giving the Young Entrepreneurs and Professionals an opportunity to speak their mind, and express themselves in a way that our leaders and policy makers can listen, THE DAILY STAR has decided to organise a forum and open a weekly page.

I. To hear what young entrepreneurs and professionals have to say about:

A. Future direction of our country - How to become an active participant of the 21st Century World.

B. Future direction of their respective professions - How can we become a more competent nation, ll.To think of ways of continuing this dialogue with the Young Entrepreneurs and Professionals.

Participation

We invites you the Business, Lawyears/Judiciary, Engineers/Architects, Doctors, Teachers/Researchers, Writers/Poets/Artists, NGO workers, Bureaucrates, Journalists, Economists/Bankers to join our forum.

Participation is free and open to all young entrepreneurs and professionals between the age of 25 to 35 years. Please contact Mr. Rafi Hossain, The Daily Star Address : House No-11, Road No-3, Dhanmondi R/A, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh. Tel: 866772-4, Fax : 88-02-863035, E-mail: dstar@bangla.net