On Thursday, January 16, 2025, the American International University-Bangladesh (AIUB) hosted the highly anticipated ECO FEST 2025, organized by the Department of Economics. The event brought together 200 students from 20 schools and colleges, along with 350 AIUB students, who actively participated in a series of stimulating competitions such as poster presentations, quiz contests, debates, and impromptu speeches.  The overarching theme of the event, “Bridging Socio-economic Inequality for Sustainable Development,” sparked lively discussions and thoughtful deliberations from participants, faculty members, and guests alike.

The event commenced with a grand opening ceremony graced by the esteemed presence of Dr. Abdur Rahman, Pro-Vice Chancellor of AIUB, and Dr. Tazul Islam, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. Both of them emphasized the importance of addressing socio-economic inequality and the vital role education plays in achieving sustainable development. Their opening remarks set the tone for a day of intellectual engagement and collaboration among young minds eager to explore solutions to pressing global issues.

The competitions began with qualifying rounds, where participants from various institutions showcased their knowledge and creativity in tackling the theme. The debates sparked intense discussions, while the quiz challenged participants' understanding of socio-economic issues. The impromptu speech competition tested the ability of speakers to deliver impactful speeches on the spot, inspiring many with their ideas on reducing inequality.

The final rounds brought together the best participants from each competition, where they went head-to-head for the coveted titles. The closing ceremony, which followed the successful completion of the final rounds, was a memorable occasion. The Special Guest Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has delivered motivating remarks, highlighting the importance of youth engagement and active participation in building a just and sustainable society. Prof. Dr. Tazul Islam, Dean, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences also graced the closing event and shared his motivational thoughts with the students.

This event has addressed several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), most notably SDG 10 (Reduced Inequality), SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The event's theme, "Bridging Socio-economic Inequality for Sustainable Development," highlighted the importance of reducing socio-economic disparities and fostering inclusive development, resonating with SDG 10’s emphasis on reducing inequality both within and among countries. Through debates, quiz contests, and impromptu speeches, participants actively engaged with the complex issues surrounding socio-economic

inequality, promoting awareness and dialogue, essential for achieving long-term societal change. Furthermore, the involvement of students from diverse schools and colleges, alongside AIUB students, underscored SDG 4's focus on providing quality education and empowering youth to contribute to sustainable development. The event also fostered collaboration, with academic leaders emphasizing the crucial role of education in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future addressing SDG 17. By offering a platform for young minds to explore and discuss pressing global issues, ECO FEST 2025 contributed significantly to raising awareness and inspiring action toward the achievement of the SDGs.

The event also had an electrifying cultural show, adding an artistic flair to the day's intellectual discussions. The closing ceremony also featured a prize-giving session, where the winners of the competitions were awarded for their outstanding performances. The event ended with a vote of thanks given by Dr. Faria Sultana, Department Head, Department of Economics at AIUB. The students and participants left the event feeling motivated and inspired to contribute to the cause of sustainable development and socio-economic equality.

ECO FEST 2025 was a tremendous success, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the AIUB management, administration, participants, and distinguished guests. The event served as a platform for young individuals to share ideas, showcase their talents, and engage in meaningful dialogue on the pressing socio-economic challenges of our time.