By Arju Afrin Kathy

The report documents an inception workshop that engaged 50 university students from across Bangladesh to inform the formulation of the Next Generation National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) 2026 and beyond. Set against Bangladesh’s constitutional commitment to social security and its youthful demographic profile, the workshop aimed to institutionalize youth voices in social protection reform. Participants were introduced to the evolution of the NSSS, current governance and delivery reforms under the Social Security Policy Support (SSPS) Programme, and the importance of inclusive, rights-based, and adaptive social protection systems. Through structured group work, students identified key socio-economic priorities for 2025–2035. Across all groups, youth unemployment emerged as the most pressing challenge, closely linked to skills mismatch, outdated curricula, and limited early exposure to the labor market. Participants emphasized curriculum modernization, stronger education–industry linkages, internships and apprenticeships, and evidence-based skills planning. Technological preparedness, particularly in AI and digital skills (including ethical considerations), was highlighted as essential to avoid future labor market marginalization. Public security and social stability, especially for women and marginalized youth in physical and digital spaces, were identified as foundational enablers of participation and employment. The workshop concluded that effective social protection reform must be integrated and multi-sectoral, aligning education, labor markets, technology, and social protection to harness Bangladesh’s demographic dividend. Beyond policy inputs, the workshop built youth capacity and established a network of Youth Social Protection Champions, reinforcing that young people are not only beneficiaries but key stakeholders in designing an inclusive, resilient, and future-ready social protection system for Bangladesh.