Nafis Imtiaz Imam ’28 builds youth leadership in Bangladesh

Nafis Imtiaz Imam ’28, a mathematical economics major from Bangladesh, received a $10,000 Davis Projects for Peace grant through Gettysburg College’s Center for Public Service (CPS) Summer Grant program. The grants, which support student-led initiatives around the world, help students develop the skills they need to become responsible citizens and changemakers.

“From start to finish, our students are completely responsible for these projects, which entails imagining new possibilities, partnership development, grant writing, budget management, teamwork, adaptability to overcome barriers, intercultural fluency, and follow through,” said CPS Director Jeffrey Rioux.

Nafis’s initiative, the Youth Governance Lab, was a two-day residential immersive program designed to address low civic awareness and limited youth participation in democratic governance in Bangladesh. Using simulations, group discussions, and role-play exercises, the project provided participants with hands-on experience in democracy, accountability, human rights, and civic leadership.

“I focused on youth instead of adults because it’s tough to change how older generations think,” Nafis said. “Young people are more open to learning, so I wanted to teach them how to take responsibility, push for accountability, and help close the gap between people and governance,” he added.

The idea for the Youth Governance Lab emerged after the July 2024 political unrest in Bangladesh, which highlighted the disconnect between citizens and the governance system.

Nafis saw the frustration among young people who felt excluded from decision-making. To bridge this gap, he designed interactive and experiential workshops in Dhaka, the nation’s capital, bringing together 60 participants from 28 districts, more than 75% of whom traveled from outside the city. The group included students, working professionals, and entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds, including six Indigenous participants who received additional travel stipends to ensure equitable access.

“We had a really diverse group—lawyers, journalists, students, and influencers,” Nafis said. “Each of them contributed in their own way, from writing articles and participating in workshops to creating social media posts that reached thousands.”

With support from CPS and the Eisenhower Institute at Gettysburg, as well as local partners including the Kashful Foundation and UNDP Bangladesh, Nafis refined his proposal, strengthened his budget plan, and successfully implemented the project from start to finish.

“The greatest takeaway for me was realizing that peace isn’t an abstract dream—it’s something built in small moments when people from different backgrounds come together, share stories, and imagine new possibilities for their communities.”
– Nafis Imtiaz Imam ’28

To ensure the project’s sustainability, Nafis worked with CPS to create 10 Youth Governance clubs with six members each, enabling participants to continue civic engagement within their own communities. A $500 sustainability fund was created from the Davis grant to support local initiatives, allowing Youth Governance clubs to apply for funding based on demonstrated need. To ensure long-term impact, the Youth Governance Lab has also established an ongoing collaboration with the United Nations Bangladesh, which is now implementing the model in multiple regions across the country.

Reflecting on the experience, Nafis, who is also participating in Gettysburg’s Guided Pathways, is convinced it reshaped how he thinks about peace and leadership. Seeing young people collaborate across differences showed him that lasting change often begins with small, collective actions.

“The greatest takeaway for me was realizing that peace isn’t an abstract dream—it’s something built in small moments when people from different backgrounds come together, share stories, and imagine new possibilities for their communities,” he said.

Looking ahead, Nafis hopes to expand the Youth Governance Lab to reach more regions in Bangladesh and build new partnerships. For him, this project was more than just a summer initiative; it was a deeply personal commitment to the country that shaped him. “One of the reasons I’m here is not just to get a good education, but to gain experiences that will help me give back to my country,” he said. “Who I am today and where I am is only because of my country and my people. I don’t forget my roots.”

Learn more about the Center for Public Service.

By Awa Diop ’29
Photos provided by Nafis Imtiaz Imam '28
Posted: 01/05/26