IOM’s Youth Debate Explores Sustainable Use for Migrant Remittances

Young debaters in Dhaka debated at a competition on Saturday exploring how the hard-earned migrants’ remittances can create lasting opportunities for them and their families and contribute to sustainable development beyond strengthening household resilience, local economies and the country’s development journeys.

The debaters explored how migrant remittances can be used more strategically to support education, savings, entrepreneurship, investment and long-term economic resilience. The debate also highlighted the contributions of migrant workers as important drivers of Bangladesh’s development, while encouraging young people to think critically about how remittances can generate lasting value for families and communities.

Held at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (FDC), the mock parliamentary debate brought together young debaters from Dhaka International University (DIU) and State University of Bangladesh (SUB) to discuss the motion: “The remittances sent by migrants can be utilized most effectively through investment in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)”. 

The mock parliamentary-style debate was organized by the International Organization for Migration (IOM-The UN Migration Agency), supported by the European Union and conducted by Debate for Democracy.

Remittances have long been a lifeline for Bangladeshi families, covering education, healthcare and housing. Organizers say the bigger opportunity now is turning some of that money into business investment that creates jobs rather than only covering household costs.

Addressing as the chief guest of the debate event, IOM Bangladesh’s Chief of Mission Dr. Laura Tomm Bonde said: "When migration is safe, regular and well supported, its benefits can extend far beyond the individual migrant, reaching families, communities and the wider development of Bangladesh. Every remittance sent home is a testament to the hard work, resilience and commitment of Bangladeshi migrants. Channeling even a portion of that money into SMEs can create jobs, strengthen local economies and open new opportunities for future generations. "

The debate event was presided by the Chairman of the Debate for Democracy Hassan Ahamed Chowdhury Kiron. Titling the migrants as the ‘Real Heros of the country’, he said: “Alongside strengthening the country’s foreign exchange reserves, remittances are also playing an important role in economic revitalization at the local level. Around 25 percent of the country’s working-age population finds employment through migration. Without overseas employment opportunities, the poverty rate in Bangladesh could have been around 10 percentage points higher.”

In the debate, ruling party DIU has been crowned champion after a 45-minute-long debate session. Four adjudicators including, Ms Dowlat Akter Mala, President of the Economic Reporters Forum and Special Correspondent of the Financial Express; Mr Ahmed Reza, Senior Reporter of the Jamuna Television; Mr Mainul Alam, Former President of the Diplomatic Correspondent Association of Bangladesh; and Dr S M Morshed, National Consultant (Government Liaison), IOM Bangladesh, scored the debate.