Aziz Al Zaman, Rangpur: Marking International Youth Day 2026, Youth Career and Development Organization (YCDO) has launched a unique initiative titled “Skills and Performance Campaign-2026” across 10 upazilas in the Rangpur Division, aiming to assess and strengthen the skills, leadership potential, and career readiness of young people.The campaign, implemented through YCDO's Youth Leader Committees, brought together students from schools and colleges to evaluate their practical competencies and encourage them to prepare for future academic and professional challenges. Organizers said the initiative focuses on identifying skill gaps among young people and guiding them toward personal and professional development.Unlike traditional academic assessments, the campaign evaluates participants on a wide range of real-world abilities. These include time management, responsibility and accountability, presentation and video presentation skills, motivation, computer literacy, participation in social activities, job profile awareness, teamwork, leadership qualities, and discipline, behavior, and communication skills.According to YCDO, the assessment process enables young participants to understand their current level of competence and recognize areas where further improvement is needed. The initiative is also designed to help them make informed decisions about future career paths and skill development opportunities.Speaking about the campaign, Md. Hanif Ali, Founder and Executive Director of YCDO, emphasized the importance of practical skills alongside academic achievement."We believe a young person's future depends not only on academic results but also on practical skills, leadership, communication, time management, and responsibility. Through the Skills and Performance Campaign-2026, participants can identify both their strengths and their skill gaps. Our goal is to help young people become skilled, confident, and capable future leaders rather than merely job seekers. Today's youth will lead tomorrow's change, and YCDO is working to make that preparation more effective and accessible," he said.YCDO officials noted that youth leaders from different upazilas played a direct role in implementing the campaign, gaining valuable field experience by working closely with educational institutions and students. The organization believes such engagement not only benefits participants but also helps develop a new generation of community-oriented youth leaders.As Bangladesh continues to focus on youth development and employability, initiatives like the Skills and Performance Campaign-2026 highlight the growing recognition that success in the modern workforce requires more than academic excellence. By encouraging self-assessment and continuous learning, YCDO hopes to contribute to building a skilled, adaptable, and future-ready generation. The campaign stands as a significant observance of International Youth Day, reinforcing the message that empowering young people with practical skills and leadership capabilities is essential for sustainable national development.