Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Abdul Moyeen Khan has urged children to follow the ideals of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman and prepare themselves to become good citizens of the country.

He made the call as the chief guest at a seminar titled “50 Years in Children’s Dreams: Achievements, Experiences and Bangladesh of Tomorrow”, organised at the Bangladesh Shishu Academy auditorium in the capital on Wednesday to mark Children’s Rights Day 2026 and the 50th anniversary of the Bangladesh Shishu Academy.

The local government minister said today’s children would become the country’s full-fledged citizens and build Bangladesh in the future. Therefore, the present generation also has a responsibility to help children grow up properly, he said.

“Children must prepare themselves from now to become good citizens by loving their country,” he said.

Khan said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had given serious thought to children’s future and rights even before global awareness of children’s rights emerged.

He said Zia realised the need to develop children’s untapped abilities and potential and prepare them for future leadership.

The minister said the 50th anniversary celebration of the Bangladesh Shishu Academy had made the children part of an important chapter of history.

“Using the experience gained today, they must build their own future as well as the future of Bangladesh,” he said.

Presiding over the event, Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare Minister Prof AZM Zahid Hossain said Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman had taken initiatives for children’s welfare in 1976, long before the United Nations formally began focusing on children in 1989.