In Bangladesh, mental health remains a deeply stigmatized and often overlooked issue.
Despite growing global awareness, discussions around depression, emotional trauma, or
suicide are still avoided in most Bangladeshi communities. In this environment of silence,
one youth-led initiative is creating space for dialogue, understanding, and healing. That
initiative is Talk Hope, a national mental health awareness and suicide prevention
movement founded by Md Saddam Hossain Roni under his organization SHADOW —
Society for Humanity And Development Over the World.
The story of Talk Hope begins with tragedy. On February 27, 2024, a dedicated and
promising volunteer of SHADOW took their own life. The loss was devastating, shaking the
entire organization and especially Roni, who had built a close-knit community of young
changemakers. Grieving and searching for answers, Roni realized that despite their
humanitarian efforts, they had missed signs of someone silently suffering. Just two days
later, on February 29, 2024, he launched Talk Hope — a project born from loss, committed
to ensuring that no other young person feels unseen, unheard, or alone.
Talk Hope is designed as a sustainable, youth-led platform for suicide prevention, mental
health awareness, emotional support, and psychological first aid. It trains volunteers to
listen empathetically, provides virtual peer support sessions, and organizes educational
workshops and awareness seminars both online and in communities. The initiative engages
with schools, universities, and local organizations to build a culture of open mental health
dialogue — replacing stigma with sensitivity and silence with support.
Understanding the importance of responsible and informed intervention, Roni undertook a
series of global certifications to build his own capacity and shape the initiative around
evidence-based approaches. He completed a Psychological First Aid certification from Johns
Hopkins University, a course on Gender Analytics from the University of Toronto, and an
Introduction to Psychology from Yale University. These courses helped lay a solid
foundation for Talk Hope, where empathy is backed by expertise.
To further strengthen the project’s capacity, Talk Hope works in collaboration with the
Bangladesh Psychological Association (BPA). Many licensed psychologists from BPA
voluntarily support the platform by helping train its youth volunteers, guiding emotional
support protocols, supervising psychological first aid cases, and conducting expert sessions.
This professional backing has added significant credibility and impact to the initiative.
Before founding Talk Hope, Roni had already earned recognition as a youth leader and
social activist. Born on May 7, 1994, in Cumilla, he began his journey in service through

Rotary International, where he rose through various youth leadership roles. Over the years,
he founded SHADOW, an organization working in disaster relief, education, youth
leadership, and human rights. He is a Paul Harris Fellow (PHF +6), recipient of the Rotary
Youth Leadership All-Star 2017 (Top 5 globally) recognition, and serves as Chief Adviser of
the Rotary Interact Alumni Association of South Asia. His leadership also extends to
professional roles, including as Brand Development Officer at Sthapona Architectural
Consultants Ltd., and CEO of SHADOW IT.
Roni’s vision is not just to lead — but to empower. Through Talk Hope, he and his team
hope to normalize mental health conversations, foster peer-based support systems, and
help build an emotionally resilient generation. He believes that the youth of Bangladesh
have the strength to support one another — if only they are given the tools and space to do
so.
"Hope is not a slogan," says Roni. "It's a bridge between silence and survival. We are simply
building that bridge — one conversation at a time."
Looking ahead, Talk Hope plans to launch a national mental health web portal, establish
mental health clubs in schools and universities, build a stronger counselor referral network,
and collaborate with more public and private institutions to take mental health advocacy to
every corner of the country.
From a moment of unbearable grief emerged a mission of healing. Today, Talk Hope stands
as a beacon for countless young people — reminding them that being vulnerable is not
weakness, and seeking help is an act of courage.

Last week, Kunming, Yunnan, played host to the 6th China-South Asia Cooperation Forum, a significant gathering that brought together over 200 influential figures from more than ten countries, including China, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Nepal. Dignitaries, diplomats, and representatives from the business and cultural sectors convened both in-person and virtually under the theme “Join Hands for Open and Inclusive Development,” aiming to forge new avenues for regional collaboration.Since its inception in 2018, the China-South Asia Cooperation Forum has served as a crucial multilateral diplomatic platform for China, South Asian nations, and Indian Ocean Rim countries. This year’s event, co-hosted by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the People’s Government of Yunnan Province, featured an opening ceremony, three insightful sub-forums, and various thematic discussions and interviews.

Xu Feihong, Chinese Ambassador to India, highlighted the growing bond between China and South Asian countries. He noted that recent years have seen a new chapter of friendship unfold, driven by high-level exchanges, the Belt and Road Initiative, collaborations in vital livelihood sectors, and robust people-to-people connections. “We are willing to continue the time-honored friendship with South Asian countries by strengthening strategic coordination, deepening pragmatic cooperation, and expanding people-to-people exchanges, to tighten cooperation ties, and jointly grow the pie of our shared interests,” he affirmed.

Ahmed Nazim, Deputy Speaker of the People’s Majlis of the Maldives, emphasized the importance of trust and mutual understanding in fostering true cooperation, citing the strong Maldives-China relationship as a testament. As an island nation, he stressed that the Maldives’ future hinges on connectivity, sustainability, and development resilience. He expressed the nation’s readiness to collaborate with China and other South Asian countries to advance open, inclusive, and sustainable regional development through enhanced connectivity, economic links, and cultural exchanges.

Arun Hemachandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment of Sri Lanka, shared his country’s focus on transitioning to green energy, coastal ecological conservation, and sustainable agricultural development. Recognizing China’s leadership in these areas, he expressed optimism for deeper cooperation.

The forum also welcomed a perspective from beyond South Asia. Abdullah Al Saleh, Under Secretary of the UAE Ministry of Economy, highlighted the deep and enduring cooperation between the UAE and China in economic, technological, and cultural spheres. He noted that China is the UAE’s largest global trading partner, while the UAE is China’s largest export market and second-largest trading partner in the Middle East. Al Saleh expressed a strong desire to further collaboration with China and South Asian nations in emerging fields such as smart logistics, digital trade, renewable energy, and sustainable agriculture.

China Correspondent: To facilitate a profound comprehension of China’s esteemed traditional culture among international students and teachers and to promote cultural exchanges between China and other nations, Sanming University initiated a distinctive winter vacation social practice program titled “Drawing Wisdom from Classics of Chinese Thought and Telling Chinese Stories Well.”

From January 20 to 21, 2025, the School of Overseas Education (School of Foreign Languages) of Sanming University, in collaboration with the International Cooperation and Exchange Office, organized this event in Youxi County, Sanming City, Fujian Province, China. During the event, the delegation visited Guifeng Ancient Village, the Confucian Temple, the Zhuzi Cultural Garden, and other significant sites to gain hands-on experience and deepen their understanding.

The social practice team arrived at Guifeng Ancient Village in Youxi County on January 20. In the ancient village, the well-preserved ancient structures from the Ming and Qing dynasties are dispersed in an orderly fashion, each one containing a profound historical and cultural heritage. All participants walked along the ancient stone road and had the opportunity to explore traditional landmarks, including the Cai Clan Ancestral Hall and the Stone Seal House. They also gained insights into ancient family culture and architectural techniques. Furthermore, by interacting with the locals, they experienced the unique folk customs of Youxi and enjoyed its distinctive cuisine.

While exploring the ancient dwellings of Guifeng, Makhmudova Mushtariybegim, an international student from Uzbekistan, expressed a deep fascination with the daily life of the past. She shared that experiencing these historical residences firsthand provided her with valuable insights into the living conditions of ancient times. “The traditions here are truly captivating, offering a culture that feels both familiar and new to me,” she remarked.

On January 21, the social practice team visited the Confucian Temple and Zhuzi Cultural Garden in Youxi County. Within the Confucian Temple, all individuals experienced the grave ambiance of Confucian culture and gained a deeper understanding of the ancient education system and its protocols. At the Zhuzi Cultural Garden, they acquired a comprehensive understanding of Zhu Xi’s life, actions, philosophies, and beliefs. Zhu Xi, the preeminent figure of Neo-Confucianism during the Song Dynasty, has had a profound influence on both Chinese and global culture. The international students and teachers attentively listened to the explanations, scrutinized the artifacts, and acquired a comprehensive understanding of Zhu Xi culture.

Cheick Amadou Tidiane Ouattara, a foreign teacher from Mali, described his visit to the Youxi County Confucian Temple and the Zhuzi Cultural Garden with his students as an unforgettable cultural experience. He was deeply impressed by the solemn atmosphere of Confucian culture and gained a greater appreciation for the strictness of ancient Chinese education and etiquette. He also mentioned that the visit provided him with a deeper understanding of Zhu Xi’s life and philosophical beliefs. “Zhu Xi’s Neo-Confucianism had a profound influence on the development of the Chinese nation and extended beyond China. Its contribution to global culture is undeniable, holding a significant place in history,” he remarked.

According to Yu Shuiqing, a teacher at the School of Overseas Education (School of Foreign Languages) at Sanming University, this social practice activity not only enables international students to integrate more effectively into Chinese culture but also offers them a platform to exchange ideas, learn, and showcase themselves. “Sanming University will continue to hold more such activities to promote the exchange and integration of Chinese and foreign cultures, collaborate and cooperatively advance the preservation and advancement of China’s exceptional traditional culture in the future,” she added.

Over 20 teachers and students from Bangladesh, Mali, Nigeria, Indonesia, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, and Russia attended this distinctive winter vacation social practice activity.