Tech-Driven Hope: ‘Zero Missing Children Summit’ Calls for Action in Bangladesh
The inaugural Zero Missing Children Summit was held in Dhaka with a mission to bring down the number of missing children to zero. The event featured the unveiling of the Talaash bracelet, a wearable technology powered by blockchain and artificial intelligence, designed to help locate missing children. Additionally, the summit aimed to raise awareness about the implementation of a nationwide Amber Alert system, ensuring that every mobile network in Bangladesh could be used to swiftly disseminate information about missing children.
Organized by Cyber Teens, the summit took place on Saturday at the Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Center, gathering parents, children, and activists from across the country.
The event featured two panel discussions. The first, titled Lost Futures, was moderated by Farzana Brownia, Chairperson of Shorno Kishori Network. Speakers included Mahbub Morshed, the brother of Munta, a child who was abducted and later murdered; Farzana Akhter, mother of missing siblings Abdur Rahman and Maryam; Anwarul Haque, father of the missing Ahad; Mahbub, uncle of missing child Nasai; and Zulfikar Ali, a representative from Aparajeyo Bangladesh.
One of the key moments of the summit was the recognition of Sreshtho, a child who bravely escaped from kidnappers. He was honored with the Talaash Hero Award for his courage. Additionally, the father of Rehan, another survivor, shared his family’s ordeal and the struggle to recover from the traumatic experience.
The second panel discussion, chaired by Mahir Sarwar Megh, coordinator of the movement to establish Amber Alert in Bangladesh, explored the global mechanisms of the alert system and its potential application in the country. The panel featured child journalist and activist Subha Shafayet Sijda, Wahida Banu Swapna, Executive Director of Aparajeyo Bangladesh, and child rights and climate activist Fatiha Ayat. Moderated by Dipti Chowdhury, the session also included insights from Hedayatullah, a program assistant at ICMC Indonesia, who detailed how missing children are traced internationally and how abused children receive protection.
During the event, Sadat Rahman, recipient of the International Children’s Peace Prize, shed light on the rising threat of online child sexual exploitation and pornography, stating, "Bangladesh ranks just behind India in the global statistics of online child sexual abuse. To combat this, we are launching a petition to collect 100,000 signatures in support of Amber Alert implementation. Our goal is to ensure a safer future for children."
A particularly notable moment came when Raihan, a ten-year-old child, captivated the audience with a presentation on children's ten fundamental rights in Islam, emphasizing the urgent need for an Amber Alert system in Bangladesh. Towards the end of the summit, child actor Tehzeeb, portraying the missing child Ahad, and Salman Ahmed, known as the Junior Mr. Bean of Bangladesh, entertained the audience with a creative performance, balancing the event’s serious themes with a touch of lightheartedness.
The summit concluded with a call for participation in the Talaash AI Movement, commemorating the memory of Ahad. During the closing session, Tahsin Miti, coordinator of Cyber Teens, announced the development of the Talaash AI App for Android and iOS. The app, powered by artificial intelligence, will facilitate the rapid dissemination of information regarding missing children, including their photos and locations, while coordinating with volunteers to expedite rescue operations.
