Dr. Mohammed Arifur Rahman

Mohammed Arifur Rahman is the Founder & Chief Executive of Young Power in Social Action (YPSA), a registered non-government nonprofit voluntary organization for sustainable development, which he founded in 1985 (UN International Youth Year). In different capacities, he has been engaged with various Local, national, and international development Forums, advocacy, and networking initiatives for a long time.

Currently He is the Chairman of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), Vice Chairman of Association for Development Agencies in Bangladesh (ADAB) and active member of Bangladesh NGO Foundation (BNF), Bangladesh CSO NGO Coordination Process, Campaign for Good Governance (SUPRO), Program with and for Youth Network (PROYOUTH Network), NFOWD (National Forum of Organizations working with the Disabled), BATA (Bangladesh Anti Tobacco Alliance), Cox’sbazar CSO NGO Forum (CCNF), Chittagong Society for the Disabled (CSD), NGO Alliance of Chittagong (NAC) , Enterprise Development Forum Chittagong (EDFC) and is leading the different social development organizations and networks in Chittagong Region. A Government license holder as an Amateur (HAM) Radio Operator (with the call sign S21AV), he has played a major role during frequent natural disasters in the southeast coastal regions of Bangladesh. He is the Chief Organizer of the RADIO SAGOR GIRI FM99.2–the first government-approved community radio station located in the Sitakund coastal area of Chittagong.

Arif and YPSA were among the first responder local organizations during the Rohingya influx that started in August 2017 and completed various life-saving humanitarian emergency projects and services. Till now, various humanitarian services are being implemented with and for the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (FDMN) and Local Host communities at Cox’sbazar and Vhasanchor in Noakhali, Bangladesh, with the support of the Bangladesh Government, UN Agencies and INGOs.

Arif and his organization are playing a key role in making the ship-breaking industry in Bangladesh environmentally safe and a safe working place for its thousands of workers. YPSA is the Focal Organization for the DAISY ( Digital Accessible Information System ) and is taking the lead role in Bangladesh to produce digital content for the visually challenged and print disabled people. YPSA is an active partner of different development projects which are supported by the Government of Bangladesh, UN Agencies, Bilateral donors and various INGOs for a long time. YPSA is an organization in Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (UN ECOSOC).

Arif Completed his Master of Social Science (MSS) in Political Science from Chittagong University and Master in Governance Studies (MGS) from the Department of Political Science, Dhaka University. He was a cadet of the Bangladesh National Cadet Corps (BNCC. Arif writes in different newspapers & development publications as a freelance writer & presently serves as the Chief Editor of “Social Change” (an ISSN-registered print and online-based Development Journal).

Arif earned a PhD degree from the School of Management at Techno India University (TIU). His PhD research focused on the topic: “Role of NGO’s in Achieving Financial Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities in Bangladesh: A Pathway to Sustainable Development.” His research was conducted under the supervision of Professor Dr. Gagan Pareek, Associate Dean of the School of Management at Techno India University. (TIU).

Arif visited several countries to attend and represent at official meetings, international conferences, seminars, workshop and training programs. Countries which he visited so far are: India, Nepal, Macao, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, France, Portugal, Italy, Germany, United Kingdom, Scotland, Japan, China, Tunisia, USA, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia, Turkey, Austria, Indonesia, etc.

Arif receives different awards and fellowships in recognition of his activism and contribution in the social development field, like Legislative Fellowship from the Department of State, USA, Eisenhower Fellowship from the USA, eNGO award from India, etc.

Social development activist and researcher Dr. Shamsun Nahar Chowdhury (LOPA) is the wife of Arif and has two lovely and bright kids. Afra Nawar Rahman 20+) is the daughter reading in Environmental Science at Asian University for Women (AUW), and Abrar Khalil Rahman ( 15+) is the Son reading in class nine at International Hope School Bangladesh, Chattogram.