500 NGOs, civil society orgs name new platform
A platform -- comprising of development organisations and civil society groups -- is a positive initiative indeed to achieve Bangladesh's SDG 2030 targets, says Dr Gowher Rizvi, international affairs adviser to the prime minister.
He said this newly formed platform will have in-depth research to find solutions for hunger, poverty and lack of education.
"It will then help build successful advocacy," he made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a virtual event organised to announce the formation of a greater platform of NGOs and civil society organisations of Bangladesh.
Leaders of over 500 NGOs and civil society organisations joined the virtual event chaired by Rasheda K Chowdhury, chairperson, Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE), and moderated by BRAC's senior director KAM Morshed.
Dr Rizvi said NGOs have immense contribution in the development of Bangladesh and the citizen groups have been actively engaged in their role since the birth of Bangladesh.
"Bangladesh must be able to deal with these challenges more efficiently, while it advances towards graduating to a middle income country. We should now reach the disadvantaged and deprived communities with services on priority basis," he added.
The event was organised yesterday with NGO Affairs Bureau director-general Md Rashadul Islam and eminent economist Professor Wahid Uddin Mahmud present as special guests.
At the virtual programme, the organisers focused on the mission, objectives and next steps of the newly founded platform. They also announced that Brac will be its secretariat for first two years.
NGO Affairs Bureau director-general Md Rashadul Islam said collaborative efforts will take the country to the targeted position of development. "The NGO Affairs Bureau will give all possible assistance in this regard."
Eminent economist Professor Wahid Uddin Mahmud said creating a collaborative relation with the government as well as forming a common platform for all the non-governmental organisations are exceedingly important tasks for ensuring inclusive development and establishing a progressive society.
"The service-giving development organisations are a big strength for Bangladesh," he said, adding that the government has to act pro-actively for enabling the development organisations to operate with freedom while maintaining accountability and commitment.
The objectives of this platform are – acting in collaboration with the government in finding effective solutions for issues such as graduating to middle income country, fourth industrial revolution, climate change impact, Covid-induced challenges facing the health sector etc.
Creating opportunity for CSOs to exchange their acquired knowledge and experience is also an objective. Celebrating together 50 years of independence of Bangladesh is also part of the objective of the new platform.
Aroma Dutta, member of parliament; Dr Fahmida Khatun, executive director, CPD; Asif Saleh, executive director, BRAC; Khushi Kabir, coordinator, Nijera Kori; Dr Maleka Banu, general secretary, Bangladesh Mohila Parishad; Shaheen Anam, executive director, Manusher Jonno Foundation; Sharif Jamil, general secretary, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon; Karavi Rakhsand, founder, Jaago Foundation; Farah Kabir, country director, Action Aid; Sanjeeb Drong, general secretary, Bangladesh Adivasi Forum; Shafiqul Islam, representative, INGO Forum, and Mansur Ahmed Chowdhury, managing director, Bangladesh Jatiya Protibondhi Kalyan Foundation, spoke at the event among others.
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