Ensure accountability, transparency of local NGOs: speakers

Promoting local NGOs was a necessity to uphold dignity of the country's marginalised population, said speakers at a virtual conference yesterday.

Besides, they stressed the need for ensuring accountability and transparency of local NGOs.

BD CSO Process, a forum of about 700 local NGOs and civil society organisations (CSO), organised the virtual conference on "Building civil societies, complementarity and leadership of local actors," said a press release.

It was participated by around 300 local and international participants, and moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, national coordinator of the forum, said the release.

Two more sessions of the conference will be held on Thursday and Saturday, according to organisers.

Chairing yesterday's conference, Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, chairman of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation, said local civil society will only be effective if they "consider the human dignity of the affected population".

He urged local NGOs and CSOs to turn around with own resource mobilisation.

Addressing as special guest, Rashadul Islam, director general of NGO Affairs Bureau, said he supports the discourse on localisation.

Prof Thea Hilhorst, president of International Humanitarian Study Association, Netherlands, said accountability and transparency is fundamental to reach affected population.

Joyanta Adhikari, chairperson of Association of Development Agencies in Bangladesh, said the UN agencies and international NGOs should limit them only on technical assistance and monitoring while conducting activities in Bangladesh.

Local NGOs have proven track record of mass mobilisation with own resource mobilisation especially to protect the environment, said Sharif Jamil, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon.