GPEDC 4th MR in BangladeshCSO urged for eliminating bureaucratic barriers and open independent space

Today in connection to GPEDC (Global Partnership on Effective Development Cooperation, a state led process for cooperation (among state, market and civil society) 4th Monitoring Round (MR), a seminar held in CIRDAP auditorium.

The seminar was organized by COAST Foundation, CDP and BDCSO Process.

In the seminar CSO leaders urged for elimination of Bureaucratic barriers and urged for open and free space for raising voice.

The seminar was Chaired by A.H.M. Jahangir, Additional Secretary, ERD and national coordinator of GPEDC 4th MR while moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury; Executive Director of COAST and South Asia Civil Society focal of GPEDC moderated the seminar.

Key note presentation have given by Dr Sohel Iqbal of COAST, Jahangir Hossain Masum from CDP, Ziaul Haque Mukta from CSRL, Luca Farja from Co-Chair of GPEDC, Ben Morgan as UNRC Representative, Sardar M Asaduzzan; UNDP Assistant Resident Representative, Dr. Rezaul Bashar Siddique; Additional Secretary (RPL), Abul Kalam Azad; Deputy Secretary, Gawher Nayeed Warha from Disaster Forum, Sharif Jamil from DORA, Brig Gen Abu Nayeem (Retd), Taslima Miji; a local female entrepreneur, KAM Morshed from BRAC and others.

Ziaul Hque Mukta said the CSOs have to be critical of political society too. Historically Bengal is the rich place for aboriginal civil society development.

Luca Farja said that independent and proactive civil society is fundamental for SDG achievement.

Dr Sohel Iqbal in his keynote presentation mentioned key achievement from the conferences from Rome to Kampala.

He elaborated five principles from Kampala conferences including local ownership, result orientation, accountability and transparency and leave no one behind.

Jahangir Hossain Masum explained the monitoring questionaries.

Dr Rezaul Bashar Siddque and Abul Kalam Azad of ERD given emphasize on nonpartisan character of civil society.

Ben Morgan and Sardar M Asaduzzaman of UN appreciate Bangladesh initiative taken by the on government on GPEDC.

KAM Morshed from BRAC given importance on developing and implementing of reform proposals to make development effectiveness.

Most of the grass root NGOs criticize donor role on giving less important to fund local organization thereby to local civil society development.

Gawhar Nayeem Warha criticize the role of government agencies and district level officials, creating barriers related to registration and funding clearance.

Renowned environment and climate activist Sharif Jamil tell his experience in international negotiation for getting pro people decision.

Rezaul Karim Chowdhury; the moderator of the seminar given different positive examples of civil society movement in the country where government policy leaders took changes in decisions, but still there are need of open and free space for civil society to raise voice.

AHM Jahangir; Additional Secretary and the chair of the session, urged for work unitedly for reform and new Bangladesh.