50 Years of Bangladesh: Pathways and Trajectories
22 March 2021
A daylong dialogue on 50 Years of Bangladesh: Pathways and Trajectories, was held to celebrate the 50 years of independence of Bangladesh. 35 speakers including politicians, journalists, businessmen, economists, activists, analysts were joined as speakers on eleven different sessions to share their opinion and knowledge on the development of Bangladesh. Because of the diverse background of speakers, the problems of different sectors and their possible solutions were highlighted in the program as well. Member of the drafting committee of Bangladesh Constitution, Former Minister Barrister M Amir-ul Islam, Former Minister Major Hafiz Uddin Ahmed (Retd) Bir Bikrom, Former Army Chief of Staff Lt Gen M Harun-Ar-Rashid (Retd) Bir Protik, Executive Director of the Centre for Governance Studies Zillur Rahman, and Chairman of the Centre for Governance Studies Dr. Manjur Ahmed Chowdhury were present in the inauguration session. Dr. Manjur Ahmed Chowdhury, conveyed his valuable speech and started the program.
The speakers delivered their opinion on the three main policies of the Centre for Governance Studies (CGS). Security, governance, and development were the three main concerns of the program on which speakers of the relative field conveyed their views and opinions. The speakers also criticized the current situation which hampers the development of Bangladesh in many ways. With the help of skilled man force, accountability and use of technology Bangladesh can excel in the economy, security, governance, development, and technology as well. Minister of Local Government & Rural Development Md. Tazul Islam MP, Minister of Fisheries and Livestock S M Rezaul Karim MP, Minister of Ministry of Railways Md. Nurul Islam Sujon MP were also present to share their thoughts on the development of the motherland. For the overall development and make Bangladesh a developing country interconnection in every sector is needed and for this, the importance of good governance is beyond mentioning. With help of proper and accountable governance, every sector can run smoothly, they can get proper finance; use it in the right way to progress, and supervision and monitoring are no less important to achieve development. With the inclusion of intellectual people from different backgrounds and expertise and with their suggestions, the clear picture of the developing country was in front of us. According to all the speakers, strong dedication, accountability, and hard work can make this country fulfilled.
His Excellency Ito Naoki, ambassador of Japan, and His Excellency Mustafa Usman Turan, ambassador of Turkey were present in the program as discussants. Other than that, Sudipto Mukerjee Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh, Judith Herbertson, Development Director of Commonwealth and Development Office, British High Commission, Bangladesh; Randall Olson, Director, Office of Democracy, Human Rights and Governance, USAID Bangladesh were also present in the program as speaker. The foreign delegates mainly focused on the friendship with Bangladesh, and how they can improve the relationship through trade, commerce, and another way possible. In the program, the contribution of the freedom fighters in the liberation war was addressed by politicians, professors, and activists. To celebrate 50 years of independence Centre for Governance Studies (CGS) announced a countrywide essay competition for the youths on “50 years’ achievements of Bangladesh”. The prize will be handover at the closing ceremony event on December 2021. An expert panel will be there to judge the essays. CGS will initiate a campaign on the media and social media to increase participation over the next couple of months as well. The main aim of the program is to address the struggle for independence of Bangladesh, the struggle after independence to run the nation, the criticism of the present situation, and ways to improve it.