A daylong community dialogue on “Good Governance” was held in Sitakunda, Chattogram. The focus of the dialogue was engaging the community in the main stream of development activities actively by building awareness and strengthening knowledge level on Right to information, its application and liberal values. Besides, the role of government officials along with CSOs to ensure transparency and accountability in development activities and service delivery system towards establishing good governance.   

The community dialogue was jointly organized by Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication with the technical support of Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF Bangladesh) in the Upazila Parishad Auditorium, Sitakunda, Chattogram.  

In his welcome speech, Mr. Omar Mostafiz, Programme Manager, FNF Bangladesh described the perspective of Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom and its venture in Bangladesh. Mr. Mark Manash Saha have shared the goal and objectives of the community dialogue and invited the participants to raise the relevant issues related to good governance context of Sitakunda, Chattogram.

In his speech, Mr. Shahadat Hossain, Chief guest and Upazila Nirbahi Officer, Sitakunda said that good governance couldn’t be established without transparency, accountability and community engagement. He urged that we have limitations so good governance can only be established with the collective initiatives of government, NGOs, CSOs and communities and knock at the right doors, no via medium and just now.  

In his speech, Dr. Nur Uddin Rashed, Special guest and Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer, Sitakunda said that in the Upazila Health complex there is no broker/mid-Manship at present. As a result, the people are getting service support without harassment.  The number of patients is increasing day by day. People are now getting updates of the Upazila health services through ICT i.e. social media. 

The panelists of the dialogue have introduced them with availability and services. They acknowledged that community engagement is a must for establishing good governance. The participants raised their queries and questions to the related panelists and they attended those accordingly. Both panelists and participants expressed their positive impression that due to Right to Information Act. 2009, now people can ask for information and they get it by following the procedure. But most of the people do not know about the procedure. As a result, transparency and accountability is ensured. Now, the main challenge is to building awareness among the communities and encourage them to follow the procedure to get information and available services. 

A total of 60 representatives of government and non-government officials, teachers, layers, COSs, Cultural activists, women leaders, ethnic and transgender groups, media activists and community radio broadcasters have participated in the dialogue.