Connecting and Empowering Voices for Inclusive-Peaceful Society

An experience-sharing meeting was held on SDG-16: Connecting and Empowering Voices for Just Inclusive and Peaceful organized by Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) with the support of the Switzerland Embassy in Bangladesh. A total of 30 officials of the General Economics Division, Bangladesh Planning Commission participated in the discussion. Dr. Md. Kawser Ahmed, Member (Secretary), General Economics Division, Bangladesh Planning Commission was present as Chief Guest. The meeting was Chaired by Mr. Md. Mafidul Islam, Chief, General Economics Division, Bangladesh Planning Commission.

Mr. AHM Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer, BNNRC presented the keynote address at the discussion. In his presentation, he mentioned that in the direction given by Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, there is no difference between men and women, there is no difference between village and city and Leave No One Behind. Public participation is one of the key issues in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

SDG-16: Connecting and Empowering Voices for Just Inclusive and Peaceful Society program, he said that to achieve SDGs, all stakeholders need to be involved in the implementation process. If you succeed in achieving the 17 goals, it will be much easier to achieve the other goals. ‘Peace, justice and strong institutions are all positively linked to other indicators of development.
 
Not all conceptual issues related to objective 16 are equally important for Bangladesh. In this case, everyone including government and non-government organizations has to create a balanced situation. For example, in the current context of Bangladesh, if 'peace, justice and effective institutions are considered more important than the development of all the people of Bangladesh will be easier. Bangladesh needs to involve the people in the various goals and issues of SDG16. So, there is an opportunity to fix timely priorities. He mentioned that this program of BNNRC is working on localization through 18 Community Radio at the local level and various activities are being implemented at the national level.

Munira Begum, Joint Chief, Md. Forhad Siddique, Joint Chief, Rahnuma Nahid, Deputy Chief, Mohammad Asaduzzaman Sarker, Deputy Chief, Md. Mahbubul Alam Siddiquee, Deputy Chief, Mohammad Fahim Afsan Chowdhury, Senior Assistant Chief, Shimul Sen, Senior Assistant Chief, GED, Hosne Ara Begum, Senior Assistant Chief, Shamim Muhammad Babar, Assistant Secretary, GED took part in the open discussion.

Member (Secretary) of the General Economics Division of the Bangladesh Planning Commission Dr.  Md. Kawser Ahmed, Member (Secretary) in his address of the Chief Guest said that Community Radios have been playing their role in building an inclusive and peaceful Bangladesh as per Bangabandhu's instructions without any discrimination between men and women, without leaving any distinction between village and town. He noted that the participation of the people is one of the key issues in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). To achieve SDGs, we have to work with all our aspirations and spread its benefits among all in a coordinated and equal manner. SDGs localization activities can be further accelerated by working closely with Community Radio. Community radio needs to be made more efficient by developing its capacities. He defined the introduction of campus radio in universities as an important initiative.

 The meeting was Chaired by Mr. Md. Mafidul Islam, Chief, General Economics Division, Bangladesh Planning Commission. He said Community Radios have been working to bring the strategy to the local people. Achieving SDG 16 requires working inclusively with everyone. All have to exchange views in this regard. Partnership plans and policies need to be developed and work needs to be done to disseminate those plans and new innovative plans have to be invented. Achieving SDGs will have to fulfill its responsibilities from its respective places to establish a just inclusive society.

The program was moderated by Ms. Nadira Akhter, PS to the Member (Secretary) of Bangladesh Planning Commission.