WELCOME TO CIVIC BANGLADESH

Civic Bangladesh is a philanthropic, non-profit and non-partisan civil society organization (CSO) working thematically around FREEDOM, DIGNITY and JUSTICE to advance democracy and democratic governance through civic education and engagement.  Established and registered as a Trust in 2006, the organization is committed to building a free, fair and dignitarian society in Bangladesh. It seeks to expose, address and prevent threats to civil society and exercise the freedoms of association, expression and assembly; to promote human dignity in the social and political institutions; and to mobilise equitable access to justice and equal protection of law. Civic Bangladesh conducts research, builds capacity and leads advocacy campaigns for ‘making democracy work’ effectively.

 

Equal Dignity Campaign

Civic Bangladesh has launched equal dignity campaign for the promotion of equal dignity for all for the advancement of democracy. The campaign calls for promoting equal dignity for human beings in tune with Article 1 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights”.

 

Promote Human Dignity for Making Democracy Work Effectively

Country’s democracy is still facing a serious problem due to absence of dignity and constitutional right among people which creates gender discrimination, antagonizes the ethnic and minority groups, undermines the  potential of persons with disability and exploits the low-wages employees.

This observation was made by participants in a roundtable discussion on `Rights and Justice: The dignity perspective for development in Bangladesh’ organized by Civic Bangladesh at National Press Club, Dhaka, Bangladesh on February 03, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They said all classes of people  through-out the country are being cheated and exploited by each other in absence of dignity. Norms, values, attitudes and manners among the people have been lost and a group of  people are made victims to various oppressions and repressions. So without ensuring equal dignity as a human right of people, the initiatives of the government to restore democracy will be immaterial.

 

Barrister Tania Amir, a Supreme Court lawyer said, the proclamation document of Bangladesh's independence and the very birth of the country are both based on the sense of humanitarian dignity. “The very war of liberation of Bangladesh and her birth as a sovereign country was predicated upon the principle of equality, human dignity and social justice,” she said.

 

While making a keynote presentation at the discussion, Robert W Fuller, a writer from the US, said that conventionally an individual is somebody when he or she has power and authority but is considered nobody when out of power and position.

Equal rights to nutrition and dignity must be established, he said, adding that equal dignity of every human being is fundamental to social stability, progress and peace.

 

“Inadequate recognition is a cause of terrorism,” said Dr. Fuller, “Humiliation and aggression are something that we must leave in the past.”

 

Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director of Civic Bangladesh, said that majority of the people are denied access to basic human needs such as education and healthcare and victims of the political systems and institutions. Thus dignity is denied and indignity means injustice.

 

Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation Mr. Khairuzzaman Liton and Ambassador Wali-ur Rahman, former Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, trade union leader Ms. Kohinur Mahmud, Mr. Moloy Chaki, Barrister Jenefa Jabbar, a lawyer of High Court also spoke on the occasion while Professor Claire Sheridan spoke as a guest speaker. Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh moderated the discussion.

 

Publication Ceremony in National Book Fair at Bangla Academy, Dhaka

The book entitled “Jago Sabai: Gonnobakti, Nogonnobakti O Marjadar Rajniti”, translated into Bangla by Bayezid Dawla from its original English version of “All Rise: Somebodies, Nobodies and the Politics of Dignity” written by Dr Robert W Fuller was launched in a publication ceremony organized on 2 February 2009 in the National Book Fair at Bangla Academy, Dhaka, by Civic Bangladesh. Author of “All Rise”, Dr Fuller unveiled the cover of the book in the ceremony graced by the attendance of Professor Arefin Siddique, Vice Chancellor, University of Dhaka as chief guest and Dr Syed Mohammad Shahed, Director-General, Bangla Academy as special guest.

The author of “All Rise”, Dr Fuller, said he felt privileged to see “All Rise” had been translated into Bangla which is now a world language, and paid tribute to the language martyrs of the 1952. He hoped that the book now available in Bangla would be helpful for many of those willing to build a dignitarian society, a dignitarian nation and a dignitarian world.

 

Vice Chancellor Professor Siddique said Civic Bangladesh published the book to introduce the notions of human dignity experienced at the global level. “All Rise” is now “Jago Sabai” available around. It would benefit and enrich the common faculty of knowledge and support the civic movement for equal dignity for all human beings. The Vice Chancellor added that the publication of the book in Bangla would pave the way for building a dignified Bangladesh.

The Director-General of Bangla Academy said the arrival of the author of the book in Bangladesh to launch the book signifies his commitment to the cause that should also be supported. The publication of “Jago Sabai” makes a valuable contribution to the collective intellectual faculty in Bangladesh.

The festive moments of the launching ceremony along with interviews of the author and the chief guest were telecast live on different TV channels. Radio channels also covered the event including the interviews of the author.

Seminar at University of Dhaka

The Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Dhaka organized an academic seminar entitled Special Lecture on DIGNITY AND DEVELOPMENT by Dr Robert W. Fuller on 2 February 2009 at RC Majumdar Auditorium of the university. Presided over by Dr. Shaikh Abdus Salam, Professor and Chairman, Department of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka; the seminar was attended by the university teachers and students. Dr. Fuller delivered the keynote address in an interactive session which was participated in by the students and teachers. The address was preceded by introductory remarks by Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh. Professor Claire Sheridan and Professor Abul Monsur Ahmed also spoke on the occasion.

Meeting with the Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, Vice Chancellor, University of Dhaka

Dr. Robert W. Fuller and Professor Claire Sheridan made a courtesy visit to Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, Vice-Chancellor, University of Dhaka on 31 January 2009 in the latter’s office. Dr. Fuller and Professor Siddique exchanged opinions and discussed issues of academic interest. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Bayezid Dawla and Ms. Nargis Jahan Banu.

 

Meeting with Bangladesh Dignity Forum

Noted US thought leader, eminent educationist and the global campaigner of Dignity for All Dr Robert W Fuller, and Professor Claire Sheridan exchanged opinions with the members of Bangladesh Dignity Forum in a meeting on 31 January 2009 at the Forum’s secretariat, Civic Bangladesh. The meeting was attended, among others, by Ms. Nargis Jahan Banu, Ms. Kamrunnahar, Ms. Syeda Shamima Sultana, Ms Archana Sanyal, Mr. Sirajuddahar Khan, Mr. Shah Abdus Salam, Dr. Anisuzzaman, Mr. Kamran Jacob, Mr. Badrul Hasan, Mr. Dewan Wasek, Mr. Swapan Kumar, Mr. Mahfuzer Rahman, Mr. Abdullah-Al-Mamun and Mr. Sharfuddin Ahmed. The discussion was facilitated by Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh; and General Secretary, Bangladesh Dignity Forum.

 

 

 

 

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