Discussion on Jago Sabai: Gonnobakti, Nogonnobakti O Marjadar Rajniti
Civic Bangladesh organized a discussion on the book entitled Jago Sabai: Gonnobakti, Nogonnobakti O Marjadar Rajniti translated from its original book entitled “All Rise: Somebodies, Nobodies and the Politics of Dignity” written by Dr. Robert W. Fuller.
Presided over by Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh, the discussion attended by Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, Vice-Chancellor, University of Dhaka; Mr. Md. Sharful Alam, Secretary, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; and Mr. Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Editor, The Bangladesh Observer as special guests. (The Minister for Social Welfare of the Government of Bangladesh could not manage to attend the discussion due to change in his business.)
Roundtable on Human Dignity, Democracy and Development
Building a dignitarian society is essential for a healthy and functioning democracy and while exercising and accessing equal dignity is the prerequisite for institutionalization of democracy. To make people aware of dignity as their right requires the involvement of all concerned including the political leaderships, civic and development activists and religious leaders, said the participants of a roundtable conference entitled “Rights and Justice: The Dignity Perspective of Development in Bangladesh” organized on 3 February 2009 in the VIP Lounge of Jatiya Press Club, Dhaka by Civic Bangladesh.
Global campaigner of Dignity for All and author of All Rise: Somebodies, Nobodies and the Politics of Dignity, eminent scientist Dr Robert W Fuller keynoted the conference addressed by Mr. AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Mayor, Rajshahi City Corporation as chief guest; and former Deputy Speaker of Parliament Professor Ali Ashraf MP and Ambassador Wali-ur Rahman, former Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, as special guests. Professor Claire Sheridan contributed to the roundtable as a guest speaker.
The roundtable was addressed, among others, by Mr. Farid Hossain, Bureau Chief of The Associated Press (AP); Barrister Tania Amir, Barrister Jenefa Jabbar, Mr. Kieron Crawley, Country Director, Concern Worldwide; Dr. Kamrul Hassan Khan; Mr. Azizur Rahman Khan (Asad), Development Consultant. Vision and Method; Dr. Nafeesur Rahman, Director, National Forum of Organizations Working with the Disabled (NFOWD); Mr. Sirajuddahar Khan, CEO, Interaction; Ms Afroza Rina, Women’s Right Activist; Ms Shamima Nasrin, Shadhin Bangla Garments Shramik-Karmachari Federation (SBGSKF); Mr. Moloy Chaki, Programme Coordinator, Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Centre (BDPC); Mr. Badrul Hassan, Deputy Programme Manager, Save the Children (USA); Kazi Sufia Akhtar, Bangladesh Mahila Parishad; Ms Sonia Jesmin, Advocacy Specialist, Concern Worldwide; Dr. Anisuzzaman, Lecturer, Gono University; and Ms Kohinoor Mahmud, Karmajibi Nari. Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh moderated the roundtable conference.
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 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.
