The Dhaka Workshop Clamoring, “Dignity For All !!!”

Dhaka Divisional Workshop on “Right to Dignity: Commitments and Actions”

Bangladesh Dignity Forum of Civic Bangladesh organized Dhaka Divisional Workshop on “Right to Dignity: Commitments and Actions” on 03 July 2010 in the BNPS conference room at Babar Road of Mohammadpur, Dhaka.

Moderated by Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh and General Secretary, Bangladesh Dignity Forum; the workshop analyzed the factors and actors of indignity as well as identified strategic actions to promote dignity for all. The workshop also pointed out that the United Nations should formulate the second Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on Dignity including a set of specific goals for all member countries to reach within specific timeframes because, the participants argued, the current MDGs cannot be achieved without addressing the issue of dignity.

From the left are seen Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh and General Secretary, Bangladesh Dignity Forum; Engineer Musbah Alim, Chairperson, Bangladesh Dignity Forum and Executive Director, Catalyst; Nasreen Sultana, Executive Director, Janaseba Kendra; and Sadequl Islam, Treasurer, Dignity Froum, and Executive Director, DAFF-Bangladesh.

The participants took active part in the discussion following the inaugural speech by Engineer Musbah Alim, Chairperson of Bangladesh Dignity Forum; and the keynote presentation by Bayezid Dawla.

Most of the participants were the chief executives of the civic and human rights organizations from different districts of Dhaka division. The districts are Dhaka, Manikganj, Gazipur, Tangail, Mymensingh, Tangail, Narsingdi, Munshiganj, Sherpur, Netrokona, Kishoreganj, Faridpur, Rajbari, Madaripur, and Gopalganj.

The organizations represented to the workshop are Coalition of Local NGOs in Bangladesh (CLNB), Catalyst, DAFF-Bangladesh, Janaseba Kendra, BAPA, MDG Foundation, World Vision of Bangladesh, SEEDON, KBD Foundation, SIULY Foundation, Daridra Samaj Unnayan Sangstha, Dishari Mahila Kendra, CSDC, Bandhan Society, Proshar Seba Foundation, Third Eye Human Organization, USEKA, SERAC-Bangladesh, SPIED, SMUS, IRDC, PSS, Mousumi Sangstha, GSC, GBSS, BCDP, Mayer Dak, Samata Nari Unnayan Sangstha, ASEA, Anubhab Foundation, BPS, VDS, Born4Care, Palli Mahila Unnayan Sangstha, Coastal Development Partnership, RPDO, AMKS, Save the Women, and the PRSF.

The workshop concluded with the participants’ spontaneous expression of solidarity for building a dignity-for-all movement in Bangladesh.

 

Sylhet Divisional Workshop on “Dignity For All: Perceptions, Actions and Commitments”

Inaugural Session (from the left): Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh and General Secretary, Bangladesh Dignity Forum; Engineer Musbah Alim, Chairperson, Bangladesh Dignity Forum and Executive Director, Catalyst; Mr. Jamil Chowdhury, Executive Director, GJKS; and Mr. Belal Ahmed, General Secretary, SSKS, and Divisional Coordinator of the Federation of NGOs in Bangladesh (FNB)

Bangladesh Dignity Forum-Civic Bangladesh and Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy co-organized the Sylhet divisional workshop entitled “Dignity For All: Perceptions, Actions and Commitments” on 5 June 2010 at the auditorium of Shilpakala Academy in Sylhet.

Facilitated by the Executive Director of Civic Bangladesh, Mr. Bayezid Dawla who is also the General Secretary of Bangladesh Dignity Forum, the workshop explored the perceptions and experiences of dignity and its violation, manifestations of indignity at the individual and community levels; adverse impacts of indignity on the individual, academic, social, political and economic lives of people; responses to the violation of dignity; and the strategies recommended and actions committed so far to mobilize social actions to resist the violation of dignity.

Concluding Session (from the left): Mr. Bayezid Dawla; Engineer Musbah Alim; Mrs. Amiya Prava Chowdhury, Executive Director, MBNMS, Hobiganj; Mr. Nazmul Haque, Executive Director, Institute of Development Affairs (IDEA); and TV and radio journalist Mr. Al-Azad, President, Sylhet Press Club, and Vice-Chairman of SARC Environmental Journalists’ Forum, Bangladesh.

Chaired by Engineer Musbah Alim, Chairperson, Bangladesh Dignity Forum, the workshop included participation of different non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), journalists, lawyers, human rights activists, students, teachers and local government representatives from Sunamganj, Hobiganj, Moulavi Bazar and Sylhet districts of the division.

The workshop concluded with the formation of Sylhet Metropolitan Convening Committee of Bangladesh Dignity Forum. Journalist Mr. Al-Azad, who is also the Vice-Chairman of SARC Environmental Journalists’ Forum, Bangladesh, was chosen as the Convener.

 

Rangpur Divisional Workshop on “Establishing the Right to Dignity for All”

Bangladesh Dignity Forum, Civic Bangladesh organized a divisional workshop entitled “Establishing the Right to Dignity For All” on 9 May 2010 in Rotary Club Center in Rangpur metropolitan city in cooperation with Pairaband Janakalyan Unnayan Sanstha, Rangpur and Association for Community and Agricultural Development (ACAD), Lalmonirhat.

Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh and also General Secretary, Bangladesh Dignity Forum, keynoted the workshop. NGO activists, social workers, academics, lawyers, physicians, journalists, political leaders and retired government officials from the Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Nilphamari, and Kurigram districts of Rangpur division took part in the workshop.

The organizations represented to the workshop include RDRS Bangladesh, SUJON, The Hunger Project, ACAD, Begum Rokeya Bangladesh, Pairaband Janakalyan Sangstha, Bondhon, PAUP, ASA, Begum Rokeya Smriti Sangsad, RPDO, VDRS, Upama Palli Unnayan Sangstha, Manabadhikar Bureau, Debi Chowdhurani Palli Unnayan Kendra, Monoswita Mahila Unnayan Sangstha, CRDC, PUS, Uddam Sangstha, CASPER, Integrated Rural Development Foundation (IRDF), and so on.

Chaired by Engineer Musbah Alim, Chairperson, Bangladesh Dignity Forum and Executive Director, Catalyst; the workshop was moderated by Mr. Md. Ahsan Habib Rabu, journalist and Executive Member, ACAD.

Rajshahi Divisional Workshop on “Establishing the Right to Dignity for All”

Bangladesh Dignity Forum, Civic Bangladesh organized a divisional workshop entitled “Establishing the Right to Dignity For All” on 8 May 2010 in the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB) in Rajshahi metropolitan city in cooperation with DAFF – Bangladesh and Catalyst.

Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh and also General Secretary, Bangladesh Dignity Forum, keynoted the workshop. Individuals, NGO activists, social workers, academics, lawyers, engineers, physicians, journalists and retired government officials from Sirajganj, Pabna, Natore, Bogra, Joypurhat, Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapai Nawabganj districts of Rajshahi division took part in the workshop.

The organizations represented to the workshop include STAR, PWD, BUS, PMKS, AUS, Chetona, Protyasha, BOS, DAFF - Bangladesh, Society of Fine Arts, PKSS, PMUS, RUET, Jatiya Mahila Sangstha, ABIK, SDP, Kabius, Sanwar Foundation, and so on.

Chaired by Engineer Musbah Alim, Chairperson, Bangladesh Dignity Forum and Executive Director, Catalyst; the workshop was moderated by Mr. Sadequl Islam, Treasurer, Bangladesh Dignity Forum and also Executive Director, DAFF – Bangladesh.

Mayday Seminar on “Dignity and Rights of Migrant Workers”

Photo shows (from left) Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh and General Secretary, Bangladesh Dignity Forum; Ms. Hasina A. Inam, Chief Functionary, DanChurchAid (DCA) – Bangladesh; Mr. Mustak Hassan Md. Iftekhar, Director-General, NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB), Prime Minister’s Office; Dr. Zafar Ahmed Khan, Secretary, Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Mr. Mohammad Bashir, Member, BAIRA; Mr. Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman, WARBE Development Foundation; and Ms. Lily Jahan, President, BOMSA.

Bangladesh Ovibashi Mahila Shramik Association (BOMSA), Civic Bangladesh and WARBE Development Foundation jointly organized a seminar entitled “Dignity and Rights of Migrant Workers” on the occasion of Mayday 2010 in the VIP Lounge of National Press Club, Dhaka.

Sponsored by European Commission (EC) and DanChurchAid (DCA), the seminar was keynoted by Ms Sumaiya Islam, Director, BOMSA, and Vice-Chairperson, Bangladesh Dignity Forum; and Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh, and General Secretary, Bangladesh Dignity Forum.

Dr. Nurul Islam, Director, BMET; Mr. Kazi Abul Kalam, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment; Advocate Adilur Rhman Khan, Odhikar; and former Ambassador Ms. Nasim Firdaus, Executive Director, Bangladesh Alliance for Women Leadership took part as guest speakers in the discussion on the keynote papers.

Among those who also took part in the discussion were Engineer Ms. Musbah Alim, Executive Director, Catalyst and Chairperson, Bangladesh Dignity Forum; Mr. Sadequl Islam, Executive Director, DAFF – Bangladesh and Treasurer, Bangladesh Dignity Forum; and Dr. Anisuzzaman, Assistant Professor, Gono University, and Executive Member, Bangladesh Dignity Forum.

The seminar was addressed by Mr. Mustak Hassan Md. Iftekhar, Director-General, NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB), Prime Minister’s Office; Mr. Syed Saiful Haque, Chairman, WARBE Development Foundation; and Mr. Mohammad Bashir, Member, BAIRA.

Chaired and moderated by Ms. Hasina A. Inam, Chief Functionary, DCA – Bangladesh; the event was addressed by its chief guest Dr. Zafar Ahmed Khan, Secretary, Ministry of Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh.

The discussion was covered by the print and electronic media including Boishakhi Television, Ekushe Television (ETV), and ATN Bangla Television.

 

Seminar on “Bangladesh Leading the World: Dignity and Destiny in the 21^st Century”

Civic Bangladesh organized a seminar entitled “Bangladesh Leading the World: Dignity and Destiny in the 21^st Century” on 03 February 2010 in the VIP Lounge of Jatiya Press Club, Dhaka. The seminar was keynoted by Dr. Pamela A. Gerloff, coauthor, “Dignity for All”, and Founder and President, Compelling Vision; and attended by Barrister Tania Amir, Lawyer, The Supreme Court of Bangladesh; as the special guest.

Professor Shafiullah Sarker, Executive Director, Climate Concern Foundation (CCF); Engineer Musbah Alim, Executive Director, Catalyst; Mr. Mozid Mahmud, Executive Director, OSACA; and Dr. Anisuzzaman, Assistant Professor, Gono University; took part in the panel discussion.

Among the participants were Professor Mozibor Rahman Bhuiyan, formerly Chairman, Jessore Education Board; Dr. Md. Ataur Rahman, Controller-in-Charge, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University; Dr. M. Ameerul Islam, formerly Director-General, Bangladesh Jute Research Institute; Professor Harunar Rashid, formerly Vice-Principal, Poet Nazrul Islam Government College, Dhaka; Dr. Golam Mostafa, Child Specialist; Mr. Ashutosh Dey, Disaster Risk Reduction Project Manager, HI; Mr. Harunur Rashid, Chairman, Coalition of Local NGOs in Bangladesh (CLNB); Mr. Md. Jahangir Chowdhury, Executive Director, Pairabond Jono-Kallan Unnayon Sangstha (Begum Rokeya Smrity); Mr. Dewan Abu Wasek, Director, DSC; Mr. Abdul Awal Miah, Deputy General Manager, Small & Medium Enterprise Foundation (SMEF); Ms. Nasreen Sultana (Ashoka Fellow), Executive Director, Jano Seba Kendra; Ms. Samsun Nahar (Mili), Executive Director, Jago Nari Progati Sangstha (JNPS); Mr. Sadequl Islam, Executive Director, DAFF-Bangladesh; Ms. Tania Azad, Executive Director, Barendra Unnayan Sangstha; Mr. ASM Monwarul Islam, Operative Director, Aftab Bahumukhi Farms Ltd; Mr. Swapan Kumer Kundu, Senior Newsroom Editor, Ekushe Television; Mr. Mohammad Nadim, Sub-Editor, The daily Ittefaq; Mrs Kamrunnahar, Senior Program Coordinator, Proshika; Mr. Faisal Bin Majid, Coordinator, Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha (BNPS); and Mr. Abdullah Al Mamun Dipu, Program Officer, Civic Bangladesh.

Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh; and General Secretary, Bangladesh Dignity Forum, moderated the seminar.

Launch of “Sabar Jonno Marjada” (“Dignity for All”)

Civic Bangladesh organized the launch of a book entitled “Sabar Jonno Marjada: Padomarjadabadmukta Bishwa Gorhe Tolar Upay” on 02 February 2010 at the National Book Fair in Bangla Academy, Dhaka. Translated into Bengali by Mr. Bayezid Dawla and published by Civic Bangladesh, the book was launched by Dr. Pamela A. Gerloff who

co-authored the original book entitled “Dignity for All: How to Create a World Without Rankism”, with Robert W. Fuller. The launch was attended by Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, Vice-Chancellor, University of Dhaka, as the chief guest; and Professor Dr. Khondokar Bazlul Haque, President, Dhaka University Teachers’ Association (DUTA), as the special guest. Translator of the book, Mr. Bayezid Dawla, who is also the Executive Director of Civic Bangladesh, spoke on the occasion.

Open-air Grassroots Meeting at Bhangura, Pabna

Civic Bangladesh organized an open-air meeting with local civil society members including college and school teachers, students, peasants, businessmen, social and political activists on 05 February 2010 at Bhangura in the district of Pabna.

Presided over by Mr. Bayezid Dawla and keynoted by Dr. Pamela Gerloff, the meeting was attended by Mr. Mokbul Hossain, MP as the chief guest; and Mr. Baki Billah, Chairman, Bhangura Upazila Parishad as the special guest.

Conducted by Mr. Md. Monowar Hossain Chowdhury Shaheen, Lecturer in Management, Chatmohar Women's Degree College; the meeting was addressed among others by Engineer Zahangir Alam, Professor Ishaque Ali, Mr. Afzal Uddin, Mr. Swapan Kumer Kundu, Mr. Asibur Rahman Bablu, Mr. Subrata Kumar, and Mr. Abdul Latif.

Meeting with Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor

Dr. Pamela A. Gerloff and Mr. Bayezid Dawla met Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, Vice-Chancellor, University of Dhaka in the latter’s office on the university campus on 31 January 2010, and exchanged ideas and information about promoting the dignity-for-all campaign. The Vice-Chancellor reiterated his commitment to supporting the initiative taken by Civic Bangladesh for creating a model of dignity in Bangladesh that could be replicated in other countries of the world. Voice of America (VOA) International Radio Broadcaster Mr. Anis Ahmed was also present during the meeting.

Meeting with Director-General, Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy

Director-General of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy Mr. Kamal Lohani hosted a meeting with Dr. Pamela Gerloff and Mr. Bayezid Dawla on 01 February 2010 his office in Dhaka. The meeting discussed the areas of cooperation between Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy and Civic Bangladesh in promoting a culture of dignity in Bangladesh. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Mahiuddin Bhuiyan, Program Officer (Communication), Civic Bangladesh.

Meeting with Director-General, Directorate of Primary Education

Director-General of the Directorate of Primary Education Mr. Shyamol Kanti Ghosh, who is also Additional Secretary to the Government of Bangladesh, hosted a meeting with Dr. Pamela A. Gerloff on 31January 2010 in the directorate at Mirpur, Dhaka. The meeting discussed the probable areas of cooperation in the field of education by using the model of Nobel Laureate Poet Rabindranath Tagore. Mr. Ghosh committed necessary support for experimenting with a new education model proposed by Dr. Gerloff. The meeting was also attended by Mr. Bayezid Dawla Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh.

Meeting on Strengthening the Capacity of Bangladesh Dignity Forum

Mr. Bayezid Dawla and Dr. Pamela Gerloff met Barrister Amirul Islam, who wrote the principles of dignity, justice and freedom into the Constitution of Bangladesh ratified in 1972, and Barrister Tania Amir on 03 February 2010. The meeting held at The Law Associates in Dhaka discussed strategies to strengthen Bangladesh Dignity Forum, enhance institutional capacity, and extend its operation to develop a countrywide dignity movement. Barrister Amirul Islam and Barrister Tania Amir committed support to building the capacity of the Forum.

Bangladesh Dignity Forum Accords Reception to Dr. Pamela A. Gerloff

Bangladesh Dignity Forum accorded a reception to Dr. Pamela A. Gerloff in the evening of 31 January 2010 in its secretariat at Civic Bangladesh.

General Secretary of the Forum Mr. Bayezid Dawla who hosted the gathering facilitated informal interactions between the Forum members and Dr. Gerloff. Noted TV artiste Mr. Moloy Chaki sang a number of melodious songs for Dr. Gerloff and the Forum members.

Among the Forum members who attended the reception and cultural evening were Professor Shafiullah Sarkar, Mr. Rafiqul Islam, Ms. Sumaiya Islam, Mr. Dewan A. Wasek, Mr. Abdul Awal Miah, Engineer Musbah Alim, Mrs Kamrunnahar, Mr. Ghulam Kibria, Syeda Sharmima Sultana, Dr. Anisuzzaman, Mr. Kamruzzaman Sagar, Ms. Sharmin Shahrin Ruby, Ms. Hosneara Lovely, Mr. Abdullah-Al-Mamun Dipu, Mr. Mahiuddin Bhuiyan, Ms. Ulfatun Naima, and Mr. Huzzatullah Nawab. Forum members Ms. Asma Aktar Mukta, Executive Director, Racine; and Mr. Mokbul Hossain, Program Manager, Racine; made a courtesy visit to Dr. Gerloff at Civic Bangladesh.

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 Conference on Human Dignity, Democracy and Development

From left: Professor Claire Sheridan, USA; Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh; Mr. AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, Mayor, Rajshahi City Corporation; Dr. Robert W. Fuller, Author, “All Rise”; Ambassador Wali-ur Rahman, former Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; and former Deputy Speaker of Parliament Professor Ali Ashraf MP

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.

Author of “All Rise” Dr. Robert W. Fuller keynoting the conference

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.