Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)-linked policies can help tackle the challenges posted from inadequate communication infrastructure, lack of crop protection dams during floods, inadequate number of teachers in educational institutions, haor land management, limited access of fishermen community in water bodies, seasonal unemployment and lack of access to educational institutions during monsoon period in the Kishoreganj district. Producing renewable energy from biogas, duck rearing and cheese production are the most potential sectors on this region. Thus, local authorities (LA) and local government (LG) representatives need to work along with Community-based Organizations (CBOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to address these challenges and utilise the potentials of this region for its development. Linking government policies with SDGs to tackle these local level challenges promises a quality growth that benefits all.
These came up from Workshop with Local Authorities and Local Government representatives on SDG-linked policies and programs, organised by Oxfam, Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and People’s Oriented Program Implementation (POPI) on 26 November 2018 in DC Office Circuit House Hall Room, Kishoreganj. This was a part of series of workshops carried out across Bangladesh under the European Union’s funded project, Enhancing the Participation of Community-based Organizations (CBOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Democratic Governance in Bangladesh and being executed by Oxfam and CPD.
The purpose of these local level workshops is to ensure the capacity building of CBOs, LAs and LGs on the development issues in Bangladesh. By doing so, the project aims to ensure a participatory action to ensure inclusive development. This bottom-up approach is taken so that the voice of the grassroots can be taken from the LAs and LGs to the central policymakers. The demands of the grassroots will be advocated through CBOs; and CSOs will help in capacity building of these CBOs, LAs and LGs by sharing knowledge. Thus, ensuring democratic governance in Bangladesh through participation of the mass and a development process where no one is left behind.
Mr Mostafa Amir Sabbih, Senior Research Associate, CPD, made a presentation at the event. The LA and LG representatives present at the workshop took the discussion points into consideration and pledged to address the challenges.
Alongside LA and LG representatives, local media, development and youth organisations were also present at the event.
Leave A Comment