Political Economy of Bali Climate Conference:
A Roadmap of Climate Commercialization
CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT AND DISASTER VULNERABILITIES IN THE
COASTAL AREAS OF BANGLADESH
Building People’s Agenda on ODA Accountability: Bangladesh Perspective Drowning with Debt or Development
ADB in Bangladesh: Who losses who gains
Our Planning Our Sovereignty; A Review of PRSP impact in Bangladesh
Office hosted by:
20 June 2009: Human Chain
International Refugee Day - 2009 Observed
EquityBD urged international commitment and justice to combat forced displacement caused by climate change
20 June 2009: Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) organized a human chain in front of National Press Club, Dhaka while they demanded long term planning to save coastal areas and its polulation from weather extreme events and forced displacement.
20 June 2009, on the day of World Refugee Day , EquityBD argued that the current mandate of UNHCR on refugees’ covers only individual who flee their countries because of state-led persecution based on race, religion, political opinion, or ethnicity. The mandate of the UN Refugee Convention does neither cover nor comply the core characteristics of the climate change induced migrants crisis. Considering the notion of justice to the climate change induced migrants and also taking into consideration the article 13 of the 1948 Declaration of Human Right, the international community and especially the United Nations must ensure protection of the forced migrants-the speaker argued. In line with the HR declaration and equity principle of UNFCCC, the speakers demanded a separate, independent legal and political regime under a Protocol to safeguard the ‘climate change induced migrants ’. This protocol could be drawn on widely agreed principles such as common but differentiated responsibilities of the country Parties. In this regard, the climate change induced migrants must be treated as permanent immigrants to the regions or countries that accept them.
Testimony and right of climate refugee: “Give recognition and pay compensation as ecological debt”
EquityBD demands new legal Protocol under the UN for Climate Change Induced Forced Migrants
19 June 2009: Prior to the World Refugee Day, 20 June 2009, Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) demanded a new legal Protocol under the United Nations for social and economic rehabilitation of the climate change indued forced migrants. The speakers claimed this demand in a press conference at the Reporter’s Unity, Dhaka. Md Shamsuddoha, General Secretary of EquityBD said that that the greatest single impact of climate change might be on human migration. He said, by 2050 the disruptions of monsoon systems and other rainfall regimes, droughts, sea level rise and coastal flooding would cause forced displacement of many as 200 million people globally while in Bnagladesh this figure would reach to 30 million. It would mean that by 2050 one in every 7 people in Bangladesh would have been displaced by climate change. Although the world is predicting the future floods of the climate change induced forced migrants but, still, no policy measures have taken yet to safeguard them; even there is no specific terms and concepts of referring these climate change induced migrants. In this press conference two forced migrants, Md Abdul Khaleque and Mariam Begum from the Bhola Island, described how they forced to flee to the urban slum after losing their all belongings into the sea. Mariam Begum along with her 5 daughters forced to flee to the Shekertek Slum area from Daulatkhan, Bhola. She constantly facing insecurity about her grown-up daughters as there is no rule of law for the poor; as there is no rule of law for the slum people.
Among others, Mostofa Kamal Akhand, Sanat K. Bhowmik and Abdur Rahman of EquityBD were present in the press conference.
Budget ignored justified and equitable distribution of resources among the poor
No reflection of long term development strategies in Budget 2009-2010: deficit in projected revenue income may reach to 15 percent
13 June 2009: Budget 2009-2010 ignores long term development strategies, poverty reduction and local level employment creation- speakers said in a press conference held in National Press Club. Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh ( EquityBD), an alliance of rights based NGOs in Bangladesh organized this post- budget press conference while they criticized government proposal for widening scope of private sector intervention in public service sectors like health, education, communication etc. Although the proposed budget has been said as pro-poor but it’s grossly a charity approach. Increasingly more allocation in social safety nets programs will foster poverty rather poverty reduction, says the key note speaker, Syed Aminul Haque, member of EquityBD.
The conference was moderated by Mostofa Kamal Akhand, member of EquityBD. while Md. Shamuddoha, Sanat K. Bhowmik and Sahadat Islam Chowdhury Mintu from EquityBD among others were present in the press conference..
12 June 2008: Human chain in front of National Press club Dhaka
Protesting involvement of WB in the management of MDTF
Cancel Illegitame Involvement of WB in Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) for Climate Change in Bangladesh
Dhaka 12 June 2009: Today Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) organized a human chain in front of National Press Club protesting involvement of World Bank in the management of Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) for the climate change adptation in Bangladesh.
The 'Draft Concept Note' on the management and operational modalities of the MDTF proposed WB to administer, manage, supervise and monitor MDTF funded projects. As host of the MDTF, the WB will charge a fee of USD 8 million to recover all direct and indirect costs. Aside with the role of fund management, the WB will execute part of the MDTF; such a dual role of the Bank will create unlawfull space for the Bank to influence over the project design and approval.
Around hundreds of people participated in the protest and chanted slogans to stop WB involvement over the MDTF.
Need long term plan to protect coastal areas from frequent disasters
No more relief, initiate food or cash for work in Aila affected areas
Dhaka, 3rd June 2009: Based on first seven days of cyclone Aila relief work experiences EquityBD and COAST jointly organized a press conference titled “ Need to change mind set and long term planning in disaster risk reduction” in Dhaka Reporters Unity, today. They urged the government and other agencies to stop relief work immediately. They feel it is imperative to drain-out saline and dirty water form the ponds, reconstruction of roads, and cleaning of environment, which should be done through food / cash for work. Due to the prolong relief activities caused lack of labours in the locality, everybody running after relief, long term relief work would develop no work mentality among the people.
Rezaul K Chowdhury, Md. Shamuddoha, Mostafa Kamal Akanda, Sayed Aminul Haque and Sahadat Islam Chowdhury from EquityBD and COAST among others were present in the press conference.
Long term development philosophy and reform in national budget process in necessary for poverty reduction.
16th May 2009: Today speakers in a seminar urged government to set up long term development philosophy along with effective reform in national budget making process. Equity and Justice Working Group, Bangladesh (EquityBD) organized this seminar titled “Our learning from global crisis, long term development philosophy and reform of national budget process” at CIRDAP auditorium, Dhaka.
Dr. Tofael Ahmed and Rezaul Karim Chowdhury (Equitybd) moderated the seminar while Syed Aminul Hoque of Equitybd and Asjadul Kibria of Bangladesh Economic Association presented the key note paper.
In the seminar professor Dr. Abu Ahmed said that government should not go for deficit budget more than 2-3% of GDP. He said that once IMF and WB advised Pakistan in making deficit budget more than 5% of GDP which made the country highly indebted to the IFIs. He also recommend to the government to avoid IMF, WB credit and prepare a small and logical budget considering the domestic resource availability
Mr. Lt. Col Mahabubur Rahaman (Rtd) and Shamsuzzaman Dudu, policy maker Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Mr. Abdur Razzak, secretary of planning commission, Awami League lawmaker and parliament member Shawkot Momen Shahjahan and Monoranjan Shil Gopal took part in the discussion. Among others, Badrul Alam of Bangladesh Krishak Federation, Zaed Iqbal Khan of Krishak Federation, Ahmed Swapon Mahmud of Voicee, Abul Hossain of Textile Worker’s Federation spoke in the seminar.
25 Mayl 2009: A press conference at the National Press Club
EquityBD demanded dropping donor darling consultants from the committee
Prepare Climate Action Plan in transparent and participatory process
Dhaka 25th April 2009: Today Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (equitybd), has organized a press conference in national press club while they criticized inclusion of same donor darling consultants in the preparation of new ‘Climate Action Plan for Bangladesh’, who also were involved in the preparation of previous one that the government recently abandoned. The organizers claimed that the consultants, who were involved in the preparation of DFID guided ‘Climate Action Plan’ for the country in 2009, should not be included again in the new ‘Expert Committee’ as they serve donor interest and promote donor agenda. This is to mention that the previous Action Plan was opposed by most of local civil society groups and finally government has abandoned, saying that was poorly done. EquityBD hailed the government decision on cancellation. EquityBD demanded that the new plan should be prepared in transparent and participatory process.
The press conference was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury; statement read out by Shamsuddoha, Mostafa Kamal Akanda and Atiqul Islam Chowdhury also took part in the discussion.
07 April 2009: Press Statement on Upazilla Parishad Bill, 2009
Keep Upazilla Parishad out of Parliamentarian’s Interference
In a Press Statement on 07 April 2009, Equity and Justice Working Group, Bangladesh (Equitybd) disapproved the Upazila Parishad(Repealed Act Re-Introduction and Amendment) Bill 2009 that makesUpazila Chairmen obligatory to consult member of parliaments in their constituencies in the finalization of development plans. This bill also makes bound the Chairmen of the Upazilla Parishads to consult with the parliamentarian before contacting to the government departments and ministries for any affair.
On 6th April’ 09, The National Parliament of Bangladesh (Jatiya Sangsad) unanimously passed this squalid Upazila Parishad bill that also gives the parliamentarians sweeping authority over Upazila Parishads in their constituencies. The bill is designed to keep Upazila Parishad chairmen under control of the members of the parliament. Equitybd assumes that this law will destroy the local governance system and affect the autonomy of the local government institutions. For details of the statement on Upazilla Parishad(Repealed Act Re-Introduction and Amendment) Bill 2009 please follow the link
04 April 2009: A press conference at the National Press Club
Require a New Global Protocol to Recognize Climate Refugees as Universal Natural Person
Global Call to Treat Climate Refugees as Universal Natural Person
04 April 2009: Today in a press conference held in National Press Club Equitybd, a forum of NGO/CSOs in Bangladesh launched a global campaign calling the global leaders, including the United Nations, to treat climate change-induced migrants as the Universal Natural Persons. They mentioned that, the major impact of climate change would be human migration and poor people, who are no way responsible for this crisis, will be forced to be migrated. In Bangladesh around 22 million people would be displaced by 2050 due to climate change related factors by 2050, says a World Bank report in 2005. As the Developed countries are largely responsible for historical accumulation of Green House Gases and, thus responsible for climate catastrophes, so they must accept the responsibility of rehabilitating climate refugees. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, convener Equitybd, moderated the press conference, while Md Shamsuddoha of Equitybd presented the key-note paper. Among others, Shahadat Islam Chowdhury and Mostafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD were present in the press conference.
21st February teaches us to be Independent While WB & IMF Make Us Dependent and Chain under Neo Colonialism
21st February 2009: Dhaka. Today the Equity and Justice Working Group (EquityBD) brought out a rally to pay respect to the martyrs of the International Mother Language Day, during 1952 in this day students of East Bengal (the then East Pakistan) lied their life in fighting against colonial rulers the then Pakistani regime to establish the right to have our mother language Bengali as state language. In fact this was first struggle sowed the seeds of liberation movement which gradually turned Bangladesh as an independent country after nine month of bloody liberation war during 1971.
20 February 2009: A seminar held at the National Press Club
Govt. urged not to allow MP’s meddling in Upazilla (Sub district) activities
Call to ratify local govt. commission ordinance
Today 20th February, 2009: A seminar is held at national press club Dhaka addressing the issue of ratification of Local Government Commission ordinance made by last care taker government.
Addressing this issue, different prominent economist, politician and local government specialist made their comments and urged to the new government to ratify and further strengthen the Local Government Commission for sake of country’s development and poverty reduction.
The local government specialist Dr. Salauddin. M. Aminuzzaman professor Dhaka University has said that the local government is heart of the nation for development and there is no place in worldwide where development was possible without strengthening of local government.
Among the participants the chief whip of opposition in parliament Mr. Joynal Abedin Faroque, Rizvi Ahmed from BNP and Professor Abu Ahmed (Dhaka University) and different CSO leaders have made their comments on strengthening local government commission to the government.
The seminar is moderated by A.H.M Bazlur Rahaman form EquityBD and Mr. Mostafa Kamal Akand has given the welcome address and Md. Shamsuddoha presented the key note paper on the issue.
15 February 2009: A press conference at the National Press Club
Civil society urged government, not to involve MPs in local government
Keep Local Government Commission and Respect Your Commitment
Dhaka 15th February 2009: EquityBD and 17 other NGOs and CSOs to day organized a press conference and urged the government to ratify the local government commission ordinance which was passed by the then care taker government, they also urged the government not to rectify / amend the upazila ordinance which has no provision of advisory role of MPs. They shown different pages of past local government review committee report, that both during the time of Awami League and BNP proposed to have local government commission.
The press conference was attended by 17 organizations, which include COAST, BNNRC, RUPANTOR, EquityBD, Prodip, Borosa, SDO, Gram Bikash Kendra, Action in Bangladesh, VDC, Shaplaful, RIO, Prottashi and others. Speakers are Mustafa Kamal Akanda, Md. Shamuddoha and Sahadat Islam Chowdhury Minto, while the statement was read out by AHM Bazlur Rahmain of BNNRC and moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of COAST.
08 February 2009: A press conference at the National Press Club
Government should not sale out its freedom, role of governance to the IFIs
08 February 2009: Today Equity and Justice Working Group ( EquityBd) organized a press conference at the National Press Club while they asked the government to develop people friendly national budget ignoring the domination and instructions of the World Bank, IMF and ADB. They asked the government to give more emphasis on internal revenue generation, domestic production and employment creation so that government could reduce its dependency on external financial sources to invest in Annual Development Programme. EquityBd organized this press conference ahead of time to the visit of World Bank delegation to Dhaka who is supposed to instruct government in the preparation midterm budget framework. Mr Mustafa Kamal Akanda, member EquityBd, read-out the written statement before the press people, while Md Shamsuddoha, Syed Aminul Hoque and Shahadat Islam Chowdhury took part in the discussion.
Interview with NTV on Election monitoring; Given by Convener EquityBD
"Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of COAST Trust and EquityBD has given an interview on election observation, Election Commission and Role of Local Observer in NTV 3rd January 8.25 am, see the video clip. Please note that, COAST has done social mobilization during election and deployed around 5,000 local observer in the coastal district of Coxsbazar and Bhola as a part of Election Working Group (www.ewgbd.org) facilitated by The Asia Foundation. Details of COAST election mobilization activities will be found in www.coastbd.org."
21 Dcember 2008: A press conference on MDTF campaign
Application with 1000 signatures from countries and abroad and 3000 post cards is being sent to Chief Advisor Dr. Fakruddin Ahmed and UK Minister Alexander Douglas
World Bank Involvement in Climate Financing Opposed: Stress Political Participation
Dhaka 21st December 2008. Today through organizing a press conference at National Press Club, Dhaka, Equity and Justice Working Group (equitybd) has concluded its three month long campaign on sensitizing political and CSOs opinion against the involvement of the World Bank in the management of proposed Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) for climate change adaptation in Bangladesh. The campaign progaramme includes sending post cards from the grassroots level to the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh and UK Minster, organizing seminars in district and national level to sensitize CSOs and political opinion against WB involvement in the management of climate fund. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, convener EquityBD moderated the press conference while Md. Shamsuddoha presented the background paper and campaign outcomes. In this press conference the organizers claimed that they mobilized a number of international CSO organizations and think tanks in favor of their position who also organized huge campaign activities in Poznan, CoP 14 (conference of the parties) climate conference against WB’s involvement in climate financing.
amang other AHM Bazlur Rahman of EquityBD and Quazi Farooque explained the campaign procedure while Mostafa Kamal Akanda delivered the welcome address.
Please SIGN on to an open letter to be send to the Govt. of UK and Bangladesh
Clickhere to read the open letter to Chief Adviser to the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and the Secretsfary of State for International Development, United Kingdom, requesting them not to involve World Bank in Multi Donor Trust Fund on Climate Change and extend time line for preparation of climate change strategy and action plan.
If you want to sign the letter directly clickhere. For frequently asked question on the MDTF and campaign you can clickhere too.
District level seminar on MDTF
Shatkira district
Urged Sovereignty in Climate Fund
Today, 30th November 2008, A seminar titled “Climate Change Impact and Sovereignty in Climate Fund Management” organized by BARSA at officer’s club, shatkira where Mr. Ashit Kumar Mozumder (Ex-principal of Shatkira govt. college) chaired the seminar.
Mr. Dr. Aftabuzaman (Ex- state minister) who was present as the chief guest, has mentioned in his speech; it is a diplomatic conspiracy of WB to involvement in the management of Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) which is going to be established by December 2008 to support/finance adaptation projects to cope with the climate change impacts. He also protested the creation of MDTF in a non-transparent way and involvement of WB in its management will make us to bind in their unethical conditionalaties. The seminar urged both the UK and Bangladesh governments to reconsider their position in proposing managerial role to WB. They wanted a sovereign role of the government of Bangladesh in the management of MTDF with its own initiative.
Amang others, Mr. Azaher Hossin(Member of FBCCI), Advocate Shamsuddoha Babul, Sheikh Abu Nasim Moyena, Kamrul Islam Faruk, and Mostufa Kamal Akhand of Equitybd, Asraf Ali , Abu Ahmmed, advocate Shahanaj Parvin Mili, Councilor Shafiq-uddullah sagar, Farida Akter Beauty, Altaf Hossen, Abdul Wadud took part in the seminar.
The seminar was moderated by Md. Nazmul Alam Munna (Coordinator- BARSA) and Operash Pal, (ED-Bangladesh Vision)
19 November 2008: A seminar held in national press club
Country position on Doha UNFFD conference should be made public
Shun Aid Dependency; Stress Domestic Resource Based Economy
Dhaka, 19th November 2008: Today in a seminar organized by EquityBD held in national press club, titled “Doha Conference on Development Financing: Reproduction of Poverty in Bangladesh and Demand for Compensation’ speakers inquired this interim government to declare country position in terms of development financing in public in the upcoming United Nations Finance for Development (UNFFD) conference to be held in Doha during 29th Nov – 2nd Dec 2008. They requested the Finance Minister not to take the position in line with the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Speakers also urged the politicians and bureaucrats to come out from the dependency on foreign aid, and give concern in the mobilization of domestic resources.
EquityBD convenor Rezaul Karim Chowdhury moderated the seminar while Md. Shamsuddoha, Secretary General of the organization reviewed the outcomes of Monterrey Consensus, the 1st World Conference of Development Financing, and highlighted the expectation from the Doha conference.
Among others, Professor Dr. Abu Ahmed, Sapatahiki Editor Golam Mortaza, BSS Editor Joglul Ahmed Chowdhury, Ex MP Sahiduzaman and Shamsuzzaman Dudu, Ex Ambassador aliur Rahman, Journalist Farooque Ahmed, AHM Bazlur Rahaman, Mostafa Kamal Akanda took part in the discussion. Md. Shamsuddoha, in his presentation, urged that Bangladesh require innovative financing instruments as the country is facing climate change risk and the Finance Minister who will lead the country delegation in Doha conference should demand SIDR cyclone and climate change compensation. He also inquired government position in asking reform of World Bank and International Monetary Fund, debt cancellation and reparation of historical exploitation.
16 November 2008: A press conference at Reporters unity, Dhaka
Market freedom responsible for climate crisi
EquityBd Demanded Democratic Reform in Global Finance Governance
16th November 2008. Today Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (equitybd) organized a press conference in Dhaka Reporter Unity, while they condemn US initiative for convening G7 and G 20 conference in Washington to rebuild and strengthen the World Bank and IMF aftermath of the global financial crisis. Speakers in the press conference claimed that the present financial crisis of the recent days in the result of unlimited market freedom and greed for profit which has been instigated by the IFI’s investment and its flawed development paradigm. Hence, the US and G 20 initiative to rescue the IFIs again will accelerate crisis.
There is an initiative for reform to the global financial governance by the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, who formed a committee headed by prominent economist Joseph Stiglitz, but US President George W Bush convened the meeting bypassing the UN chief’s initiative, the organizers said. They mentioned G 7 and G 20 imitative as ill perceived approach, which is just to save World Bank and IMF, the promoters of blanket privatization and liberalization. Speakers demanded participation of all the UN members, especially civil society from developing countries, in the reform of the global financial governance; they also demanded to bring World Bank and IMF under UN control.
About one-year of the cyclone SIDR, that devastated the coastal region of the country, the speakers said SIDR is the result of climate change impact and it caused damage of 1.7 billion dollars but the country has received only 350 million dollar, which is only reparation of 20.5 percent of the total damages. They demanded compensation as ecological debt from the developed country like USA and EU and also from the advanced developing countries who are responsible for climate crisis.
Among others, members of Equity and Justice Working Group Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Mostafa Kamal Akanda, Md. Shamsuddoha, AHM Bazlur Rahman, Sahadat Islam Chowdhury spoke in the press conference.
08 November 2008: A press conference at Reporters unity, Dhaka
campaign against the involvement of World Bank in the management of Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF)
Launching Country wide Campaign to Protest WB Involvement in Climate Change Fund Management
08 November 2008: Today Equity and Justice Working Group and 25 other NGOs/CSOs organization lunched country wide campaign against the involvement of World Bank in the management of Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF). This NGO alliance declared its campaign activities through organizing a press conference at the Reporter’s Unity, Dhaka, which include seminar in all 64 districts, post card sending to the Chief Adviser to the Government of Bangladesh and also to Mr Doglus Alexander, MP, UK. Md Shamsuddoha of EquityBd, presented the campaign plan while Mustafa Kmal Akand moderated the conference.
Click on the link to view the press conference photos
03 November 2008: A press conference at Reporters unity, Dhaka
EquityBD urges Political Leaders to Play Sovereign Role in Country’s Economic Decision
Second PRSP would make country more indebted to the World Bank and IMF
Dhaka 3rd November 2008: Today, in a press conference held in Dhaka Reporters Unity, Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (equitybd) urged political leaders to scrap PRSP process as this document has been prepared with the instruction of IMF. They urged political leaders to regain country’s sovereignty in economic decision which to be outlined in their forthcoming election manifesto; each of the political parties should describe their plan for poverty reduction, employment creation etc. in their election manifesto, the speaker argued. The press conference was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowhdury, Convener of the group, Sayed Aminul Haque while made the presentation. Besides, Md. Shamsuddoha, Mostafa Kamal Akanda and Sahadat Islam Chowdhury of EquityBd also participated in the press conference.
Dr. Tofail has selected as the member of Local Government Commission
File photo: Dr. Tofial meet with the then president Justice Sahabuddin during September 2000.
Dhaka, 22nd October 2008, 1700 hours. Dr. Tofail one of the founder trustee of the COAST trust and advisor of Equity and Justice Working Group (EquityBD) has been selected as a member of the country’s first local government commission, government of Bangladesh has declared the selection to day around 3 pm. Dr. Tofail is one of the founder and life member of COAST Trust, he was first Treasurer and 2nd Chairperson of its Board of Trustees and still holding the position of member. He did Ph.D from UK on Local Government; he was a professor of department of public administration in University of Chittagong. He is a relentless activist and associated with several civil society / non government organizations especially with advocacy related to local government. His works and full bio data is available in http://www.equitybd.org/English/Advisor/Adviser.html
15 October 2008: A Round table discussion at National Press Club, DHaka
To achive Food security and agricultural
development we need common political
commitment of the major parties
Dhaka 15 October 2008: Today EquityBD, in association with Media Foundation for Trade and development and Rupantar, organized a round table discussion on “Attaining Food Security under the Sprit of Food Sovereignty: Perspective SAARC Food bank & SAARC Agriculture policy 2020”. Speakers in the seminar argued the present concept of food security is a market-led approach; it does not recognize the sovereign rights of the small farmers over the agricultural practices. To ensure the food security, the interest of the small farmers should be protected, it requires political commitment; major parties should agreed in common political commitment on agricultural policy.
On the seminar former Parliamentarian and Agricultural secretary of Bangladesh Awami League Dr. Abdur Razzaque , former Parliamentarian and Agricultural secretary of Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) Samsuzzaman Dudu , Women leader Rokia Kobir, Former ambassador Waliur-Rahman, former parliamentarian Golum Habib Dulal of Jatio Party also present on the occasion.
Mr Rezaul Karim Chowdhury Convener EquityBD, Mustafa Kamal Akand and Faruk Ahmed of Media Foundation participate in the discussion. Member secretary of Equity and Justice Working Justice Md Shamsuddoha presented the keynote paper on the topic while Chief Executive of Rupantar Swapan Guha acted as moderator.
16 October 2008: At afternoon a Cultural program is organize by Rupantar, Prodip and EquityBD in font of National Parliament House. ( click on image to view in large)
11 October 2008: A Round table discussion at National Press Club, DHaka
Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) for Climate Change Adaptation and the role of World Bank
Dhaka 11 October 2008:Today the Equity &Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) organized a round table discussion on “Multi Donor Trust Fund for Climate Change Adaptation and the role of World Bank " at National Press Club , Dhaka. Md Shamsuddoha ,General Secretary of EquityBD, presented the keynote paper while Dr Tofail Ahmed moderated the seminar. Among others, ex-Finace Minister of the government of Bangladesh Abul Mal Al Muhit, Former lawmaker engineer Md Shahiduzzaman, Ziaul Haque Mukta of Oxfam took part in the discussion and express thier views on the management of MDTF.
In the keynote presentation Md Shamsuddoha said , the formation of such a special fund for Bangladesh to adapt to the climate change will push the country out of the movement for the reduction of carbon emission and securing compensation from the developed countries which are the major polluters. He said all climate funding should be through the existing government channels, adding that there should not be any separate body like the World Bank for channeling the fund and overseeing the management of the fund. He called on the government not to take any fund given by the WB imposing tough conditions and regulations. The fund should be given as compensation, he added. The only principle of the fund should be ‘polluter pay and exploiter pay principle’, that is the developed countries which are responsible for climate change should pay compensations to the sufferer countries, he said.
Former finance minister Abul Mal Al Muhit said the risks of climate change could not be faced only by undertaking few projects, the matter should be underscored in all development plans and projects. “The representation of the people who are vulnerable to climate change should be included in fund management and developing the climate change strategy paper,” he added.
He further said that the stance of any government in the country should be published to the people in a White Paper before joining any inter-governmental or international conference in this regard.
Rejecting the ‘Climate Change Strategy and Action for Bangladesh’ of the government, Ziaul Haque said the strategy paper is a collection of proposals. It cannot be treated as an effective strategy to face climatic change as the government did not consult any concerned individuals before preparing the paper,’ he said. Tthe UK Bangladesh Conference on climate change reached a consensus that the polluter countries would reduce only 50 per cent of their total carbon emission by 2050, which is considered by the scientists insignificant.
He urged the government not to refer to this term in the next UN convention on climate change.
Local government specialist and Chittagong University Prof Dr Tofail Ahmed said climate change issue is now a matter of national existence. So, it should be underscored seriously.
12 September 2008: A Press conference at Reporters Unity, Dhaka
Equity BD protested the joint communiqué from UK Bangladesh conference and the Finance Adviser proposal for World Bank to manage multi donor trust fund
Interest of the Bangladeshi poor population has been sell out to build image of climate exploiter rich countries.
Dhaka 12 September 2008: Today the Equity &Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) organized a press conference on “ London Conference on Multi Donor Trust Fund and Climate Change " at Dhaka Reporters Unity, Dhaka.
Equity BD protested the joint communiqué from UK Bangladesh conference and the Finance Adviser proposal for World Bank to manage multi donor trust fund. Where Interest of the Bangladeshi poor population has been sell out to build image of rich climate exploiter rich countries.
In the press conference Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury Convener of EquityBD presented the key note paper while AHM Bazlur Rahaman moderated the session. Mr. Shahdat Islam Chowdhury , Mustofa Kamal took part in the discussion .
04 September 2008: A Press conference at Reporters Unity, Dhaka"
Protesting London Conference on Multi Donor Trust Fund and Climate Change
Dhaka04 September 2008: Today the Equity & Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) organized a press conference on “ London Conference on Multi DonorTrust Fund and Climate Change " at Dhaka Reporters Unity, Dhaka.
In the press conference Md Shamsuddoha Secretary General of EquityBD presented the key note paper while Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury Convener of EquityBD moderated the session. During the presentation, equityBD has protested the paper, biased to consultancies and physical infrastructure construction. EquyityBD has also mentioned that the paper has prepared in a very non transparent and in a little participatory process.
Equitybd has also placed five major demands, ie., (i) all climate funding should be through existing government and non government channels, their should not be any separate body for this, (ii) in channeling the fund there should not be any involvement of World Bank, IMF and ADB, we consider those international financial institutions are basically responsible for pauperization in our countries through their neo liberal conditionalitics, who are also responsible for climate catastrophic in our counties as still they fund climate harmful industries and projects, (iii) all climate funding should be based on Polluter / Exploiter Pay principles, not as charity or aid (iv) the funding must be additional to the GNI 0.7 % ODA commitment of developed countries, and (v) the conference must consider the matter of environmental refugees, according the World Bank report their will be 22 millions climate refugee in Bangladesh by the year 2050.
Among others, Mr. Shahdat Islam Chowdury , Mustofa Kamal, AHM Bazlur Rahaman of EquityBD participated in the press conference and took part in the discussion .
In Bangladesh, local people are feeling the heat of climate change. Once a 250 square kilometer island, Kutubdia has been reduced to just 37 square kilometers within a century and more than half of the population has been forced to leave. And it is not the only island put at risk by global warming.On this edition of 101 East, we ask if industrial countries should be held responsible for climate refugees.
Aljazeera reporting April 2009 “World first climate refugee”
Nicholas Haque basically tried look at the issues of climate refugee, the climate induced displaced people especially from the island of Kutubdia that the island is facing possible extinctions.
International Press Coverage on Climate Refugees
Mason Inman reporting January 2009 “Where warming hits hard”
Mason Inman a foreign journalist, visited all most all the coastal area of Bangladesh to see ground level impact, he also talked with expert and analyze scientific data on climate change. He reports on the impacts in ground level, adaptation from different views, including the demand for reparation and compensation. Please see the report title “Where warming hits hard..”
Click here to Listen
7th May: EJWG Convener Rezaul Karim Chowdhury termed the ADB’s climate fund which has announced in recently concluded Madrid meeting as a False Hope. He explained that as ADB’s 36 % project are failed and as it is giving importance to privatization and commercialization of people’s basic services in its 2020 policies, as the privatization and commercialization of the sectors has leaded climate catastrophes in past it will lead the same in future too.
He commented as above while he was interviewed in the Radio Deutsche Welle Bangla Service. He also commented on the present post SIDR rehabilitation activities and people’s awareness on cyclone in coastal areas of Bangladesh. Please listen this in web link.
Click here to Listen
An exclusive interview with BBC Bangla Service about effect of Climate Change in Bhola District
Position on RTI
Position paperof Equity and Justice Working Group (EquityBD) on draft Right to Information Act 2008.
organized a human chain in front of National Press Club, Dhaka while they demanded long term planning to save coastal areas and its polulation from weather extreme events and forced displacement. 
Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) demanded a new legal Protocol under the United Nations for social and economic rehabilitation of the climate change indued forced migrants. The speakers claimed this demand in a press conference at the Reporter’s Unity, Dhaka. Md Shamsuddoha, General Secretary of EquityBD said that that the greatest single impact of climate change might be on human migration. He said, by 2050 the disruptions of monsoon systems and other rainfall regimes, droughts, sea level rise and coastal flooding would cause forced displacement of many as 200 million people globally while in Bnagladesh this figure would reach to 30 million. It would mean that by 2050 one in every 7 people in Bangladesh would have been displaced by climate change. Although the world is predicting the future floods of the climate change induced forced migrants but, still, no policy measures have taken yet to safeguard them; even there is no specific terms and concepts of referring these climate change induced migrants. In this press conference two forced migrants, Md Abdul Khaleque and Mariam Begum from the Bhola Island, described how they forced to flee to the urban slum after losing their all belongings into the sea. Mariam Begum along with her 5 daughters forced to flee to the Shekertek Slum area from Daulatkhan, Bhola. She constantly facing insecurity about her grown-up daughters as there is no rule of law for the poor; as there is no rule of law for the slum people. 
experiences EquityBD and COAST jointly organized a press conference titled 
making process. Equity and Justice Working Group, Bangladesh (EquityBD) organized this seminar titled “Our learning from global crisis, long term development philosophy and reform of national budget process” at CIRDAP auditorium, Dhaka. 
n Dudu, policy maker Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), Mr. Abdur Razzak, secretary of planning commission, Awami League lawmaker and parliament member Shawkot Momen Shahjahan and Monoranjan Shil Gopal took part in the discussion. Among others, Badrul Alam of Bangladesh Krishak Federation, Zaed Iqbal Khan of Krishak Federation, Ahmed Swapon Mahmud of Voicee, Abul Hossain of Textile Worker’s Federation spoke in the seminar. 
(equitybd), has organized a press conference in national press club while they criticized inclusion of same donor darling consultants in the preparation of new 
a forum of NGO/CSOs in Bangladesh launched a global campaign calling the global leaders, including the United Nations, to treat climate change-induced migrants as the Universal Natural Persons. They mentioned that, the major impact of climate change would be human migration and poor people, who are no way responsible for this crisis, will be forced to be migrated. In Bangladesh around 22 million people would be displaced by 2050 due to climate change related factors by 2050, says a World Bank report in 2005. As the Developed countries are largely responsible for historical accumulation of Green House Gases and, thus responsible for climate catastrophes, so they must accept the responsibility of rehabilitating climate refugees. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, convener Equitybd, moderated the press conference, while Md Shamsuddoha of Equitybd presented the key-note paper. Among others, Shahadat Islam Chowdhury and Mostafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD were present in the press conference. 
addressing the issue of ratification of Local Government Commission ordinance made by last care taker government.
parliament Mr. Joynal Abedin Faroque, Rizvi Ahmed from BNP and Professor Abu Ahmed (Dhaka University) and different CSO leaders have made their comments on strengthening local government commission to the government.
government commission ordinance which was passed by the then care taker government, they also urged the government not to rectify / amend the upazila ordinance which has no provision of advisory role of MPs. They shown different pages of past local government review committee report, that both during the time of Awami League and BNP proposed to have local government commission.
a press conference at the National Press Club while they asked the government to develop people friendly national budget ignoring the domination and instructions of the World Bank, IMF and ADB. They asked the government to give more emphasis on internal revenue generation, domestic production and employment creation so that government could reduce its dependency on external financial sources to invest in Annual Development Programme. EquityBd organized this press conference ahead of time to the visit of World Bank delegation to Dhaka who is supposed to instruct government in the preparation midterm budget framework. Mr Mustafa Kamal Akanda, member EquityBd, read-out the written statement before the press people, while Md Shamsuddoha, Syed Aminul Hoque and Shahadat Islam Chowdhury took part in the discussion. 
concluded its three month long campaign on sensitizing political and CSOs opinion against the involvement of the World Bank in the management of proposed Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) for climate change adaptation in Bangladesh. The campaign progaramme includes sending post cards from the grassroots level to the Chief Adviser of Bangladesh and UK Minster, organizing seminars in district and national level to sensitize CSOs and political opinion against WB involvement in the management of climate fund. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, convener EquityBD moderated the press conference while Md. Shamsuddoha presented the background paper and campaign outcomes. In this press conference the organizers claimed that they mobilized a number of international CSO organizations and think tanks in favor of their position who also organized huge campaign activities in Poznan, CoP 14 (conference of the parties) climate conference against WB’s involvement in climate financing. 
Today, 30th November 2008, A seminar titled “Climate Change Impact and Sovereignty in Climate Fund Management” organized by BARSA at officer’s club, shatkira where Mr. Ashit Kumar Mozumder (Ex-principal of Shatkira govt. college) chaired the seminar. 
opment Financing: Reproduction of Poverty in Bangladesh and Demand for Compensation’ speakers inquired this interim government to declare country position in terms of development financing in public in the upcoming United Nations Finance for Development (UNFFD) conference to be held in Doha during 29th Nov – 2nd Dec 2008. They requested the Finance Minister not to take the position in line with the World Bank and Asian Development Bank. Speakers also urged the politicians and bureaucrats to come out from the dependency on foreign aid, and give concern in the mobilization of domestic resources. 
(equitybd) organized a press conference in Dhaka Reporter Unity, while they condemn US initiative for convening G7 and G 20 conference in Washington to rebuild and strengthen the World Bank and IMF aftermath of the global financial crisis. Speakers in the press conference claimed that the present financial crisis of the recent days in the result of unlimited market freedom and greed for profit which has been instigated by the IFI’s investment and its flawed development paradigm. Hence, the US and G 20 initiative to rescue the IFIs again will accelerate crisis. 
wide campaign against the involvement of World Bank in the management of Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF). This NGO alliance declared its campaign activities through organizing a press conference at the Reporter’s Unity, Dhaka, which include seminar in all 64 districts, post card sending to the Chief Adviser to the Government of Bangladesh and also to Mr Doglus Alexander, MP, UK. Md Shamsuddoha of EquityBd, presented the campaign plan while Mustafa Kmal Akand moderated the conference. 
Reporters Unity, Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (equitybd) urged political leaders to scrap PRSP process as this document has been prepared with the instruction of IMF. They urged political leaders to regain country’s sovereignty in economic decision which to be outlined in their forthcoming election manifesto; each of the political parties should describe their plan for poverty reduction, employment creation etc. in their election manifesto, the speaker argued. The press conference was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowhdury, Convener of the group, Sayed Aminul Haque while made the presentation. Besides, Md. Shamsuddoha, Mostafa Kamal Akanda and Sahadat Islam Chowdhury of EquityBd also participated in the press conference. 
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“Attaining Food Security under the Sprit of Food Sovereignty: Perspective SAARC Food bank & SAARC Agriculture policy 2020”. Speakers in the seminar argued the present concept of food security is a market-led approach; it does not recognize the sovereign rights of the small farmers over the agricultural practices. To ensure the food security, the interest of the small farmers should be protected, it requires political commitment; major parties should agreed in common political commitment on agricultural policy. 
London Conference on Multi Donor Trust Fund and Climate Change " at Dhaka Reporters Unity, Dhaka.
Dhaka04 September 2008: Today the Equity & Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) organized a press conference on “ London Conference on Multi DonorTrust Fund and Climate Change " at Dhaka Reporters Unity, Dhaka. 
