Climate Change Induced Forced Migrants: in need of a dignified recognition under a new Protocol
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:
International allience
Campaign 2008
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 .
19th August 2008: A Round table discussion at National Press Club, Dhaka
LDC and Brussels Plan of Actions (BPoA)
LDC Watch, South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE) and Equity and Justice Working Group (Equity BD), Bangladesh jointly organized the seminar on 'LDCs and Brussels Programme of Action (BPoA)' in Dhaka. In the introductory speech, Dr Arjun K Karki of LDC Watch said there were 24 least developed countries in 1971. ‘But now the number of LDCs has increased to 49 and the rich countries are responsible for their deterioration,’ he said. ‘We were not poor. We were systemically made poor. LDCs must apply ‘2P’ strategy i.e Pressure and Partnership to gain benefit from the international Programme of Actions and multilateral development processes. In the key note presentation Md Shamsuddoha, Secretary equitybd, specifically analyzed the major challenges facing the LDCs in the implementation of BPoA and asked the lending countries and agencies to take immediate measures, which include fulfilling their promises for ensuring economic development in low-income countries, by building up human resources and increasing institutional capacities, enhancing the role of trade in development, reducing vulnerability, protecting the environment and mobilizing financial resources’. Dr Hasan Mahmud, Special Assistant to the Awami League Chief Sheikh Hasina, said the least developed countries, like Bangladesh, could not reach their goal, as they follow the advice of international donor agencies like the World Bank (WB), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF). BNP leader Rizvi Ahmed said the elected representatives of the government must make efforts to prepare the development plans with their eyes on nation’s interests, both at local and international levels.
The Jatiya Party’s presidium member, GM Quader, said the political parties here lack the will to protect the nation’s interests while negotiating with the lending countries and agencies.
Among others, equitybd convener Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Economist Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, SAAPE members Rokeya Kabir and Mohiuddin Ahmed, Sharif Al Kafi of BDPC, journalist Asjadul Kibria also participated in the discussion.
13 July 2008: Round table discussion on "People's Expectation and South Asian Union" , National Press culb, Dhaka
The South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC) failed to play any significant role in socio-economic development of the sub-continent
Dhaka 13 july 2008: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is suffering from some structural deficiencies and lack of correct mindset to swing the forum to an economic union for improving the quality of life of its people.
They said, the SAARC has adopted scores of decisions and projects with regards to eradicating poverty, climate change, food bank, trade and commerce to improve economic cooperation among the members, but most of them remained in paper or implemented partially due to some shortcomings in the implementation process.
The speakers said this at a roundtable on ‘Peoples’ Expectation and South Asian Union’ jointly organized by Media Foundation for Trade and Development and Equity and Justice Working Group at Jatiya Press Club Sunday.
Addressing the roundtable as the chief guest, former SAARC secretary general QAMA Rahim said, the SAARC should make functional its ‘post-office type’ secretariat by giving power to oversee the execution of the decisions.
He also called for changing the mindset of the SAARC leaders particularly the bureaucrats and people as well to address the drawbacks to move the Saarc on its right direction and to make it an economic union by 2020.
Noted academic and former vice chancellor of Dhaka University Professor Moniruzzaman Miah, outgoing Country Representative of the Asian Development Bank Ms Hua Du attended the roundtable as the special guests.
Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs Abul Hasan Chowdhury, eminent economist Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman, BSS chief editor Zaglul Ahmed Chowdhury and former commerce secretary Sohel Ahmed were the main discussants of the roundtable.
Foreign Ministry official Faisal Ahmed talked about the agenda of the next SAARC summit in Colombo in the last week of this month and former secretary Siddiqur Rahman, ambassador Waliur-Rahman and Executive Director of Debtech Ferdousi Begum spoke among others.
Member secretary of Equity and Justice Working Justice M Shamsuddoha presented a keynote paper on the topic while Faruk Ahmed of Media Foundation acted as moderator.
06 July 2008: A Press conference on SAARC Ministerial Meeting , Dhaka
Call for Structural changes to make Saarc effective
Dhaka 06 July 2008: Today Equity & Justice Working Group (Equitybd) in organized a press conference on “SAARC Ministerial Meeting” at Reporter’s Unity Dhaka, VIP hall room. EquityBd urged the Bangladesh government to rase the climate change issues in the upcoming 15th Saarc Summit.
Keynote paper present by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, convener EquityBd, The organizer urged that "SAARC members should discuss on how they can address the food crisis by their surplus food in this region so that no member country of this organization can take the opportunity of food crisis of another country" , they also discus on Introduction visa-free traveling and climate change issue. In the conference among with others AHM Bazlur Rahaman, Sahadut Hossin Chowdhury, Mustafa Kama also present there
03 July 2008: A Press conference on G8 summit2008, Hokkaido, Toyako
OWE CLIMATE Cancel Debt, REPARTION and JUSTICENOW
Dhaka 03 July 2008: Today Equity & Justice Working Group (Equitybd) in collaboration with Jubilee South- APMDD, SAAPE and LDC Watch has organized a press conference titled on “ Cancel Debt, Reparation and Climate Justice” at Reporter’s Unity Dhaka, VIP hall room. Former adviser of caretaker government and Executive Director- Ain O Salish Kandro, Advocate Sultana Kamal inaugurated the international Campaign by switching on the flash card on before the 34th G8 summit wich will be took place in Hokkaido, Toyako, Japan 7-9th of July 2008
The key note paper presented by Syed Aminul Hoque, researcher- Equitybd. The organizer urged for cancellation of all foreign debt, ensure climate justice and not to create any fund under controlling of World Bank. They also demanded to create the adaptation fund with the given frame work of UNDP. In the conference among with others AHM Bazlur Rahaman, Sahadut Hossin Chowdhury, Mustafa Kamal and Atiqul Islam Chowdhury from Equity & Justice Working Group were present.
Please download the press release,presentation, flash Card , Media Coverage, Photos and two Policy Brief .
Budget ignored justified and equitable distribution of resources among the poor
Dhaka 12 june 2008: Equity and justice working group organized a post budget dialogue on the proposed national budget of Bangladesh of 2008 – 2009 FY. This dialogue was to facilitate people’s expectation to fed in to the proposed one. A number of civil society organizations , representatives of different professional group , representatives of leading political parties were participated in the dialogue and put forward their concern to make national budget pro poor and growth oriented wherein people would have equitable and justified access to the resources. Among others, Mr. Rashed Al Titumir of Unnayan Onneshan, Mahmudur Rahman Manna of Bangladesh Awami league, Samsuzzaman Dudu of BNP, Golam Mortoza editor of Saptahik, Ahmed Swopon Mahmud of Voice , Maliha Shajahn of APIT, Sharif –e- Kafi of BDPC were present and expressed their views and thought to make the budget pro- poor.
Syed Aminul Hoque in his key note presentation on proposed budget said; although the budget proposed increased amount of allocation to social safety net projects and to other prime sectors like agriculture but these subsidy likely to benefit urban middle class and rural elites. Syed Aminul commented Social Safety Net dominated budget as the budget of relief oriented and to satisfy immediate needs not really looking at the long term measures of poverty reduction. The proposed budget is heavily relied on deficit financing from the external sources, which will make country more indebted to the international financial institutions. Syed Aminul pointed that the government could follow the recommendations of Public Expenditure Review Commission, which has been framed while 4-party alliance was in power. Again, analysis of the implementation of previous year’s budget shows that expenditure in service and human development sectors like health and family planning, power and energy etc. was comparatively less than the other sectors like defense, public works etc, which is increasing human poverty as well as widening rural-urban as well as rich-poor gap.
In the open discussion many of the discussant indicated power and agriculture subsidy as discriminatory and unjustified while around 90 percent of these subsidy is spent to satisfy luxury of urban people. Speakers in the dialogue demanded withdrawal of fossil fuel subsidy from the non-agriculture/ non-productive sectors. They also proposed several specific recommendation to reduce fossil fuel dependency; like-
Obligatory utilization of energy efficient bulbs
Fixing air condition at 26 degree temperature
Car free day in a week
Limited and controlled utilization of government vehicles
Proportion of solar energy
Making public transport system convenient and friendly
Ban on the import of high CC cars
he speakers also opposed the present concept of attaining food security as this concept undermines peoples’ rights on production system, farmers’ indigenous knowledge and make farmer dependent on multi-national companies for agricultural inputs.
Power Point Presentation are :
Subject
Click
Presented By
1
Budget FeedbackFramework and Some Fundamental Approach
Md Shamsuddoha
2
Budget analysis & review based on economic justice and equity
Pre-budget discussion in ntv programm Ajker Shokal .
To make the next budget 2008-09 peoples oriented and effective, EJWG and NTV organize a week long pre budget discussion program. NTV telecast the program AJKER SHOKAL regularly at 8.30 am from 26 to 30 May , 2008.
Please download the Pdf file of Pre Budget discussion .
Participant
Download
Dr. Tofail Ahemd, country's renowned social scientist Priority should be given to subsidy of Agricultural production and enhance the Social Safety net program.
Mr. Faruque Ahmed, President, Media Foundation for Trade and Development To achieve self-sufficiency in Food production we need Agricultural Land Policy and Establish Agro processing plant
Begum Shamsun Nahar, Gender and development Specialist Ensure Quality of Health Services from local Govt. Hospital by giving priority to Public sector.
17 APRIL 2008: A Seminar on ADB at Dhaka Reporters Unity, Dhaka
ADB Failed ProjectPutting the Coountry in Indebtness :
Repeal Institutional Immunity fromADB"
Dhaka 17 April 2008: Equity & Justice Working Group (EJWG) in association with several other organizations- VOICE, the Innovators, Advancing Public Interest Trust, Coastal Development Partnership, Bangla Praxis- organized a peoples' dialogue on ' Impact of ADB finance policies and ADB backed projects in Bangladesh' at the National Press Club Auditorium in Dhaka.
The participating organizations presented a number of ADB financed projects as case like; Khulna-Jessore Drainage Project, Sundarban Biodiversity Conservation Project, Fulbari Coal Mining Project etc. which has created local level social tension and environmental disasters and finally considered as fail projects. The presenters pointed out that although ADB publicly advocates democracy, rule of law, human rights, poverty alleviation etc. but in Bangladesh it is obvious that ABD finance policies and loan conditionalities are reproducing poverty putting the country in the vicious cycle of indebtness. Following the presentation of the impacts of ADB finance projects and ADB Country Assistance and Program (CSP) the representatives of political party leaders and CSOs representatives expressed their views on ADB financing in Bangladesh. They also asked the government of Bangladesh to find out alternative funding sources other than ADB, the World Bank and IMF.
Mr Mahmudur Rahman Manna, law maker of Bangladesh Awami League-AL, said the country needs a strong political commitment for denying the hegemony of the international financial institutions; all political parties should work together to reach a consensus of avoiding IFIs loan and formulate internal and realistic national poverty reduction strategies basing on incoming remittances and domestic resources. But irony is that our political leaders even many NGO/CSO representatives don't feel comfort criticizing finance and loan policies of the IFIs.
In relation to ADB's five years CSP, from 2006 to 2010, Dr. Hasan Mahmud, another AL law maker, pointed out that ADB will no more finance on forestry and biodiversity, rural livelihoods development, clean fuel development etc. which clearly indicates that ADB country CSP is not poverty focused; it's development strategy is strongly influenced by the neo-liberal economic policies. We should raise this concern in the ADB's high level policy meetings.
Mr. Mohiuddin Ahmed, Chairperson Jubilee South-APMDD and Advisor EJWG moderated smooth functioning of the dialogue. Among others Mr. Golam Habib Dulal, Jatiya Party law maker and ex-parliament member , Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Md Shamsuddoha and Mustafa Kamal of EJWG', Ahmed Swapon of VOICE, Zakir Kibria of Bangla Praxis, Zaved Khalid Joy of CDP, Sabbir Shams of APIT and Zakir Hossain of Innovators took part in the discussion.
Primary Education Development in Bangladesh;
Sub-sector Wide Approach (SWAP)
Sabbir Bis Shums
3
Unmasking ADB on KJDRP issue and Formation of Multi stakeholder Forum (MSF)
Kazi Zaved Khalid Pasha Joy
4
ADB activities in Bangladesh: Who Own & who lost.
Mustofa Kamal
Online Media Coverage:
22 March 2008: A press conference at Dhaka Reporters Unity, Dhaka
Reforming the Budget Process and Priority Proposal for 2nd PRSP
Dhaka 22 March 2008: Today the Equity & Justice Working Group (EJWG) organized a press conference on “Formulation Process of National Budget and Inclusion of Priority issues in the 2nd PRSP” at Dhaka Reporters Unity, Dhaka.
Md Aminul Haque policy researcher- EJWG presented the key note paper while Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury Convener of EJWG moderated the conference. Among others, Mr. Shahdat Islam Chowdury , Mustofa Kamal, Md Shamsuddoha of EJWG participated in the press conference and took part in the discussion .
24 February 2008: A seminar at National Press Club , Dhaka
Seminar Facilitated on PRSP Titled “Impact PRSP and Sovereignty in Development Planning.
Dhaka 24 February 2008: Today the Equity & Justice Working Group (EJWG) organized a national dialogue on ' Impact PRSP and Sovereignty in Development Planning' at the National Press Club Auditorium in Dhaka. .
Dr. Tofail Ahemd, country's renowned social scientist, presided over the dialogue session while Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Convener EJWG, moderated smooth functioning of the dialogue. Among others, Jatiya Party law maker and ex-parliament member GM Quadar, Awami League law maker Dr. Hasan Mahmud and BNP leader Dr. Rizvi Ahmed participated in the national dialogue and discussed on PRSP and its implementation impact in Bangladesh.
Syed Aminul Haque, Policy Researcher -Equity and Justice Working Group, presented the key note paper and argued that although the very objectives of PRSP was to bring-down country's poverty situation but following the implementation of PRSP, country’s poverty situation has risen enormously. Syed Aminul, explaining the existing poverty situation and country's development policies, questioned the way of PRSP implementation as it only satisfied the requirement of IFIs hegemony, didn't implemented anything that would contribute to the poverty reduction in real sense.
BNP leader Dr. Rizvi Ahmed said, we don’t need to listen donors' advice; for poverty reduction country needs its own long-term development planning. All political parties should work together to reach the goal. In this relation, Dr. Hasan Mahmud signifies the involvement of political party leaders in the preparation of country’s future development strategies.
Mrs. Shahin Anam of Manusher Janno Foundation pointed out that, government is going to finalize the second PRSP which of course should be poverty focus not only to satisfy the needs of country's development partners.
Mr. GM Quadar pointed out that our political leaders and bureaucrats should be made responsible for the negative consequences of market liberalization and mismanagement of foreign loans and aids. He also said that foreign aided projects are treated as a bonanza for few corrupted bureaucrats and political leaders. That’s why they always try to support donor’s activities in our country.
Among others, Mr. Shahdat Islam Chowdury, AHM Bazlur Rahman, Mustafa Kamal Akanda of EJWG, Mr. Faruque Ahmed of Media Foundation for Trade and Development spoke in the seminar.
Click here to Listen Bangladesh Betar News about Seminar on PRSP
21st February teaches us to be Independent While Debt Make Us Dependent and Chain under Neo Colonialism
21st February 2008, Dhaka. Today the Equity and Justice Working Group (EJWG) 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. EJWG believes that now the increasing foreign debt which is per person US $ 152 and the conditionality of the debtors making the country dependent with increase nature of pauperization (33 % of the country’s total population under poverty line) which is a form of neo colonialism for exploiting (Bangladesh pays US $ 1.50 back for each of the US $ 1 grant aid / soft loan) our labor and natural resources. Members of EJWG laid flowers wreath in the central martyr’s monument and pledge to fight against this neo colonialism to free the country from external debt. For more on EJWG please visit www.equitybd.org
04 February 2008: A seminar at National Press Club , Dhaka
Food Security: Import Dependency Vs. Attaining Food Self Sufficiency
Dhaka 04 February 2008: Today Media Foundation for Trade and Development and Equity and Justice Working Group (EJWG) jointly organized a national dialogue on "Food Security in Bangladesh: Import Dependency Vs. Attaining Food Self Sufficiency’ at the national press club in Dhaka.
Honorable adviser the agriculture ministry of the Care Taker Government of Bangladesh Mr Chowdury Sazzadul Karim, head of FAO representation in Bangladesh Mr Ad Spijkers took part in this national dialogue respectively as the chief guest and special guest. Among others, country renown agricultural economist Mr. Abdus Sattar Mandal, Dr. Atiur Rahman, Dr Mahbub Hossain B.A.R.C Chairman Dr M. A Razzak, IRRI representative in Bangladesh Mr. Ziaul Abedin, Director SAARC Agricultural Research Council Mr Wais Karim, former ambassador Mr Waliur Rahman and Awami League’s ex - parliamentarian K.M Jahangir participated in the national dialogue and discussed on the possible ways of ensuring country’s food security .
Md Shamsuddoha, General Secretary-Equity and Justice Working Group presented the key note paper while Mr. Faruque Ahmed, President, Media Foundation for Trade and Development helped as the moderator for smooth functioning of the dialogue.
In his key-note paper Mr. Shamsuddoha said the concept of ‘food security’ is about of ensuring food availability either through import liberalization or raising domestic production. In this regard it is very important to raise domestic production by protecting country’s agriculture sector from cheap and subsidized agricultural commodities, especially from the Northern counties. But irony is that country didn’t give necessary concern for increasing its production due to pressure from the IFIs. Now we are facing supply side crisis of food grains in the international market due to subsequent crop loss globally and shifting demand side paradigm for bio-fuel production. He, added, in this circumstances we have to increase our domestic production by may means.
Dr. Mahbub Hossain said, country needs a technological breakthrough for further boosting-up of production level as the existing technology is no more adequate. Atiur Rahman said we all are agreed for increasing our production and also agreed in adopting productive technologies; we also have to assess the social and environment impact of technology implication. Dr. Rahman also gave emphasis for minimizing immediate food insecurity that country might face in the early April. He also pointed out for food rationing to the garments worker who are the country’s most vulnerable workforce.
Dr. Chowdhuty Sazzadul Karim said, we should not depend any more on food import. Now our food demand is around 30 million tones and we are producing around 27 million tones. We must adopt new technologies for increasing domestic production capacities otherwise our future generation will fall in food crisis. Please download the press release , position paper ,PresentationMedia Coverage and photos.
Online Media Coverage:
31 January 2008: A seminar at WVA Auditorium , Dhaka
Political Economy of Bali Climate Conference A Roadmap of Climate Commercialization
Dhaka, 31 January 2008: Equity and Justice Working Group-EJWG, in association with the Global Economic Justice Forum has organized a seminar tilted ‘Political Economy of UNFCCC climate Conference: A Roadmap of Climate Commercialization at WVA Auditorium, Dhaka. Speakers at the seminar critically reviewed the Bali climate negotiation; intended to provide an insight to the peoples, especially country’s policy makers, negotiators, on the recent dimension of mitigating climate change impacts. Md Shamsuddoha, General Secretary of the EJWG presented the key-note paper. Awami League’s ex-parliamentarian of Mr KM Jahangir, environment secretary Dr. Hasan Mahmud, BNP’s ex-parliamentarian and agricultural secretary Mr. Samsuzzaman Dudu, Communication specialist of the Climate Change Cell of the Government of Bangladesh Mr. Nasimul Haque spoke in the seminar. Leaders from country’s mainstream political parties expressed their political views and commitment for tackling the impact of climate on the people’s life and livelihoods.
In the key-note paper discussion Md. Shamsuddoha pointed that the Bali Climate talks evidently proved that the industrialized countries are not ready to compromise their consumerism and development pace for the sake of global interest. In the Bali climate debate the USA and the advanced developing nations both have kept ways open for carbon emission; although the consequences of delay in the process of reducing emission will result more climatic catastrophes and social imbalances and massive economic collapse in the least developed countries like Bangladesh. In the negotiation process LDCs were within the group of G 77 and China but ‘the area of interest’ of LDCs and advanced developing countries were different. LDCs, being the majority in G 77 and China, could not put forward their concerns, e.g. emission mitigation, more adaptation fund, fund based technological support for capacity building etc as these demands contradicts with the interest of G 77 leaders. He argued that LDCs should have separate platform in relation to climate change negotiation.
Dr. Hasan Mahmud said we should put forward ‘polluter pay, exploiter pay principle’; historically rich countries are responsible for leading climate change so they should pay for this. Mr Nasimul Haque said, time is not in our hand, now climate change is not only an environmental problem, it’s a development challenge. We must reach to a political consensus for solving the climate change impact.
Mr. K.M Jahangir, in his concluding speech, said, yes we need technological support for ‘less carbon’ industrial and economic activities but we don’t want to be the victims of technology trading. Like ‘right to information’, we also should have rights on technologies.
Among others Dr. Ferdous Begum from DEBTEC, Zayed Iqbal from Bangladesh Krishok Federation, AHM Bazlur Rahman from BNNRC and Mustafa Kamal Akanda from EJWG spoke in the seminar.
26 January 2008:Human chain in front of National Parliament House in Dhaka during 26th January 2008 global day of action
A Bangladesh Economy without World Bank, IMF and ADB are Possible!
Dhaka 26th January 2008. Equity and Justice Working Group (EJWG) today at 11 am has organized a human chain in front of national parliament house Dhaka with a banner of call that “ A Bangladesh without World Bank, IMF and ADB is possible “. The gathering have been participated by hundreds of people, where Md. Shamuddoha, Secretary General, Mustafa Kamal Akanda, AHM Bazlur Rahman, of EJWG, Fakrul Ferdous of DCI, Arzu man Ara Begum of Kihsani Shova, Hossne Ara Begum of Bhasoman Nari Sromik Union and Shamima Akter of ASWO given speeches.
The speakers mentioned present trend of high inflation in the country and miseries of poor and common people. They have mentioned this problems are the aggregate result of the conditionality of those international financial institutions, now Bangladesh has a per capita foreign debt of taka 10,500 but while Bangladesh has to pay US $ 1.50 for each of US $ 1 grant aid. Due to the conditionality government has to withdraw especially subsidies in agriculture and public distribution system which the nation has had in before. In fact which have had pave the path for the business interest of multinational companies and developed countries. Annually Bangladesh received US $ 1.5 billions as loan and aid while Bangladesh receive remittance of around US $ 5 billions, if Bangladesh decide easily can deny those debt and domination, now politically Bangladesh needs to decide its own agenda rather then listening to those international financial institution.
Download the leaflet (English)(Bangla), press release, photos and media coverage. There are several activities being organized on 30th and 31st January 2008 in Dhaka as a part of Global Economic Justice Forum, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury convener of the EJWG has given an interview in popular TV channel 1 , which was broadcasted on 30th January 2008 at 8.40 am.
The Open forum for CSO development effectiveness is an international CSO driven process towards defining a global development effectiveness framework for CSOs. To this end, it will bring together, between mid – 2009 and mid – 2011, CSOs and other development actors, including governments and official donors, in consultations and multi-stakeholder dialogues at country, regional and international levels. In an effort to make the process inclusive and representational in Bangladesh from the diverse CSOs as possible, , Bangladesh Paribesh Andolan (BAPA), Coastal Development Partnership (CDP), Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (equitybd) and Sushasoner Jonno Procharavizan (SUPRO) are jointly organizing the consultation in association with Asia Pacific Research Network (APRN). The organizers are inviting all civil society organizations (i.e. non government and non profit nature of research , advocacy, community, professional and development organizations, etc.) to participate in the Bangladesh national consultation on CSO Development Effectiveness to be held in Dhaka for two days residential basis during 15 to 16 June 2010 at Proshika, HRD Centre, Koitta, Manikganj. Another separate multi-stakeholder dialoguealso will be held on 17 June 2010, 10 to 2 pm at CIRDAP auditorium, Topkhana Road, Dhaka to build understanding and support among official donors, governments and possibly other development stakeholders for an enabling environment for CSO actions. Please download the related Documents 1) Application form 2) Advertisement Bangla 3) Advertisement English
Advocacy activities: Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Convener EquityBD, discussed the outcomes of the workshops he participated from 8th to 23rd June 2009 in Italy, Spain and Copenhagen. Detail
Md Shamsuddoha, Bangkok Climate Talks Review UNFCCC Copenhagen Negotiation:Way Forward or Back TrackDetail
Take action on climate debt in Bangladesh
Online Action: UK, Bangladesh and the World Bank
World Development Movement along with Jubilee Debt Campaign UK and Equity and Justice Working Group Bangladesh (EquityBD) has launched an online action to the UK government opposing their insistence that climate money in Bangladesh go through the World Bank. You can see more at:
http://www.wdm.org.uk/bangladesh http://www.wdm.org.uk/banglade
Who Will Pay for Coastal Destruction in Bangladesh?
Bangladesh's disappearing island - 18 Dec 09
As the climate summit in Copenhagen battles to overcome deep divisions on cutting global emissions, one place already being hit hard by the affects of climate change is Bhola island in southern Bangladesh.
The island is being swallowed by the sea as water levels continue to rise and experts say at the current rate it could disappear in 20 years.
Al Jazeera's Step Vaessen reports on the plight of its climate change refugees.
Bangladesh's rising floodwaters - 10 Oct 09
Bangladesh could be one of the first casualties of global warming. The low-lying country suffers from many climate-related problems, including floods, drought and river erosion. Al Jazeera's Nicolas Haque reports now from Bhola Island in the South of the country, which is now half the size it was fifteen years ago.
101 East: Aljazeera English Disappearing Islands
Part -01
Part -02
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.
humanitarian news and analysis
A sinking Island in Bangladesh
The film looks at the south of the country, where Kitubia islands is literally being washed away by tidal surges and storms. details
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.
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. 
mindset to swing the forum to an economic union for improving the quality of life of its people.
organized a press conference on “SAARC Ministerial Meeting” at Reporter’s Unity Dhaka, VIP hall room. EquityBd urged the Bangladesh government to rase the climate change issues in the upcoming 15th Saarc Summit.
organized a press conference titled on “ Cancel Debt, Reparation and Climate Justice” at Reporter’s Unity Dhaka, VIP hall room. Former adviser of caretaker government and Executive Director- Ain O Salish Kandro, Advocate Sultana Kamal inaugurated the international Campaign by switching on the flash card on before the 34th G8 summit wich will be took place in Hokkaido, Toyako, Japan 7-9th of July 2008
different professional group , representatives of leading political parties were participated in the dialogue and put forward their concern to make national budget pro poor and growth oriented wherein people would have equitable and justified access to the resources. Among others, Mr. Rashed Al Titumir of Unnayan Onneshan, Mahmudur Rahman Manna of Bangladesh Awami league, Samsuzzaman Dudu of BNP, Golam Mortoza editor of Saptahik, Ahmed Swopon Mahmud of Voice , Maliha Shajahn of APIT, Sharif –e- Kafi of BDPC were present and expressed their views and thought to make the budget pro- poor. 
ing, power and energy etc. was comparatively less than the other sectors like defense, public works etc, which is increasing human poverty as well as widening rural-urban as well as rich-poor gap. 
To make the next budget 2008-09 peoples oriented and effective, EJWG and NTV organize a week long pre budget discussion program. NTV telecast the program AJKER SHOKAL regularly at 8.30 am from 26 to 30 May , 2008.
Dhaka 22 March 2008: Today the Equity & Justice Working Group (EJWG) organized a press conference on “Formulation Process of National Budget and Inclusion of Priority issues in the 2nd PRSP” at Dhaka Reporters Unity, Dhaka. 
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. EJWG believes that now the increasing foreign debt which is per person US $ 152 and the conditionality of the debtors making the country dependent with increase nature of pauperization (33 % of the country’s total population under poverty line) which is a form of neo colonialism for exploiting (Bangladesh pays US $ 1.50 back for each of the US $ 1 grant aid / soft loan) our labor and natural resources. Members of EJWG laid flowers wreath in the central martyr’s monument and pledge to fight against this neo colonialism to free the country from external debt. For more on EJWG please visit 
Dhaka, 31 January 2008: Equity and Justice Working Group-EJWG, in association with the Global Economic Justice Forum has organized a seminar tilted ‘
Dhaka 26th January 2008. Equity and Justice Working Group (EJWG) today at 11 am has organized a human chain in front of national parliament house Dhaka with a banner of call that “ A Bangladesh without World Bank, IMF and ADB is possible “. The gathering have been participated by hundreds of people, where Md. Shamuddoha, Secretary General, Mustafa Kamal Akanda, AHM Bazlur Rahman, of EJWG, Fakrul Ferdous of DCI, Arzu man Ara Begum of Kihsani Shova, Hossne Ara Begum of Bhasoman Nari Sromik Union and Shamima Akter of ASWO given speeches. 
humanitarian news and analysis
