Bangladesh Dignity Forum (BDF)

Bangladesh Dignity Forum (BDF) provides a national platform for civic participation in establishing the right to dignity. The Forum created on 8 December 2006 by Civic Bangladesh plays a significant role in mobilizing mass participation in the Campaign for Right to Dignity (CARD), which calls for realizing the universal and constitutional commitments to establish equal dignity for all human beings. 

The brochures (Bengali/English) and the membership form of Bangladesh Dignity Forum are available and can also be downloaded. Information about the activities of Bangladesh Dignity Forum is also available at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bangladesh-Dignity-Forum/ to find more information, and https://www.facebook.com/groups/100004366858, an online group that engages its members in open discussions.

Civic dialogue on Dignity in Politics

Bangladesh Dignity Forum’s civic dialogue on “Politics and Culture of Dignity: Building non-communal and non-violent democracy in Bangladesh” was held on 01 Feb 2014 at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU). Chaired by Mr. Kamal Lohani, Chairperson, Bangladesh Dignity Forum, the dialog was taken part in by the Forum members, journalists, academics, development workers, and dignity-and-right activists. Mr. Lohani moderated the dialogue on the presentation of the position paper by Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh, and General Secretary, Bangladesh Dignity Forum.

The event was covered by different news agencies, dailies and the TV channels, especially Somoy TV, Desh TV, ATN News, Bangla Vision (TV), etc, for coverage of the dialogue. The dialog was organized by Civic Bangladesh in collaboration with CLNB, Jago Nari Foundation, and Gonoshasthya Kendra (GK). Read the Report_Civic Dialog_Communal-Violence_Politics-of-Dignity in Bangla.

The First National Convention

Bangladesh Dignity Forum organized its First National Convention on 8 December 2012 in CIRDAP auditorium, Dhaka.

 

 

 

National Review Workshop

Civic Bangladesh organized a two-day workshop on 15 – 16 October 2010 in Dhaka to review its strategic measures, structural arrangements and operational framework of Bangladesh Dignity Forum created to campaign for building a dignitarian society in Bangladesh.

The workshop made an assessment of the progress made so far by Bangladesh Dignity Forum and found that the Forum has made ‘good’ progress in mobilizing countrywide participation of people around the workshops held at the divisional level, and organizing voices around its call for spearheading a nationwide dignity4all movement in Bangladesh.

The workshop identified the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) and recommended a set of actions such as forming, strengthening, and activating the operational committees of Bangladesh Dignity Forum at the district level.

The review concluded that Dignity Forum would continue to campaign for establishing dignity as a universal and constitutional right, and creating a culture of dignity in the social, economic and political institutions to help build a dignitarian society in Bangladesh.

Dignity in Dhaka Division

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

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

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

The organizations represented to the workshop are Coalition of Local NGOs in Bangladesh (CLNB), Catalyst, DAFF-Bangladesh, Janaseba Kendra, BAPA, World Vision of Bangladesh, SEEDON, KBD Foundation, SIULY Foundation, Daridra Samaj Unnayan Sangstha, Dishari Mahila Kendra, CSDC, Bandhan Society, Proshar Seba Foundation, USEKA, SPIED, SMUS, IRDC, PSS, Mousumi Sangstha, GSC, GBSS, BCDP, Mayer Dak, Samata Nari Unnayan Sangstha, ASEA, Anubhab Foundation, BPS, VDS, Born4Care, Palli Mahila Unnayan Sangstha, Coastal Development Partnership, RPDO, AMKS, Save the Women, and the PRSF. The workshop concluded with the participants’ spontaneous expression of solidarity for building a dignity-for-all movement in Bangladesh.

Dignity in Rajshahi Division

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

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

The organizations represented to the workshop include STAR, PWD, BUS, PMKS, AUS, Chetona, Protyasha, BOS, DAFF – Bangladesh, Society of Fine Arts, PKSS, PMUS, RUET, Jatiya Mahila Sangstha, ABIK, SDP, Kabius, Sanwar Foundation, and so on. Chaired by Engineer Musbah Alim, Chairperson, Bangladesh Dignity Forum and Executive Director, Catalyst; the workshop was moderated by Mr. Sadequl Islam, Treasurer, Bangladesh Dignity Forum and also Executive Director, DAFF – Bangladesh.

Dignity in Barisal Division

Bangladesh Dignity Forum, and the Coalition of Local NGOs in Bangladesh (CLNB) jointly organized a divisional workshop entitled “Right to Dignity: Commitments and Actions” on 29 October 2010 in the BNDN Hall of Barisal City. Lawyers, journalists, political leaders, academics, human rights activists, business leaders, and development workers from different districts of Barisal division took part in the discussion.

The workshop was keynoted by Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh and General Secretary, Bangladesh Dignity Forum, and moderated by Mr. Harunur Rashid, Chairman, CLNB. Presided over by Mr. Jahangir Hossain Manik, Vice-President, Barisal Chamber of Commerce; and addressed among others by local political leaders Mirza Abual Hossain Arun, and formerly vice-president of BM College Students’ Union Mr. Anwar Hossain, the workshop was conducted by Mr. Rafiqul Islam, Executive Director, Bondhon, a social development organization working in the city.

The workshop covered by local newspapers such as The Daily Barisal Protidin, The Daily Ajker Barta, The Daily Barisal Barta, The Daily Ajker Paribartan, and The Daily Matobad.

Dignity in Khulna Divison

The workshop was organized on 04 September 2010 in the Conference Room of Khulna Press Club by Bangladesh Dignity Forum of Civic Bangladesh in collaboration with Centre for Human Rights and Social Development (CHRSD).

Presided over by Advocate Sujit Adhikary, President, Khulna Press Club; and moderated by Advocate Firoz Ahmed, Member-Secretary, Khulna Nagorik Samaj; the workshop was keynoted by Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh and General Secretary, Bangladesh Dignity Forum. Lawyers, journalists, political leaders, academics, local government representatives and officials, and human rights activists, and development workers from different districts of Khulna division took part in the discussion.

The professional groups, civic organizations, and local government institutions represented to the workshop are Khulna City Corporation, Bangladesh Awami League, Rupsha Upazila Parishad, Khulna Bar Association; Khulna Press Club, Khulna Nagorik Samaj, Jonouddog, Centre for Human Rights and Social Development (CHRSD), Jagrata Jubo Sangha (JJS), Nice Foundation, ALO, URMI, CLNB, MOUCHAK, PIACT-Bangladesh, Nari Jagoran, Greehoshukhon, Polly Jagoran, Society for Anti-pollution, CHRD, SONAK, and People’s Development Foundation.President of Khulna district Awami League Mr Sheikh Harunur Rashid Ex MP; Chairman, Rupsha Upazila Parishad; Mr. Liaqat Ali Sharif, Chief Engineer, Khulna City Corporation (KCC); Professor Runu Reza, Councilor, KCC; Mr. SM Zahid Hossain, General Secretary, Khulna Press Club; Mr. Rezaul Karim Hashmi, Executive Director, CHRSD; Mr. Harunur Rashid, Chairman, CLNB; Mr. Farazi Mizanur Rahman, Advocate, Bangladesh Supreme Court; and Professor GM Shindaini, Assistant Editor, The Daily Purbanchal; were among others who took part in the discussion.

Dignity in Chittagong Division

The Chittagong divisional workshop on “Right to Dignity: Commitments and Actions” was held on 21 August 2010 in the seminar room of Chittagong district Shilpakala Academy. The workshop was organized by Bangladesh Dignity Forum of Civic Bangladesh in collaboration with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Chittagong. The workshop was keynoted and moderated by Mr. Bayezid Dawla, Executive Director, Civic Bangladesh and General Secretary, Bangladesh Dignity Forum; following the inaugural speech by Mr. Saroj Kanti Das, President, BARNALY, Chittagong. Individuals and representatives of local government civic, development and business institutions took part in the workshop. The organizations/institutions that represented from the different districts of Chittagong division to the workshop are Chittagong City Corporation, Chittagong District Bar Association, Chittagong Journalists’ Union, BARNALY, YPSA, NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation, UNESCO, Chittagong Society for the Disabled (CSD), UPAKAR, Bihanga, Centre for Human Rights and Social Development (CHRSD), Jum Literature Poung Society, Bangladesh Nari Progati Sangha (BNPS), PCDS, Aparajeyo Bangladesh, SAMB, ELLMA, UTSA, UCEP Bangladesh, Songshoptaque, Swapner Neer, Bright Bangladesh Forum, Mamoni, Borony, CLIF, ARJAN, Suchana, PARC, Jibon Chitro, DRISTY, Speed Bangladesh, and ADF Bangladesh. The workshop was addressed among others by Professor Muhammad Sikander Khan, Vice-Chancellor of East Delta University, and General Secretary, Bangladesh Economic Association, Chittagong; Mr. Mofizul Islam Milon, Organizing Secretary, Bangladesh Dignity Forum; and Mr. Rezaul Karim Hashmi, Member, Bangladesh Dignity Forum.

Dignity in Sylhet Division

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

Facilitated by the Executive Director of Civic Bangladesh, Mr. Bayezid Dawla who is also the General Secretary of Bangladesh Dignity Forum, the workshop explored the perceptions and experiences of dignity and its violation, manifestations of indignity at the individual and community levels; adverse impacts of indignity on the individual, academic, social, political and economic lives of people; responses to the violation of dignity; and the strategies recommended and actions committed so far to mobilize social actions to resist the violation of dignity. The workshop included participation of different non-governmental organizations (NGOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), journalists, lawyers, human rights activists, students, teachers and local government representatives from Sunamganj, Hobiganj, Moulavi Bazar and Sylhet districts of the division.

 

Dignity in Rangpur Division

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

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

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

 An Interactive Cultural Evening

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

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

World Dignity Day 2008 

Bangladesh Dignity Forum organized a discussion on 05 December 2008 at its secretariat, Civic Bangladesh, on the occasion of the World Dignity Day. Presided over and moderated by Mr. General Secretary to Bangladesh Dignity Forum Bayezid Dawla who is also the Executive Director of Civic Bangladesh, the discussion was taken part in by Ms. Nargis Jahan Banu, Advisor, Civic Bangladesh; Mr. Mainuddin Ahmed, Program Coordinator, Bangladesh Shishu Adhikar Form (BSAF); Mr. Mostafa Zaman, Executive Director, Sushilan; Mr. Abdus Salam, Executive Director, Development Wheel (DEW); and Mr. Moloy Chaki, Program Coordinator, Bangladesh Disaster Preparedness Centre (BDPC); among others.

World Dignity Day 2007

Bangladesh Dignity Forum organized a meeting on 5 December 2007 at the secretariat of CIVIC Bangladesh to observe the World Dignity Day.

The meeting attended by the members of the Forum underlined the need for mobilizing wider opinions and support around the ‘Equal Dignity for All’ campaign and decided to organize a civic dialogue to engage the attention of civil society actors in the campaign.

 

Civic Dialog on Development: Dignity and Justice, 2007

Bangladesh Dignity Forum organized a civic dialogue on “Right-based Development: Equal Dignity and Justice” on 18 December 2007 in the conference lounge of National Press Club, Dhaka. Mr. Bayezid Dawla, General Secretary, Bangladesh Dignity Forum, presented a keynote paper in the discussion moderated by Chief Executive of Interaction Mr. Serajud Dahar Khan. Executive Director of Cost Trust Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, and Executive Member of Bangladesh Dignity Forum Dr. Anisuzzaman were the designated discussants. Development, human rights and trade union activists and leaders and journalists participated in the open discussion. The event was covered by different newspapers published in the capital city of the country.

Bangladesh Dignity Forum created

Bangladesh Dignity Forum (BDF) was created  in a round-table discussion titled “Democracy, Dignity and Rights” on the occasion of World Dignity Week–International Week for Social Justice.

Organized on 08 December 2006 in Dhaka by Civic Bangladesh, the roundtable was attended by development workers, civil society activists, and senior journalists among others. The discussion was moderated by Civic Bangladesh Executive Director Mr. Bayezid Dawla.