— CAMPAIGN FOR RIGHT TO DIGNITY (CARD)
Dignity is not negotiable.
Bangladesh Dignity Forum is the national platform that carries the Campaign for Right to Dignity forward — organizing citizens across every division to make equal dignity a lived, protected right, not a distant ideal.
2006
Forum founded
8
Divisions organized
60+
Partner organizations
2014
Latest civic dialogue
— WHO WE ARE
A platform built by citizens, for a right everyone already owns.
Bangladesh Dignity Forum (BDF) was formed by Civic Bangladesh on 8 December 2006 to give the country’s dignity movement a permanent, national home. It exists to turn a constitutional promise into everyday practice: mobilizing mass participation in the Campaign for Right to Dignity (CARD), and pressing the case that equal dignity is a universal and constitutional commitment owed to every person, not a privilege extended to some.
Since then, the Forum has convened divisional workshops, civic dialogues, and national conventions that bring together lawyers, journalists, academics, local government officials, and grassroots organizations — building consensus on what indignity looks like, and what it takes to end it.
Where the Forum shows up
- Divisional Workshops — 2010
- National Review Workshop — Oct 2010
- First National Convention — Dec 2012
- Civic Dialogue, Politics of Dignity — Feb 2014
- Online community & open discussion group — Ongoing
— 2010: THE DIVISIONAL WORKSHOPS
One campaign, carried by hand from division to division.
Across seven months, the Forum’s General Secretary Bayezid Dawla carried the same question into seven divisions — asking each one what dignity requires locally, and what commitments its people were prepared to make.
May 8
Rajshahi
Establishing the Right to Dignity For All
Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh — Rajshahi. Held with DAFF-Bangladesh and Catalyst, drawing participants from Sirajganj, Pabna, Natore, Bogra, Joypurhat, Rajshahi, Naogaon and Chapai Nawabganj.
May 9
Rangpur
Establishing the Right to Dignity For All
Rotary Club Center, Rangpur — with Pairaband Janakalyan Unnayan Sanstha and ACAD, Lalmonirhat. Participants came from Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Dinajpur, Rangpur, Nilphamari and Kurigram.
Jun 5
Sylhet
Dignity For All: Perceptions, Actions and Commitments
Shilpakala Academy auditorium, Sylhet — co-organized with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, exploring how indignity is experienced across Sunamganj, Hobiganj, Moulavi Bazar and Sylhet.
Jul 3
Dhaka
Right to Dignity: Commitments and Actions
BNPS conference room, Mohammadpur, Dhaka. Chief executives of civic and human-rights organizations from fifteen districts called on the UN to place dignity inside the next Millennium Development Goals.
Aug 21
Chittagong
Right to Dignity: Commitments and Actions
Chittagong District Shilpakala Academy — with Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, Chittagong, bringing together city corporation officials, journalists’ unions, and over twenty local civic organizations.
Sep 4
Khulna
Right to Dignity: Commitments and Actions
Khulna Press Club — with the Centre for Human Rights and Social Development, chaired by Advocate Sujit Adhikary and joined by Khulna City Corporation and district Awami League leadership.
Oct 29
Barisal
Right to Dignity: Commitments and Actions
BNDN Hall, Barisal City — with the Coalition of Local NGOs in Bangladesh (CLNB), covered by five local dailies and closing the year’s divisional round.
— SINCE THE BEGINNING
Key moments in the Forum's history
8 Dec 2006
The Forum is founded
A roundtable on “Democracy, Dignity and Rights,” moderated by Bayezid Dawla, marks the Forum’s founding during World Dignity Week.
18 Dec 2007
First civic dialogue
“Right-based Development: Equal Dignity and Justice” convenes at the National Press Club, Dhaka, with rights and trade-union leaders.
15–16 Oct 2010
National Review Workshop
A two-day strategic review assesses the Forum’s structure and confirms “good” progress mobilizing the divisions.
8 Dec 2012
First National Convention
CIRDAP Auditorium, Dhaka — the Forum’s founders and national dignity advocates gather for its first convention.
31 Jan 2010
An evening with Dr. Pamela Gerloff
The Forum hosts co-author of Dignity for All Dr. Pamela A. Gerloff for an informal gathering of members.
1 Feb 2014
Politics and Culture of Dignity
Dhaka Reporters’ Unity hosts a dialogue on building a non-communal, non-violent democracy — chaired by Kamal Lohani.
— GET INVOLVED
Resources to read, sign, and share
✎
Position Paper
The paper presented at the 2014 civic dialogue on dignity in politics.
Equal dignity isn't granted. It's built, division by division.
Follow the Forum’s work, join the conversation, or bring a divisional workshop to your community.
Bangladesh Dignity Forum
A national platform of Civic Bangladesh, organizing the Campaign for Right to Dignity (CARD) since 2006.
Explore
- CARD Campaign — civicbd.org/card
- 2014 Dialogue Report (PDF)
Connect
- Facebook Page
- Facebook Discussion Group
