BNNRC organizes orientation on SDG Localization Process

Bangladesh SDGs Progress Report 2020’ prepares the ground in the lead up to 2019, highlighting how much more effort will be needed to reach the SDGs and meet the commitment to leave no one behind. The year 2020 is a critical juncture to reflect on the first four years of the Agenda 2030 implementation and to allow for adjustments to priorities and course corrections. For Bangladesh, it represents a key window of opportunity to inject urgency and catalyze updated or new commitments from all stakeholders – all of which will be necessary if leave no one behind goal and Agenda 2030 are to be achieved.

Bangladesh NGOs for Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) organized a day-long Project Orientation on Connecting and Empowering Voices for Just, Inclusive and Peaceful Society supported by Switzerland on 4 March 2021 at YWCA conference room, Dhaka. The Goal of the Project is to create an enabling environment to fight against poverty and injustice to contribute to sustainable inclusive development through SDG:16, a press release said. 

Without peace, human rights, stability, and effective governance it is impossible to think about sustainable development. For sustainable development, the government looks to uphold the values of peace, justice, and strong institutions put forward by SDG-16. Some initiatives are taken Annual Performance Agreements (APAs), Citizen Charters, National Integrity Strategy (NIS), and Grievance Redress System (GRS) for the social protection programs.

The Goal of the Project is to create an enabling environment to fight against poverty and injustice to contribute to sustainable inclusive development through SDG:16. The objective of the project is to empower men and women are connected to making a just, inclusive, and peaceful society. 

In the opening session AHM Bazlur Rahman, CEO, BNNRC highlighted the SDGs' special focus on SDG-16, Project Goal, Objective, and Outcome and the role of community radios in the localization process.

Switzerland Embassy’s representative Mohammad Nadim Rahman, National Program Officer, Migration and Local Governance, spoke about Switzerland’s cooperation in Bangladesh with emphasis on the internalization and implementation of Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 16. He also highlighted the important role community radios can play in ensuring citizen voice is heard from the grassroots to the national level, peoples’ participation and engagement on the SDG discussions, and more importantly the voice of the women and youth in participatory decision making.

Md. Nazimul Haider, Assistant Director, NGO Affairs Bureau, Prime Minister’s Office, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh emphasized the community radio station to engage and involve government officials more in their different programs including dialogue and Radio Talks gradually which will create an opportunity to inform the people about government services in detail to the community people for ensuring better governance. The initiatives will help in achieving the goal of SDG-16, to peace, justice, and strong institutions. 

Hiren Pandit, Protiva Banerjee, and Mohammad Seraj Uddin of BNNRC discussed on program, reporting, monitoring, and financial reporting process. 

A total of 17 participants from 17 Community Radio Stations participated in the program. The Community Radio stations are Padma 99.2 FM, Rajshahi, Radio Nalta 99.2 FM Kaligonj, Satkhira, Loko Betar 99.2FM Barguna, Radio Pollikontho 99.2 FM, Moulavi Bazar, Radio Sagor Giri, 99.2 FM, Sitakundo, Chittagong, Radio Mahananda 98.8 FM, Chapai Nawabgonj, Radio Mukti 99.2 FM, Bagura, Radio Chilmari 99.2FM, Kurigram, Radio Jhenuk 99.2 FM, Jhenedah, Krishi Radio 99.8 FM, Amtoli, Barguna, Radio Naf 99.2 FM, Teknaf, Cox's Bazar, Radio Bikrampur 99.2 FM Munshigonj, Radio Meghna 99.0 FM, Charfession, Bhola, Radio Sagor Dwip 99.2FM, Hatia, Noakhali, Radio Sarabela 98.8 FM, Gaibandha, Radio Boral 99.0FM, Bagha, Rajshahi and community radio Barendro 99.2.