Local CSOs, NGOs urge equal participation in development efforts

CSO and NGO leaders on Wednesday urged UN agencies and INGOs to ensure their equal participation in selecting partnership in Bangladesh.

They also demanded UN agencies and INGOs activities must be limited only in monitoring and technical assistance, not field operation.

The views were exchanged at a press conference titled, ‘UN Agencies and INGOs Activities Must be Limited in Monitoring and Technical Assistance in Bangladesh. We demand equal participation for local CSOs to be in leadership in Development Efforts with Equal Participation’.

The speakers also opined that equality-based partnership is essential for the survival and sustainable development of local NGOs.

Mr. AKM Jasim, Director of the Association of Development Agencies in Bangladesh (ADAB), Mr. Masuda Faruk Ratna, Coordinator of Dhaka Division's BD CSO Process, Mr. ASM Badrul Alam, President of Bangladesh Krishak Federation, Mr. Mustafa Kamal Akand, Coordinator of BD CSO Process, Ferdous Ara Rumee, Assistant Director of COAST Trust, and local NGO representative and Shield Bangladesh Executive Chief Mr. Md. Mahbubul Alam Firoz were present among others.

Ferdous Ara Rumi presented the keynote paper at the press conference while Mustafa Kamal Akand moderated the event, according to a press release.

AKM Jasim Uddin said, many studies at the international level have mentioned that local NGOs can implement development and humanitarian activities with very low cost.

“Local initiative should be made more efficient by utilising it more. Since the local NGOs respond fast and first to any crisis, their skills and capacity must be improved,” added he. 

Badrul Alam said, “We have created a forum called 'Bangladesh CSO and NGO Coordination Process' for implementing our expectations and commitment charter. Through which we will continue to campaign and negotiate to develop a sovereign, responsible and sustainable NGO sector.”

He sought media’s support in their endeavour.

Masuda Faruq said, “All the humanitarian and development organisations have to work in a coordinated manner”.

If so, it can reduce repetition, as well as, management or logistics costs, added he.