SUPRO National Convention 2011
SUPRO National Convention 2011 was held on December 31, 2011 at LGED-RDEC Hall Room at LGED Bhaban, Agargaon, Dhaka where representatives from networking members of SUPRO, prominent civil society representatives and representatives from different media were present. The focus of the convention was on sharing experience, achievements, challenges, and opportunities of SUPRO’s country wide activities and on celebrating SUPRO’s 10 years journey.
SUPRO Executive Board, Members, National Council Members, District President and Secretary attended the Convention. Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Chairman of PKSF; Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB; Dr. Badiul Alam Majumdar, Secretary of SUJON; Politician Mahmudur Rahman Manna; Md. Foyjur Rahman Fakir, Chairman, Bangladesh Upazilla Parishad; Tahmina Rahman, Director, Article Nineteen, South Asia & Bangladesh were among the guests and discussants.
At the beginning of the convention, Uma chowdhury, Director, SUPRO presented a summary of SUPRO’s activities for last 10 years. In her presentation, she discussed the genesis of SUPRO and its growing into a leading networking organization working for good governance for last 10 years. Besides speaking about the achievements and successes of SUPRO in achieving grassroots’ rights, she also emphasized on many challenges SUPRO had to face.
Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, prominent economist and leading researcher in Bangladesh, was present in the Convention as chief guest and during his speech, he discussed on the current situation regarding governance, peoples’ sufferings and responsibilities of government, civil society and NGOs in achieving good governance and pro-poor policy. He praised SUPRO’s activity for its activity at national, regional and international level, which he mentioned very important to achieve the objectives at policy level. He said, to achieve sustainable development, people should be at the center of the development and to do so, people have to be empowered. He also criticized the Neo-liberal policy which is one of the major causes in increasing economical discrimination among people. He strongly protested the idea of privatization of health and education sector.
Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB, being among the guests shared his views on the current political system on Bangladesh and the importance of democracy in achieving good governance and pro-poor policy change. He said the role of NGOs is to increase awareness among people about their rights and demands and it is Government’s responsibility to ensure their rights and demands. He also said that Bangladesh already has a good democratic structure but the problem is lack of proper democratic practice among the political leaders and he mentioned it as a main obstacle in achieving good governance.
One of the guests and discussants Tahmina Rahman, Director of Article Nineteen also raised the issue of political instability and lack of proper political practice in Bangladesh. She showed her impression on SUPRO’s work, she said, many organization work on campaigning good governance but SUPRO itself is doing the campaign part throughout the country at grassroots level. She concluded wishing more success of SUPRO and showing interest to be a part of these campaigning.
Prominent politician Mahmudur Rahman Manna was also present at the convention. He started his speech praising SUPRO for its work on budgetary issues. He strongly criticized the current role of politicians, he said, the politicians do not speak for the people which should be their prime role.
After the speeches from the guests an extensive and rigorous discussion was held where all the guests, Executive Committee members, National Committee members and representatives from networking members working in 45 districts actively participated. In the discussion the representatives from networking members pointed out their achievement, challenges they faced and posed recommendations to overcome the challenges and for better activity execution.
At the beginning of the convention, Uma chowdhury, Director, SUPRO presented a summary of SUPRO’s activities for last 10 years. In her presentation, she discussed the genesis of SUPRO and its growing into a leading networking organization working for good governance for last 10 years. Besides speaking about the achievements and successes of SUPRO in achieving grassroots’ rights, she also emphasized on many challenges SUPRO had to face.
Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, prominent economist and leading researcher in Bangladesh, was present in the Convention as chief guest and during his speech, he discussed on the current situation regarding governance, peoples’ sufferings and responsibilities of government, civil society and NGOs in achieving good governance and pro-poor policy. He praised SUPRO’s activity for its activity at national, regional and international level, which he mentioned very important to achieve the objectives at policy level. He said, to achieve sustainable development, people should be at the center of the development and to do so, people have to be empowered. He also criticized the Neo-liberal policy which is one of the major causes in increasing economical discrimination among people. He strongly protested the idea of privatization of health and education sector.Dr. Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB, being among the guests shared his views on the current political system on Bangladesh and the importance of democracy in achieving good governance and pro-poor policy change. He said the role of NGOs is to increase awareness among people about their rights and demands and it is Government’s responsibility to ensure their rights and demands. He also said that Bangladesh already has a good democratic structure but the problem is lack of proper democratic practice among the political leaders and he mentioned it as a main obstacle in achieving good governance.
One of the guests and discussants Tahmina Rahman, Director of Article Nineteen also raised the issue of political instability and lack of proper political practice in Bangladesh. She showed her impression on SUPRO’s work, she said, many organization work on campaigning good governance but SUPRO itself is doing the campaign part throughout the country at grassroots level. She concluded wishing more success of SUPRO and showing interest to be a part of these campaigning.
Prominent politician Mahmudur Rahman Manna was also present at the convention. He started his speech praising SUPRO for its work on budgetary issues. He strongly criticized the current role of politicians, he said, the politicians do not speak for the people which should be their prime role.
After the speeches from the guests an extensive and rigorous discussion was held where all the guests, Executive Committee members, National Committee members and representatives from networking members working in 45 districts actively participated. In the discussion the representatives from networking members pointed out their achievement, challenges they faced and posed recommendations to overcome the challenges and for better activity execution.
The major recommendations they posed are as follows:
- SUPRO should start work more at grassroots level and extend its activity at Upazila and Union level
- More participation of policy leader in SUPRO’s activity is required for more success in policy level
- The publications from SUPRO are of good standard and these should be distributed more among various stakeholders
- SUPRO should focus more in agricultural sector specially to ensure rights of farmers
- SUPRO could produce short film on its success and disseminate it for setting an example of rights based approach
- In the SUPRO National Committee, members should be from all 45 districts
- SUPRO’s pre budget discussion should take place at least 3 months before the declaration of National budget.
- At least 3 months Activity/event plan should be made from SUPRO secretariat should be disseminated at district level
- The number of District Committee meeting should be increased to 4 from 2
- SUPRO District Committee should be at all 64 districts
Abdul Awal, Chairperson, SUPRO moderated the convention and coordinated the discussion and ended the convention through his closing speech.