Partnerships for a Tolerant and Inclusive Bangladesh (PTIB), UNDP, BANGLADESH
Bangladesh is a country of different diversified casts, culture, religion and so on. A person or a group can be identified as a diversified group based on their distinct cultural background, religion, gender, sexual orientation, economic condition, educational background etc. In this regard, almost 48 ethnic communities, transgender, Madrasa Students, tea garden workers, city cleaners and some religious minority groups exist in Bangladesh, what makes the country a home of diversity.
From upper to lower level in our society, there exists a distinct belief among the mass people about these diversified groups and as there is the absence of or limited contact between these communities, a lack of comprehension, sympathy and simple understanding, together with a risk of prejudices, xenophobia, polarization and misunderstandings are naturally the results. All these stereotypes create communal tension and hamper social harmony and peaceful co-existence. These multi-cultural, religious and other phenomena in current times have posed a great challenge for the peaceful and harmonious co-existence among adherents of various diversified communities in Bangladesh.
This multi-cultural, religious and other phenomenon in current times have posed a great challenge for the peaceful and harmonious co-existence among adherents of various diversified communities in Bangladesh. Hence, the bid to curb this challenge has given rise to the concept of “Peace Network” among youth from different cultural, religious, ethnic, educational and ideological backgrounds, promoting peace by experiencing and learning from each other’s culture, religion and lifestyle.
Activities
Online Interview Sessions for the Selection of Peace Ambassador
Different online interview sessions have been organized to select “Peace Ambassadors” from different universities and districts. This was an informal session to know more about the participants and their expertize.
Online Orientation Program
Different online orientation program has been organized for the selected peace ambassadors. The program was organized to give a clear idea to the peace ambassadors about their activities in the Peace Network. Throughout the program, United Nations PTIB Project Manager Robert Stoleman, PTIB Project Officer Rebecca Sultana, The Earth Co-Founder Shakila Sattar and the Executive Director and Member of the Board Mohammad Mamun Mia were present and discussed on the issues related to Peace Network.
Training Session of Peace Ambassador
To know the Peace Ambassador about issues related to peace and harmony in our country a training session has been organized for them. The training session was mainly divided into two parts.
The Earth Society Executive Director & Member of the Board, Mohammad Mamun Mia started the training session with his welcome remarks to the guests and the Peace Ambassador. Nahim Razzaq, Member of Parliament; Member, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Foreign Affairs was present in the training session as Chief guest and he instructed the Peace Ambassadors on the role to be played in maintaining peace and harmony in the society. Again, PTIB Project Officer; Rebecca Sultana emphasized how peace ambassadors can work together with the United Nations Development Program, Diversity for Peace, to maintain intercultural harmony in society.
The second session started with a quiz competition wherefrom all the peace ambassadors five were selected as winners. Afterwards, Syed Mujibul Haque, Additional Secretary and Project Director, ICT Division, discussed the steps to be taken against misinformation and cybercrime and the initiatives of the ICT Division. Syed Tayabul Bashar the Chairperson of Save & Serve Foundation provided guidance to the peace ambassadors on how to maintain inter-religious harmony in the society by adhering to their respective religions and respecting other religions.
At last, the training session was ended by the closing remarks of The Earth Society Co-Founder, Shakila Sattar Trina. She said that through this training, the peace ambassadors would help them to complete their activities in the future and expressed her gratitude towards UNDP and its Diversity for Peace platform for their support to build a Peace Network.
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Peace Hackathon
A two days long Peace Hackathon was organized by The Earth Society, in collaboration with UNDP and its Diversity for Peace Program. Among the 150 Peace Ambassadors, the registered ambassadors were able to participate in the Peace Hackathon. More than 10 groups participated in the Program.
The first day of the program was divided into two parts. At the beginning of the peace hackathon, the session speakers gave their valuable ideas on different issues. At first, Sharmin Islam, UNDP Bangladesh's Women Economic Empowerment Specialist, highlighted the role of women in establishing peace and harmony in our society. Moreover, she also highlighted the different interpretations that exist in addressing the diverse population of our society. After that, UNDP Bangladesh Head of Communications Md. Abdul Qayyum spoke on the significance of peaceful communication and how we can unite all the diversity of the society through peaceful communication. Md. Monirul Islam; bpm (bar), ppm (bar), Additional Commissioner of Police, Chief of Counter-Terrorism and Transnational Crime (CTTC) Bangladesh Police, Ministry of Home Affairs discussed on the participation of the youth in maintaining peace and harmony. In addition, he discussed how the youths could fight against terrorism and make our country as a secularist country. Lastly, UNDP Bangladesh's PTIB Project Officer Rebecca Sultana discussed with the Peace Ambassadors how they could unite all the diversity of the society through their cooperation and intelligence.
Shortly after the speech of the session speakers, the Peace Ambassadors started their first day's activities in 11 groups. On this day, they find out the problems that the diverse people of our society face to maintain peace and harmony among themselves.
On the second day, Peace hackathon activities were again conducted into two parts. At first, peace ambassadors provide solutions to their identified problems through aptitude and innovative thinking. During the two-day event, a full-time facilitator in each team assisted the Peace Ambassadors. As a result, peace ambassadors received not only guidance from moderators but also knowledge on how they could implement their proposed solutions for diverse populations. The facilitators in the Peace Hackathon days are- Siddhartho Goswami, Habibur Rahman Patwari, Rubina Yeasmin, Farhan Ridoy, Rokonnuzaman Sajol, Arup Barua, Abdulla Mohammad Sakib, Shathy Jomoddar, Asad Khan, Imdadul Haque and Sarit Qaium Talukder.
After that in the second phase, a special jury was formed to judge the solutions provided by the ambassadors. The jury board was formed with Hon'ble Member of Parliament Nahim Razzak, Special Correspondent of Ekattar TV, Farzana Rupa; And Robert Stoelman, PTIB Project Manager, UNDP Bangladesh. All the groups present their proposed solutions for the diverse population of our society is well decorated. Throughout their presentation, various issues related to religious extremism and intolerance for different views of our society, various problems of third gender people, increasing harmony among those involved in tourism, coexistence among people of different religious beliefs, etc. have been come out from different perspective.
After that among the eleven groups, the Jury Board members selected four groups as the winning groups. Saifur Rahman of Sylhet Agricultural University, Md. Monir Hossain of Chittagong National University, Shamama Akhter of Barisal University, Tazreen Sultana Putul of Bangladesh University of Professionals, Fahmida Akhter of Kazi Nazrul Islam University and Sarjeel Huda Tahsin of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology were declared as the champions. Collectively, the 1st Runner-up was selected as the "D and H groups". Among the D group participants were Miraj Hawlader of Barisal University, Mallick Mokarrabin Hossain of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman University of Science and Technology, Md. Taifur Rahman of Patuakhali University of Science and Technology, Farzana Farin of Bangladesh University of Professionals and Shakhawat Hossain Shakib of Kazi Nazrul Islam University and among the H group participants were Sharmin Akhter Brishti of Khulna University, Empa Yasmin of Kushtia Islamic University, SM Hafizullah of BUFT and Sajal Rabidas of Jagannath University. The 2nd Runner-up team was selected as "Team-I" where the participants were Irina Tasnim Rupa of Patuakhali University of Science and Technology, Md. Asadul Haque of Hamdard University and Md. Omar Farooq Joy of the National University.
The Champion group was awarded ten thousand (10,000), the 1st Runner up group was awarded five thousand (5,000) and the 2nd Runner up was awarded three thousand (3,000) taka. Certificates were provided among all the participants in Peace Hackathon.
Finally, Robert Stoelman, PTIDP Project Manager, UNDP Bangladesh, praised the youth for all the solutions offered and called on them to participate in innovative activities for a more diverse population.
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Peace Network
An important part of realizing this task will be to let youth learn from experience. To establish a proper Peace Network, selected peace ambassador from different parts of Bangladesh will create a peace network blog. Participants will write different blogs on the creation of the ‘peace network’. 128 peace ambassadors will be selected from 64 districts, of whom, there will be equally 64 men and 64 women youth peace ambassadors. Moreover, to make a more effective network, 135 Campus Ambassadors will be selected from both the public and the private universities of Bangladesh. Additionally, At the divisional level, 8 young men and 8 young women, a total of ‘16 ‘Regional Coordinators’ will be selected from 8 divisions of the country. Together they will coordinate their divisional ‘Peace Network region.A newly formed ‘National Peace Working Committee’ will operate the Peace network with the experts in youth development and leadership.
Online Peace Week
- Webinar
- Photo contest,
- Online Peace conference,
- Online Video Contest,
- Online Article Hunt,
- Quest for Short Film Story,
- Creative Content Hunt
Online Media Briefing
An online media briefing will be organized for the dissemination of the activities done in the ‘peace network
Online Magazine
An online magazine will be published which will cover all major news, activities and articles about the programme.