Partners’ Meeting of Caritas Bangladesh Concludes with Emphasis on Sustainable Partnership
On 12 February, the Partners’ Meeting of Caritas Bangladesh (CB) concluded at the Six Seasons Hotel in Dhaka, with the theme “Building lasting impact through sustainable partnership.” Leading the proceedings was Mr. Sebastian Rozario, the Executive Director of CB, serving as the program chair.
Tapan Kumar Biswas, Director (Project-1) [Additional Secretary] at NGO Affairs Bureau, Prime Minister’s Office discussed on “Collaboration Opportunities: Funding, Research, and Knowledge Sharing Aligned with Strategic Goals”. At that time, he thanked and inspired partner agencies to carry their support to CB. “Partners’ meetings help build healthy relations and understanding among different stakeholders. This meeting is significant for coordination, sharing, and interaction for Sustainable Partnership.” he started. He admired CB’s activity as it serves as a development partner of the Bangladesh government.
During the meeting, Dr. Atiur Rahman, former Governor of Bangladesh Bank and Emeritus Professor, University of Dhaka, discussed on Bangladesh’s Development Landscape: Opportunities and Challenges; Md. Shamsud Douza, Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (Deputy Secretary), Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner, Cox’s Bazar, discussed on Rohingya Humanitarian Crisis: Present Situation and Required Initiatives; Daud Jibon Das, Director- Programs of CB, discussed on Overview of Caritas Bangladesh Programming: Achievement/Key Initiatives aligning with Strategic Goals (2019-2024); Florian Höllen, Counsellor, Head of German Development Cooperation, German Embassy Dhaka and Professor Mizan R. Khan, Deputy Director, International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) and Program Director of Least Developed Countries, University Consortium on Climate Change (LUCCC) discussed on Climate Change, Ecological Transition, Challenges, and Solutions in Bangladesh; Raja Barrister Debashish Roy, Chief of Chakma Circle discussed on Indigenous Peoples (Ethnic Minority) Rights, Challenges and Way Forwards; Professor Dr. Anwar Hossain, Department of Social Work, Jagannath University, Dhaka, discussed on Challenges and Opportunities of the Excluded Vulnerable Groups (e.g. Transgender, Person with Disability, Street Children) in Urban and Remote Areas; Kazi Shahidur Rahman, Humanitarian Affairs and DRR Specialist, discussed on Humanitarian Response, Preparedness and Anticipatory Action for Community Resilience, Challenges and Solutions; Ms. Rasheda K. Choudhury, Executive Director (CEO), CAMPE and K M Hasan Ripon, Executive Director and Principal, Daffodil Institute of Engineering & Technology and National Host Enterprise, discussed on Inclusive Education Strategies and Challenges for Hard-to-Reach Populations in Both General and Vocational Sectors; Dr. Tahmeed Ahmed, Executive Director, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) discussed on Nutritional Status of Children, Adolescent and Pregnant Woman in Bangladesh – Situation Analysis and Agenda for the Future; Md. Rafiqual Islam, Manager (Grants Coordination of CB, discussed on Experience of Partnership, Funding/Financing, Collaboration, Challenges, and Opportunities, Mamunur Rashid, Head of MEAL, discussed on Caritas Bangladesh’s Vision and Strategic Priorities (2024-2029)- Draft; Remi Subash Das, Director- Finance and Administration of CB, discussed on Caritas Bangladesh’s Vision and Strategic Priorities (2024-2029)- Draft. Furthermore. Md. Mijanur Rahman, Director General of the Department of Disaster Management (DDM) and Netai Dey Sarker, Director (Monitoring and Information Management) of DDM, attended the third day of meeting, and thanked CB’s partners agencies for their support.
However, CB’s Partners’ Meeting was started on 10 February where Most Rev. Archbishop Bejoy N. D’Cruze, OMI, the Bishop of Dhaka, and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Bangladesh, who attended as the Chief Guest. His Eminence Cardinal Patrick D’Rozario, CSC, also honored the occasion as a special guest. The overall objectives of this gathering is to foster effective communication, collaboration, and coordination to create a positive future for the vulnerable communities in Bangladesh. The purpose of this meeting are to share the development trend and challenges in Bangladesh, to share the significance of strategic collaboration among partners to address the unique and diversified challenges faced by Bangladesh through coordinated approach to maximize impact and to align with goals and strategies of partners working towards attaining a common vision.
Attendees of the three-day meeting were the representatives of Caritas Internationalis and it’s member organizations, Caritas Asia, and few other funding partners; Central, Regional, Trust and Project Directors, all Sector/Section Heads, and senior level staff members of CB.