04/05/2026
On 3 May 2026, the Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF) organized the “Nagorikata Thematic Collaboration & Networking Event” at Pan Pacific Sonargaon, Dhaka.
The event aimed to bring together CEF Strategic Partners (SPs), grantees, consortium partners, and other stakeholders to connect, share ideas, and strengthen collaboration.
The event provided a structured platform for dialogue and collaboration around four priority areas: Anti-Discrimination Law, Human Rights Defenders Protection Act, Gender Equality, and Youth Engagement.
The program began with welcome remarks by Dr. Adi Walker, Team Leader, and Katharina König, Deputy Team Leader of Nagorikata: CEF. Mr. Michal Krejza, Head of Cooperation at the European Union, delivered the opening remarks. Ms. Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), spoke on behalf of the Strategic Partners. This was followed by the inaugural remarks from Dr. Saimum Parvez, Special Assistant to the Honourable Prime Minister on Environment, Forestry and Climate Change.
An overview of the program and introduction to the four thematic areas were presented by Mr. AKM Mahbubul Islam Tanvir from BANDHU and Md Rokonuzzaman from ASK. A panel discussion on the four themes followed, moderated by Mr. Hasibur Rahman, Executive Director of MRDI.
The event then moved into four parallel breakout sessions. The Anti-Discrimination Law session was facilitated by Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF), the Human Rights Defenders Protection Act session by Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK), the Youth Engagement session by BANDHU, and the Gender Equality session by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). These sessions brought together partners, government representatives, and experts for detailed discussions and joint planning.
In the closing session, key points from the breakout discussions were presented by Mr. Wasiur Rahman Tonmoy, Lead, Youth and Social Cohesion at MJF. Ms. Sara Hossain, Executive Director (Honorary) of BLAST, also shared her reflections.
Closing remarks were delivered by Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of CPD, along with Special Guest Dr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Adviser to the Honorable Prime Minister on Finance and Planning. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Ms. Corinne Thévoz, Deputy Head of Cooperation at the Embassy of Switzerland.
The event marked an important step in strengthening partnerships, encouraging dialogue, and promoting joint action for inclusive civic engagement in Bangladesh.
This initiative is supported by the Nagorikata: Civic Engagement Fund (CEF), funded by Switzerland, Canada, and the European Union, and managed by GFA Consulting Group.