21/09/2024
Strategic Planning to Revitalize the Dhaka Unit of SCI
The strategic planning session to revitalize the Dhaka Unit of SCI took place yesterday at Basila, Mohammadpur, Dhaka. The event was attended by 20 participants, primarily university and college students, all eager to contribute to meaningful voluntary work that promotes peace and prosperity in society.
The motto of SCI, “Deeds Not Words,” sets the criteria for engaging youths to work first before becoming members of SCI. Over the past decade, SCI has faced numerous internal and external challenges. Internally, veteran members have observed significant difficulties that have led to a decline in the organization’s lifecycle. Externally, political turmoil, unjust societal systems, restrictions on freedom of speech, and global conflicts have severely impacted the roles of volunteers and civil society voices.
Despite these challenges, the SCI Dhaka Unit has been at the forefront of the peace movement in Bangladesh. However, the declining role of the national secretariat in Bangladesh has hindered participation, democratic practices, and the effectiveness of all organizational units. This situation mirrors the broader issues faced by the country over the past fifteen years.
In response, a group of veteran members from the SCI Dhaka Unit sought to revive the peace movement. Earlier this year, the unit elected a mix of innovative young members and experienced thinkers. The new leadership, including Rokshana Akther, Secretary Ram Prashad Gohs, and Chairman Ferdous Ahmed, supported by other senior members, initiated a planning workshop to infuse new energy into the Dhaka Unit. The process, led by Rokshana, was commendable.
As a life member of SCI Bangladesh Dhaka Unit with professional experience in the humanitarian and voluntary sectors, I witnessed the effectiveness of youth as change-makers. The workshop began at 11am with an introductory discussion by Rokshana, a welcome address by Ram Parashad Ghosh, and a discussion on SCI’s history by Anawar Hosain, Papan, Pavel, and Enamul. Rokshana facilitated the core session, incorporating a fusion of closed-eye meditation with background music, which set a peaceful and productive tone for the day’s activities.
At the next step participants were given pieces of white paper and markers to write down real problems they observed in SCI-DU or SCI in general, focusing on the root causes rather than symptoms. These problems were then posted on a flip chart, followed by an open forum to discuss, rearticulate, and prioritize them.
Participants were divided into two groups: those under 25 years of age and those above 25. The problems were categorized into organizational/institutional, management, voluntarism, financial/fund availability, and leadership issues etc. Each group discussed why these problems exist, actions to address them, and who would lead each action within a specific timeframe. The groups presented their findings in a plenary session, followed by an open discussion to further refine the action plans.
The session concluded at 4:50pm with cheers and applause for the collaborative effort. All participants left with a renewed voluntary spirit and a commitment to revitalizing SCI.
My heartfelt thanks go to Rokshana, Ram Babu, Ferdous, Raisa, Papan, Pavel, Sazed, Rimpi, Akash, Prottasha, Hafesh, Ansha, Shakib, Teresa, and others whose names I have missed here. I would like to give special mention to Raeed, the youngest participant observer, who shared many ideas, helped hold flip charts, pen and papers were readily available. I am excited and look forward to the new beginning of SCI DU in Bangladesh.
Anwar Hossain
Life member, SCI Dhaka Unit
