Divisional level sharing workshop in Sylhet, Bangladesh

On 9th March, 2011, partners of Concern Universal, Bangladesh organized a Divisional level sharing workshop on ‘Divisional-level sharing workshop on Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation’ in the Sylhet District Council auditorium, Sylhet, Bangladesh. The event was organized jointly by local NGOs- Ethnic Community Development Organization (ECDO), VARD, RWDO, SSS and Shrimangal Foundation and was finance by Concern Universal- Bangladesh.  In that workshop, the speakers urged the Government authorities to formulate an appropriate policy to cope the adverse impacts of climate change and global warming. They also gave stress about the need for strong alliance of the Least Developing Countries (LDCs) in order to coerce the developed nations to reduce carbon dioxide emission.
They also warned that Bangladesh would be one of the worst victims of global climate changes and as a result the food and health security of its people would become more vulnerable due to natural disasters.

The Executive Director of ECDO, Mr. Lakshmikanta Singh delivered the welcome speech. This workshop was presided over by the director, VARD, Mr. Shahid Uddin Mahmud.

In his speech, the City Mayor, Mr. Badar Uddin Ahmed Kamran said that the government would not spare any industry violating pollution norms and had already given mandate for state-owned units to set up its own waste management units. He also said that the new industrial policy would encourage environment-friendly industrialization. “We must demand compensation from developed countries for damages we are facing because of their acts,” he added. The mayor also added that the Government was continuing its efforts at international forums to realize compensation for victims of climate change.



City Mayor addressing the audience



Interactive session




Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Sylhet Sadar, Mr. Enamul Habib, Deputy Director of Environment Department, Md. Zillur Rahman, Vice-Chairman of Companygonj Upazila, Ms. Nasrin Jahan Fatema, and Md. Abdul Hamid, Head-Organizational Development & Education Unit Concern Universal Bangladesh also gave their valuable opinions at the workshop. A presentation was displayed by Mr. Masud Rana, Asst. Project Manager of Concern  Universal.  Ms. Sabrin Sultana Project officer of Concern Universal was also present in that workshop.

Reported By,

Lakshmikanta Singh

Executive Director

Ethnic Community Development Organization (ECDO)