‘Civil society engagement necessary for project implementation’

Some members of the parliament, civil society organisations and experts have demanded the formulation of a legal framework to ensure engagement of civil society members in development project implementation.

They also opined that sustainable development would hardly be achieved through existing development planning and implementation policies.

The suggestions were made during a seminar, organised by a network of COAST Foundation, CSRL, [Centre for Sustainable Rural Livelihood].

The lawmaker from Cox's Bazar-2 constituency Asheq Ullah Rafiq joined the event as chief guest. Lawmakers from a reserved seat for women Sayeda Rubina Akter and Gloria Jharna Sarker participated as special guests.

Management Director of Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCT) Dr Rezaul Houqe, Chief Executive of CPRD Md. Shamsuddoha, Md. Masum of CDP, Md. Bazlur Rahaman of BNNRC, Nikhil Chandra Vadra of Coastal Protection Movement, Aminur Rasul Babul addressed the event.

The keynote was presented by Syed Aminul Hoque of COAST and the event was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of COAST and Ziaul Hoque Mukta of CSRL.

Formulation of a parliamentary monitoring mechanism with local representatives for project implementation and making public hearings mandatory for local administration was underscored in the keynote presentation.