Bangladesh Environment  Network

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BEN members present: Mr. H. Taufiq Choudhury, M. Khalequzzaman, Nazrul Islam, Saleh Tanveer, Dipen Bhattacharyya (came in late), Muhit Rahman, Nurul Kabir (came in late), Mahmud Faruque, M. Alauddin, Golam Kabir, Shah Alam Amin, Alauddin (from Virginia)

Reporters and Editors present: Kazi Shamsul Haq (Ekhon Shomoy), Anisul Kabir Jasir (Shaptahik Bangladesh), Ashraful Hassan Bulbul (Dorpon and Thikana), Mainuddin Nasir (Daily Bangla Potrika), Mr. Mohammadullah (Founding Editor, Probashi), Mr. Fazlur Rahman (representing ?).

The meeting started with Mr. Taufiq Choudhury welcoming all the participants and reporters.

Professor Nazrul Islam, the BEN coordinator, introduced BEN to the audience. He mentioned three elements involved in the environment of Bangladesh—Government, NGO and Civic organizations (like Porosh). He talked about how BEN’s involvement was instrumental in uniting all pro-environment forces under the umbrella of BAPA (Bangladesh Poribesh Andalon) in the wake of ICBEN 2000 conference. BEN’s continuing support (moral, technical, and financial) and the relation between BEN and BAPA was explained to the audience. He observed that the creation of such a united pro-environment force in Bangladesh has put pressure on the government and resulted in some noticeable gains. These include: (a) stopping the distribution of leaded gasoline, (b) clearing Buriganga encroachment to some degree, (c) government announcement to stop filling up of Ahulia wetlands, (d) announcement to phase out two stroke engine vehicle (TSEV). Mr. Anisul Kabir Jasir added ban of polythene bag to this list. Professor Nazrul Islam went on to discuss the role non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) can make to effect a positive change in Bangladesh. Professor Islam mentioned that one of the main reasons for choosing New York as the venue for this meeting was the presence of media (Bengali newspapers with wide readership among Bangladeshis). Professor Islam also mentioned the idea of introducing BEN Internship program (BIP) to attract primarily young Bangladeshis and Bangladeshi-Americans to the cause of environment in Bangladesh for short 4-8 week period, while being supervised by partners of BEN in Bangladesh. Professor Islam also mentioned that BEN is in the process of publishing on a regular basis a BEN Journal of Environment that will feature scholarly articles as well as introductory feature articles about different environmental problems in Bangladesh. The first issue will be dedicated to Global Warming, while a second one is expected to be on Air Pollution. The coming International Conference on Bangladesh Environment (ICBEN 2002) on December 19-21^st at BUET, Dhaka was also mentioned. The current expansion plan of BAPA outside of Dhaka was also discussed.

Mr. Mohammadullah expressed his pleasure at seeing increasing awareness and positive response about environment in Bangladesh. In giving a historical background of the environmental movement in the subcontinent, he mentioned similar movements in India early on. Now, environment consciousness has come to Bangladesh. As an example, he cited that each major newspaper in Bangladesh has an environment reporter. Mr. Mohammadullah asked for increased attention to the danger of pesticides, which have been banned in the western countries, but are being freely used in Bangladesh, without any safety precaution. He also mentioned the indiscriminate use of fertilizer. He called for creating avenue for activism among the younger generation and noted that BEN Internship program (BIP) could provide such an avenue.

Mr. Fazlur Rahman: He noted the various source of pollution in Bangladesh. He felt that with increasing emphasis on environment world wide, the Bangladesh government had to follow suit. He felt encouraged in seeing that environmental activism transcended party politics and other partisan interests.

Professor Shah Alam Amin underscored the role of youth and media in such a movement.

Professor Saleh Tanveer mentioned BEN’s dual role as an organization both for the expert and the activist and how the two roles complement each other. He gave a specific instance where information obtained from a BEN expert over the internet helped disseminate a common-sense long-term solution for arsenic contamination--creating and maintaining a banked slightly chlorinated pond with a lining to prevent ground water contamination. This information was helpful in questioning why the government should spend foreign-donor money on a million-dollar feasibility project, instead of investing in common-sense solution as above.

Mr. Golam Kabir mentioned the problem of industrial waste and effluent in Bangladesh. He mentioned his own experience of how a government gas production facility was releasing massive amounts of hydra-carbons into water bodies and how this could create harmful by-products. Mr. Golam Kabir mentioned the need in Bangladesh for every project to include study of environmental impact before it is approved.

Professor Shah Alam Amin reiterated the checklist of BAPA’s activism mentioned earlier by Professor Nazrul Islam.

Mr. Anisul Kabir Jasir reiterated BAPA’s impact on environmental activism in Bangladesh. He mentioned ban of polythene bag in particular. He mentioned the need to start early collection of funds for ICBEN 2002. He asked for advertisement material and suggested the use of arts in disseminating environmental education.

Mr. Mainuddin Nasir mentioned of his own association with the Forum of Environmental Journalists of Bangladesh (FEJB). He did not think that money should be a problem. He thought that BEN should put more effort on collaborating with US organizations such as Green Business Council in order to ensure that the laws in the U.S. and other western countries do not allow export of waste products to developing countries including Bangladesh. He also mentioned of the involvement of the society of environmental journalists on this issue. Apparently, the toxic waste import is banned, but not all types of waste. It is difficult for a country like Bangladesh to ensure if waste product is toxic or not; so it was important that appropriate lobbying efforts be done by BEN and other global organizations to enact an overall ban on all waste export from the U.S. and other western countries. He cited specific examples of waste dumping that turned out hazardous.

Mr. Golam Kabir asked for more specific information on the type of waste involved.

Mr. Mainuddin Nasir could not give this information at the time, but maintained that such technical information could be obtained. He went on to mention about inefficiencies such as in shrimp cultivation and thought that appropriate technology transfer could help in protecting Bangladesh environment.

Dr. Alauddin mentioned that environmental problems in Bangladesh were tremendous and also were coming from multiple sources. Arsenic contamination has gone beyond water into affecting the food chain and people’s health. There was no substitute for education in coping with these problems. He felt that arsenic problem had to be dealt with a number of solution approaches. What was appropriate at one location was not so at another place. As conditions varied from place to place, so did the most appropriate solution. Maintaining pond, as mentioned earlier, was a good solution in some places, but in other places digging deeper tube wells was a better solution. Dr. Alauddin mentioned a few other notable problems, such as Hazaribagh tanneries releasing chromate salt into the environment, pesticide component Andrine getting into pond water, indoor air-pollution caused mainly by poor ventilation in the kitchen leading to a lot of acute respiratory infection among village dwellers. He mentioned how simple knowledge of the need for ventilation can avoid this problem. He also mentioned the need for catalytic converter in vehicles (unleaded fuel alone will not get rid of harmful pollutants from gasoline engines). He emphasized the role of education in overcoming environmental and other problems of Bangladesh. He opined that activists can play a very important role in creating awareness and disseminating information about simple solutions.

Khurshed Alam mentioned about well-circulated stories about fish imported from Bangladesh having carcinogenic components in the preservatives being used. He asked if there were regulations in the US to prevent such harmful presence in fish consumed here. Others answered his questions in the affirmative and asked that such problems be brought to the attention of appropriate authorities.

Jasir suggested that field trips may be arranged for NRB and international participants of the ICBEN-2002 conference.

Mr. Mohammad Ullah commented that fish imported from Bangladesh have to be investigated quietly as it might otherwise create hostilities because of the possible negative affect on fish business in Bangladesh. He also mentioned that dumping into the sea near Export Processing Zones (EPZs) need to be investigated as well as the environmental impact of shrimp cultivation be looked into.

Mr. Alauddin (from Virginia) asked that people living in the coastal zones should be informed of alarming environmental hazards caused by unwise use of land. He also asked for such alerts for those living near tanneries.

Mr. Muhit Rahman called for better integration of Bengali media in New York with the mainstream American media as it affords better opportunities for highlighting problems. He also called for getting women involved in the environmental movement. He also called for more action than words.

Mr. Ashraful Hassan Bulbul mentioned that other South Asian journalists as well as mainstream journalists could have been involved in the BEN meeting if a longer notice was given for the meeting.

Mr. Jasir mentioned that SAJA (South Asian Journalist Association) can be directly involved with BEN as it would provide access to more than 800 journalists associated with it.

Towards the end of the inaugural session, Dr. Dipen Bhattacharya presented a power point presentation highlighting the state of Bangladesh environment and BEN's efforts.

The meeting ended with H. Taufiq Chowdhury offering special thanks to Sajna restaurant for making available at no charge their facilities for the meeting. He also thanked the assembled journalists and editors for being present at the meeting and also asked that they join the BEN members for lunch.

In attendance: H. Taufiq Choudhury, M. Khalequzzaman, Nazrul Islam, Saleh Tanveer, Dipen Bhattacharyya, Muhit Rahman, Nurul Kabir, Mahmud Faruque, Shah Alam Amin, Ashraful Hassan Bulbul, Ms. Mahfuza Bulbul

Professor Nazrul Islam asked the audience to comment on where BEN stands at this time and in particular to comment on the morning inaugural session as part of overall stock taking and impressions.

Mr. Mahmud Faruque commented that relationship with BAPA was well defined. At this point, we have to involve more people and thought that press-involvement was an important element. He thought that the returns were limited from involving NRB cultural and professional organizations since many of them involved controversial personalities. He also commented that the structure of BEN Internship program (BIP) should be seriously thought through.

Professor Nazrul Islam also asked for comments on weaknesses of BEN activities and on BEN’s future directions.

Mr. Mahmud Faruque commented about under utilization of BEN resources such as the BEN list serve and BEN web site. He however noted the positive impact of self-financing that BEN had decided on.

Mr. Muhitur Rahman commented on the idea of a workshop with a focused issue, such as global warming, because it is easier to concentrate on a single issue. He also asked that we give a definite timetable (say 6 months) for the formation of BEN Internship program (BIP), without worrying too much about making mistakes. We will learn as we go. BAPA's relationship with BEN is a bigger issue. He thought it was important that BEN has an identity independent of BAPA. He noted that recently BEN list serve was not having much debate and active participation. He sought ways to enliven it and thought that perhaps, an unmoderated list would be more spontaneous.

Professor Khalequzzaman commented that BEN's main accomplishment has been its persistence. The problems include failure of significant activities outside of a small group of people. Also, we have had problems in fund raising in that the sources were not diversified enough. Also, the postings on the BEN mailing list did not have many comments. He emphasized the role of BEN editors in this regard. He thought that BEN should be involved in quality action research and the proposed BEN journal was a step in the right direction as it will back up and guide activists’ program. However, appropriate recognition of BEN still remains a concern, as noticed in our proposal for BEN to be co-host with BAPA for the ICBEN-2002 conference. He thought that involving local journalists in BEN’s activities would be a good idea.

Mr. Muhitur Rahman asked how we could improve membership numbers for BEN.

Mr. Nurul Kabir commented that numbers were not so important. It is the interest of people that mattered. How do we move forward was the issue. Priorities should include

a) developing organic relation with people in Bangladesh,

b) people involved should feel part of the process,

c) we should define ourselves in terms of our commitment to move forward.

Mr. H. Taufiq Chaudhury noted decreased intensity of discussions in BEN list serve. However he thought that this was to be expected. We should do things that are worthwhile, though not necessarily by other people’s standard. Mr. Chaudhury thought that the press in Bangladesh played a vital role in ICBEN 2000, and that we can think of creation of BAPA as one of major accomplishments. He did not think editorship of BEN was necessarily the reason for reduced number of postings and exchanges in BEN list serve. He thought interaction with press was going to be a positive factor. However he noted that the burden was on us to ensure proper reporting and to make it worth for the press people to pay attention to us. Narrow topic based discussion in any one city cannot project the whole impression.

Mr. Muhitur Rahman thought that internet-based discussions were sometimes useful and sometimes not. He thought invitation of local activists in local initiatives was the way to invigorate BEN. He also put forward the idea of having shadow moderators, rather than explicit moderators.

Dr. Dipen Bhattacharya thought that aside from BAPA meeting announcements showing up in BEN posting, we should urge that they also post BAPA meeting minutes. He also thought that BEN has shown a good example of sustained activism. He also thought that ways of restructuring of the BEN lists server should be given thought.

Mr. Muhit Rahman urged that we should also involve young NRBs.

Dr. Khalequzzaman talked about the advantage of getting involved with US activists.

Ms. Mahfuza Bulbul talked about getting nonprofit organizations like Asian American foundation involved. She mentioned that though she was not directly involved with BEN, she knew about BAPA activities through Mr. Abdullah Abu Sayeed. She also thought that funding should be self-sustaining; however, without exhausting the limited number of donors, BEN could tap into associations of doctors and other professionals. We could use press kit for dissemination of information about BEN. The receptivity of these organizations, however, is not clear.

Mr. Muhit Rahman asked for setting targets and than look for funding to cover the budget. He asked that we move forward with the idea of BEN Internship program (BIP) by explicitly committing to having four student interns this year.

Professor Shah Alam Amin raised questions about attrition and minimal threshold of membership levels to sustain activities over the long run. He asked whether or not increased funding was necessary to do that. He also wanted to know the mission statement and the reason for self-reliance. He asked that BEN should not worry too much about recognition since our primary goal is to have things move in the right direction in Bangladesh. He also thought dissemination of environmental knowledge was important and did not think that the numerical size of the organization was an important factor. What we need is dissemination and education. He also asked that we should deal with more site-specific issues than general issues.

Mr. Muhit Rahman observed that we should have a slide presentation prepared for global warming.

Professor Amin supported the idea of a field trip as part of the ICBEN conference. He asked that BEN continued its present momentum and with involvement of more people a critical size will be reached to sustain this momentum.

Ms. Mahfuza Bulbul suggested that artists should be involved in BEN’s work.

Mr. Bulbul suggested that newspapers and other professional organizations be involved. He wanted to know if the BEN was registered with the federal government. The answer to this question was in the positive. He asked about the role of BEN in BAPA. He also would like to see us involve Bangladesh Caucus of the US Congress (consisting of Congressmen Crowley, Ackerman, and others) in our cause.

Responding to the discussion Professor Nazrul Islam commented that

a) There was no reason to be discouraged as we were getting new members continually, without any significant reaching out efforts.

b) BEN list serve has now become mature. Animated discussion per se will not solve Bangladesh’s environmental problems. We have crossed the stage of maiden animated discussion. Now is the time for actual work. That is exactly what BAPA is for. The continual flow of announcements of BAPA work and events should be a major source of satisfaction. Yes, it will be desirable to have follow-up reports on BAPA events. But, press items covering BAPA events are also being posted to BEN. However, we may ask BAPA secretaries to post to BEN mailing list reports of their own.

c) Editorship of BEN is not an obstacle to spontaneous discussion. Editorship is necessary for technical reason only, such as to delete carryover of past messages in any response. This is particularly necessary for BEN list members inside Bangladesh who has to pay by the time required to download the mails. Very rarely postings to BEN are rejected or substantially modified by BEN editors. BEN-IG and CC members are taking turn in being BEN editors. They are always welcome to display their initiatives and creativity.

d) BEN-IG and CC members themselves can try to post and relay more messages to BEN list.

e) The main distinction between BEN and many other NRB discussion lists is that BEN is not limited to discussion only. BEN is action oriented. Not only that BEN sees its main task to lies in influencing events on the ground inside Bangladesh. From that point of view, there are considerable reasons to feel encouraged. BEN’s main objective of seeing pro-environment forces of Bangladesh united has been achieved to a great extent. This has created new possibilities in Bangladesh. This has also created new demands on BEN. It is precisely to meet these demands that BEN now has to spread to wider NRB community. That has to be the main focus of the current BEN meeting in New York.

 

 

 

In attendance: H. Taufiq Choudhury, M. Khalequzzaman, Nazrul Islam, Saleh Tanveer, Dipen Bhattacharyya, Muhit Rahman, Nurul Kabir, Mahmud Faruque

Nazrul Islam: (Report on BEN-BAPA relationship):

Organizing committee of ICBEN 2000 took over as executive committee for BAPA initially. The format of BAPA was not clear initially. There were different ideas. For example, it was not clear whether BAPA should be a federation of organizations or it should have direct individual members. BAPA was emerging as a unique type of organization. There was hardly any precedent. Formulating an organizational format for BAPA was therefore not easy. Only gradually, through some trial and error and back and forth movement of ideas, the organizational structure of BAPA could be determined. A document outlining the objectives and broad organizational structure of BAPA was adopted in May 2000. This was followed by formation of a Constitution Committee to draft a constitution. After considerable deliberation and efforts, such a draft was prepared and adopted in May 2001. The novelty of BAPA constitution lies in its allowance for both organizations and individuals become BAPA members. In order for that, organizations were to have ‘individual member equivalence,’ to be determined by comparing the membership fee that the organization agrees to pay with the fee of an individual member. This equivalence ratio is to progressively increase so that any particular organization or organizations cannot dominate BAPA.

In terms of structure, BAPA constitution allows for three tiers. The broadest is the General Assembly formed of all or representatives of all BAPA individual and organization members. At the next level is the National Committee, which is in charge of policy making. Finally there is the Executive Committee entrusted with the responsibilities of implementing the policy decisions and carrying out the day to day functions. Initial BAPA National and Executive committees were formed in June 2001. With the adoption of BAPA constitution and formation of BAPA committees, many ambiguities were resolved and BAPA activities got a strong impetus.

Between 2001 and 2002 BAPA made considerable progress. BAPA office in Lalmatia Dhaka has become a hub of environmental experts and activists. The work of the office has been streamlined. BAPA’s own bank account has been opened. Efforts are on to get BAPA registered. Various task-forces on specific environmental various issues (such as air pollution, rivers, polythene, sustainable agriculture, etc.), had been formed soon after ICBEN-2000 and their activities increased with crystallization of BAPA organizational structure. BAPA’s activities are getting considerable attention of the press. BAPA has been able to make a place in the national scene of Bangladesh. Apart from street agitation on various issues, BAPA has also organized successful conference of doctors for environment and another conference highlighting the plight of the Sundarbans. By refraining from taking any donor money, BAPA has earned the reputation of being a genuine civic voluntary organization. This reputation is helping BAPA draw many good and reputable people to it.

Growth also brought some problems in the organization in terms of positions, personalities, etc. Also BAPA fund mobilization inside Bangladesh is not quite satisfactory yet. BAPA has raised some money through its life membership campaign (a total of about Tk 50,000 @ Tk 2,000 each). But, NRB contribution through BEN and otherwise is still proving the main source of finance for BAPA. Currently each month BEN proides Tk 10,000 for overhead, Tk 5,000 for program costs, and another Tk 10,000 for BEN fellowship. In addition, BEN-IG member, Mr. Muhit gave last winter $5,000, which proved crucial in financing the doctors’ conference on environment. Finally, Prof. Abdullah Abu Sayeed raised about $6,000 during his recent visit to the U.S. Thanks to these NRB contributions, BAPA has overcome the financial crisis that it was in until recently. BAPA needs to try harder to mobilize fund from RB individual and organization members.

BAPA Executive Chairman, A.M.A Muhit participated in last parliamentary elections as a nominee of Awami League. In view of this political affiliation, Mr. Muhith considers it now inappropriate to continue as Chairman of BAPA, which has to be a non-political organization in order to function as the united platform of all pro-environment forces of the country. In view of this, BAPA recently started a process of reorganization of its committees. A General Assembly was held earlier this year where a 101 member National Committee was formed, with some more members to be co-opted later. On June 17, 2002 the newly formed National Committee held its first meeting in which a 51 member new Executive Committee was formed. Prof. Jamilur Reza Chowdhury has been elected as the new Chairman f BAPA. In an upcoming meeting the Executive Committee will elect other office bearers.

A special executive committee meeting was held in May 2002 during Prof. Islam’s visit. Among other issues the meeting discussed the issue of ICBEN-2002. Prof. Islam expressed BEN’s view that BEN should be explicitly named as an organizer of ICBEN-2002 and provided the detailed argumentation. The meeting appreciated BEN’s view and decided that in principle BEN’s role will be given explicit recognition. However the meeting deferred the actual language of such recognition to be determined by the next regular meeting of BAPA EC. The subsequent EC meeting (which Prof. Islam could not attend because of family emergencies) decided that it would be mentioned that ICBEN-2002 is organized "with special assistance of BEN."

So far as preparation for ICBEN-2002 is concerned, Prof. Islam emphasized in the BAPA EC meeting the necessity of making efforts in Bangladesh to line up interesting international guests. He also emphasized the necessity of securing the presence of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition in ICBEN-2002.

Prof. Islam also mentioned about BAPA’s efforts to expand environment movement outside Dhaka. He narrated his experience of travelling to Netrokona and attending one such meeting. BAPA secretary has earlier held similar meeting in Jessore. The experience confirms that objective situation is ripe to spread environment movement all across the country. However there is some controversy about how exactly this is to be done. BAPA has formed a separate Task Force to lead this effort. On request from this Task Force, Prof. Islam prepared a concept paper detailing the issues involved. The Task Force is to discuss and formulate concrete lines of action. In general, spreading environment movement in districts and Upazillas represent a new stage of development for BAPA. It is a big challenge and will require more manpower and resources. A whole team of activists working almost full time will be necessary to accomplish this task. BEN also needs to live up to this challenge by expanding its capability to support BAPA.

Finally, in terms of keeping ongoing relationship with BAPA, a problem will arise if Mr. Taqsem Khan, one of the two BEN representatives in Dhaka decides to move to the USA. BEN then will have to find somebody suitable to replace Taqsem.

Muhit Rahman: Suggested that interested local people or organizations at the Upazilla level should be supported.

Nazrul Islam: In summary, our primary goal of seeing united movement of pro-environment forces of Bangladesh has been to a great extent achieved. Now it is necessary to sustain and expand this unity. BAPA is further expanding its presence in Dhaka. A forum of youth called Green Force has recently been launched in close cooperation with BAPA. Formation of a Dhaka committee of BAPA is also under active consideration. However, the main immediate goal is to spread the environment movement all across the country. BAPA has to raise its capability to a new level to do this. BEN also has to accomplish a commensurate increase in its capability.

In attendance: H. Taufiq Choudhury, M. Khalequzzaman, Nazrul Islam, Saleh Tanveer, Dipen Bhattacharyya, Muhit Rahman, Mahmud Faruque

Saleh Tanveer: Items for discussion include (i) reaction to Nazrul’s report on BEN-BAPA relationship, (ii) concrete plan for BEN Internship Program, (iii) fund-raising and (iv) preparation for ICBEN 2002.

Mahmud Faruque: Working through BAPA may prove sometimes constraining. How will this relationship affect our relationship with other organizations?

Dipen Bhattacharyya: BAPA helped me personally in reaching out when I visit Bangladesh. I find it personally satisfying that BEN is helping BAPA.

Muhit Rahman: Why not co-opt suggestions from BAPA into BEN’s program?

Taufiq Choudhury: Will the executive committee of BAPA oversee BEN Internship program? We need to discuss the broader principle of BEN-BAPA relationship; BEN’s recognition is an important point. There seems to be hesitancy on the part of BAPA to recognize BEN’s role.

Muhit Rahman: Is the BAPA executive committee a functional body with so many members? Is there a lack of leadership? Who are they? Appears that Naser Khan is the main guy running the show. Need strong relationship with those who are influential in BAPA besides Naser Khan.

Khaleq: Possibility of BEN working with other partners, besides BAPA should be open. It seems that Naser sometimes goes out of bounds. Does BEN fellowship to Naser create negative feelings among other BAPA volunteers?

Nazrul:

a) Our relationship with BAPA should not preclude relationship with other organizations; e.g. Journal initiative, or Waste project.

b) Control of BEN-internship program should be ours. We might want to target just a few students and place them in concrete projects with NGO or other organizations such as academic institutions, media organizations covering environmental matters. Interns interested in an activist role can participate in BAPA events.

c) As far as BAPA, there are other people active besides Naser. Among BAPA EC members other than Naser Khan, the following stand out: Moidul Haque Khan, Serajul Islam, Kazi Muhammed Sheesh, Kazi Madina, Shahidul Islam (who organized the exhibition at the ICBEN 2000) and Dr. Matin (the organizer of the environmental health conference).

d) BAPA office rental turned out to be a good decision. Need more people involved besides Naser Khan. Domestic fund-raising is not very successful; hence BEN will continue to be very important for BAPA as long as NRB funds are channeled through BEN.

Mahmud Faruque: We need to cultivate good relationship with such people in BAPA.

Dipen: Naser himself wants other people to be involved.

Nazrul: NRB community should know of BEN’s role in Bangladesh.

Taufiq: What kind of approach makes us a different type of fundraiser? How do we get more individuals to contribute? There may be a conflict of interest when we use other organizations’ platform for fund-raising as they may seek reciprocal help using BEN.

Khaleq: Target for fund raising efforts may be the following:

a) Bangladeshi organizations, for instance Dhaka University Alumni association.

b) Charity foundation outside BD community

c) Different strategies for individuals and organization (like FOBANA)

d) Charitable organization; perhaps grant writing is necessary.

e) Editors of newspapers directed towards BD expatriates. Perhaps, full page advertisement.

Muhit:

a) We should first set goals, then seek money and then adjust goals as need be.

b) In information material about BEN, we should have a byline at the end about how people can send monetary contribution.

c) Perhaps, we can get travel agencies to sponsor BEN; they stand to gain by association with Bangladesh environment.

d) Professional organizations can be contacted for help.

e) We should ensure that others find our organization transparent in its dealings.

f) Reminders may be sent to those who have pledged.

g) We should seek greater outreach (beyond Bangladeshi community). For this purpose, each interested individual can be delegated the task of reaching out to particular organizations/individuals within their community.

h) A quarterly newsletter (electronic as well as hard copy) will be a good idea.

Mahmud Faruque: We should be involved in

a) Capacity building:

b) Improve core capability: Web site should functional. If necessary, we should raise funds for the purpose.

c) Small scale meetings in different towns.

d) Publishing, including Newsletter. We may introduce different levels of sponsorship, by introducing Gold sponsorship, Silver Sponsorship, etc.

e) Involve in outreach activities, with each person acting as ambassador of BEN. Linkage with other professional organizations.

f) For specific purposes, approach charitable organizations. Perhaps, they can support in kind, like extend technical assistance.

Dipen Bhattacharya: The following points were raised:

a) Have to make clear what money is going to do.

b) Perhaps we should be involved in a concrete air pollution project.

c) Instead of approaching organizations, we should get in touch with point man in each organization by using personal connections.

d) Perhaps, we should develop an information bank about organizations.

e) Newsletter in the print form will allow us to reach people outside of Internet.

Muhit Rahman: The costs of printed newsletter and mailing may be prohibitive.

H. Taufiq Choudhury: Perhaps, should just use BEN mailing list for sending out such newsletter, at least at the outset.

Nazrul Islam raised the following points relating to capacity building, division of labor and concrete actions.

a) So far BEN has remained limited mainly to the cyber world. Now it has to get down to the ground level of general NRB community.

b) In between, and in order to reach the ground, efforts have to be made to establish and strengthen relationship with the press, primarily the Bangla weeklies published from New York. Experience of BAPA in Bangladesh also shows that cooperation of the media and press is crucial for success of environment movement.

c) To spread at the ground level, meetings may be held in different cities as and when possible. Such meetings can be held in different formats. They can be exclusive BEN meetings. Alternatively they can be jointly organized with other organizations. They can be large gatherings with other attractions, such as cultural events. Alternatively they can be small roundtable discussions meetings. Etc.

d) In terms of materials necessary to spread the word about BEN among general NRB community, BEN is now better prepared. An attractive BEN brochure is now available. We should make good use of it. In addition, thanks to Dipen, we now have a power point presentation available. These should help making effective use of on-the-ground meetings.

e) Spread of BEN on the ground is necessary for success of our future fund raising campaigns and also for the success of the new BEN Internship Program.

f) Directory of Bangladesh organizations should be compiled.

g) We should also reflect the international character of the organization by involving environment-related organizations with global reach.

h) Web site should be worked on. Perhaps, we can find hosts that give us front-end extensions, unlike the current one.

i) We should also attempt at capacity building in Bangla by preparing Bangla write-ups.

 

Nazrul Islam: There have been

a) flyer preparation,

b) so far, about 30 abstracts have reached Professor Feroze Ahmed and another 15 have reached Saleh Tanveer

c) Professor Feroze Ahmed is in charge of papers in Bangladesh; he is meticulous and plans to prepare the volume ahead of the conference.

d) Perhaps, we have to lower expectation about the conference.

e) About the general sessions, not much has been decided about the set up; committees are yet to be formed. International guests have not been approached and Bangladeshi government and opposition leaders are yet to be asked to mark those dates.

f) The venue of the conference will be BUET, though the inaugural and concluding sessions may have to be at a bigger place than Osmani auditorium (people are thinking of Bangladesh-China Friendship Auditorium in Shere Bangla Nagar.)

H. Taufiq Choudhury: Perhaps, the general sessions should be conducted in Bangla. The conclusions from the technical part of the conference can be summarized in Bangla.

Khalequzzaman:

a) The success of environment movement in Bangladesh should find reflection in the general session.

b) With regards to technical session, going through proper editorial and reviewing processes (Professors Feroze Ahmed and Tanveer) can improve the quality of the proceedings.

c) We should ensure deadlines and targets.

d) Field trips would be a good idea.

Dipen Bhattaacharyya: It would be worthwhile to have Bangla book on environmental matters for reaching out to a larger audience

Mahmud Faruque noted that there was an arsenic story coming out in the New York Times and that we could write follow-ups on the story highlighting BEN’s efforts introducing our organization, its goals and how others could join. We should explore other ways of presenting.

Muhit Rahman noted the two distinct aspects: a) role of presentation of BEN and b) the general role of media in environmental movements.

Khalequzzaman noted the role of noted personalities like Arundhati Ray in the environmental movement in India and how they could be good for ICBEN-2002 conference.

Nazrul Islam, remarking on overall strategy:

a) Need to hammer the news about the conference and BEN.

b) We have raised about $11,000 in this year’s fund raising and together with a little bit of previously unspent balance, we have about $12,000. With this amount we have to cover both our regular monthly contribution to BAPA for this calendar year and our potential contribution for ICBEN-2002.

c) While many people in Bangladesh are aware of BEN, the same is not true among the expatriates. We should find ways so that people here know of us. This will help us with fund raising and to increase the interest in the conference.

d) Before we disperse we also need to think of concrete responsibilities for the various tasks discussed in the meeting.

The meeting ended with a show of appreciation for Hassan Taufiq Choudhury for his efforts for organizing this meeting and expressions of sincere gratitude to both Mr. H. Taufiq Choudhury and his wife Mrs. Shaheen Choudhury for hosting the attendees in addition to cooking for all present.