Dear BEN members:

 

This is to draw your attention to the Bangladesh Climate Change Global Action Day (BCCGAD) organized by Bangladesh Environment Network on Sept 18 (Friday), 2009. On this day, non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) across the world are rising up in defense of Bangladesh with the slogan "Stop Climate Change, Save Bangladesh!"

 

The main event will be held at the Ralph Bunche Park, across the street from the United Nations main Secretariat building in New York city. Together with Bangladesh Society, New York (BSNY) and other community, professional, and voluntary organizations, BEN is organizing a rally during 10 am to 1 pm. At the end of the rally, a Memorandum will be submitted to the UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon. Please find attached the leaflet of this rally and the Memorandum.

 

The BEN chapter in Australia BEN is organizing two rallies, one in Canberra, to be held at Lyons Shop, and another in Sydney, to be held in Hyde Park.

 

In Japan, the BEN chapter is organizing rally in Kitakyushu and are planning to hold a press conference in Tokyo.

 

BEN members in Canada (Toronto) and in Europe are also moving towards programs in support of the rallies elsewhere.

 

In Bangladesh itself, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) is organizing a rally in Dhaka in support of the BCCGAD.

 

September 18 is therefore going to be a historic day, on which Bangladeshis across the world are coming out in defense of their country. Bangladeshi rallies will provide concrete faces behind the abstract notion that many in the West have about the threat that climate change poses to Bangladesh and many other developing countries.

 

Being held on the eve of the UN Climate Change Summit of Sept 22 and the 15th Conference of Parties (COP) to be held in Copenhagen in December, the BCCGAD is expected to help enhance the urgency for action to halt climate change and to mobilize international assistance needed by Bangladesh and other climate change frontline countries in order to confront and cope with climate change.

 

The rally at UNHQ in New York will include cultural components with artists rendering patriotic songs, reciting poems, and staging acts.

 

The newly appointed Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN, Dr. Abdul Momen and the the Consul General, Mr. Shamsul Haque are expected to address the rally.

 

Several US public representatives are expected join the rally and express their solidarity.

 

Many international climate change activists and friends of Bangladesh will also join the rally.

 

It is the patriotic duty of all Bangladeshis to come forward and defend the country against the danger of climate change. BEN therefore appeals to all to join the rallies and make the BCCGAD a success.

 

Venue of the New York rally: Ralph Bunche Park, 1st Avenue, 42rd Street (between 42nd and 44th street), New York, NY 10017.  

 

Time: September 18 (Friday, 10 am to 1 pm)

 

Directions: Take the subway to "Grand Central" station. Walk east along 42nd Street to 1st Avenue; turn left and walk north to the Ralph Bunche Park, opposite to the UN main Secretariat building.