Non- governmental organisations need to think more creatively to address the economic inequality that Bangladesh now faces, speakers stressed at a discussion here on Sunday.
Although Bangladesh has achieved remarkable success in alleviating poverty, political and social inequality still remain as major challenges, they said. Development organisations should come up with creative solutions to tackle these challenges to help Bangladesh achieve the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the speakers said. They also identified bureaucracy as another barrier to development at the orientation programme titled ‘Coordination for Development Effectiveness: Orientation for Government Field Administrator’ organised by NGO Affairs Bureau in collaboration with Brac at Brac Inn Auditorium in the capital.
Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam inaugurated the event, said a press release. Shafiul Alam said a regional manager at a non-governmental organisation can take decisions independently, whereas in a government office this is not possible due to bureaucracy.
“Hence more synergy between government and non-government organisations is required as both works for the same goals of alleviating poverty.”
Prof Abdul Bayes presented a comparative analysis on ‘7th Five Year Plan and SDG Implementation’ at the programme. “We could not achieve that much from 6th Five Year Plan. But the situation is improving,” he said.
“The reality is property worth 33.5 million is owned by 1 billion people. It results in many economic and social inequalities and this is the reasons why we should prioritise to reducing this gap,” Bayes added.
Director General of NGO Affairs Bureau Md Ashadul Islam said non-government organisations only work for women empowerment, health, and primary education. “They need to come up with innovative ideas to bring about social change.”
