A two day long residential workshop for media professional was held from 11 to 12th March, 2011 at Proshika Human Resource Development Center kaitta, Manikganj. The workshop is focused on the issue of investigative journalism especially climate finance monitoring in Bangladesh where 17 journalist have taken part. Objectives of the workshop to promote investigative journalism in climate finance monitoring and to outline some immediate and perspective plan in this regard. The workshop was facilitated by senior journalists including CSRL and EquityBD members Ziaul Haque Mukta, Nuzhat Imam, Dr. Ahsan Uddin, Dr. Sharmind Neelormi, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Syed Aminul Haque, Mostafa Kamal Akanda and Atiqul Islam Chowdhury. Papers and power points which have had presented in the workshop are available below for download.
1. Workshop objectives, sessions and outline [Download]
2. Importance Climate Finance Monitoring in BD [Download]
3. Climate Finance in National Level, Trend and Implication [Download]
4. Climate Finance Monitoring [Download]
5. Gender and climate finance monitoring [Download]
6. Investigative journalism, Basic Approaches [Download]
Investigative Journalism and Climate Finance Monitoring
21st February teaches us to be Independent While WB & IMF Make Us Dependent and Chain under Neo Colonialism
21st February 2011: Dhaka. Today the Equity and Justice Working Group (EquityBD) brought out a rally to pay respect to the martyrs of the International Mother Language Day, during 1952 in thi s day students of East Bengal (the then East Pakistan) lied their life in fighting against colonial rulers the then Pakistani regime…
Reject World Bank PPCR Loan in Climate Adaptation
Dhaka, 19th February 2011. Today eleven civil society organizations and networks urged government to Reject World Bank (WB) PPCR (Pilot Project on Climate Resilience) loan in respect of climate adaptation. The organizations and networks are ARPON, Bangladesh Krishak Federation, DCI, CSRL, CDP, Lead Trust, EquityBD, IEE, On Line Knowledge Center, Ksihani Shova, Uddipan and Unnayan Anneshan. They have organized a human chain and rally in front of National Press Club, Dhaka. The rally was moderated by Mostafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD; Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD, Prodip Kumar Roy of CSRL, Abdul Kader Hazari of Aropn, Subal Sarkar of Bangladesh Bhumihin Somiti, was spoken on the occasion.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Chief Moderator of EquityBD in his speech mentioned that while key government polcy leaders several time in parliaments and in different events has reiterated the government position that they will not take any loan in climate adaptation as developed country who are the climate polluters and they have to pay compensation, then the loan taking process initiated by External Resource Division of government is self contradictory and, he also mentioned that such decision is also pre mature as while in UNFCCC the multilateral climate financing process will be taking shape by 2012. Prodip Kumar Roy of CSRL mentioned that in fact it is the conspiracy of Developed Countries to avoid the multilateral process of UNFCCC in respect of climate financing and also to continue the exploitation by debt and domination through World Bank and others International Financial Institutions.
According to the position paper prepared by EquityBD, it is mentioned that government is going to take total $ 50 millions grant, $ 60 millions loan from WB PPCR embodied with total loan package of $ 515 millions from Asian Development Bank and World Bank. In reality where it is only 9 % grant and rest 91 % as loan. The money will be utilized for coastal embankment, food security, water supply, and research on climate resilience housing. Mostafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD has mentioned that loan in respect of water supply and climate resilience housing might not so necessary, these could easily be done through our own local resources. The loan process will be finalized in September 2011. Including rejecting the loan the civil society organizations place three other demands, which are (i) placing all loan proposal in parliament for open discussion, (ii) establishing democratic ownership, means participation of opposition, civil society, local governments, climate victims and beneficiaries in the donor project management and (iii) to prepare foreign loan taking policy and to asses loan repayment capacity assessment of the country.
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SAARC must play a pro-active role to fulfill the aspirations of the people of South Asia
Dhaka, 20th January, 2011, the civil society organization and their representatives of South Asian countries urged to SAARC leaders to play a pro-active role to fulfill the aspiration of the poor people of South Asia, in a press conference title “ Peoples’ SAARC on ‘Envisioning New South Asia: Peoples’ Perspective” held at Dhaka national press club. The press conference is held after two days of discussion on the different development and pro-people issue for South Asian people especially SAARC countries. In the press conference the speakers also mentioned that the South Asian countries are the home of largest number of poor people in the world and the region is plagued by conflict, poverty, lack of access to basic necessities and services; and ravaged by conflicts of various kinds, rampant unemployment, feudalism, abysmal living conditions of the large majority, these further complicated by religious sectarian violence and state sponsored violence, both domestic and cross border unrest and insurgence.
The press conference is moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury form EquityBD and key note presented by Rachita Sharma Julian from Nepal. Among others Mr. Keramat Ali form Pakistan, Dr. Sarbaraj Ghatka from Nepal, Jotin Dessai from India and Rokeya kabir from Bangladesh also spoke in the press conference.
In the presentation of key note, Rachita Sharma of Nepal said that, we have urgent need to find solutions to the deep seated problems in the South Asian region and clearly, these cannot be found in the existing failed neo-liberal paradigm. It is also clear to us that the solutions to what are common problems spanning the entire region are more likely to be effective if they are regional cooperation in scope and regional unity can be a good beginning to finding solutions and alternatives.
Jotin Dessai of India said that, we condemn all sort of killing in the name of so called terror fighting and illegal border crossing and trade. That’s why we urged to our SAARC leaders to show their real commitment of terror fighting and proposing to take common platform on this issue. He also said that tightening of visa restrictions does not affect those who carry arms and carry out armed attacks on innocents, because they don’t need apply for visas rather affected are those have families and searching livelihood options in neighboring countries. He also claimed that, only free VISA regime among SA countries can able to stop the illegal trade and border smuggling.
Mr. Keramat Ali of Pakistan said that, we believe that we have common problem and we have to be open for South Asian people and their livelihood. We should take a common policy and action for utilization of common natural resources especially water. He also mentioned that the big or mega dam doesn’t benefited the poor rather benefited the contractor and corporate and it should eliminate through a common position of SAARC leaders. He also condemn SAARC leaders for deferring SAARC Food Bank concept
Dr. Sarbaraj Ghatka of Nepal said that we have almost need to people mobilization for fighting poverty, inequality and injustice, where our governments claiming them SAARC leaders are not able to do this properly. That’s why we are civil society activists are trying from our level best to influence our respective government to promote gross development policy for our South Asian people.
Please Download [Bangla press] [English press] [People’s SAARC Declaration]
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Democratization of state essential to combat extremism.
Discussants in the People’s SAARC seminar today laid emphasis on
increasing democratization of state to invigorate the development of a secularism at all levels to combat the growth of religious extremism in the society.
They also laid emphasis on creating a SAARC parliamentarian forum to bring the legislators all countries together to envision a common future of the region.
They said the situation in the South Asian countries are only deteriorating with
large number of people joining hands to violence and extremism from being devastated in socio-political life run by the national elite.
Income inequality, control of economic resources by the rich and the rise of corporate interest dominating the state institutions are only adding new tensions destabilizing the nations. Greedy politicians are only exploiting the situation to perpetuate
their power.
It explains why there is war in Afghanistan and Pakistan which is now taking the form
of Balkanization to sweep over the entire region and even Indian may not be spared from its devastating impacts at the end.
Former Indian Naval Chief M Ramdas said the world saw the trading of US$ 1200 billions worth of armament last year and 30 percent of it went to India followed by 14-15 percent purchase made by Pakistan.
So the region must try to keep out of external influence to allow destabilization taking place from outside sources. But it should try at the same time to keep the domestic forces keeping the balancing role to bring prosperity and growth to the door step of the poor and marginalized people.
Discussants also laid emphasis on remodeling the education system to induce the spirit of democracy and secularism in school test books so that the madrasa education and its impacts on younger mindset can be marginalized.
New Age editor Nurul Kabir said secularism along with an equitable distribution of wealth and income in the society can provide the basis of a sustainable state. The time for nation based is over, he said pointing out democratic tolerance and pluralism can only satisfy the need of the nation state. It may also provide the basis of a South Asian union,
he suggested.
Some discussants underscored that tribal people’s rights in the state should have the constitutional guarantee so that majority in a society can not exploit their situation to force them taking extremist stands.
They said state should become people centric to support all its citizen and this can
only safeguard peace and stability in all SAARC countries like India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and others, they said.
Kamal Chenoy, Hsasil Bejonjo, Bishunu Shrestha
Mohd Latheef, Lalitha Ramdas, Keramat Ali and Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Netra Timsina, Najma Sadeq, among others spoke on the occasion.
The discussions today were centered on conflicts, ethnic diversity and climate change issues.
Please Download [Bangla_press] [English_press] [Presentation_Netra Timsina]
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Leadership urged to shun traditional politics to curb out a new South Asia
Human right activists and civil society leaders from all eight
SAARC countries at a seminar in the city today held soul searching discussions on how to expedite regional integration breaking apart the shackle of elite run traditional
politics.
The civil society leaders also laid emphasis on evolving a new growth strategy and alternative models for development over the neo-liberal models having the globalization and economic exploitation of the poor nations by industrialized nations and of the poor by the rich within a nation, especially in South Asian region.
They spoke critically of the ongoing globalization process saying trade liberalization
is only destroying local capacity and job market. It has taken the form of commercial hegemony instead of fostering prosperity to the poor.
They also spoke of creating a secular South Asia through building democratic institutions in respective nations.
The two-day seminar taking place at BRAC Center will end tomorrow with adoption of a declaration. This is part of a process titled “Envisioning New South Asia from the People’s Perspectives” organized by a regional civil society network called “People’s SAARC’.
About 30 civil society leaders from seven SAARC countries are taking part in it, in addition to large number of civil society leaders from host Bangladesh. They include a senator from Pakistan, a retired navy chief from India and such other high profile personalities from the member states.
The inaugural session of this seminar was moderated by noted Indian human
rights activist Kamala Bhasin. Among the panelists in this session were Prof Anisuzzaman, trade union leader representing Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research, Karamat Ali, and former Human Rights Commissioner of Nepal, Kapil Shrestha. All of them emphasized that the sub-continent can only deliver the full potentials of prosperity within the framework of a People’s Union of South Asian.
There is no alternative to it and sooner or later it will come true. Karamat Ali said, the region had in fact lost an opportunity of making the union in 1970-71 and had it been done, the genocide in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka would not have taken place.
He begged apology of his country’s role in Bangladesh in 1971 reiterating the demand that he favoured the trial of Pakistani war criminals and their associated that Bangladesh is now holding for its own perpetrators of war criminals.
He said he would continue the demand for trial of his country’s war criminals until they are brought to justice.
Prof Anisuzzaman said people have lost confidence in the SAARC process of
integration because it is basically based on promoting the interest of the elite and corporate business. He laid emphasis on promoting people’s regionalism to facilitate people to people contact and bring the benefit of economic prosperity to common people.
Kamala Bhasin said there should be alternative approach to expedite regional integration apart from official platforms. She said people should be encouraged to ignore narrow national identity, border and such other obstacles which are used now as divider to the much sought unity of the region.
Kapil Shrestha laid emphasis on greater involvement of common people in rights movement and protests actions to get the people’s voice heard.
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Role of Government in Climate Negotiation is Contradictory
Dhaka, 19th December 2010. Today in a press conference a right based civil society network EquityBD mentioned that, role of Bangladesh delegation in climate negotiation was contradictory and they have also mentioned that the Cancun agreement will aggravate the climate injustice, especially through carbon trading, they termed in fact it has rooted the very exploitive nature of climate capitalism. The press conference was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD, other speakers of the press conference was Golam Mortoza, the Editor of Shaptahik, who was also jointly along with EquityBD and CSRL organized photo exhibition and seminar in Cancun during the CoP 16 negotiation, 29th November to 10 December. Mustafa Kamal Akanda of EquityBD also spoken in the press conference.
Speakers mentioned that they have had one photo exhibition stall, one seminar on climate migrant’s rights, two protest rally along with other international civil society organizations, and conducted two press conferences in UNFCCC official premise. Weekly Shaptahiki, SUPRO and CSRL were also participated along with EquityBD in all those events.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD in his key note presentation said that the Cancun process legitimized the role of World Bank, that the bank will manage the 100 billion Global Green Fund for first three years. Since the beginning in the country and also whole over the world, civil society and NGOs were opposing this, as they mentioned this will strengthen World Bank to continue its conditionality which are anti poor and in favour of market liberalization for multi nationals and developed countries. He also criticized the role of Bangladesh government delegation, prior to Cancun, in a press conference delegation categorically mentioned that they will oppose any World Bank role in climate financing. Government has not opposed it in Cancun in fact. He also mentioned that while in international negotiation Bangladesh government delegation opposing any loan in climate adaptation finance, but in the country government External Resource Division already in process to take loan in this regard. He also mentioned that the Cancun agreement does not heed the IPCC fourth report, which has already mentioned about the dangerous consequences of keeping temperature more than 1.5 Celsius of 1990 level. UNFCCC has also kept the discussion on going on Kyoto protocol, which is the only legally binding commitment, in fact accepting the opposition form Japan and other developed countries. He mentioned that the whole agreement strengthen the Carbon trading by the REDD (Reduction of Enhancing Deforestation and Desertification) program, in fact which will give rights to the developed countries to continue the high level of carbon emissions.
Mr. Golam Mortoza the editor of Shaptahik, criticize the government delegation, which is around 100 in numbers, to him this is wastage of government ex-chequer money. He mentioned that most of the member has little idea of the negotiation process, and has not shown up in crucial events; especially in the office and booth. He also mentioned the conflict of interest in involvement of some of the consultants, who has own NGOs and do consultancy business along with some donor agencies and international financial institutions. He appreciates the role of Minister Dr. Hasan in his presentation and negotiation, the Bangladesh delegation has got leadership role along with Australia to build consensus among the country delegates, in fact, it is after the arrival of Minister the group were activated and well coordinated. Speakers of the press conference, has demanded more coordination initiative especially with civil society from government in future international climate negotiation process, especially toward CoP 17, Durban, South Africa so that Bangladesh will gain global attention and wider sympathy.
Please Download [Press Bangla] [press_English] [Presentation]
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No to the Double Burden: The Burden of Debt and Climate Catastrophes
December 8th, 2010. Today in a press conference held at Luna Hall, Moon Hotel where UNFCCC CoP 16 is being held, more than 200 civil society organizations urged global leaders not to give any role to the World Bank in climate finance; they have launched a global campaign on “World Bank of Out Climate Finance” and released a signed letter. The press conference was moderated by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury of EquityBD, while four others in mute, making a tap as written UNFCCC in mouth, as a symbol of protest, they are Ms.Dorothy from Focus on Global South, Philippines, Ms. Kate from World Development Movement, UK, Ms. Elena from CRBM, Italy and Mr. Luca from Friends of the Earth.
The only speaker and moderator give explanation that why four others were mute, is as a sign of protest to the UNFCCC process where civil society hardly any space to reflect decent voice and protest, and it is also symbol of protest against the Mexican government deliberate attempt to keep civil society 50 km far from the conference place, prevented the protestor especially La Via Campesina, who has been prevented to come and protest in the conference nearby. Mr. Reza explain four reasons that why the World bank should not be given any role in climate finance, i.e., (i) World Bank maintain double standard, still it is investing highest money in fossil fuel projects which are the major cause of climate catastrophes, (ii) the Bank maintain anti poor conditionality in developing countries like privatization and commercialization of essential services, e.g., health, education, water and power etc, (iii) the Bank management has oligarchic decision making process, that only the develop countries i.e., the highest carbon polluters has the majority share to take decision, and finally (iv) it is a Bank take sides to multinationals and for market based solutions. During question and answers Mr. Reza mentioned that, UK government has already given 650 millions pound sterling to World Bank to give loan for climate adaptation to the country like Bangladesh, Niger and Kyrgyzstan. Worst climate impact already is already happening Bangladesh, and loosing its 1 % GDP, but it has very little responsible for carbon emission, its people has already per capita debt of $ 150, for each of the $ loan it is paying 3 $ to the world Bank, so the country like Bangladesh and other least develop countries should not be imposed with both climate and debt burden.
Earlier in the morning a rally was leaded by the activist from Friends of the Earth, Jubilee South, La Via Campesina, Attack France, 350.org and Grass Root International and several other local organization was marched from Palacio Municipality and came in the Km Zero of down town Cancun, and they have smashed a Pinyata (a pig effigy of World Bank). The rally was spoken by Hemantha from Sri Lanka, Earl from Canada, Carolina from El Salvador, Elisa from La Via Campesina, Beverly from Jubilee South, Primo from FDC. There were thousands of protestors participated in the rally, there were huge contingent of police, para military forces, helicopter in the sky watching the rally and prevented to proceed toward conference premise.
Please Download [Press release]
WB financing in climate adaptation may privilege it’s landing business even undermine the priority issues of government
Dhaka, 08th December 2010: Today, EquityBD, a network of NGOs / CSOs in Bangladesh, called the government of Bangladesh to keep the World Bank out of climate financing in country’s climate adaptation plan. EquityBD has demand this issue through organizing a human chain with support of other like minded friends in front of national press club. They also criticized that the involvement of WB in country’s adaptation financing process might privilege the WB business interest and even undermine the government priorities in case of adaptation plan. They also said that, receiving loan from WB would impede the government voice in internationally on claiming of unconditional financial support for adaptation from rich countries.
The human chain is leaded by EquityBD and moderated by Mustafa Kamal Akanda (Coordinator EquityBD) and participate and speak by other representatives of 16 no of like minded network member.
Mr. Mahabub Hossen of CDP (Coastal Development Partnership) said that the WB is a credit lending organization whose target is doing business an making profit and now talking to save the environment which is very contradictory and funny, because the WB commitment never commensurate with its existing policy and actions in developing countries even Bangladesh. The nature of action of this organization is harmful for environment due to investing in the fossil fuel activities till date. So WB finance never support the climate even countries adaptation activities.
Syed Aminul Hoque of EquityBD said that WB is the selected agent of rich countries for their lending business, that’s why it would be impossible to implement any pro-poor adaptation action for government. He also said that, WB doesn’t have enough money for adaptation financing except conduct of some research activities. So that it’s clear that WB will never finance the country’s adaptation plan really which is pressing need for our poor and climate change victims.
Md. Sahidullah from SURO said that, the rich countries and big carbon emitters don’t follow the Kyoto Protocol agreement for financial support for poor countries which is breaching their commitment and searching business mechanism in the name of financing. That’s why they insist and provocation the poor countries to endorse the WB involvement in climate finance. He also urges to the global leader to follow the UNFCCC process for climate finance and demanded to keep the WB out of this process.
Mr. Firoj Ahmed of Lead Trust condemned some of our bureaucrats for unethical perusing the government to take the loan from WB, because it will serve their personal interest. He advised the government to be alert from this hypocrisy for the sake of poor people and refrain from taking any loan from WB in the name of climate finance which ultimately made the country indebted instead of real improvement of climate change vulnerability.
Please Download [Bangla Press] [English Press] [Position paper]
International Civil Society Demand New UN Protocol for Climate Induced Migrants
December 6th, 2010, Cancun. Today in UNFCCC official premise Cancunmesse international civil society leaders demanded New UN protocol for Climate Forced Migrants as Universal Natural Person.” Among others the demand voiced and supported by Green Peace International Executive Director Mr. Kumi Naido in the seminar titled “Climate Induce Migrants: Need of New UN Protocol” held at auditorium Aguila, it is organized by EquityBD jointly with CSRL, Jubilee south, LDC Watch, SAAPE and Shaptahik. The seminar was moderated and the key paper presented by Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, the Chief Moderator, EquityBD. Among other the seminar was spoken by Kumi Naido, Executive Director, Green Peace; Mizarul Kayes, Foreign Secretary, Government of Bangladesh; Maria Lauren Theresa, Secretary General, Asia Pacific Research Network; Dorothy Gurrera, Focus on Global South; Kate Blogejenic, World Development Movemnet and Dr.Ahsan Uddin, Campaign for Sustainable Rural Livelihood. Abdul Awal of SUPRO has given conclusion remarks.
EquityBD jointly with Jubileesouth has been doing this global campaign since 2009 and they have same seminar in December 2009 in CoP 15 Copenhagen. So far they collected around 100 signatures of the prominent organizations from Asia, Africa and Latin Amercia. In his presentation Rezaul Karim Chowdhury has presented possible climate forced migrants figures from different regions; especially he mentioned the stern report figures which have estimated 200-250 millions climate induced migrants by the year 2050. He has also mentioned that the issue is already in UNFCCC negotiation table included in the Tianjian text and also in the proposal of G 77 plus China draft although it is not in concrete form.
On 5th December, EquityBD and other four other partners has organized the same seminar in the “Dialogoclimatico” a CSO /NGO premise in down town Cancun parallel to UNFCCC CoP 16. Where among other Jubilee south International Coordinator Ms. Beverly Keen also spoke, she has given detail deliberations of the situation in Latin America. In 6th December seminar Kumi Naido mentioned that forced migrants should not be considered as dispensable, he expressed full Green Peace solidarity on the campaign. Kate Blogejenevis of WDM, mentioned that his county like UK should take responsibility of this climate induce forced mirgrants .as it is part of their reparation of already accumulated climate debt. Dorothy Gurera of Focus on Global South said UNFCCC must get out of marker based solution; it has to be in human centric solution, where rights for climate induced migrants should be a centre point. Mari Lauren Theresa of APRN mentioned that this struggle for climate migrants rights is a part of greater social struggle that people of south seeking justice from northern countries. Dr.Ahsan Uddin mentioned that such an increase number of climate induced migrant’s in fact increasing social safety net budget of Government of Bangladesh in fact which is extra burden for Bangladesh in development budget. Mizaurl Kayes, Foreign Secretary of Government of Bangladesh, he highlighted the issue with relation to the securitization aspects. He said that, especially in this respect UNFCCC should not end up with a declaration will be a mere “creative ambiguity”.
Please Download [English Press] [Presentation]
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