REPORT Training workshop on - Achieving Sustainable Development Goals: The Role of Community Radios in Integrating Social Movements
TABLE OF
CONTENTS 01
Introduction
02
Brief of the workshop
03
Development, Communication, and Culture
04
Ensuring Linkage with all concerned Local Stakeholders and Institutions in Women Empowerment
05
Promoting Indigenous Knowledge through Community Radio
06
Land Reform and Khas land management
07
Ensuring partnership of relevant institutions to provide legal assistance at district and Upazila level
08
The 2nd day of workshop covered the following sessions
09
Prevent Corruption to Ensure Good Governance: Bridging Communication with the Concern Local Institutions
10
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs-16.10) and Community Radio
10
Human Rights and Development
11-12 12
13-14
Building a Digital Nation: The Role of Union Information and Service Centre (UISC) and Community Radios Dialogue with Local Government at Upazila and Zilla level to ensure Good Governance Promoting Right to Information Act-2009 through Community Radios for Successful Implementation
Articulating communities’ interests and uphold their rights are the crucial instruments to contribute in achieving SDGs of the country. The civil society organizations (CSOs) can play a v vital role in achieving SDGs along with the local government institutions in an integrated way. Particularly when policies and the programs of government agencies do not take account sufficiently of needs of the poor or marginalized groups, where CSOs can step into this breach and help to represent their needs and interests. As ‘Transformers’ in society, they need to be trained for building their capacities and knowledge of the general populace towards achieving the SDGs, as well as build their linkage with their concerned partners.
strengthen linkage with local level CSOs in implementing right to information. The noted development experts, Professors, High Officials from Ministry of women affairs, A2I Program of Prime Ministers’Secretariate, Chief Information Commissioner and Commissioner for Human Rights Commission joined as distinguished discussants in the workshop.
In this context, a two-day-long workshop titled `Achieving Sustainable Development Goals: the Role of Community Radios in Integrating Social Movements’ was organized for the CR Broadcasters of 17 Community Radio Stations (CRSs) for developing radio programs on various SDG issues. The objective of the program was to orient the CR Broadcasters so that they would receive a clear understanding about SDGs (especially to focus SDG- goal-16) and help in its better implementation by using community radio. The participants would also be oriented on the importance of linking with other potential CSOs as supportive partners in achieving SDGs for better integration. A total of 29 participants (Station Manager, Station-In-Charge, Head of Program, News Editor, Producers, Presenters, Technical Officers) from 15 Community Radio Stations participated, where almost half of them were female (List Annex-1). The Program was organized by Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication and supported by Free Press Unlimited on 20- 21August 2016 at YWCA Conference Room, Dhaka. The two-day workshop combined 11 sessions on different key development issues in line with SDGs. The sessions covered the issues on culture & development, integration of community radio with local level CSOs to work for women empowerment, promoting indigenous knowledge, land reform, enforce non-discriminatory laws/policies, reduce corruption in ensuring good governance, human rights ,achieving digital Bangladesh, dialogue with local government to establish good governance at local level and Page -1
Brief of the workshop
DAY ONE: 20 August 2016:
The workshop began in time and was conducted as per schedule (Annex -2). At the beginning of the workshop AHM Bazlur Rahman, CEO, BNNRC welcomed the participants and discussed the objectives of the workshop. The specific objectives of the workshop: - To build the capacity of Community Radio Broadcasters in developing contents in line with SDGs - Establish a strong linkage with all concerned local CSOs and the local govt. institutions with CRSs The 1st day of workshop covered 05 sessions on the following topics:
Session: 1
Development,Communication, and Culture: Dr.Salimullah Khan
Session: 2
Ensuring Linkage with all concerned Local Stakeholders and Institutions in Women Empowerment: Dr.Abul Hossain
Session: 3
Promoting Indigenous Knowledge through Community Radio :Pavel Partha
Session: 4
Land Reform and Khas land management :Shamsul Huda
Session: 5
Ensuring partnership of relevant institutions to provide legal assistance at district and Upazila level:Shihab Ahmed Siraj Page - 2
Session Narratives:
Session: 1- Development, Communication, and Culture: Dr. Salimullah khan.
The veteran academia and media think tank Dr.
Salimullah khan was the first speaker of the day. In his discussion, he described the relationship within the culture, communication and development and its possible impacts in the society. He facilitated this session through lecture, discussion showing a power point presentation (Annex 3). In his discussion, Dr. khan gave 2 (two) references from the ideas and philosophies of renowned
Italian Politician Antonia Gramsci and Indian-born American Journalist Eqbal Ahmad. Describing the traditional culture and best cultural practices, he emphasized to introduce a good education system in the country. He highlighted Education by quoting Gramsci: `Education as the ‘harmonious development’ of one’s personality and as liberation from the constraints and limitations of one’s immediate environment and social situation’.
‘Linking development with cultural context he emphasized on human development but not only to increase the national per capita income. For sustainable development, he focused on to ensure the quality of education, health facilities and increased awareness of the mass people, where community radios can play a vital role through broadcasting interactive radio programs based on these issues.
Q & A/ Feed backs : Ques-1: what is the meaning of freedom of expression? (Arif Sikder, Program Producer, Radio Mukti) S.Khan : Freedom of expression is the basic right of human being. If it is not ensured then all the other rights become invalid. However, as per the country’s constitution, you can not say anything provocative anti -state. Ques-2: What cultures should we be followed? (Mostafizur Rahman Golap, Program Producer, Radio Sarabela) Ans: It is not so easy to select. It depends on one’s thinking. Page - 3
Session: 2-Ensuring Linkage with all concerned Local Stakeholders and Institutions in Women Empowerment: Dr.Abul Hossain
Dr. Abul Hossain, Director (Multi-Sectoral Program),Ministry of Women & Children Affairs (MOWCA) described the Laws and services of MOWCA and concerned stakeholders and institutions who are working to protect violence against women and children like- One Stop Crisis Center Cell located at every Zilla Sadar Hospital and Upazila Health Complex.One Stop Crisis Center is located in every govt. medical college hospital. National Forensic DNA Profiling Laboratory is housed in Dhaka Medical College Hospital.National Center on Gender Based Violence and National Trauma
Counseling Center are attached with Women Affairs Department Building in Dhaka. He has informed that the participants can make phone calls to the National Helpline Center number `10921’ and use mobile apps `Joy` to get instant support for victim women and children for any time and to register any complaint.
Q & A/ Feedbacks: Ques-1: Sometimes we don’t get actual information and support from the local Govt. officers regarding the protection of child marriage. In this regard what should we do? (Rezaul Karim, Technical Officer, Radio Mahananda) Dr.Hossain: Please call to the National Helpline Center number `10921’ and use mobile apps `Joy`. If it doesn’t work then feel free to call me directly. Ques-2: How we can get better access in MOWCA’s services locally? (Abida Sultana, Program Producer, Lokobetar, Barguna) Ans: After going back to my office I’ll discuss with the staffs of our Multi-Sectoral Program to link with Community Radio Stations in the country. Page - 4
Session: 3-Promoting Indigenous Knowledge through Community Radio- Pavel Partha
Pavel Partha, Coordinator, BARCIK discussed on the issue of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) and the roles of community radios. He said- Indigenous knowledge means not any comments or bite of local people it’s an academic knowledge. It is the local knowledge –that is unique to a given culture or society. IK contrasts with the international knowledge system generated by universities, research institutions, and private firms. It is the basis for local-level decision-making in agriculture, health care, food preparation, education, natural resource management, and a host of other activities in rural communities’’. He has mentioned the process of entrapping Wild Elephant by `Hajong’ community in Netrokona district or knitting of our
traditional `Jamdani Shari’ as examples of promoting Indigenous knowledge. Mr. Pavel said-Community Radio can be a great medium of community Affairs. When it speaks of local knowledge, decaying culture, tradition, local foods, goods and people’s daily thoughts and beliefs then the community people feel an attachment with the radios. He emphasized that if we don’t know our own knowledge then we would never be branded ourselves in the world. And in this regard, the role of Community Radio is very important.
He encouraged the participants for developing and broadcasting programs focused on `Geographic contents` like dimensions of local rivers, religious culture, the pattern of the boat, handicraft, the process of traditional fishing and agricultural instrument etc. According to him- these programs can connect the community people quickly. He also mentioned that these programs would not only be an attempt for the audience but this radio spots could also be used for legalizing the patent globally.
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Session: 4- Land Reform and Khas land management : Shamsul Huda
In the session Mr. Shamsul Huda, Executive Director, ALRD discussed the present situation and challenges of land and river reform and management in our country. He said-land and river reform and management issue are much closer to our existence. Our development and progress partially depend on land and river reform, management and fair distribution system. He also said- `We are loosing 200 Acres of farming land every day on an average for building road, industry, brick field, Govt. & on Govt. project,
housing etc. In this context, the state should be aware of and introduce a strong Act or Law to protect farming land and fair distribution of `Khas Land’. But unfortunately, it could not happen yet. So civil society organizations and media should carry out this responsibility on behalf of our farmers and land fewer people. As the voice of the voiceless, Community Radios have an important role to creates mass awareness to reduce the discrimination of land distribution of the country’.
Q & A/ Feedbacks Q: 1- What is the role of Community Radio in reducing land discrimination? (Zinnia Farzana, Station –in Charge, Radio Mukti) Ans: Community Radios can produce and broadcast programs in collaboration with the organizations that are working on the existing Govt. Act, Laws, and Policy on land reform and management. Ques: 2- How do we come to know the quantity of `Khas land’ in our Zilla or Upazilla area? (Rezaul Karim, Technical Officer, Radio Mahananda) Ans: This can be inquired from Upazila Land Office or related AC Land Office under Right to Information Act. But in most of the time, these type of information are Not disclosed. Page - 6
Session: 5- Ensuring partnership of relevant institutions to provide legal assistance at district and Upazila level: Shihab Ahmed Siraji
Mr. Shihab Ahmed Sirajee, Project Manager, BLAST shared the available legal AID services and the organizations, agencies and government departments/officials that are working on this issue of ensuring Justice for all . He said-“The main reasons of inaccessibility to the majority rural people in the justice system are poverty, limited public awareness of rights or remedies, limited availability of legal services and social safety nets, endemic corruption, – biased towards the power-
ful & political elites, a severe backlog of cases in the formal justice system. We can’t ensure justice for all within a short period. So we should continue our activity along with public awareness. Community radios can play a vital role to aware people about the services provided by the government and non-government organizations to increase access to the justice system. Mr. Sirajee also described the activities structure and services of BLAST at local and National level.
Q & A/ Feedbacks: Ques: 1- There is an accusation that Dalit students are forced to do the odd job at their schools in different areas of Jhenaidha. In this case, how could we get aid from BLAST? (Sumon Parvez, Program Producer, Radio Jhenuk) Ans: First you should submit the case with proven document like- paper cutting, pictures, interview of victims to BLAST, then our team will investigate and take necessary steps.
Ques: 2. Does BLAST have any activity to stop child labor? ( Samia Akhter, Assistant Producer-News & Program, Radio Mahananda) Ans: There is no exclusive activity to stop child labor. But we are working to stop children involvement in risky jobs.
Ques: 3- TIB works on large scale corruption but why not works in micro level? For example Illegal money lending business in fishing and salt harvesting sector in Cox’s bazar. (Sha Sultam Shamim, Station Manager, Radio Sagor Giri) Ans: Mainly our SANAC (Su Nagorik Committee), YES group, SAJAN ( Secher Jonno Nagorik), Yes friends, YPAC (Young Profession Against Corruption) and TIB’s 6000 volunteers work at locally all over the country. I also take note and draw the attention of our research cell/department to this matter. Page - 7
DAY TWO: 21 August 2016:
The 2nd day of workshop covered the following sessions –
Session: 1
Prevent Corruption to Ensure Good Governance: Bridging Communication with the Concern Local Institutions- S.M. Rizwan-ul-Alam, Director, Outreach, and Communication, TIB
Session: 2
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs-16.10) and Community Radio- AHM Bazlur Rahman, CEO
Session: 3
Human Rights and Development- Nurunnahar Osmani, Member, National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh
Session: 4
Building a Digital Nation: The Role of Union Information and Service Centre (UISC) and Community Radios- Naimuzzaman Mukta, People Perspective Specialist, a2i Program
Session: 5
Dialogue with Local Government at Upazila and Zilla level to ensure Good Governance-Syed Kamrul Hasan
Session: 6
Promoting Right to Information Act-2009 through Community Radios for Successful ImplementationProf. Dr. Md. Golam Rahman, Chief Information Commission, Information Commission
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Session: 1-Prevent Corruption to Ensure Good Governance: Bridging Communication with the Concern Local Institutions
Mr.S.M. Rezwan-ul-Alam, Director, Outreach and Communication, TIB described the structure, objectives, and activities of Transparency International Bangladesh in a power point presentation at local & national level. He said that TIB was maintaining good linkage with community radio stations since the beginning.It has conducted an opinion-sharing meeting with community radio initiators and provided TIB’s communication(audio) materials to observe various Special days “These types of support will be continued in future’– he added. He also discussed on other areas of possible collaboration at
local and national level. He has encouraged the participants to provide information on the social safety net, services of govt. and non-govt. organizations and to assess the quality of the services in raising awareness against anti-corruption, TIB’s local and national activities through Radio magazine, PSA, Quiz, Radio Talk, Radio spot, Phone-in-Program, Radio documentary, News, Drama , Song, Debate , Interview and Vox-Pop etc. Simultaneously, in offline CR can also take some initiatives like- Discussion meeting, Seminar, Rally, Courtyard meeting, Letter & Sign Campaign etc. through listener clubs.
Ques & Ans / Feedbacks: Ques: 1- How community broadcaster could be included in the TIB’s Awarding on Investigative Journalism (Homaira Parvin Hena, Joint News Editor, Radio Chilmari ) from Radio Category? Ans: It a very good proposal. I will discuss the issue in our team.
Ques: 2: It would be so effective if TIB takes the initiative to train-up Community Radio broadcaster on Investigative Journalism. (Zinnia Farzana, Station in charge, Radio Mukti ) Ans: Yes, we also have this matter on our schedule, hope by the coming December we will be able to organize this type of training program for community radio broadcasters. Page - 9
Session: 2 –Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs-16.10) and Community Radio `Community radio’s activities are mainly based on SDGs-16.10-`to ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements’ .But community radios should have to work on all the goals. It would be essential to announce in every program which programs support which goals of SDGs. Simultaneously it should be mentioned in the program script’–said AHM Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer,the speaker of the session while he was discussing on the SDGs goals and role of Community radios in the 2nd session of the workshop.
Session: 3-Human Rights and Development In this session Nurunnahar Osmani, Member, National Human Rights Commission, Bangladesh talked on the linkage within Human Rights, Development and dissemination of information in the context of Bangladesh.–She said that community radios could play the role of a useful medium in gathering and dissemination of information . On behalf of the Chairman of National Human Right Commission (NHRC) she has appealed to the participants to jointly work for a better human rights culture and human development in upcoming Bangladesh.
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Session: 4-Building a Digital Nation: The Role of Union Information and Service Centre (UISC) and Community Radios
`Nowadays, our silent killers are Anti-corruption & mismanagement. In this case, the mass media need to be aware of it. So it is very important for the existence of media, to connect/reach more people and create human interest. And there is no alternative to the appropriate use of information & communication technology in this regard’-said Naimuzzaman Mukta, People Perspective Specialist, a2i Program.
In the session of `Building a Digital Nation: The Role of Union Information and Service Centre (UISC) and Community Radios,’ he has elaborately discussed on the activities of a2i Program and shared some important site link. www.forms.gov.bd is one of them. In
this site, people can get 1518 forms of 20 categories like the forms related to jobs, educations, law-enforcement and court, agriculture & fertilizers, registration, health, land, trade license etc. Mr. Naimuzzaman also shared that a2i program has recently introduced two very important activities on legal aid services, one is related to Land Distribution and the other is Mobile Court Report. He mentioned that through the online services any one could know how much land she/he owned/inherited . He said – as a strong medium of communication, Community Radios should have some responsibilities to make progress of the Digital Bangladesh Movement. To support this movement Community Radio could produce special radio magazine, news bulletin, investi-
gative report, and PSA and success story based on the existing and updated services of Digital Bangladesh / a2i program / Union Information and Service Centre (UISC). For this purpose, CR broadcaster should have to visit a2i website regularly. Simultaneously they should build a relationship with local focal persons of digital service centers, Additional District Commissioner - Education & ICT, UNO and invite them in the program. He added : “since updating of ICT is a matter of process, now our main challenge is to change the mentality of those people who are working behind of it. Mass demand needs to be created for information and community media has a vital role in this respect.
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Ques & Ans / session:
Q1.
How Community Radios can be connected with a2i Program (Jafar Ohaid, program Producer, Krishi Radio )
A1.
You can submit the proposal of connecting Community Radios with a2i Program to Ministry of Information
Q2.
How we can collect information without any troubles? ( Konika Rani, Program Producer, Radio Meghna)
A2.
For this, you can send a letter to the related District Authority (District Commissioner) & UNO so that community broadcasters would have authentic and updated information smoothly.
Q3.
Is it possible to connect Community radio with the Fiber Optics for having better 3G Network ( Basir Ahmed, Station Manager , Radio Chilmari)
A3.
a Very good proposal. I will submit the proposal to the Ministry
Q4.
Have any option to complete all the process including payment or fees on the website of `Bangladesh Forms’. ( Sunjida Sweety , Program Producer, Radio Padma)
A4.
Now this opportunity is available for only five forms. We are working to develop the process for all forms. It will need some more time.
Session: 5- Dialogue with Local Government at Upazila and Zilla level to ensure Good Governance
Syed Kamrul Hasan, Coordinator-Knowledge Management, BNNRC discussed on the role and structure of local government and how these could be more effective by using community radio stations.He has mentioned the lessons learned of some of the projects that BNNRC has implemented to ensure good governance.These could be useful for radio stations to utilize further.
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Session: 6-Promoting Right to Information Act-2009 through Community Radios for Successful Implementation
The last session of the workshop was a discussion on Promoting Right to Information Act-2009 through Community Radios. Prof. Dr. Md. Golam Rahman, Chief Information Commissioner, Information Commission was present as the speaker.He was also the guest in the closing ceremony of two-days’ workshop . By using some power point slides he described the background of Right to Information Act, its objectives, and importance. He also presented a comparative statistics of graphs on information seeking and information supply /dissemination from the year 2010 to
2015. The graph has shown that gradually the number of information seekers is decreasing, on the other hand, the number of information recipients is increasing. Gradually the Information Commission is becoming active but the public awareness on RTI is not growing rapidly. Mr. Rahman gave emphasis in this area of his presentation.He said – “now it is the time to create awareness into general people who are deprived of lacking information and in this case, Community Radio can be a most effective medium.
He said- Information makes a man empowered, enlightened and make all public, autonomous and statutory organization and other private institutions transparent and accountable. He also gave some example of discovering inner /depth information by using RTI Act in India.
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Ques & Ans / session:
Q1.
Q2.
How can we be involved in the activity of Information Commission locally? (Protima Rani, Program Producer, Radio Nalta)
A1.
In this regard, I will send a letter to our responsible Information Officer in CR areas so that they will invite community radio broadcasters in the related meeting, training and other events on RTI.
Is it possible to train-up Community Radio broadcasters on RTI Act and the process of getting information through the Act?( Siddik Hossain, Station Manager, Radio Naf)
A2.
Yes it is possible. We can organize the training at Information commission Office in Dhaka in collaboration with BNNRC.
In the closing session, the participants gave their feedback. The participants enjoyed all the sessions as these were a very new area for them and very demanding as well. They have agreed to include the learning in their ongoing and the future programs.
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