Gram Bikash Kendra (GBK) is a local-level, non-profit development organization working in the Northwest Region of Bangladesh. Since 1992, GBK has worked as an enabling force for vulnerable section of the community. In particular, GBK's work focuses on women, children and indigenous people. We have strong links with National and international organizations, including HEKS - Switzerland, ICCO - Netherlands, PKSF - Bangladesh, Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), Nayantara Communications-Bangladesh and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO).
A seminar on – The responsibility of the political parties to secure and defend the rights of the indigenous peoples of Northwest Bangladesh and sharing of the Indigenous Peoples’ Empowerment Process (IPEP) baseline survey report
Venue: Dinajpur Press Club
Date: 17th March 2009
Time: 10.30am – 1.00pm
Organised by: Jatio Adivashi Parishad
Supported by: Gram Bikash Kendra
Background
The indigenous peoples of Bangladesh mainly live in the plain lands and the Chittagong hill tracts. Altogether, there are
almost 45 different indigenous community groups. Among that a big portion of indigenous people are living in the Northwest region of the country, of which the major groups are Santal, Urao, Mahali, Pahari etc. As in the hill tracts, the plain land indigenous peoples are deprived of their entitlements and rights, and lag behind the mainstream community in terms of social, political and economic development. Due to a lack of information, awareness and access to basic services, the indigenous community people are unable to catch up with the rhythm of the mainstream.
In light of this situation, Gram Bikash Kendra developed the Indigenous Peoples’ Empowerment Process (IPEP), a short intervention (September 2008 – March 2009) supported by Actionaid Bangladesh, that focused on the indigenous peoples of Fulbari Upazila, Dinajpur district.
Two of the major activities of the IPEP was to conduct a baseline survey of the indigenous peoples of Fulbari Upazila, and to discuss the identified problems with leading political parties. Jatio Adivashi Parishad, an indigenous peoples’ network, took on the responsibility of arranging a discussion programme at which Advocate Sultana Kamal, prominent humanitarian worker and former advisor to the Caretaker government of Bangladesh agreed to be the chief guest.
Participants
Representatives of different political party’s, civil society members, different NGO personnel, indigenous traditional leaders, indigenous women leaders, indigenous students forum members, cultural activists, journalists, advocates and human rights activists participated in the meeting .
Programme
• Showing of the documentary film on Cruel Landlessness Process of the Indigenous People of Dinajpur (GBK, 2008)
• Welcome speech
• Presentation of key note paper by Professor Gonesh Soren, Chairperson DInajpur District, Adivasi Social Development Samity
• Discussion of the key note paper by Rabindranath Soren, Secrety, Jatio Adivasi Parishad, Central Committee
• Presentation of the Indigneous Peoples’ Empowerment Process (IPEP) baseline survey report by Bhupesh Roy, GBK Programme Manager (Planning, Monitoring and Training)
• Speeches and open discussion from selected speakers
• Speech from Chief Guest
• Closing remarks by Chairperson
Summary of Activities
Showing of the documentary film Cruel Landlessness Process of the Indigenous People of Dinajpur (GBK, 2008)
Showing of this short documentary helped to sensitise the audience to the problems being faced by the indigenous peoples, and prepare them for the discussion to follow.