Academics and researchers at a discussion have unanimously mentioned that inclusive development can be an effective means of improving living and livelihood development of cross-sections of people together with achieving the sustainable development goals, report agencies.
Emphasis should also be given on incorporating of all people irrespective of creed, cast, profession and gender in the inclusive development process, they told at the opening day’s sessions of a two-day national seminar at Ashrai Training and Resource Centre at Rajshahi on Friday.
Institute of Social Research and Applied Anthropology in Ashrai Centre and the Department of Anthropology in Rajshahi University (RU) jointly organized the seminar titled “Inclusive Development and Challenges in Bangladesh”.
RU Vice-chancellor Professor Abdus Sobhan and Chairman of Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad addressed the seminar as chief and focal person respectively with convenor of the seminar Professor Ahsan Ali in the chair.
Vice-chancellor of Bandarban University Prof Imam Ali, former vice-chancellor of Comilla University Prof Zehadul Karim, former vice-chancellor of RU Prof Muhammad Mijanuddin and Prof Kazi Tobarak Ali, Prof Ilias Hossain, Prof Mostofa Kamal Akanda and Prof Bokitiar Ahmed from the department of anthropology in Rajshahi University also spoke.
Prof Abdus Sobhan said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s government has been implementing gigantic programmes for inclusive development in the country with an aim to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
Public and private sector’s development entities and other stakeholders have been engaged in the SDGs implementation process to this end, he said.
In his remarks, Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said SDGs are of essence to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, adding its key commitment is “no one will be left behind”.
Mentioning that preparing of proper database is required to attain SDGs, he said government, policy makers and officials can take proper plans and implementation strategies to achieve SDGs within stipulated time as accurate and reliable database are made.
He, however, said the seminar will serve as an excellent platform for the exchange of knowledge on the latest developments and emerging challenges, opportunities and realities in the field of data science.
The event is an excellent opportunity to discuss how we can achieve all the 17 SDGs and 169 targets in a coherent manner, he added.
Dr Kholiquzzaman Ahmad told the meeting that all-out efforts have been adopted to spearhead the SDGs messages to the grassroots level so that they can contribute to the implementation process.
A large number of teachers, researchers and students from various universities in the country took part in the seminar.
