Platforms for Dialogue (P4D), a European Union-funded project in partnership with the Cabinet Division and implemented through the British Council, arranged a workshop on ‘Inclusive Governance and Social Accountability (IGSA)’ in Mymensingh on Thursday. The objective of the IGSA was to build the leadership and inclusive governance skills of civil servants and sensitise them about social accountability policy instruments.
N M Zeaul Alam, senior secretary, ICT division of the Government of Bangladesh, addressed the IGSA workshop as the Chief Guest, while Sultan Ahmad, additional secretary, Cabinet Division, and also the Project Director of P4D, delivered the opening speech. Jessica Magson, project director, P4D, from the British Council, welcomed the participants. Niranjan Debnath, joint secretary, Additional Divisional Commissioner, Mymensingh and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, ndc, secretary, Coordination and Reforms, Cabinet Division delivered their speech in the programme as special guests. Arsen Stepanyan, team leader of P4D, detailed the project activities, objectives and expected results. Md Mizanur Rahman, deputy commissioner, Mymensingh conveyed the vote of thanks to all who participated in the IGSA forum.
In his speech, N M Zeaul Alam stressed practising accountability in the functions of various government institutions. “Without accountability, democracy cannot comprehensively be functional,” he said.
Sultan Ahmed, project director of P4D urged the government officials to be more aware of the need to deliver good governance along with ensuring social responsibilities. Without people’s participation and inclusive governance, democracy would become meaningless, he reflected.
In his speech, Md Mizanur Rahman expressed his anticipation that this project would significantly benefit the people of this country.
In the working session, the second chapter of the IGSA, N M Zeaul Alam presented the keynote. He said the present government of Bangladesh is well aware of ensuring inclusive governance and social accountability so that people can avail themselves of public services with the utmost faith and confidence.
After the presentation of the keynote, the participants took part in group work, the second part of the workshop.
More than 150 participants, including the government officers at different tiers (i.e. the Upazila (sub-district), Zila (district) and divisional level officials of Mymensingh), attended the forum. In addition media, academia and civil society representatives attended the workshop and took part in various working sessions on the aforesaid thematic areas.