A significant consultation meeting was held in Chattogram to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations in promoting social cohesion, harmony, and peace. Speakers at the event highlighted the current lack of empathy and good governance in society and stressed the importance of collective action, accurate information flow, and the continuation of democratic practices.
The district-level consultation, titled “Strengthening the Capacity of Civil Society Organizations for Social Cohesion and Peacebuilding,” was organized by Young Power in Social Action (YPSA) and Rupantar, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The event took place on Monday, April 6, 2026, at the conference room of the Chattogram Deputy Commissioner’s Office.
The Additional Deputy Commissioner, Md. Sharif Uddin, attended the event as the chief guest. The session was moderated by Omar Kaisar, News Editor of The Daily Prothom Alo.
The welcome remarks were delivered by Nazrul Islam Bachchu, Program Director of Rupantar, and Mohammad Shahjahan, Director of YPSA. The concept note was presented by Md. Ali Shahin, Head of Advocacy at YPSA.
Speakers noted that peace, harmony, and social cohesion in the country are currently in a fragile state. They emphasized that ensuring good governance, promoting accurate information, and fostering collaboration among government bodies, non-governmental organizations, and civil society groups are essential to overcoming this situation. They also stressed that sustainable peace cannot be achieved without mutual respect and empathy among people of different religions, ethnicities, communities, and professions.
In his remarks, the chief guest Md. Sharif Uddin stated, “There is a noticeable lack of empathy in society. Even when rumors spread, we often fail to verify them. The effort to build cohesion must begin within families.”
Farzana Rahman Mim, Assistant Commissioner (NGO Cell) and Executive Magistrate, said, “Those whose voices we fail to bring forward are often the most vulnerable to misinformation. We need to create space to listen to them.”
Jesmin Sultana Paru, Chief Executive of ELLMA, expressed concern, saying, “Even educated members of society are contributing to the spread of rumors. We must raise awareness as part of our civic responsibility.”
Mahbubul Hasan, Deputy Inspector General of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, emphasized the importance of verifying information before sharing it and preventing rumors from creating conflict between workers and employers.
Shahadat Hossain Bachchu, Program Director of Rupantar, highlighted the need for active engagement from civil society to strengthen peace and cohesion, ensuring inclusive participation from all levels of society.
Mohammad Shahjahan, Director of YPSA, noted that young people are the most active on social media, making youth awareness a key step in promoting social cohesion.
Md. Ali Shahin, Head of Advocacy at YPSA, emphasized the importance of maintaining a democratic environment to establish peace and building society based on inclusive opinions.
Among others, speakers included Bappa Chowdhury, Program Manager of BITA; Sarwar Kamal, Lecturer at BGC Trust University; Dilruba Akter, Head of the Department of Journalism and Media Studies at Port City International University; Advocate Mili Chowdhury; Enamul Hasan from BRAC; Touhidul Islam from TIB Chattogram; Abdus Salam from Bureau Bangladesh; Anjuman Banu Lima, Registrar of Chittagong Independent University; Utpal Barua, Chief Executive of Bright Bangladesh; Sirajul Islam from Ghashful; youth representative Noman Ullah Bahar; Ratul Sheikh, President of Chattogram University Debating Society; and Jallang Kubi, President of Rendezvous Cultural Group, among others.
The event was also attended by distinguished citizens, government officials, academics, religious leaders, representatives from different ethnic communities, and youth groups in Chattogram.
During the discussion, speakers emphasized the importance of family education, ethics, social values, media literacy, and fact-checking in building social cohesion and harmony. Youth representatives called for responsible behavior on digital platforms and greater efforts to strengthen unity across different age groups and communities
