In commemoration of International Day of UN Peacekeepers, Bangladesh Armed Forces Division (AFD), Office of the UN Resident Coordinator and Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) jointly organized, a number of events to honour the deceased and injured UN peacekeepers, on 29 May 2018. A peace run was organized early in the morning which was inaugurated by Hon’ble Foreign Minister, UN Resident Coordinator and Principal Staff Officer of AFD. The honouring programme was arranged in the afternoon on 29 May 2018. The Honorable President of Bangladesh graced the afternoon event as Chief Guest and handed over crests and awards to the injured peacekeepers and to the family members of the deceased peacekeepers. UN Resident Coordinator spoke as special guest. UN in Bangladesh distributed the THANK YOU BANGLADESH Post Cards to all the 2000 participants including the senior officials of Bangladesh Armed Forces. The card was published by UN Information Centre, Dhaka as a part of UN Peacekeeping Campaign. A UN video was also screened apart from other videos.
Category Archives: UNIC Activities
Families and inclusive societies: International Day of Families celebrated
Dhaka, 15 May 2018: In celebration of the International Day of Families, UNIC Dhaka jointly with Probin Hitoishi Sangho, World-Wide Family Love Movement (WWFLM) and Center for Ethics Education of Ahsanullah University of Science and Technology(AUST) organized a round-table discussion seminar at Probin Hitoishi Sangho Auditorium. The Family Day theme is “families and inclusive societies”. UNDP Former Resident Representative Ms. Sarwar Sultana spoke as chief guest while key note paper was presented by Kazi Ali Reza Chief Executive Officer of Center for Ethics Education. The key-note speaker Continue reading
Model UN Conference at University of Liberal Arts (ULAB)
7 April, 2018: In partnership with United Nations and with the knowledge support of UNIC Dhaka, University of Liberal Arts (ULAB) Model UN Club organized a two-day long Model UN Conference during 5 to 6 April at University auditorium. The theme of the conference was – “Public and Private Partnership for Sustainable Development”. In the closing ceremony, Mr. Nasrul Hamid, MP Hon’ble State Minister for Power, Energy & Mineral Resources spoke as chief guest. Among others, Vice-Chancellor of ULAB, Publisher of Daily Dhaka Tribune and President of UNYSAB spoke on the occasion. In his speech, the Hon’ble State Minister emphasized on the progress of Sustainable Development Goal-7 affordable and clean energy in the context of Bangladesh and urged the delegates to share their thoughts about the necessity of private-public partnership in Bangladesh. There were five committees in the conference. A total of 200 delegates from different educational institutions took part in the conference. UNIC provided with UN educational and promotional materials to all delegates. UNIC NIO spoke on importance MUN to enhance leadership quality and to develop communication skill. He also spoke about the ongoing UN Peacekeeping Campaign.
Empowering Women and Girls with Autism: World Autism Day observed
Dhaka, 5 April 2018: With the theme of “Empowering Women and Girls with Autism” a seminar and cultural programme on World Autism Awareness Day was organized at BPF auditorium. In his speech, UNIC NIO focused on the role and activities of United Nations in relation to autism referring UN Declaration on the Rights of Disabled Persons. BPF Executive Director Dr. Shamim Ferdous urged to all stakeholders to come forward in empowering women and girls in autism. UN Secretary-General’s Message (Bangla) on the Day was readout and distributed among all the participants. A cultural programme was performed by both autistic and non-autistic children. UN promotional materials were distributed among the children. The event was jointly organized by Bangladesh Protibondhi Foundation (BPF), Shishu Bikash Network (SBN) and UN Information Centre on 5 April 2018.
International Women’s Day: Panel Discussion
Dhaka 11 March 2018: A panel discussion was organized at United International University (UIU) campus in Baridhara with the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day – “Time is Now: Rural and Urban activists transforming women’s lives”. To mark the Day, UNV Bangladesh, UNIC Dhaka jointly with UIU arranged the panel discussion. The Vice Chancellor of UIU Prof. Dr Chowdhury Mofizur Rahman presided over the session while UNDP Deputy Country Director Ms Kyoko Yokosuka formally opened the event putting emphasis on women empowerment and upliftment of women’s life mainly in rural areas. Continue reading
Tribute ceremony held in Mali for four fallen Bangladeshi peacekeepers
This morning, Tuesday, March 6, a memorial ceremony was held in Bamako for four fallen Bangladeshi peacekeepers who were killed in the line of duty on February 28, in the Mopti region of Mali.
Warrant Officer Abul Kalam Azad, Corporal Mohammad Akter Hossin, and soldiers Mohammad Rayhan Ali and Jamal Uddin were killed when their vehicle was struck by an improvised explosive device on the Boni-Douentza road. During the same attack four other peacekeepers were seriously injured.
The Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) Mr. Mahamat Saleh Annadif and the MINUSMA Force Commander General Jean-Paul Deconinck were present at the ceremony held at the MINUSMA Operational Base in Bamako.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s Video Message: An Alert for the World on New Year – 1 January 2018
1 January 2018: Dear friends around the world, Happy New Year. When I took office one year ago, I appealed for 2017 to be a year for peace. Unfortunately – in fundamental ways, the world has gone in reverse. On New Year’s Day 2018, I am not issuing an appeal. I am issuing an alert — a red alert for our world. Conflicts have deepened and new dangers have emerged. Global anxieties about nuclear weapons are the highest since the Cold War. Climate change is moving faster than we are. Inequalities are growing. We see horrific violations of human rights. Nationalism and xenophobia are on the rise. As we begin 2018, I call for unity. I truly believe we can make our world more safe and secure. We can settle conflicts, overcome hatred and defend shared values. But we can only do that together. I urge leaders everywhere to make this New Year’s resolution Narrow the gaps. Bridge the divides. Rebuild trust by bringing people together around common goals. Unity is the path. Our future depends on it. I wish you peace and health in 2018. Thank you. Shokran. Xie Xie. Merci. Spasiba. Gracias. Obrigado.
Media Dialogue on Human Rights and Ethics in Journalism
Dhaka 23 December 2017: In Marking the Human Rights Day and 70th Anniversary of Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), the United Nations in Bangladesh with the cooperation of Somashte (a mass media organization) organized a Media Dialogue on ‘Human Rights and Ethics in Journalism’ at Daily Star Center in Dhaka. The Chief Information Commissioner of Bangladesh Professor Dr. Golam Rahman moderated the dialogue. The Director of Somashte, Executive Editor of UNB, President of Bangladesh Nari Sangbadik Kendra and Deputy Editor of Daily Samakal spoke on the occasion. They highlighted on rights based approach and ethical issues in journalism. Chief Information Commissioner said, each media outlet should have an ideal editorial policy which would act as a guideline for all journalists. Senior journalists from print and electronic media, educationalist, and human rights workers took part in the dialogue. Apart from senior journalists, the Head of Dept of Mass Communication and Journalism of Dhaka University, Human Rights Advisor of UNRC Office, National Information Officer of UNIC Dhaka and UNAIDS Country Coordinator spoke on the occasion.
UNRC emphasized on youth empowerment at Dhaka University Model United Nations
In cooperation with United Nations and strategic support of UNIC, Dhaka University Model United Nations Association (DUMUNA) organized a four-day long Dhaka University National Model United Nations (DUNMUN) conference at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban at Dhaka University during 18- 21 December 2017. In closing ceremony, Mr. Nasrul Hamid, MP Hon’ble State Minister for Power, Energy & Mineral Resources graced the occasion as chief guest while Ms. Mia Seppo, UN Resident Coordinator in Bangladesh and Ambassador Fafooq Sobhan spoke as special guests. In his speech, the Hon’ble Minister focuses on various developmental aspects of Bangladesh and took part in Q/A with delegates. UNRC in her speech highlights a number of important issues including SDGs, Migration, Urbanization, Climate change, Rohingya, Human rights, Youth development and UN reform. Around 450 delegates from different educational institutions took part in the four day long MUN conference. The DUNMUN inaugurated on 18 December where Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor Dr. Nasreen Ahmad was present as chief guest. Mr Nahim Razzak, Hon’ble MP and member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Youth & Sports, and UNDP Country Director Mr Sudipto Mukerjee spoke as special guests. DUMUNA Moderator Prof Delwar Hossain, DUNMUN Secretary-General and UNIC NIO appreciated the organizers and delegates for their active participation.
Observance of Human Rights Day 2017 and 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Dhaka 11 December 2017: In observance of Human Rights Day and 70th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, United Nations jointly with Daffodil International University (DIU) organized a panel discussion, essay contest, drama and poet reading at DIU auditorium. The Theme of this year was “Let’s stand up for equality, justice and human dignity”. The panelists were Acting Vice-Chancellor of DIU Prof. Dr. S.M. Mahbub-Ul-Haque Majumder, Dean Prof. Hamidur Rahman, Head of Law Department Dr. Farhana Helal Mehtab, Director of Students’ Affairs Mr. Syed Mizanur Rahman and Mr. Zahid Hossain Human Rights Advisor of UNRC Office. Mr. Zahid said that we need to stand up for our own rights and those of others and we must take actions in our daily lives to uphold the rights that protect all of us. UN Secretary-General’s Message on the Day was read out by Ms. Fahmida Sultana of UNIC Dhaka. Winners of essay contest on human rights were awarded with prizes.