The Civil Society Organization (CSO) Alliance hosted its second regional consultation in Jashore under the theme “কেমন নাগরিক সংগঠন চাই?” (“What Kind of Citizen Organizations Do We Want?”). The dialogue aimed to restore public trust, strengthen accountability, and make CSOs more people-centered in order to reflect citizens’ needs and aspirations.
Co-organized with the Rural Reconstruction Foundation (RRF), the consultation took place at RRF’s head office and brought together 31 participants from across the region. Discussions focused on pressing challenges facing the sector, including political influence, lack of financial transparency, over-reliance on foreign aid, and declining citizen engagement.
Speakers underscored the importance of independent, inclusive, and participatory CSOs that prioritize citizen interests over donor agendas. The dialogue further emphasized youth engagement, women’s leadership, and multi-sector partnerships involving businesses, religious leaders, and local administrations to collectively address community priorities.
The consultation was marked by the presence of a diverse group of stakeholders, reflecting the broad-based interest in civil society reform. Among the notable participants were political leaders Syed Saberul Hoque Sabu, President of the Jashore District BNP; Maulana Shoyeb Hossain, Central Organizing Secretary (Khulna Division) of the BNP; and Salma Akhter Asha, Organizing Secretary of the Jashore District NCP. The academic community was represented by Professor Dr. Md. Abdul Mojid, Vice-Chancellor of Jashore University of Science and Technology, and Dr. Shahnaj Parvin, Principal of Talbaria Degree College. Government officials in attendance included Md. Ajharul Islam, District Commissioner and Senior District Magistrate of Jashore, and Jonab Rounak Jahan, Superintendent of Police, Jashore. The private sector was represented by Shaymol Das, Managing Director of AM U SI Foods, and Mizanur Rahman Khan, President of the Jashore Chamber of Commerce. Youth voices were highlighted through the participation of Adori Rani and Mim Sultana Trisha, both women youth representatives from Jashore. The event also welcomed key CSO and media figures such as Habibur Rahman Milon, General Secretary of the Jashore Journalists’ Union; AS M Touhidur, Secretary of the Jashore Press Club; Nasima Khatun, Coordinator of the Bangladesh National Women Lawyers’ Association; and Nirmol Bit, Joint General Secretary of the Bangladesh Hindu-Buddhist-Christian Unity Council, among others.
Looking ahead, the CSO Alliance announced plans to consolidate recommendations from the consultation into a comprehensive outcome report and to organize a national workshop with political leaders. Targeted advocacy efforts will also aim to embed citizen-driven priorities into election manifestos ahead of the upcoming national polls.
In his closing remarks, a co-convener of the CSO Alliance described the Jashore dialogue as “a significant milestone in rebuilding citizen trust and setting a roadmap for a new era of inclusive, transparent, and collaborative civil society organizations.”
