The CSO Alliance hosted the first regional consultation in Rajshahi on 17 May 2025, bringing together multi-sector stakeholders to envision the future of citizen organizations in Bangladesh. The dialogue focused on strengthening transparency, inclusivity, and citizen participation to build more responsive and accountable civil society organizations.
Held at Novo Theatre, Rajshahi, and co-organized with Asroy, the consultation gathered diverse voices to discuss the role of civil society in Bangladesh’s evolving political and development landscape. Participants reflected on five decades of CSO contributions to education, healthcare, rights protection, and grassroots empowerment, while acknowledging the urgent need for reforms amid declining foreign aid and increasing public distrust.
The consultation drew a wide and diverse range of participants, representing political parties, government institutions, academia, civil society, and the private sector. Political representatives included Mizanur Rahman Minu, Advisor to the BNP Chairperson and former Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation; Advocate Shafiqul Haque Milon, Assistant Secretary for Relief and Rehabilitation Affairs of Rajshahi Metropolitan BNP; Rafiqul Islam Khan, Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami; Imran Emon, Central Organiser of the National Citizens Party; and Maulana Abdullah Talha of Hefazat-e-Islam, Rajshahi. From government and academia, Professor Dr. Saleh Hasan Naqib, Vice-Chancellor of Rajshahi University, and Professor Abdur Razzak, Vice-Chancellor of Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology, offered their insights. Civil society and religious leaders such as Fr. Patric Gomes, Catholic Priest and Secretary of the National and Inter-Religious Dialogue Commission, and Hafiz Maulana Murshid Alam Faruqi, President of Islami Andolon Bangladesh, also joined, alongside development and rights advocates including Advocate Enamul Haque, Advocate Murad Morshed, Dr. Wasim Hossain, and Sofiuddin Ahmed. From the private sector, Syed Abdullah Shaon, Managing Director of Real Estate Properties Limited, shared perspectives on entrepreneurship, while youth voices were strongly represented by Tahsin Khan, Coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement at Rajshahi University, and Fauzia Nourin, Coordinator at Rajshahi University. The dialogue was further marked by the emotional reflections of Sakib Anjum’s father, who reminded participants of the human cost of civic movements and the continued importance of national unity. Among the co-conveners, Asif Saleh, Executive Director of BRAC, and Barrister Sara Hossain, Honorary Executive Director of BLAST, contributed their insights. The session was hosted by development practitioner AKM Musha, Executive Member of the CSO Alliance, with the opening presentation delivered by Shaheen Anam, Executive Director of Manusher Jonno Foundation. In addition, around 15–16 representatives from various NGOs actively participated, adding further depth to the discussions.
Discussions throughout the day highlighted the importance of non-partisan, people-centred CSOs, improved financial transparency, and stronger connections with grassroots communities. Speakers emphasized empowering marginalized groups, including women, youth, and minority populations, while adapting to shifting political realities and citizens’ expectations.
