BDCSO Process, a forum of around 700 national Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), placed its declaration, containing 22 demands, in a virtual press conference yesterday.
The declaration was adopted in the virtual annual conference held in October.
The declaration urged for transparency in all international humanitarian and development assistance. BDCSO leaders also asked international agencies to shun luxury in this regard and requested them to limit their role in monitoring and technical assistance only and handover the project implementation to local actors. The declaration, published in both Bangla and English, is available on the BDCSO Process website, said a press release.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, national coordinator of the BDCSO Process, moderated the virtual press conference, while Mustafa Kamal Akhandam, executive director of COAST Trust, delivered the welcome speech.
Divisional leaders Parveen Akhter from Pabna, Khandker Farooque Ahmed from Mymensing, Akbar Hossain from Rangpur, Arifur Rahman from Chattogram, Shuvankar Chokrobarty, Rahima Sultana Kazal and Anwar Zahid from Barisal, Asadazzaman Sheikh from Khulna, Sayeda Yesmin from Kurigram, Masuda Farukh Ratna from Dhaka, Tofazzel Sohel from Sylhet, Lalit Chkama from Rangmati, and Sabrina Akhter from Lakshmipur upheld different demands of the declaration while expressing solidarity.
Arifur Rahman said that all international agencies must use Bangla in the country. He also urged agencies to ensure full transparency of their funding process and make these free from conflict of interest.
Shuvankar Chakraborty from Barisal urged the government to adopt localisation policy and local accountability for international aids.
Asad from Khulna said that technology and knowledge should be transferred to locals and the expatriate appointment should not be supply-driven. He also urged international agencies to bring down their management cost to single digit.
Sayed Yesmin said that the donor agencies should reconsider due diligence and give funding to local NGOs/CSOs bypassing intermediaries.
Masuda Faruque Ratna from Dhaka urged international agencies to adhere to aid transparency principles. She asked them to segregate luxury and necessity in their expenditure.
Tofazzal from Sylhet urged UN agencies to reinforce the local civil societies rather than replacing them. UN agencies should emphasise promoting human rights over fundraising and project implementation.
