Abstract Book

Organized by:

Department of Development StudiesIslamic University, Bangladesh

In Collaboration with

Department of Development Studies The Faculty of Education and CultureUniversity of Dhaka, Bangladesh Tampere University, Finland

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON

SUSTAINABILITY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

March 8-9, 2020

International Conference onSustainability and Sustainable Development

March 8-9, 2020Islamic University, Bangladesh

ABSTRACT BOOK

Organized by:

Department of Development StudiesIslamic University, Bangladesh

In Collaboration with

Department of Development Studies The Faculty of Education and Culture

University of Dhaka, Bangladesh Tampere University, Finland

Table of ContentsMessage from the Chief Guest......................................................................................................1

Message from Vice-Chancellor.....................................................................................................3

Message from Pro-Vice Chancellor...............................................................................................4

Message from Treasurer...............................................................................................................5

Concept Note of the Conference..................................................................................................6

Profile and Speech of Keynote Speaker (Inaugural Session)........................................................8

Profile and Abstract of Keynote Speaker (Virtual Session)........................................................15

Paper Abstracts...........................................................................................................................17

Directory of Participants.............................................................................................................38

Conference Schedule.................................................................................................................. 40

Message from the Chief Guest

Dr. Shamsul AlamHonourable Member (Senior Secretary)General Economics DivisionBangladesh Planning Commission

The ‘Sustainability’ term has been used extensively in the environmental context, which defines sustainability as avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance. Sustainable development, on the other hand, captures the whole gamut of development from sustainability contexts. The term ‘sustainable development’ was first coined in 1987 in the Brundtland Commission Report, where ‘sustainable development’ is defined as the kind of development that meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The two key concepts of sustainable development are: the concept of ‘needs’ in particular the essential needs of the world's poorest people, to which they should be given overriding priority; and the idea of limitations which is imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet both present and future needs. Hence, the central idea of ‘sustainable development’ is that of intergenerational equity. In sum, the ‘needs’ are basic and essential, economic growth will facilitate their fulfillment, and equity is encouraged by citizen participation in economic, social and political activities. After the Brundtland Commission Report, the global community started feeling the importance of sustainable development and it was evident in Rio Earth Summit 1992, Earth Summit +5, Rio +20 etc. in the following years. These global initiatives have finally culminated to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At the core of sustainable development, there exist 5 cardinal principles: people, planet, partnership, peace and prosperity. People, planet and prosperity also constitute the three important pillars (social, environmental and economic) of sustainable development. Following the cardinal principality and the basic pillars of sustainable development, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) comprise of 17 broad goals with 169 targets and 241 indicators (9 indicators having repeated use). The implementation of these 17 goals and associated targets promise to make a poverty and hunger free society, livable planet that foster prosperity and inclusiveness through strong partnership.

After the successful attainment of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Bangladesh has made noticeable contribution to the global community in finalizing the SDGs as a global development agenda. Bangladesh’s proposal of Post 2015 Development Agenda to the UN were comprised of 11 goals with 58 targets and corresponding 241 indicators. Of these goals, 10 specific goals were found common with the SDGs. The remaining one was combined in different

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targets. Bangladesh has also broadly aligned the SDGs in its medium (Five Year Plan) and long term development plans (Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100).

The 7th Five Year Plan (FYP) coincides with the final year of MDGs and the launch of UN’s post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The development approach underlying the 7th FYP is consistent with the global agenda for higher growth in developing countries with appropriate measures for protection of the environment. Eradication of extreme poverty is also a cardinal principle of the strategies laid out in the 7th FYP document. This FYP strives for just, equitable and inclusive economic growth, gender equality and social development while protecting the environment. A total of 14 goals (82%) are found to be thematically fully aligned with the plan document, whereas 3 Goals (Goal 14, Goal 16 and Goal 17) are partially aligned. Seventh Five Year Plan ensured the empowerment of women in every spheres of social and economic aspects.

Similar to the Five Year Plan, Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 (BDP 2100) is also consistent with the SDGs. The major goals of BDP 2100 are water and food security, climate change and environmental sustainability, people's decent livelihood through economic growth, social development, knowledge development, biodiversity, forestry and agriculture production. The goals also include development of effective institutions and equitable governance within the boundary and trans-boundary water resources management. It must be mentioned that, all six BDP 2100 goals are fully linked with SDG Goal 2 (hunger), Goal 6 (water and sanitation), Goal 13 (climate change) and Goal 14 (life below water) and partially linked with Goal 1 (poverty), Goal 5 (gender equality and women empowerment), Goal 8 (job creation and sustained economic growth), Goal 9 (resilient infrastructure, sustainable industrialization and innovation), Goal 11 (safe, resilient and sustainable cities) and Goal 15 (life on land). This linkage supported by appropriate interventions and policy will be continued in the upcoming 8th Five Year Plan (FYP) as well as the dream document 2nd Perspective Plan (2021-41) in achieving the Bangladesh's Vision for 2041. Therefore, BDP 2100 is indeed the combination of long-term strategies and subsequent interventions for ensuring long term water and food security, economic growth and environmental sustainability while effectively reducing vulnerability to natural disasters and building resilience to climate change and other delta challenges through robust, adaptive and integrated strategies, and equitable water governance. Side by side, it is also a techno-economic plan, which covers both technical and economic issues (GDP growth, poverty reduction, employment, food security, investment etc.) for the whole country. BDP 2100 is also an actionable plan having an investment program up to year 2030 linked with mobilization of financial resources.

Bangladesh Delta Plan incorporates the adoption of strong climate change related adaptation measures to achieve higher and sustainable growth trajectories in the face of the various weather-related natural hazards and risks. This BDP 2100 policy option will allow us to achieve national level goals of eradicating extreme poverty and achieving the status of UMIC by 2031 and also secure being a prosperous country by 2041. If the country adopts Delta Plan policy extreme poverty could be eradicated around 2030 with nature based solutions while having integrated the

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SDGs in BDP 2100. This Mega plan implementation will ensure sustainable development of Bangladesh over the years to come.

Dr. Shamsul Alam

Message from Vice Chancellor

Professor Md. Harun-Ur-Rashid Askari, Ph.DHonourable Vice ChancellorIslamic University, Bangladesh

I am very delighted to hear that the department of Development Studies at Islamic University Bangladesh is jointly organizing the international conference on Sustainability and Sustainable Development with the Department of Development Studies of the University of Dhaka and Tampere University, Finland. I feel happy that sustainable development and vocational education and training (SUDE-VET) research group of the Faculty of Education and Culture of Tampere University, Finland has extended their technical and academic collaboration for the virtual session of this conference.

This International Conference on Sustainability and Sustainable Development will be the most important and historic event at the Islamic university which will bring together academia, scholars and students interested in the field of sustainable development. To me, sustainable development is a great challenge of our age which needs scholarly understanding to identify contextual theoretical framework, practical problems and evidence-based solutions towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

I am very pleased to know that the conference aims at understanding sustainability and sustainable development on local context in contributing to the concentration and solution for global initiatives in the field of sustainable development and environmental care. The conference will add scholarly values and knowledge from contextual perspective for understanding and analyzing the sustainability and sustainable development. In addition, the outcome of this conference will influence contextual strategic and policy process in meeting up the national target of sustainable development goals.

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I appreciate the initiative and would extend my thanks to the organizing committee. This event will put Islamic university forward one step ahead into the road to internationalization, which is the avowed vision of Islamic University, Bangladesh.

I wish the conference all success.

Professor Md. Harun-Ur-Rashid Askari, Ph.D

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Message from Pro-Vice Chancellor

Professor M. Shahinoor Rahman, Ph.D

Honourable Pro-Vice ChancellorIslamic University, Bangladesh

I am very delighted to extend my warm congratulations to the Department of Development studies of Islamic University, Bangladesh on jointly holding the international Conference on “Sustainability and Sustainable Development” with the Department of Development Studies of the University of Dhaka and Tampere University, Finland on 08-09 March 2020. The Department of Development studies of Islamic University deserves immense appreciations for organizing such a prestigious Conference. I also sincerely appreciate the Sustainable Development and Vocational Education and Training (SUDE-VET) Research Group of the Faculty of Education and Culture of Tampere University, Finland for extending its technical and academic collaboration to the Conference.

I am very happy to know that the Conference is emphasizing the sustainability and sustainable development on the local perspectives with a view to contributing to the making of global initiatives for ensuring sustainable development and echo friendly environment. I hope the Conference will add new dimensions to the contextual theoretical framework and to the understanding of real life problems that hinder sustainability and sustainable development.

Once again, I extend my sincere thanks to the organizing committee to take such a great academic initiative, which will uplift the Islamic University, Bangladesh on the way to internationalization.

I wish the Conference all the best.

Professor M. Shahinoor Rahman, Ph.D

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Message from Treasurer

Professor Md. Selim Toha, Ph.DHonourable TreasurerIslamic University, Bangladesh

I am very pleased to know that the Department of Development Studies at Islamic University Bangladesh is jointly organize the international conference on Sustainability and Sustainable Development with the Department of Development Studies of the University of Dhaka and Tampere University, Finland. I am so happy to know that sustainable development and vocational education and training (SUDE-VET) research group of the Faculty of Education and Culture of Tampere University, Finland is also participating in the conference virtually as a form of technical and academic collaboration for the conference.

I am much delighted to have knowledge that the conference will explore the contextual meaning and scenarios of sustainability and sustainable development towards contributing the planetary focus and solution for meeting up the challenges of sustainable development. I am confident enough that this conference will find out the relevant theoretical framework and the way towards achieving the sustainable development goals of Bangladesh and world as well.

I extend many thanks to the organizing committee for such a great initiative, which will promote Islamic University, Bangladesh in the way of internationalization.

Professor Md. Selim Toha, Ph.D

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Concept Note of the Conference

Professor Nasim Banu, Ph.DCoordinatorInternational Conference on Sustainability and Sustainable DevelopmentMarch 8-9, 2020Islamic University, Bangladesh

Burndtland Commission introduced the concept of sustainable development in 1987 by its report titled “Our Common Future” which concerns building on the present in such a way as not to put the future at risk. However, global debate on sustainability and sustainable development has been gripping the academicians, researchers and policy makers since 1992 when the UN Conference on Environment and Development endorsed it as a new development paradigm underline the importance of increasing opportunities for progress and promoting well-being of individuals, families, and communities to ensure sustainable development and global growth. The concept of Sustainability and Sustainable Development introduces the ethical principle of achieving equity between the present and future generations and warrants a sound environment, a just society and a healthy economy and thus, from governance of a nation is expected to overcome the shortcomings of public service delivery, safety, security, economic stability and infrastructural development which again the concerns of politics, technology, economy, and ecology. UN identifies 17 goals of sustainability and comprehensive development to address poverty; hunger; good health and well-being; quality education; gender equality; clean water and sanitation; affordable and clean energy; decent work and economic growth; industry, innovation, and infrastructure growth; reduction in inequality; sustainable cities and communities; responsible consumption and production; climate action; life below water; life on land; peace, justice, and strong institutions; and partnerships to achieve the goals. Now it is on the nations to address these issues with appropriate policy, technology that responds to the value of human and non-human life of the society.

There are clear evidence across the world that the gap between rich and poor has been increasing; human rights are being violated; a large proportion of population is illiterate and has been living in poverty with lack of adequate diet, nutrition, sanitation minimum facilities and access to pure drinking water and suffering from preventable disease; and refugees resulting from war, political persecution, environmental destruction; and still the prevailing system leads to inequities in the access to resources. Thus, sustainable development is needed in the globe: protecting the natural environment which provides human societies and economies with livelihood and a suitable climate for our survival, and the physical resources; involving improvements to the social system to achieve fairness in distribution and opportunity, adequate

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provision of social services including health and education, gender equity, and political accountability and participation: and improvement in economic domains to produce goods and services, maintain manageable levels of government and to avoid extreme sectoral imbalances which damage agricultural or industrial production.

In Bangladesh, under the dynamic leadership of Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Awami League government has met many of the MDGs targets like relating to headcount poverty, poverty ratio, gender parity in primary and secondary education, under-5 mortality rate, and made remarkable improvement in reducing preventable diseases, environmental sustainability and development in global partnership for development which are considered as positive improvement to attain Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Drawing out of National Sustainable Development Framework the Sheikh Hasina government has identified the five strategic priority areas like: Sustained Economic growth without compromising environmental sustainability; Development of Priority Sectors involve farm and non-firm activities; Urban Development for sustainable smart cities; Social Security and Protection to ensure rights of the citizens; Environment, Natural Resource and Disaster management to ensure environmental protection, ecosystems and resources; Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation to make resilient citizens and three cross cutting areas like: Good Governance, Gender and Stakeholder Consultations to support and facilitate implementation of the priority areas, and to protect various aspects and rights of women for their advancements having consolation with stakeholders at various level.

Sustainability and sustainable development calls for new awareness of the need to achieve sustainable well-being which involves designing and constructing institutional development and good governance. Many scholars consider democratic empowerment of citizens and their participation to governance as positive narratives of sustainability and sustainable development. However, challenges in respect to sustainability and sustainable development are essentially opportunities which can be seen as an adaptive response to the need to develop well-being of a nation to cope with the unpredictable environments of future.

Professor Nasim Banu, Ph.D

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Profile and Speech of Keynote Speaker (Inaugural Session)

Dr. Shamsul Alam, Member (Senior Secretary), General Economics Division (GED), Bangladesh Planning Commission has been serving the Government of Bangladesh over the last 8 years and a half. Prior to joining GED, Bangladesh Planning Commission, he was a faculty of Bangladesh Agricultural University since 1974 to 2009. Dr. Alam also worked for UNDP/FAO as a National Consultant for 4 years and 3 months. He served as visiting Professor at Humbolt University, Germany, University of Ghent, Belgium and at the school of Development Economics, Wageningen University, the Netherlands as an Erasmus Mundus Scholar. Dr. Alam coordinated the preparation of the first Perspective Plan of Bangladesh 2010-21 and Sixth & Seventh Five Year Plans of Bangladesh. He is currently coordinating the preparation of the Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100 and the Bangladesh Perspective Plan 2021-41. He has in his credit published 48 scientific articles in peer reviewed national and international journals and authored ten Books. Dr. Alam travelled 45 countries of the World in connection with academic Seminars/Symposia as a government delegate. He has been awarded the Ekushey Padak (Twentyfirst Award) by the Government of Bangladesh in 2020.

Paper Title: Women Empowerment and SDGs in Bangladesh

The genesis of SDG and Bangladesh’s engagement:

The United Nations General Assembly at the 70th session held on 25 September 2015 adopted the outcome document of the UN summit for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda entitled ‘Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’ and decided on new global Sustainable Development goals (SDGs). At the core of the 2030 Agenda is a list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets to end poverty, hunger and inequality, take action on climate change and the environment, improve access to health and education, care for people and the planet, and build strong institutions and partnerships. The Agenda 2030 thus becomes quite comprehensive. The SDGs are unprecedented in terms of scope and significance and go much beyond the MDGs (2001-15) by including economic growth, sustainable production and consumption, sustainable urbanization, big data generation for tracking progress and the importance of peace and justice for all. The Agenda 2030 calls for action by all countries, poor, rich and middle income.

Bangladesh has been widely acclaimed as one of the forerunners of MDGs implementation and attainments. It achieved many targets ahead of time and others within the 2015 deadline. It made outstanding progress in the areas of poverty alleviation, ensuring food security, primary school enrolment, and gender parity in primary and secondary level education, lowering infant and under-five mortality rate and maternal mortality ratio, improving immunization coverage, and

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reducing the incidence of communicable diseases. Buoyed by its success Bangladesh became an active participant of the global process underlying the preparation of post-MDG agenda with its domestic and global actions.

The General Economics Division (GED) of the Bangladesh Planning Commission, steered the preparation of a draft of the post-2015 Development Agenda suggesting Goals and Targets and several indicators. Several rounds of consultations with multiple stakeholders including government officials, public representatives, CSOs, and media representatives took place in 2013 at both the national and the sub-national levels. The document also benefited from inputs provided by relevant government ministries, experts from UN organizations, and development partners. Finally, the Post-2015 Development Agenda: Bangladesh Proposal to UN came up with 11 goals, 58 targets and 241 indicators. The goals concerned pressing development issues embracing human potential, reducing poverty and inequality, attaining food security and nutrition, health and family planning, gender equality, quality education and skills, employment and worker rights, good governance, sustainable production and consumption, environmental sustainability and disaster management, and forging international cooperation and partnership. Notably the Bangladesh proposals were consistent with the global aspirations as 9 out of 11 proposals were common to those proposed by Open Working Group (OWG) of the United Nations responsible for drafting of post-MDGs Development Agenda. The other goal proposed by Bangladesh was reflected as target in SDGs. The SDGs are not though legally binding, but governments are expected to take ownership and establish national frameworks for the achievement of the goals.

The philosophy behind SDGs implementation: ‘Whole of Society’ approach , LNOB and participation of women:

Bangladesh has made a remarkable progress in terms of institutionalising the SDGs implementation mechanism. For achieving Vision 2041 and emerging as a high income country by 2041, the country has adopted the Perspective Plan 2021-2041 and on course to finalizing the 8th Five Year Plan (2021-2025) that aim to ‘leave no one behind’ (LNOB) and promote equitable and inclusive growth and development. The Government of Bangladesh has consistently applied “whole of society” approach to the preparation of national development plans and policy documents of national importance. The government believes that success in attaining SDGs relies on mainstreaming all the deprived and disadvantaged group of people. With this vision, GED undertook a study to identify the most vulnerable groups who need special attention and these include old-women, poor female-headed household and rural poor women, among others.

Women in development planning:

The consecutive Five-Year Plans (FYP) incorporated provisions for women’s development and gender equality in line with the international commitments. The 7 th Five Year Plan (7Th FYP) 2016-2020, incorporated strategy for gender equality and women’s advancement and the subsequent FYPs will aim at achieving the SDG targets. The Government has set national targets and indicators as well as an action Plan to implement the SDGs. The 7th FYP adopted a

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comprehensive framework for promoting gender equality with four strategic objectives. These were: (a) improving women’s human capabilities, (b) increasing women’s economic benefits, (c) enhancing women’s voice and agency, and (d) creating an enabling environment for women’s advancement. These were backed by providing policy and legal framework and implementing by using gender responsive budgeting (GRB). Actions for women’s development were directed towards seven key areas in 7th FYP and these are: Increase access to human development opportunities Enhance access to and control over productive resources Increase participation and decision making Establish conducive legal and regulatory environment Improve institutional capacity, accountability and oversight Increase protection and resilience from crisis and shocks Promote positive social norms Encourage women participations in cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises

The Government is preparing its 8th Five Year Plan (8thFYP) for 2021-2025 and emphasizing the unfinished agenda to achieve the SDGs. Gender equality and women’s empowerment is one of the 10 priority action areas declared by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of Bangladesh. Therefore, promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment will continue as priorities in the 8th FYP.

Government’s role in mainstreaming women in SDGs:

As we are well aware of the fact that Bangladesh is set to graduate from LDC status by 2024 and become an upper middle income country by 2031. Bangladesh aims at becoming a ‘High Income Country’ by 2041, only economic freedom will not be enough for its citizen. Empowering women and maintaining gender equity along with other socio-development factors also need to be embraced as Bangladesh progresses along its development path. Addressing the needs of women and girls and promoting gender equality have been in the central agenda of Bangladesh’s development pursuit. Consistent laws, policies, strategies and measures have been formulated and implemented in a progressive manner. Gender is mainstreamed in all areas and gender- discriminatory norms and practices are being eliminated promoting women’s participation in all areas of life.

Bangladesh has signed the conventions and agreements on women’s and girls’ rights and development including the Human Rights Convention, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Platform for Action (BPfA), The Child Rights Convention (CRC), the Vienna Convention and several ILO conventions. The government is implementing the CEDAW, BPfA and the SDGs and regularly prepared reports for the relevant United Nations (UN) bodies. Bangladesh formulated its first national Women’s Development Policy (NWDP) in 1997, in light of the BPfA and the CEDAW and the latest update of NWDP was done in 2011. To implement the NWDP of 2011, a National Action Plan was developed in 2013, which is now being updated for its alignment with the SDGs.

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Access to human development opportunities for women has been extended during the current government’s period. In this connection, gender parity in access to education in both primary and secondary levels was achieved well ahead of the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) target. Girls outnumber boys both in primary and secondary enrolments. The gender parity index in primary and secondary education are 1.10 and 1.20 respectively in 2018 which were 1.07 and 1.17 in 2017. It is a clear progress for girls over boys. The gender parity index tertiary education sector stands at 0.70 in 2018 which were only 0.52 in 2005. The government is trying its level best to reduce the attrition rate of girls at the secondary level so that participation at tertiary level could be increased. [SDG-4]

Life expectancy at birth has increased from 71.6 years in 2016 to 72.3 in 2018 with 73.8 years for females and 70.8 years for males. Maternal mortality ratio also decreased from 216 in 2010 to 169 in 2018. This indicates that maternal, neonatal and children’s health (MNCH) and family planning (FP) services have been improved over the years. Primary health care, immunization, family planning, health education, and first-aids and institutional delivery services are being provided at the grassroots level through more than 13,000 community clinics. Births attended by skilled health personnel was 26.5 percent in 2010 but it has been increased to 59 percent in 2019. [SDG-3]

To implement the Disable Persons’ Rights and Protection Act 2013, an Action Plan was formulated in 2018. In 2018-19 a total of 41,904 female Person with Disabilities (PWDs) students received stipend (46.56 percent). The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector helps to develop skills of women PWDs. Girls with disability have received ICT-training since 2015 by the ICT Division. Under the Social Security program, around 432,800 women (42.38 percent), who were financially insolvent PWDs, received allowance in FY 2018-19. Support is extended to women and girls of various marginalized communities including orphans, ethnic minority groups, transgender, tea workers and Dalits etc. Under 41 Children Homes, destitute girls are getting shelter, food, general education, sports and recreation, health care, vocational training, reintegration and rehabilitation services. Shelter and support for victims of human trafficking, the sex workers, elderly and women in safe custody are also provided. Women in prison are being supported for child care, meditation and training. [SDG-5, 10]

Economic access to women and financial inclusion is also increased with the initiatives of the government. Female unemployment rate also decreased to 6.7 percent in 2017 from 7.3 percent in 2013. Despite this increase, female unemployment rate is still higher than the male counterpart. For this reason, government is creating opportunities for women to reduce gender inequality and to strengthen women empowerment. It is widely noticeable that women have been enrolled in diversified jobs and in previously considered male dominated areas like business (hospitality, construction, agribusiness, defence, law enforcement, marine cadets, migrate workers etc.). Women are about 80 percent of the 4 million workers in the readymade garment sector. The Government has re-fixed the minimum wage for 43 industrial sectors. As a

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result, the gender wage gap has been reduced and in public sector there is no wage discrimination. [SDG-8]

More than 49 million persons are supported for savings services and finance for self-employment through more than 700 microfinance organizations. Above 80 percent of the micro finance beneficiaries are women. Transfer of most of the social allowances and stipends is delivered through mobile or agent banking. Internet based online payments, E-Commerce transaction has been expanded where many women are involved and benefitted. Mobile banking, agent banking and ATM booths have made financial transactions easy and inclusive. In addition, NGOs in collaboration with banks and the Western Union provide safe and fast remittance services at the doorsteps of the rural women. But of cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises financial supports programmes, only 4 percent of women entrepreneurs get support. [SDG-8, 17]

The National Industry Policy, 2016 categorized and redefined the type of Industries to facilitate women’s access to institutional finance. Bangladesh Bank has fixed interest rate for financing women entrepreneurs at 9 per cent. Under cottage, micro, small and medium enterprise (CMSME) window 67,309 women led enterprises received finance in FY18 from Banks and Non-Bank Financial Institutions (NBFI) showing a 165 per cent growth from FY17. The government allocated BDT 1 billion for Women Entrepreneurship Fund and BDT 250 million for Women Development Special Fund in FY19 during the year. Around 1.58 million women received agricultural and rural credit amounting to BDT 63.09 million from different banks. Jatiyo Mohila Sangstha (JMS), trained 71,200 women in business management since 2015 and targeted to train 22,500 women entrepreneurs. MOWCA has planned to develop 20 million rural women as entrepreneurs. Besides, the government has established Joyeeta Foundation, which is working to commercially engage grass-root women in the supply chain from production to distribution. About 18,000 women entrepreneurs under 180 registered women associations are directly engaged with the foundation. [SDG-5, 8]

Women gained skills in livestock poultry, fisheries technology, tourism business management, ICT, hotel management, professional Chef, and Food and Beverage Production, etc. Participation of women in tourism sector is increasing gradually. ICT Division offers several training program to develop women in freelancing business in collaboration with private sector and NGOs. The training provides employable skills and ensures their access to ICT market for freelance work. Rural women have been benefitted through solar energy. Besides providing clean energy, women were trained by IDCOL on setting up solar panels, and biogas plants. This is saving women’s time and also reducing their health hazards. Women are also involved in the production of compost and organic fertilizer, technicians are trained on artificial insemination and Livestock Technology Management and on Animal Nutrition and Technology Transfer. [SDG-5, 8]

Women participation in politics is also admirable. The 17 th Amendment of the Constitution reserved the 50 parliamentary seats exclusively for women for another 25 years until. For the

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first time, the incumbent Government has appointed a woman Election Commissioner in the Election Commission. Apart from the reserved seat, 23 elected members of parliament (MP) are female. Women’s participation in the Parliament stood at 20.88 percent in 2019 compared to 12.73 percent in 1991. It is heartening to report that Bangladesh ranked 50th in global ranking of countries indicating significantly better performance in promoting women empowerment compared to her South Asian neighbours (Source: Global Gender Gap Index 2020, WEF). All the South Asian countries except Bangladesh are ranked outside of top 100. [SDG-5]

In response to the Honorable High Court’s order in 2010, several ministries, departments and universities have already formed Sexual harassment Prevention committees. The legal and regulatory environments are also improved than before to protect the rights of women and to maintain gender parity. Many laws have been enacted and policies have been formulated to uphold women’s rights and increasing women’s access to resources and opportunities. Some of the key Acts were Child Marriage Restraint Act 2017, and the Dowry Prohibition Act 2018. Several Policies, plans and strategies were developed that promote women’s participation, benefits, decision making and assured to address their needs and empower them. The Child Marriage Restraint Rules were formulated in 2018. The Domestic Violence (Prevention and Protection) Act 2010 and its Rules 2013 aims to prevent and protect women and children from domestic violence. The Child Marriage Restraint Act 2017, the National Action Plan to Prevent Violence against Women and Children (2018-2030) and the National Action Plan to Prevent Child Marriage are being implemented by the Government and civil society organizations. The government is working to curtail sexual harassment in public places, educational institutions and in social media. The problem of child marriage is yet rampant and needs to be drastically reduced. [SDG-16]

Gender responsive budgeting: The Government has taken steps to incorporate gender dimensions in the formal budgeting process. In 2005, the GoB introduced Gender Responsive Budgeting (GRB) in an effort to mainstream gender issues in all policies and decision making. A set of guidelines has also been issued to ensure development projects are prepared and reviewed in a gender sensitive way. The number of Ministries undergoing GRB has increased to 43 in FY 2019 from 4 in FY 2010. The share of expenditure on women development as proportion of total budget increased to 29.65 percent in FY 2019 which were 24.65 percent in FY 2010.

Future agendas for women: This is no surprise that Bangladesh has progressed a lot in reducing the challenges of women empowerment and ensuring gender equality or equity. Continuous improvement is being made in this area so that Bangladesh can be a role model in the global arena, particularly in South Asia. To achieve a developed Bangladesh, more initiatives are coming in the following areas in the next development plan: Life cycle-based disease prevention and curative healthcare for women Access to modern reproductive health and family planning services Quality formal education at all levels Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and ICT education for girls Advancement of physically and mentally challenged women/girls

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Advancement of marginalized women Creating short- and long-term opportunities for decent employment for women Business development services for women entrepreneurs Improving work environment Banning violence and sexual harassment in public spheres Access to, and decision-making over use and protection of community resources Participation in national politics and local government Remove all discriminatory provisions in laws and policies in consistency with CEDAW All out efforts, both by public and private sectors, have to be pursued to increase labour

force participation by eligible women folk as the women participation is yet very low in Bangladesh which is 36.3 percent (world average is 48%)

Bangladesh’s recognition in achieving women empowerment:

Bangladesh has achieved most of its targets of MDGs and is currently making a good stride in attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. Bangladesh received ‘Women in Parliaments Global Forum Award’, as Bangladesh ranked 10th out of 142 countries in the political sphere. Moreover, Hon’ble Prime Minister was also awarded ‘UNESCO Peace Tree Award’ for her commitment to women’s empowerment and girls’ education, "Agent of Change Award" by the Global Partnership Forum for her outstanding contributions to women empowerment, "Planet 50-50 Champion" by UN-Women and “Champions of the Earth” by UNEP for Policy Leadership.

Challenges for mainstreaming women in achieving SDGs :

Quality human resources development Universal quality education Invigorating Health and family planning Nutrition Security Job creation Skill enhancement for addressing the challenges of 4th IR and access to technology Work environment Care services Inclusiveness, equal opportunities and stopping discrimination Access to public resources Ensuring social security and reducing income inequality. Financial inclusion Participation in politics and local government and decision making process Attaining zero early marriage and gender based violence Need for coordination among state and non-state bodies and among line ministries.

References:

1. 7th Five Year Plan FY 2016-FY 2020: Accelerating Growth, Empowering Citizens, December 2015.

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2. Global Gender Gap Report 2020, World Economic Forum.3. Inputs by Ministry of Women and Children Affairs, Bangladesh.4. State of the Economy December 2019, GED.5. World Development Indicator, World Bank.

Profile and Abstract of Keynote Speaker (Virtual Session)

Professor Emeritus Anja Heikkinen is a professor of education and the leader of EquJust-research group in the Faculty of Education and Culture in Tampere University, with a background in philosophy, natural and social sciences. She has extensive experience from cross-cultural research, teaching and supervision, from developmental collaboration in vocational education, and coordination of research networks and projects with partners from Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America and Australia. The VETlocal partnership builds on previous collaboration and can benefit from her contacts elsewhere, such as Tocantins University in Brazil (collaborating with farmers to save the rainforests), Mzumbe University and Kisii University (Kenya) and Seoul University (Korea). For more information, please visit the links: VET and culture: http://www.peda.net/veraja/uta/vetculture ; Company Website: http://www.uta.fi ; Freedom and responsibility: http://www.peda.net/veraja/vsy/svv ;EquJust: https://equjust.wordpress.com/group/anja-heikkinen/ .

Paper Title: Education for planetary sustainability: tackling environmental degradation, social and economic inequality and forced migration

Abstract

The sustainable development goals set in the UN Agenda 2030 have become widely adopted by national and supranational actors. Although sharing the goals can be considered positive in front of the huge environmental, social and economic challenges, the very concept of sustainable development and the relevance of the list of 17 SDG, can also be questioned. Conventionally the concept refers to the Brundtland Commission, which during the 1980s aimed at integrating the “sustainability” of developmental aid programmes with the demands of the Club of Rome to limit economic growth which endangered the “sustainability of environment” (UN Documents 1987.). However, while remaining a list of separate categories and aims, the agenda may not be able to tackle the inequalities and contradictions in global economy and politics. The concept of sustainability enables the continuation of Western lifestyles and economic growth. It does not discuss hierarchies between the categories of sustainability, and maintains a human-, control- and

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utilitarian-centred (“needs satisfaction”) attitude to nature. The agenda includes no concrete aims about actions, global procedures or negotiations, how to tackle the problems and how the future generations are taken into account. Rather it has justified technological, industrial and financial innovations, which promote growth of greed economies and industries. (Dingler 2003, Becker 2016, Adams et al 2019). In the global economy, the SDGs are increasingly translated into search for green growth, economies and industries in national, transnational and local contexts, as if they could solve the consequences of unsustainable development. (See for ex. Mol et al 2009, Graham 2019).

While education as a practice, policy and theory is, by definition, orienting towards the future (of humans), it is vital to reflect on relations between the issues and concepts of education and sustainability. Big hopes for implementation of the Agenda 2030 have been invested in educational programs in different parts of the world, often framed by UNESCO´s Education 2030 Framework for Action (UNESCO 2016). However, the focus of Education 2030, as well as other supranational (such as World Bank, OECD, EU), national and local agencies is dominated by access and enrolment in lifelong learning, which promotes employability and adaptability of individuals in ever changing circumstances, which are out of their collective and personal control and ownership.

The presentation aims at revisiting the concepts of education and sustainable development, through discussion on interrelated planetary phenomena of environmental degradation, social and economic inequality and forced migration. It suggests that when the concept of “oikos” as the origin of the concepts of economy and ecology is taken seriously, the vocational aspect of education becomes crucial in caring about the future of the planetary “household”. (cf. Heikkinen 2020.) Universities as genuinely planetary institutions should carry a special responsibility to collaborate across cultures, disciplines and actors in promoting education for sustainability, in creating “earthly” governance, which is required to integrate planetary and local equality and justice.

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Paper AbstractsForced Migration, Environment and Education: Case Country Perspectives

Professor Anja HeikkinenCheng Jiao TracyNasrin Jahan JiniaSM Shafiqul AlamGolaleh Makrooni

SUDE Research Group MembersThe Faculty of Education and Culture

Tampere University, Finland

Abstract

Forced migration has immense global effects in economy, politics and social progress. Environmental degradation, social and economic inequalities are interrelated and interconnected with forced migration. They are now big challenges to global politics and governance towards ensuring the target of the global sustainable development goals. The academia and educators should be responsible in highlighting the importance of these interconnected issues into the interconnected world. However, contextual understanding on these challenges are important. Cross cultural and transnational research could be a milestone for understanding the contextual perspective essential towards the way forward. This paper will provide the comparison on the case country perspectives of Finland, China, Bangladesh, Kuristan-Iraq country to the concepts and care for force migration, environment and education. The main intention is to lead an interactive discussion in the session on questions; what is the responsibility of academia and educators in highlighting the importance of these interconnected issues in our interconnected world?; and how could academics reflect on planetary concerns which targeted first of all human rights which in a positive way might lead to forced migration?

Love and HateIs Militarization Perceived as Sustainable Development for CHT?: A Case Study on CHT,

Bangladesh

Reazul Haque, Ph.DProfessor & Head of Development Studies

University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: The existence of Bangladesh Army in Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) has often been associated and presented as the panacea and mantra of development for CHT Pahari population. The ongoing debate whether the Paharis population of CHT perceives the existence of army as the mantra of development or threat to their existence continues to exist. There have not been many ethnographical studies that empirically examine the perception of the Paharis about this relationship and the changing mode of the dialogues over the decades.

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Method: With case studies, observations and focus group discussions I undertook a qualitative study on community perceptions of the Paharis, Bengali settlers, and representatives from Bangladesh Army in CHT districts. I conducted interviews of randomly selected Pahari respondents (n=7), Bengali settlers (n=10), Army representatives (n=4) and Academic, Security Expert and Local political leader (n=3) representing the overall catchment area of CHT. I then carried out direct content analysis to identify themes and triangulate findings across methods and informant groups.

Result: Key themes emerged across from the interviews surrounding: (1) militarization and powerlessness and unheard of Pahari people; (2) lack of collective awareness and consciousness among the Pahari people about their rights; (3) militarization as a strategic requirement for giving security to Bengali settlers; (4) development perceived as ‘impossible and less plausible reality’ for the Pahari people. These themes recurred throughout many participants’ narratives and cases and influenced their perception of militarization and development.

Conclusion: As the perceptions of the Pahari people in CHT, which often results in lack of trust between the Bengali settlers and Pahari people, continues to exist, it will be critical to find convincing, effective and sustainable ways of addressing the ongoing perceptions of the Pahari people.

Keywords: Army, Bengalis, Paharis, Sustainable Development, Militarization, Peace Accord

Narratives and Numbers: Stability, Transformability and Sustainability Conditions for Economic Development in Bangladesh

Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Ph.D Professor of Development StudiesUniversity of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

This article is about the numbers and narratives by looking at the necessary and sufficient conditions of economic development in Bangladesh. The necessary conditions imply the factors of economic growth— land, labour, capital and technology while sufficient conditions include class, power, political settlement, formal and informal institutions. Exploring these conditions as well as numbers and narratives, this study attempts to examine the actual state of the economy of Bangladesh.

The inter-relations and intersectionality between politics and economy require much investigation. It is, nevertheless, more important to analyze the causality between the two. The difficulty is, however, to determine the compatible variables that represent politics. As a discipline of study, both politics and economics have evolved in their own distinctive ways. It is, therefore, not easy to establish causality between political variables and economic factors. Again it is quite difficult to examine the causality through putting equal weight upon each of the provisions. In Bangladesh, there are literature including different views and discussions relating to politics and economy, yet there are lack of endeavors that explore both politics and economics simultaneously. Moreover, there is no universally recognized theoretical framework for

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analyzing the bi-directional causalities of politics and economy. As a result, the analysis becomes more complicated. Different schools of thoughts attempt to explain the relationship of politics and economics from different perspectives.

Institutions are regarded as the sufficient conditions for development. Economic institutions determine the structure of economic incentives in the society and the productive allocation of resources. When institutions function well, create avenues for inclusive and competitive politics and ensure check and balance, growth sustains. If sufficient conditions are not accomplished, the quality of growth and development cannot be achieved.

The analysis ventures to understand the necessary and sufficient conditions of development by examining and comparing the state of the economy of Bangladesh with other relevant countries in terms of variables such as growth, real sector, financial sector, health, education, poverty and inequality. The stability conditions are ascertained by inquiring whether the economy of Bangladesh meets the minimum standard to be in the rungs of the middle-income group. The transformative conditions are envisaged here in terms of attaining the benchmarks of East Asian countries. Sustainability conditions is here understood as accomplishing the yardsticks of OECD countries.

This paper suggests that the rate of GDP growth in Bangladesh is overly estimated, which does not corroborate with other data. It is observed that the average rate of export growth was highest during 90s. After that it has been gradually declining in spite of rise in export volume. The volume of remittance inflows was increasing since 1980s. The growth rate of remittance inflows, however, has drastically declined during 2010-18. Despite the increase of gross savings as percent of GDP, the growth rate of savings has also declined during the period of 2010-18. In addition, though volume of gross savings increased, investment as percent of GDP has not increased accordingly. The gap between savings and investment, therefore, suggests widespread transfer of capital. The article also demonstrates that productive expansion has been thwarted, resulting in jobless growth. The rate of growth of main two drivers of the economy— RMG export and remittance inflows indicates declining trend. The financial sector has also failed to form capital and productivity to a sustainable patways. The domestic credit to private sector by banks is less than desirable, and the amount of non-performing loan as percent of total loans is higher than neighbouring, East Asian and OECD countries. In addition, the frequent scams in capital market have queered the capital formation over the years. This paper finds declining trend in agricultural productivity as a serious concern. In terms of food security, Bangladesh stood lowest in south Asia. Besides, the current practice of agriculture is leaving heavy toll on nature and environment. The outcome of education and health is not satisfactory either, therefore, contributing little to human capital formation and citizenship creation. It is observed that real wage is declining over the years as well as the rate of poverty reduction has slowed down since 2010. This analysis also elucidates that the dimensions of inequality and deprivation are expanding amidst fragile institutions and extractive political settlement.

The study renders that the spurt of growth in almost all of the macroeconomic indicators started robustly during 90s. Afterwards, there have been slowing down trends in rate of growth. It is, therefore, imperative to explore the reasons. The transformability conditions underscore that

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competitive clientelism was present during 90s which created business confidence and favourable environment for productive expansion of the economy in contrast to extractive clientelistic regime. The political and institutional arrangements, therefore, have significantly been affecting the economy.

The recent ascendency of socio-economic development in Bangladesh instead of poor governance has been lamented as “development surprise”, “development paradox” or “development conundrum”. These lamentations about the quantitative achievement in terms of different social and economic indicators neither reckon the exact characteristics of the economy of Bangladesh nor describe the causality between political variables and economic factors. The absence of meeting the sufficient conditions raises the question of sustainability of the quantitative achievement. Countries failing to observe the sufficient conditions of development along with necessary conditions have been found miscarrying their high growth performance and social development. Stable, transformed and sustained economic outcomes require favourable political settlement and institutional capacities along with healthy performance of necessary economic variables— land, labour, capital and technology. The story of growth in Bangladesh, therefore, is nothing like a surprise or a paradox.

Keywords: Growth, Stability, Transformability, Sustainability

Development Induced Displacement: Unpacking the interconnections between space, identity and politics in the context of Padma Bridge resettlement sites

Kazi Maruful Islam, Ph.DProfessor of Development StudiesUniversity of Dhaka, bangladesh

Abstract

Development in all its forms is spatial. In other words, development essentially is reorganizations of spaces. When reorganization of spaces takes place peoples access to spaces gets reconfigured as well. Since peoples’ identity and culture is closely linked with their geographic locations, spaces thus, development also causes changes in identity and culture/subculture of the respective community. Having taken these presumptions into account, in the context of Padma Bridge relocation sites, this paper aims to examine how the resettled population negotiating with their new identity in the relocated space. The paper also looks at the process of creation of new norms in the new community spaces, and who dominates the power relations in the relocated sites and how.

Development Induced Displacement (DID) is a subset of forced displacement which is essentially involuntary. It, however, sometimes may look like voluntary (invisible slow-onset displacement). By DID we refer, in this paper, displacement caused by infrastructure project, especially state initiated mega infrastructure development projects; i.e. Padma Bridge. The paper argues that there is an inherent tendency within neoliberal state to consider development projects, primarily, as a means of higher economic growth. It, therefore, objectify a community and reduces to an economic entity. As a result, when displacement takes place due to construction of

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infrastructure projects, it designs ‘compensation’, ‘resettlement’ and ‘restoration’ packages –at its best – emphasizing on reconstruction of physical infrastructure and restoration of livelihood opportunities. The paper also argues that in this process the state ignores rapture in culture, loss of identity and access to public spaces, common pool resources and collective norms and initiatives in the displaced communities.

Having undertaken fieldwork in two resettlement sites at Janjira end of Padma Multipurpose Bridge namely Paschim Naodoba and Naodoba, the paper finds that ‘amar gram’, ‘amar elaka’, ‘desher bari’ these notions among the relocated communities are being diminished, which clearly indicates loss of identity. At the same time, the relocated communities have lost their access to public spaces and common pool resources such as playground, wetland. These community members are now taking various measures to negotiate a new set of local elites in the, which is limiting their scopes of political participation.

Social and economic inequality limits Sustainable Development: a gender disparity perspective of Bangladesh

Nasrin Jahan JiniaResearcher

SUDE-VET and EquJustThe Faculty of Education and Culture

Tampere University, Finland

SM Shafiqul AlamAssociate Professor

Department of Public AdministrationIslamic University, Bangladesh

& Researcher

SUDE-VET and EquJustThe Faculty of Education and Culture

Tampere University, Finland

Abstract

Gender equality for sustainable development is very important for its moral and ethical imperative. Efforts to achieve a sustainable future cannot ignore the rights, dignity and capabilities of half the world’s population (UN-Women, 2014). The Earth Summit findings traced that sustainable development cannot be achieved without women’s involvement as they are likely to be susceptible to environmental vulnerabilities for their poor social and economic position. However, education and skills development are key determinants in reducing the inequity among advantaged and disadvantaged groups (World Bank, 2013; Hossain et al., 2012). Consequently, to achieve sustainable development, it is important to increase girls’ participation in education and technical and vocational programs. As one of the signatory of sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, the Government of Bangladesh focuses SDGs targets in 7th five-year plan to be achieved by 2030. All the newly enacted policies, development

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plans, projects and programs are being linked by the government with the SDGs. A separate platform has also been working to coordinate SDG related issues under direct supervision of the honorable Prime Minister of Bangladesh (GoB, 2016). Still, there is a long way to go towards sustainable development for the people of Bangladesh.

The studies show that Bangladesh has made good progress in female enrollment in basic education. However, half of the female students drop out still after secondary school Grade (World bank, 2015). Nevertheless, women’s participation in technical and vocational education and training in Bangladesh is strikingly low, ranging from 9% to 13% in public institutions and 33% in private institutions; the averageis approximately 24% (ILO, 2013). On the other hand, Bangladesh is in a skills shortage. However, 85 percent of the potential women labor force remains outside of the labor market due to the lack of formal skills and vocational education (ADB, 2015). Women have also been struggling to establish their rights in family, society and in the state. Thus, the skills development and gender equality in work force participation are vital issues in Bangladesh to achieve the target of sustainable development goals in Bangladesh.

This paper aims at understanding the contextual consequences of social and economic inequality towards achieving sustainable development goals of UN agenda 2030. The paper mainly analyzed how gender disparity and economic inequality limits the sustainable development in the case of Bangladesh. The paper has been prepared on the SIDE-VET report and the available studies and literature published on gender disparity, vocational education and labor market participation of women. The study provided substantive scenarios of the issues. It suggests that for achieving sustainable development goals, Bangladesh in need of increasing girls participation in vocational education towards reducing gender inequality of skills labor force. In addition, pedagogical solution would also be beneficial instead of market driven curriculum of vocational education for expediting sustainable development.

Issues and Challenges in Implementing the Sustainable Development Goals in Nepal

Dilli R. Prasai Associate Professor of Anthropology

Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Abstract

Nepal, a least developed country (LDC) in South Asia, is characterized by slow economic growth, socioeconomic underdevelopment and a low level of human development. This underdevelopment stems from a politically and socially fragile post conflict situation, structurally generated poverty and inequality, deeply entrenched forms of social exclusion, and weak governance structures in all spheres of the state. Beginning in 1996, the country faced a decade-long armed conflict triggered by political ambitions but rooted in social discrimination, economic inequality and poor service delivery by the state and weak governance. The 2006 peace accord between the government and the rebels (the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist) ended the conflict and addressed the political problems. The social and economic tensions associated with the conflict are being resolved through development efforts and inclusive state restructuring.

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Although many factors including poverty, income inequalities, and social exclusion have undermined human development, Nepal is one of the few countries with an impressive record of human development over the last two decades. But having started from a very low base, Nepal is still a country with low human development status. The Human Development Index (HDI) score for Nepal was 0.458 in 2011 (UNDP, 2014) as the second lowest ranking South Asian Association of Regional Co-operation (SAARC) country above Afghanistan. All Nepal’s national human development reports since 1998 have shown that, despite several social inclusion and empowerment measures, there are still serious inequalities in human development by social group, gender and geographic location. On the whole, Nepal’s human development has improved over the past decade accompanied by considerable gender, social, and geographical or regional inequalities, despite which inequalities among regions have begun narrowing down. The low and differentiated human development outcomes by gender, caste and ethnicity, geography and development regions call not only for scaling up development efforts but also for redesigning and targeting development interventions to address underdeveloped areas and groups. This calls for the devolved and localized planning and programming of long term development goals along with building capacity at the local level.

There are many reasons why economic development continues to bypass many of the poorest people and places with one common cause being poor governance. It is poor and vulnerable people who suffer the most when governance is characterized by a lack of transparency, accountability or competence. When income in- equality is high, economic growth does not sufficiently help reduce poverty. When state policies and programs are frequently captured by the ruling elites, who control most of the resources, the poor do not have access to resources and opportunities or ‘voice’ and thus remain excluded from the development process. Without sound governance, the country cannot expect to make sustained progress on human development and poverty reduction. In a post-conflict situation, commissions for disappeared persons, transitional justice, and truth and reconciliation will have to be in place to resolve conflict period cases and establish lasting peace. These institutions are yet to come into operation a decade after the peace agreement. Many of the structures destroyed during the conflict are yet to be rebuilt while the recent earthquakes added to the government's reconstruction tasks. The National Reconstruction Authority is yet to be fully functional. The reconstruction task also requires strong local and community level mechanisms, which, however, have not been instituted in the wake of the almost non-existent local government and the lack of an alternative ad-hoc implementation coordination mechanism.

Democracy, Secular society, Peace and Development: Current Theory and Practice in perspective of Nepal

Parbatkumar RaiAssociate Professor of Political Science

Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Abstract

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Democracy provides various freedoms to human beings. Freedom of religion, culture, expression and associations are general fundamentals of democracy. Democracy and secularism is co-relative things. Secularism can promote only in democratic system. Religious state ruled the country as per his religious norms. Secularism can grow and promote where democracy is practicing. Secularism is an apex of religious freedom. It never obliged to a citizen to bond with a particular religion. The main religions of the world first second third and fourth respectively are Christianity, Muslims, Hindu and Buddhists. Christians are rapidly spreading over the world than others. Afro-Asian continent is the newly more effected zone by Christianity. Christians targeted mainly two things. First is to provide humanitarian help and second is to form caste based discrimination less society. Comparatively more people from suppressed by caste based discrimination and contaminations are going to bond with Christianity. The change rate of religious trust to Christianity is seeing high at the Afro-Asian country. However, constitutional provision provides religious freedom to everyone in perspective of Nepal. Nepal is a Republic Parliamentary democratic country, where the tyrannical Hindu monarchy has abolished by 2006 A.D. Consequently secularism is strengthening in practice with multi religious trust in Nepal. It is a great achievement of the people movement and armed insurgency of Maoist revolutionary in Nepal. During the Shah Dynasty with his Majesty excluding Hindu religion another religions were banned in Nepal because of Nepal was Hindu monarchical country during the Shah dynasty. The people were under the contaminations from one of the Hindu state religion. It had made them uneasy and revolutionary. The one cause of the armed revolution in Nepal was rule of the Hindu state. It destroyed the social, economic and physical peace in Nepal over ten years.

Peace is a basic thing for any human development. Peace can provide all kinds of pre-environment which necessary to form infra-structure for development. Peace is a moment of confidence, trust and fearlessness. Freedom of religion, freedom of expression, freedom of association, freedom of participation and practices of equity provides justice to whole society. A feeling of justice can grow an energetic enthusiast which will be helped to build a democratic developed society. A tyrannical political regime never can provide such freedom. In the case of Nepal a long period were ruled by the monarch as the Hindu State. The Kings regime had banned to democratic freedoms. The peace and development were only a thirst among the Nepalese people. Social peace can promote only in the democratic society with the peoples fundamental rights. Peace is a basic ground for the sustainable development of human beings. Each religious ideal have own faith on the deities which provides a kind of peace. Such a peace related to not only with an individual but also with the whole society. Peace influenced to all sector of society. However, few confusion is existing with us regarding the relationship among the peace, development, religious faith and democratic norms and values. So, in this paper have raising two major questions. First is what kinds of relationship have among the peace, development, secular society and democracy? And second is what are the current social trend in perspective of religion? To find out the relationship among the peace, development, secular society and democracy is first objective of this paper. And second objective is to find out the current social trend in perspective of religious attitude. In conclusion we can imagine that democracy, peace, development and secular society have co-relative relationship with each other. Development can promote accompany with the secular society, peace and democracy. The current universal trend is forwarding towards the secular society. We can take a sample of secular universal trend is

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changing pattern of religion from one to another. In this sense this paper has been written in descriptive method. Secondary data are main sources of information. Websites, books, journals and magazines has been used as the sources of information. APA model has been followed to complete this paper.

Keyword: Christianity, Contamination, Fundamental rights, Participation, Shah Dynasty

GENDER AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Apar Kumar Lamsal Associate Professor

Tribhuvan University, Nepal

Abstract

Gender refers to the socio-cultural definition of men and women and assigns them social roles (Bhasin, 2000, 1). Generally there are two kinds of gender relations in the world: patriarchal and matriarchal. Nepalese society is governed by patriarchal worldview. Development is not purely an economic phenomenon but rather a multi-dimensional process including reorganization and reorientation of entire social system. The two separate political movements popularly known as people’s movements first and second which were held on 1990 and 2012 creates the drastic change in not only polity but also society. Feminist argue that without gender as a central analytic category, social life-family, economy, politics, religion, development etc.-can't be understood properly. So, the objective of this paper is to analyze development process as a reorganization of social system of Nepal visualize in constitutional, legal, planning and policy level from the gender approach. It is purely based on documentary sources. The study period will be covered only after the post-people’s movement first.

River-bed Economy, Sand Mining and Sustainability in North Bengal

Abdul Hannan, Ph.D Assistant Professor of GeographySikkim University, Gangtok, India

Abstract

The North Bengal is endowed with many rivers having its sources in Himalayas and they are perennial in character. To name a few are Tista, Torsa, Mahananda, Balason, Dok, Nagar etc. and all of these passes through northern districts of West Bengal and enter into Bangladesh before reaching their destination i.e. sea. Over the years, the process of urbanization and growth of construction sector made huge impact on river-beds and increased the demand of sand and stones. The increasing demand of sand from secondary sector poised the rivers due to mechanized extraction of sand and gravel. The relations between human-environment and natural resources are depleting. It also has policy impacts on local infrastructure, road connectivity, unregulated taxation system and promotion of sand mafias which ultimately leads to political funding. The Tista canal project is a huge public investment in North Bengal for agricultural development of the region but its major linkages and bridges are under threat due to

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unregulated sand mining. The local administration is somewhat silent in protecting the over-exploitations and uses of earth movers despite the guidelines of Green Tribunal. It employs a sizable workforce which supports local economy. The sand and gravel is supplied in various places of Bangladesh and North Bihar to meet the demand of construction sector. The current paper is an attempt to address the relations of river bed extraction, environmental impact and politics of sustainability.

Keyword: River-Bed Economy, Sand Mining, Tista Canal project, Sand Mafia

Impact of automation on labor market in Bangladesh

Md. Juwel Ahmed Sarker Assistant Professor of Development Studies

Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Bangladesh

Abstract

Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), equipped with automation, artificial intelligence and big data, already has started transforming the world around us in various ways. It is easily deducible that achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which has been set for global good, will be greatly influenced by automation. Immediate impact will be on labor market and decent employment. Some scholars fear, in the upcoming days, robots will take control over the industrial system and will snatch job from human while other scholars see new job creation due to technological development and automation. Usually, new technology accelerates structural unemployment in every economy. However, world did not experience massive wave of technological growth during last three industrial revolutions which is happening now and would ultimately marginalize unskilled workforce in the upcoming years. Bangladesh as a labor-intensive country has concern for upcoming development of 4IR. Unfortunately, there is scanty of information and research on the potential impact of automation and way out strategies regarding this issue. This research has addressed this vacuum and investigated impacts of automation in the job market of Bangladesh. It has thoroughly reviewed existing literature and information regarding the topic. Based on existing literature review, a propensity to automation scale has been developed for various job sectors in Bangladesh. Key informant interview also has been utilized to substantiate findings. This research found that due to automation few sectors which are dominant source of employment at present in Bangladesh will experience sharp decline in job creation. Contrarily, various new sectors will be evolved as new horizon for employment creation. Both jobs and nature of jobs will be changed in the upcoming days. Skills acquisition and adaptation to new technology will be vital for new employment market.

Feminine Dimension of Disability in Bangladesh: Intersectional Perspectives

Md. Delwar Hossain Assistant Professor of Gender and Development Studies

Begum Rokeya University, Bangladesh

Md. Mahabub ChowdhuryLecturer of Development Studies

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Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Bangladesh

Abstract

People with disabilities are facing many challenges and difficulties in family life, community and society in Bangladesh. Now disability has become a global issue. Especially, women and girls with disabilities experience more severity than of their male counterparts because of the existing gender disparity and discrimination. According to the UN General Assembly Resolution in 2000 women and girls with disabilities are vulnerable and marginalized in society than men. However, in Bangladesh a recent study indicate that about 10% people with disabilities are struggling with one or more forms of disability (CDD, 2016) and women constitute a large majority of them. To conduct the study, both qualitative and quantitative research method have been used. Based on the main research question, FGDs and KIIs have been conducted as primary data collection tool. Further, different journals, report, fact sheet have been extensively studied in this study. The study explores women and girls with disabilities and their intersectional identities depending on their gender roles, norms, responsibilities, economic and employment status, marriage, access to and control over the services and medical care and social and cultural attitude towards them contributing to a multi-layered vulnerability context.

Keywords: Disability, women and girls, vulnerability and sufferings, intersectionality, gender

Economic Inclusion of Women for Sustainable Development: A Study in Nepal’s Terai

Chandra UpadhyayLecturer & Head of Sociology

Mahendra Morang Adarsh Multiple Campus (TU), Biratnagar, Nepal

Abstract

This paper is based on the author‟s extensive filed work and intense observation during the doctoral research (2014-19) in Sunsari district of Nepal‟s terai. Employment opportunities and income generation for women are essential dynamics for an inclusive and a sustainable development of any society. This is possible through the development of women entrepreneurship and skill based technical education for women. Skilled based entrepreneurial job opportunities can uplift the status of the Madhesi, Muslim and Dalit women in Nepal‟s terai.

Keywords: Women, inclusion, entrepreneurship, Terai, Nepal.

Ensuring Accountable Networks in Bangladesh: An Institutional Analysis

A H M NahidLecturer of Development StudiesIslamic University, Bangladesh

Reazul Haque, Ph.DProfessor & Head of Development Studies

University of Dhaka, Bangladesh

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Abstract

Over the past few decades, the world has shifted from government to governance. As such, the simple service delivery processes have turned into a complex web connecting different organizations. This has caused the rise of a system what we know as networks. Cooperation and collaboration among the organizations in the networks have been considered the key to success. Intensifying cooperation and collaboration have in turn caused the responsibilities to shrink. It has become quite normal to assume that the responsibilities will be performed by others. Similarly, it has also become very difficult to hold organization as well as actors accountable for results that are produced in a collective manner and so maintaining accountability has been a major challenge. The paper, using the institutional perspective, has targeted to meet the challenge by identifying factors that cause accountability problems and proposes an improved framework so that the factors can be properly dealt with while ensuring accountability in and of networks. The paper presents that it is the failure of bureaucracy as an institution that has led to the accountability problems in and of networks. An in-depth review of literature has been carried out to identify accountability-related problem-posing factors in and of networks not only in general but also in case of Bangladesh and finally, drawn from Klijn and Koppenjan’s model (2014) of accountability management, an improved framework is proposed that can deal with accountability issues properly and ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the networks.

Keywords: Accountable Networks, Networks, Accountability, Institution

Understanding community values and traditional knowledge for coastal ecosystem services management in the “satoumi” seascape, Japan

Shamik ChakrabortyLecturer of Sustainability Studies

Hosei University, Japan

Alexandros Gasparatos Institute of Future Initiatives

The University of Tokyo, Japan

Abstract

Coastal ecosystems in the world are under severe threat from multiple stressors such as pollution, overexploitation of fisheries, land use change, socioeconomic and climate change. Yet, coastal ecosystems, including those in industrial settings, provide important traditional and local knowledge based resource use that can be considered for their restoration and conservation. With this premise, we combine primary and secondary data to highlight the history of resource use and ongoing change in a coastal ecosystem in Japan. We focus on Himeshima island, whose local community both depends on coastal ecosystem services and has developed over generations resource management practices informed by a rich body of traditional and local knowledge (TLK). Due to this relation of TLK in acquiring multiple ecosystem services, we consider such ecosystems as social-ecological system (SES). By engaging with local resource users through focus group discussions (FGDs), household surveys and expert interviews we identify 14

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ecosystem services that contribute manifold to the wellbeing of the local community. While provisioning services are key for the livelihoods of most community members, some of the cultural services related to the traditional food culture and food-sharing practices are a source of pride and cohesion for the local community. However, respondents indicated that several key and closely interlinked provisioning and cultural ecosystem services have degraded over time through the combined effects of habitat change/loss and overexploitation. Underlying drivers include demographic, economic and technological change that has eroded TLK practices associated with fisheries management. New economic activities based on shrimp mariculture and tourism seek to revitalize Himeshima, but eventually create important ecosystem services trade-offs that could affect substantially the local community.

Keywords: traditional and local knowledge (TLK), cultural ecosystem services, social-ecological systems, fisheries

Where will our children go? A Study on the Impact of Children’s Day Care Services on Working Parents

Md. Shahriar Bulbul Tonmoy Lecturer of Development Studies

University of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Kazi Rabiul IslamLecturer of Development Studies

University of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Abstract

Working parents in Bangladesh are facing tremendous challenges to be self-dependent both socially and economically in addition to raise and to educate their children in a sound and secure way. Capturing the sustainable development (SDG) notion, caring for the children brings high demand to ensure a healthy and safe childhood environment for assuring the future generation's ability to have their needs. The number of working parents is increasing due to the enhancement rate of education and empowerment. They are to work and to do a job outside of the home despite having their babies. This improving condition resulted in dire need of daycare centers where care furnished for babies and infants, preschoolers, and college-aged children either in their very own homes, within the home of a relative, other caregivers, or in center-based facilities. Nowadays, to fulfill the requirement, many daycare centers have emerged and founded with a variety of concepts and facilities around the Dhaka cities. The objective of this study is to find out the present condition of the daycare centers in Bangladesh and to know the impact of daycare centers on working parents in Dhaka city. The research has been developed based on qualitative nature and carried out in Dhaka City. In this rigorous process, data has been gathered from 35 respondents, which includes working parents who have babies, experts, owners of Day Care service center, and staff. The study found that almost all the respondents are satisfied with the services are providing by the private sector's daycare centers and the working parents who keep their babies in Daycare service center, they can continue their work and job unworriedly by keeping their babies in Day Care Centers. Both father and mother are contributing to their

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family, their standard of living is increasing, and economically working parents are getting solvent. Findings show that the demand for healthy daycare centers is increasing with the enhancement of working parents. The endorsement has been made to augment the services provided by these daycare centers with the aid of proper amenities. Lastly, these types of services can play a significant role in promoting a suitable, healthy, and secure childhood environment for our children, and even it can be the essential stakeholder of Sustainable Development if it is flourished and patronized properly.

Keywords: Childhood, Development, Research, SDG, Parents, Working Parents

Gender Specific Perception and Behavior Regarding Environmental Protection in Bangladesh

Md. Mahabub ChowdhuryLecturer of Development Studies

Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Bangladesh

Marjina Masud Fellow

Teach for Bangladesh

Abstract

Environmental problem is one of the widely discussed issues in Bangladesh. Bangladesh is also experiencing similar environmental degradation, pollution and deterioration. To address the solution for this problem, a lot of effort is needed. People play a significant role in changing the condition by working for environmental protection and sustainability. This study aims to investigate whether there is gender differentiated perception, behavior, and practice regarding environmental protection among men and women in Bangladesh. Survey, in depth interview, focus group discussion and participant-observation were used in conducting the study. It has been revealed through this study that men and women have different views in many areas of concern on the environmental degradation, pollution, protection and sustainability. Women are found to be intensively connected with household level wastage management but constitute the small group of environmentally aware.

Keywords: Environmental pollution, environmental protection, gender

Environmental degradation, forced migration and threats for sustainable water supply: Case in Kurdistan region

Golaleh Makrooni PhD Researcher

SUDE-VET and EquJustThe Faculty of Education and Culture

Tampere University, Finland

Abstract

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Until 2013, the future for the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) looked very promising. Long a peaceful oasis in an otherwise very unstable region, the three Kurdish provinces of Erbil, Sulaimaniyah and Dohuk had become the most prosperous part of the country by 2013. They developed their own oil and gas resources and diversified into other sectors such as cement, tourism and real estate. The economic boom of KRI, which had lasted several years, gradually dropped down. The 50% drop in oil prices in 2014, and the conflicts in Syria and Iraq have led to a government budget crisis. But not only the economic situation got worse also the environmental degradation is a serious crisis for KRI (DeWeaver, 2015). Besides burning oil fields that cause high air and soil pollution, the water supply is destroyed or polluted.

Water systems such as dams are at high risk due to fighting and lack of maintenance. War and conflicts damaged dams, hydroelectric plants and dams with the aim of using the environment as a weapon of war. The damage caused by war was estimated at around 600 million US dollars, and water sources were also directly contaminated. Rivers and wells were poisoned with oil products, diesel and toxic waste.

Besides the restoration of the destroyed infrastructure, there is a very old water supply system in this region, the Qanats, which have both an economic and cultural function. Undoubtedly, invention and building on the Qanat have been one of the greatest achievements in the utilization of ground water of ancient times. The Qanat as a great achievement in groundwater utilisation were probably used first more than 2500 years ago in Middle East. Qanats are underground tunnel systems that bring infiltrated ground, and spring water to the earth's surface only by gravity. Qanat technology is very old, but not anachronistic. The use of Qanat systems could prove to be crucial in moderating the effects of the water crisis in the KRI region. However, this potential is being wasted as Qanat is no longer used and is being abandoned at a rapid rate. The goal of Qanat conservation is to preserve the interaction between the water system and the villages that depend on it. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) already supports such UNESCO projects in northern Iraq. The project trained younger workers in the art of Qanat restoration, thus reviving this very old profession. Further work and support can help this system to prosper again.

In line with post-war and current conflict conditions and the subsequent care of a large number of Syrian refugees (97% of 250,000) and displaced persons (1.5 million) in KRI, who settled inside and outside the camps, the region became more densely populated, resulting in increased demand for resources such as water and electricity, as well as increased emissions of waste and pollution.

Hence, this paper gives priority to highlighting the importance of revising management of water supply with considering brilliant traditional water system in Kurdistan region by suggesting activities such as analyzing and evaluating of water supply, tradition and values of historical system such as quanta, socio-political dimension of water distribution, managing the cultural heritage and economical benefits multi profession and team working, training users to modern and traditional water management (adult education). The development of curricula for sustainability in the field of vocational training with a focus on water management are further topics we want to discuss.

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These activities not just would be helpful in case of decreasing the environmental crisis and water shortage, but also could benefit other countries by transferring knowledge and experience of the Qanats to other countries.

Do Social Capital, Civil Society and Development Reinforce Each other? A Theoretical Critique of the Relationship Based on the Empirical Realties in Global North and Global

South

Ambika Prasad JoshiPhD Scholar at Center for the Study of Law and Governance

Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India

Abstract

Development, today, extends beyond the quantitative economic indicators like GDP and per capita growth to qualitative abstract, but deeply entrenched values of human life like capability and freedom of choice. In fact, the variables under the purview of human development are crucial to make the development sustainable, just and equitable. The thought to take development beyond the economic achievement of a few at the top at the cost of the relegation of larger populace suffering at the bottom of economic hierarchy raises the issue of sustainability and equitable distribution of development achievements. At this stage of scholarly thinking, role of social capital and civil society in development efforts become pivotal. Although the worth of social capital and civil society in development and democratization is accepted by major scholars in the area, whether these trio reinforce each other is to be assessed both theoretically and at the empirical plane. This paper endeavors to test this mutually reinforcing nature of relationship simultaneously assessing whether different forms of social capital also result in strong civil society. This paper also makes an effort to cross check whether developed societies contain intense level of social ties or is it only social bonds that enhance efficiency of development.

To achieve this end, this paper makes a comparative analysis of the studies done in Kerala, Italy, Nepal and the USA. The paper is divided into three parts. The first part lays out the conceptual framework on social capital, civil society and development briefly taking insights from major scholars in the concerned area. The arguments of Pierre Bordieu, James Coleman, Robert Putnam, John Harris, Franscis Fukuyama and official view of the World Bank are used to define the concept of social capital while the ideas of Cicero, Kant, Hegel, Karl Marx, Gramsci, Hebermas, Partha Chattargee and Dev Raj Dahal are taken to show opinions on civil society by the scholars coming from different strands of thought. As taught is development study programs throughout the world, I have developed my argument on the basis of Amartya Sen’s development as a freedom of choice, capability approach of Naubaum, David Gullet’s idea on three core values of development later explained by Todaro and Arther Lewis.

The second part of the paper examines the interrelationship between the three by taking help from the study done by Robert Putnam in Italy and the USA, study by Francis Fukuyama on the

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degrading quality of democracy in the USA, Patrick Heller’s study in Kerala, Jos Chathukulam and M.S John’s study in Kerala, and research by Furstaenberg and Elizbeth Hughes.This part analyzes whether strong social ties result in strong civil society organizations ultimately producing efficient developmental outputs. To assess this inter-relationship, two approaches are used—one theoretical view and the other empirical studies done by different scholars. Based on these two types of reviews it is aimed to assess what is crucial to the development—mere social capital, organized civil society, or social capital that is organized and mobilized by government efforts.

The second issue of testing what does social capital and civil society do, is further examined in the Nepali context by assessing the role of informal bonds, links and bridges existing in the society or among the communities in development of different sorts even before the evolution of this concept in development literature. Simultaneously, the role of social capital and civil society in democratizing the regime, resolving the conflict between state and rebellious sections during insurgency, mediating between government and economic classes on behalf of consumers, as well as the success of development practices based on community links like community forestry are explained in the third section of this paper. As anywhere else in Indian Continent, civil society organizations or organizations of civic virtues have been playing key role in the development and democratization of Nepal. Organizations of civic virtues, before the intensifications of NGO movement in early 1990s, and modern civil society organizations along with this global mushrooming of NGOs, have been playing crucial role in democratization and development effort of Nepalese populace. Such organizations, on the one hand, are byproduct of mutual trust, reciprocity and empathy, on the other; they have continuously been enhancing the mutual ties. Ever in the history, civil society has stood for the civilian demand emanating from the grassroots. Such organizations have been co-assisting the state in its developmental efforts providing services in different sectors even in the locations where state cannot provide services effectively, but peole are concerned about thre raising industrialization of NGOs and doubt whether thy are driven by agendas of the donors.

After deep analysis of theoretical insights and empirical studies conducted on my own and other researchers in the area, the paper concludes that social capital, civil society and development have positive relationship; civil society and social capital are mutually reinforcing enhancing the development, but high level of urbanization and industrialization does not necessarily lead to deeper social ties and strong civil society. Rather the higher level of commercialization in community has led to the erosion of societal values, but higher level of development goals can be achieved and existing social capital can more be enhanced by the help of state-society synergy. As stated above, the secondary data is used extensively along with results of my own studies in the role of civil society organizations during People’s Movement against direct rule of King Gyanendra, movement led by civic organizations to reform the health system, mobilization of informal social organizations of social ties and linkages by political parties to win the election, and success of community based development programs like community forestry, Gurukuls and Guthies.

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Key Words: Development, Civil Society, Social Capital, Kerala, Italy, USA, Nepal, capability, freedom of choice

Alternative valuation of nature: perspective of traditional resource users in the Sundarbans

Md. Shah ParanResearcher at The Unnyan Onneshan

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

This study attempts to understand as well as categorize the multiple values of nature (MVN) by bringing the perspective of traditional resource users (TRUs) of the Sundarbans. The research, adopting multiple evidence-based (MEB) approaches, combines participatory insights of the TRUs of the Sundarbans and interdisciplinary heterodox perspectives. It demonstrates that the valuation of environmental resources through market penetrating price does not reckon the social benefits and values coproduced through complementarity between human beings and nature. The study underscores that TRUs of the Sundarbans treat the forest as their mind, through which human-nature sociality thrives. This research also comes up with a transformational pathway based on three phases – stabilization, transformation and sustainability and delineates that transformation requires appropriation of nature, as opposed to expropriation, for harmony of nature with human being.

The value of nature can be understood from multiple angles, beyond monetary valuation. Thus conceptualizing values considers “plurality of worldviews” of nature since people differ in how they understand the word “value” and in attributing importance to nature. Besides, there are different scientific concepts of values— intrinsic, instrumental and relational values, which cannot be conceptualized solely through market pricing mechanism. As these values are subject to experience-based and/or traditional forms of knowledge, exploring human-nature relationships from different angles, operating with specific paradigms and methodologies are regarded as crucial way of valuing nature. Thus emphasis is on multiple values and how they change across individuals, contexts and scales. For this, an accumulated approach with real world experience and needs of local decision makers are crucial. The ultimate purpose is to integrate local level knowledge platform into mainstream policy track to value natural ecosystem from multiple grounds.

Breaking down the natural resources into commodity, mainstream economics considers the value of nature in monetary terms. Thus natural resources are understood under this framework as valuable assets that yield flows of services to people. The valuing of nature in this way largely ignores the intrinsic value of the resources and in this process the resources are regarded

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extractable as much as possible for the benefits of the human beings which also leads to the destruction of the resources. Moreover, neo-classical economics regards environmental pollution and natural resource degradation in terms of ‘market failure’ and argues that distorted market cannot ensure efficient allocation of natural resources. For efficient allocation of natural resources, market of environmental goods and services has emerged, which entails that the market has the power to allocate environmental resources efficiently and in a socially optimal way by initiating corrective measures like taxes and subsidies which requires the intervention of a regulatory or government agency. Thus mainstream economics argues for market-based mechanism on the one hand while it proposes some solutions through government interventions on the other.

New institutional economics, modifying market centrism with some new explanations, argues that the overuse of natural resources occurs due to lack of well-defined property rights. As a result, resources become readily available too cheaply to its current users which force the degradation of the resources. The argument is that when property rights are clearly defined, compensations change hands according to which party holds the natural resource, ensuring an efficient degree of economic activity. Though this school of thought emphasizes on formal institutional arrangement, it focuses less on the informal institutions like social norms, values and customs which are also crucial for resource conservation and management.

Nevertheless, market-centric approaches fail to understand the dynamic nature of the problem and offers solutions by ignoring the political-economic factors such as power, political settlement and social order and as a result, the solutions are found to be failing in addressing the problems. These approaches see the crisis of nature or environment as a technical problem that can be fixed within market-based mechanisms and technological innovations. Accordingly, it ignores the issues of equitable distribution, intergenerational effects and the sustainability of resources. Moreover, in determining the optimal management of natural resources such approaches neglect humans and their behaviour.

The political economy approach, which is adopted here, helps deal with the impact of power structures and power relations on usage, management and distribution pattern of natural resources and argues that an unequal distribution of power induces over extraction and degradation of natural resources. The political economy approach, in fact, does not explicitly discuss the problem of natural resource degradation rather it offers guidelines to scrutinize the problem by incorporating some major factors that helps explain how the resources are being accumulated for personal gains under the capitalist market economy. Nevertheless, integrating human-behaviour into the formal model of natural resource management is still a major challenge.

Against the backdrop of valuation and critique of different market centric approaches, this research attempts to find how TRUs value the Sundarbans using multiple evidence-based approaches, guided by political economy. It has been demonstrated that market pricing does not reflect the true values of the Sundarbans. Moreover, due to lack of proper market structure and equal distribution of power, rent through market pricing gets dissipated, which goes to the

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pockets of the rent seeking powerful class. This rent seeking behaviour induces unproductive, expropriating activities that bring positive returns to the individuals but not to society.

Keywords: MVN, MEB Approach, Traditional Resource Users, Human Sociality, the Sundarbans

Traditional Knowledge and Customary Sustainable Practices in Coastal and Marine Ecosystem

Mostafa Walid PashaResearcher at The Unnyan Onneshan

Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

The paper makes an exploration into the practice of traditional and Indigenous Local Knowledge (ILK) in the marine and coastal ecosystems of the Sundarbans. It will underscore the importance of customary knowledge in terms of fishing and collecting aquatic resources through empirical evidence which contributes to conserve the resources of the marine and coastal region and paves the way towards sustainable pathway. The Sundarbans has myriad aquatic resources as it possesses a large area of marine and coastal zone with 1874 km2 of waterbody. It also includes 20 km wide marine zone i.e. offshore fishing area which covers 1603 km2. The Sundarbans supports almost 400 species of fishes in its diverse aquatic habitats including pelagic and demersal fishes. Paissha (Setipinna phasa),dadne, vetki (Lates calcarifer), kaine, tengra (Mystus tengara), ghagra, baila (Periophthalmodon schlosseri), hilsha (Tenualosa ilisha) etc. are common fishes of the marine and coastal region of the Sundarbans. Among the invertebrates, there are 20 species of prawns, 8 species of lobsters, 7 species of crabs, several species of gastropods and 6 species of pelecypods. The annual production of marine zone has been estimated at 8,733 metric tons or 54.5 kg/ha. The fishing areas of the Sundarbans are largely influenced by climate. During May-August period, fishing is considered hazardous and risky and weather turns rough at that period occurring cyclones, storms, floods and other natural calamities.

The sustainability of natural resources depending on the inherent unity of humanity and nature has been being realized both consciously and socially. The local forest people lives in a natural harmony with the marine ecosystems where human sociality benefits both human and nature through an interdependent and mutual relationship. From field research and lots of literatures it has become conspicuous that Traditional Resource Users (TRUs) are not heard when conservation process of the Sundarbans comes forward. In many development activities they are not included and even if they are included sometimes, they cannot put their opinions and inherent knowledge in the program. Besides, outsiders who are mostly powerful have created a clientelistic network among police, employees of the forest department and local politicians.

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They are conducting expropriation of resources from the marine belt. Moreover, detrimental nets are used very often to catch fish from the rivers. Illegal shrimp farming and pollution of water have added further quandary to the current situation. This rent-seeking group hinders the traditional conservation activity of the local people as their main purpose is profit making by any means. The human sociality and intimate kinship between the TRUs and the Sundarbans get disrupted due to this negative externality. Institutional fragility indulges expropriation which supplants appropriation. As a result, TRUs suffer both economically and socially.

TRUs follow many rules which have been transcended through their generations. These rules remain alive and prevalent through practicing. Several social norms, rules and conventions have produced these rules and practices. They believe that the forest is their eternal relative and that it is important for their existence. Thus, they nurture the rules while going for fishing and keep conservation and natural safety of the marine and coastal ecosystems in consideration. Rules like gear restrictions, catch restrictions, species restrictions, ability to understand water color, wind direction, mud, direction etc. have evolved with the passage of time. Even, fishermen take decision based on their experience in cases like pattern of water color, direction of wind, brightness of sun, new moon, darkness and other relevant natural gestures. These situations help them determine when they should or should not go for fishing, where they will get more variety of fishes and which fish they should not catch. The traditional nets used by the local fishermen are eco-friendly and leave the spawns while catching fish.

In this paper, both traditional and non-traditional rules will be included based on information collected from the field experience. Apart from that, corroborative literature will be mentioned to put strength on the argument of necessity of traditional rules and practices. Besides, perspective of the TRUs will be mentioned along with their opinions. One of the most pernicious catalysts of destruction of the marine ecosystems of the Sundarbans is intensive shrimp farming. Fishermen expressed their concern about influx of gher (enclosure) of shrimp as it makes pollution and kills many species of fishes through usage of poisonous chemicals. Mostly, Group of powerful people who have strong institutional backup own these farms. They do not care about the conservation of the Sundarbans. Profit becomes the ultimate purpose in this respect.

It becomes conspicuous that, in case of conserving the natural environment and biodiversity, traditional rules and practices make a large contribution. Integrating human-behaviour into the formal model of natural resource management is still a major challenge ((Jansen & Jager, 2000; Fulton et al., 2011; Milner-Gulland, 2012; Schlüter et al. 2012). Customary practices should be incorporated in formal projects being undertaken with increased participation of the forest people for the purpose of conservation and sustainable use of the Sundarbans.

The traditional fishermen have been evolved in a mode of perpetual relationship with the Sundarbans. They believe that rules and practices help conserve the natural aquatic biodiversity of the Sundarbans coastal and marine ecosystems. They value the fish resources not only from the perspective of economic opportunity and consumption fulfilment but also they consider them as their life. Through this process if traditional rules and norms, an eternal relationship has been developed where human sociality has been prioritized instinctively. Traditional fishermen opine that, due to improper marketization of fish resources and incessant establishment of shrimp

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enclosure, fish resources are getting affected and lost. Their natural breeding process is being impeded which tends to deficit of fish resources. Because of too much profit seeking mentality of a particular group, alienation of people from the natural aquatic ecosystems is occurring. Commodity fetishism has risen as a result.

Keywords: Indigenous and Local Knowledge, Human Sociality, Traditional Resource Users, Traditional Rules and Practices, Marine and Coastal Ecosystems, Institutional Fragility

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Directory of ParticipantsAuthor Institution

Abdul Hannan, Ph.D Assistant Professor of GeographySikkim University, Gangtok, India

Alexandros Gasparatos Institute of Future InitiativesThe University of Tokyo, Japan

Ambika Prasad Joshi PhD Scholar at Center for the Study of Law and GovernanceJawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India

Anja Heikkinen Professor EmeritaThe Faculty of Education and CultureTampere University, Finland

Apar Kumar Lamsal Associate ProfessorTribhuvan University, Nepal

A H M Nahid Lecturer of Development StudiesIslamic University, Bangladesh

Chandra Upadhyay Lecturer & Head of SociologyMahendra Morang Adarsh Multiple Campus (TU), Biratnagar, Nepal

Cheng Jiao Tracy SUDE Research Group MemberThe Faculty of Education and CultureTampere University, Finland

Dilli R. Prasai Associate Professor of AnthropologyTribhuvan University, Nepal

Golaleh Makrooni PhD Researcher SUDE-VET and EquJustThe Faculty of Education and CultureTampere University, Finland

Kazi Maruful Islam, Ph.D Professor of Development StudiesUniversity of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Kazi Rabiul Islam Lecturer of Development StudiesUniversity of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Marjina Masud FellowTeach for Bangladesh, Bangladesh

Md. Delwar Hossain Assistant Professor of Gender and Development StudiesBegum Rokeya University, Rangpur, Bangladesh

Md. Juwel Ahmed Sarker Lecturer of Development StudiesHajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

Md. Mahabub Chowdhury Lecturer of Development StudiesHajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh

Md. Shah Paran Researcher at The Unnyan OnneshanDhaka, Bangladesh

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Author Institution

Md. Shahriar Bulbul Tonmoy Lecturer of Development StudiesUniversity of Chittagong, Bangladesh

Mostafa Walid Pasha Researcher at The Unnyan OnneshanDhaka, Bangladesh

Nasrin Jahan Jinia ResearcherSUDE-VET and EquJustThe Faculty of Education and CultureTampere University, Finland

Parbatkumar Rai Associate Professor of Political ScienceTribhuvan University, Nepal

Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Ph.D Professor of Development StudiesUniversity of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Reazul Haque, Ph.D Professor & Head of Development StudiesUniversity of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Shamik Chakraborty Faculty of Sustainability StudiesHosei University, Japan

SM Shafiqul Alam Associate ProfessorDepartment of Public AdministrationIslamic University, Bangladesh & ResearcherSUDE-VET and EquJustThe Faculty of Education and CultureTampere University, Finland

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Conference Schedule

Day 01 – March 8, 2020Venue: Bir Srestha Hamidur Rahman Auditorium

09.30 am – 1:00 pm Inauguration

National Anthem

Recitation from the Holy Quran and the Holy Gita

Welcome Address by Conference Coordinator

Speech of the Treasurer, Islamic University, Kushtia, Bangladesh

Speech of the Keynote Speaker: Dr. Shamsul Alam

Crest Giving to the Keynote Speaker

Book Launch

Speech by the Chair: Pro-VC, Islamic University, Kushtia, Bangladesh

01:00 pm – 02:00 pm Lunch

02:00 pm – 03:30 pm Plenary Session

Presentation 01: Professor Reazul Haque, Ph.D

Presentation 02: Professor Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Ph.D

Presentation 03: Professor Kazi Maruful Islam, Ph.D03:30 pm – 05:30 pm Cultural Program

06:00 pm Visit to Lalon Academy, Kushtia

08:00 pm Dinner at Kushtia Town

Day 02 – March 9, 2020Venue: Virtual Room

09.30 am – 10:30 am Young Scholar Session

10:30 am to 11:00 am Tea Break

11:00 am to 12:30 pm Mentoring Session

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12:30 pm to 01:30 pm Lunch

01:30 pm to 05:00 pm Virtual Session

Presentation 01: Professor Anja Heikkinen (emerita) [Keynote Speaker]

Presentation 02: Nasrin Jahan Jinia & SM Shafiqul Alam

Presentation 03: Golaleh Makrooni

Presentation 04: Professor Anja Heikkinen, Cheng Jiao Tracy, Nasrin Jahan Jinia, SM Shafiqul Alam, & Golaleh Makrooni

Open Discussion05:10 pm Vote of Thanks by the Conference Coordinator

05:30 pm Closing & Departure of the Participants towards Respective Destinations

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