Unnayan Onneshan Update May-June 2011

NEW RESEARCH REPORT

A Rapid Budget Assessment of National Budget of 2011-2012

The national budget of FY2011-12 has been announced at the midpoint of the present government’s five years tenure, marred by challenges to maintain the balances and the achievement of the targets for which it was voted to power. The current situation of macroeconomic balances, particularly triggered by volatility of prices and contractionary monetary policies, ... More...

Op-ed pieces in Media

Gender Budgeting: What should be the focus?

Forests of Chittagong hill tracts

Forest biodiversity: our common future

Rich-poor gap widening

Industrial growth rate declining

Employment generation should be key focus

Reports in Media

Daily Prothom Alo reports on UO Rapid Budget Assessment, 2011-12

Inflationary pressure, low investment big challenges for govt - The Financial Express

'Govt to face challenges to implement budget: Unnayan Onneshan' - New Age

Daily Shokaler Khabor reports on UO Rapid Budget Assessment, 2011-12

UO Rapid Budget Assessment, 2011-12 on the Daily Kaler Kantho

The Bangladesh Today reports, 'Govt might face extraordinary challenge to reach growth target: Unnayan Onneshan'

‎'Growth target challenging' - The Daily Sun

Daily Inqilab reports on UO Rapid Budget Assessment, 2011-12

Recent Research Report

Policy Brief On Present Social Context and Elderly Population in Bangladesh

Future Fertiliser Demand for Sustaining Rice production in Bangladesh: A Quantitative Analysis

Vacancies for Immediate Appointment

Current Vacancies

International Meeting on Article 10 with a focus on Article 10 (C) as a Major Component of the Programme of Work on Article 8 (J) and Related Provisions of the Convention; 31 May to 3 June, Montreal, Canada

A meeting on Article 10 (sustainable use of biological diversity) with a focus on Article 10 (c) (customary use of biological diversity) was held at Montreal, Canada, from 31 May to 3 June 2011 under the auspices of Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The meeting was attended by experts, parties, representatives of governments, international organizations, indigenous peoples and local communities, to provide advice on the content and implementation of the new major component of work for consideration at the seventh meeting of the Working Group on Article 8 (j) and Related Provisions.. 

Mr. Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir and Mr. Mohammed Abdul Baten of Unnayan Onneshan attended the meeting and provided a fascinating insight into desirability of local management of the biological resources. Detailed advice was provided on various cultural, social and legal concepts of property rights with a focus on a set of entitlements (for use) rather than ownership. New sustainable development models were promoted based on access to resources verses accumulation of goods. They argued that models of governance based on individual property rights were incompatible with customary sustainable use. The experts also noted the need for law reform to take into account the identification of the rightful users of forest resources and to secure operational level access rights and the promotion of collective local action and management. Their presentation drew attention to the need to strengthen principles one and two of the Addis Ababa Principles and Guidelines (legislation and governance).

Finance & Admin Committee Meeting (May-June 2011)

The weekly meetings of the Finance & Admin Committee were held on 14 May, 2, 11 and 18 June 2011 at the Unnayan Onneshan office. The meetings were chaired by Mr. Abu Hossain, Head, Admin & Finance. All the four members of the committee were present at the meetings. The agendas of the meetings were domain hosting for RESOLVE project, purchasing fire fighting equipments, maintenance of office time and several other organizational developments.

Research & Programme Committee Meeting (11 June 2011)

The monthly meeting of the Research & Programme Committee of the Unnayan Onneshan was held on Saturday, 11 June 2011. The meeting was chaired by Mr. Faiz Ahmed Chowdhury, Research Associate of the organization. Three agendas of the meeting include new recruitment, research progress (May 2011) & work plan (June 2011) and suggestion for career path strategy.

Coordination & Development Committee Meeting (11 June 2011)

A meeting of the Coordination & Development Committee was held at the meeting room of the organization on Saturday, 11 June 2011. Mr Abu Hossain, Head, Admin & Finance chaired the meeting. The agendas of the meeting were new recruitment, adhoc working group on career upgradation application review and maintenance of office time.

In-house seminar on Water Supply of Dhaka City: Present and Future, 15 June 2011

An in-house seminar on Water Supply of Dhaka City: Present and Future had been organized on Wednesday, 15 June 2011 at the conference room of Unnayan Onneshan. The seminar began with a brief presentation from A.F.M Azim Uddin, Research Intern of the organisation, who has submitted a snapshot of urban water supply of Dhaka city focusing on the rise in demand of water, increased production, machine loss, unaccounted for water, future demand supply scenario of water etc. Mr. Mohammad Abdul Baten, Senior Research Associate of the Organisation chaired the seminar. The chair appreciated the presenter for his research output and suggested to incorporate the literature by highlighting the Draft Bangladesh Water Act, 2010. The seminar, finally, ended with the comments of researchers who shared their views and comments.

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ABOUT UNNAYAN ONNESHAN

The Unnayan Onneshan is an independent progressive think tank which aims to contribute to innovation in development through research, advocacy, solidarity and action. The Unnayan Onneshan - the Innovators was registered in 2003 as a not-for-profit trust to contribute towards search for solutions to endemic poverty, injustice, gender inequality and environmental degradation at the local, national and global levels. The philosophy, ideas and actions of the organization focus on pluralistic, participatory and sustainable development and seek to challenge the narrow theoretical and policy approaches derived from unitary models of development...