SASF Extended 2011: Seminar on Dalit issues and challenges in Nepal

Actionaid International Nepal had organized one seminar titled “Towards Right to Life with Dignity: Dalit issues and Challenges in Nepal” on 19th November 2011. As a part of the SASF Extended program, the event was live webcast here.

Although officially abolished in 1963, “untouchability” against Dalit, one of the worst forms of caste-based discrimination continues to be practiced throughout Nepal. Dalits who share 13% (Dalit Activists claims 20%) of total population in Nepal have been economically deprived, socially denied, politically excluded and treated as “untouchable caste group” for centuries.

The Dalit movement in Nepal has developed over the years and this is the demand for South Asian countries:

• Dalit issues should be collectively recognized and addressed in the SAARC.
• Formation of Joint Dalit Forum in SAARC as a state mechanism to respond Dalit issues immediately.
• SAARC should make a policy and principle of compensation to Dalit as they are imposed into historical injustice and structural exclusion by the state and non – state institutions.
• United Nation should pass a special resolution to respond 300 million Dalits of South Asia.

Read more about the issue in this Concept Note.

SASF 2011: Events Of 19 November 2011 in Photos

Plenary at Dhaka University Senate Building Main Auditorium - Opening session on 19 November 2011

Here is a Slideshow of images taken on 19 November 2011:

SASF 2011: Live Webcast On 19/11/2011

Today two events are being webcast live as a part of the South Asia Social Forum Extended initiative.

1) ActionAid Nepal:

Towards right to life with Dignity: Dalit issues and challenges in Nepal.

The event is taking place in the Mokarrom Bhaban Lecture Theatre Hall in the Science Complex

http://www.ustream.tv/embed/9640800

2) Trade Union Leaders Of Bangladesh:

Online Conference Between OSAKA Social Forum and Bangladesh Garments Trade Unions

The event is taking place in the Mokarrom Bhaban 3rd year classroom in the Science Complex

http://www.ustream.tv/embed/9747794

SASF 2011 Seminar: The Livelihood Condition and Position Of Coastal Fisherfolk

Image courtesy CODEC

The South Asia Social Forum, with the help of Dhaka University, is hosting workshops, plenary sessions and seminars on development, poverty, gender, food security, good governance and human rights among other issues.

On 19th of November 2011 CODEC and Manusher Jonno Foundation jointly arranged a seminar titled “The Livelihood Condition and Position Of Coastal Fisherfolk”. The chief guest on this occasion was Uzzal Bikash Datta, the honorary secretary of the Fisheries and water resources ministry of Bangladesh Government. The key-note was presented by livelihood researcher Dr. Hamidul Haque.

In this seminar marginal fishermen from Laxmipur, Bagerhat, Barishal and Patuakhali highlighted their problems, prospects and suggestions. Gowhar Naim Wara of Disaster Forum also spoke in this seminar. The summary was presented by Azizur Rahman Khan, A researcher. The Seminar was predided by Rina Roy, the director of Manusher Jonno Foundation. Kamal Sen Gupta, deputy executive director of CODEC moderated the event. (press release)

Seminar Of South Asia Health Forum at SASF 2011

On November 19, 2011 a seminar of South Asia Health Forum took place in the conference room of the faculty of Business Studies (Ground Floor) of Dhaka University. The event was jointly organized by the Health Rights Movement National Committee (HRMNC) and PSTC. After the welcome speech of Dr. Nitai Kanti Das, Member Secretary of HRMNC, he discussed about the health rights status in Bangladesh. Sardar Arif Uddin, the lead discussant then talked about the health rights status in South Asia. Dr. Lalin Choedhury, Secretary, Doctors for Health and Environment discussed about privatization and poor people’s health.

At 11:00 AM Mr. Shashanka Baran Roy, advocacy coordinator of PSTC highlighted Nagorikkontho (Citizen’s Voice) the crowd-sourced citizen journalism portal on quality of public service issues and stressed the need of such initiatives in the country.

In the afternoon session the following things were discussed

* Role of community clinic – Mrs. Yasmin Ahmed, Director Nova Consultancy.

* Drug affordibility and People – Prof. Dr. A.B.M. Faruque, Chairman, Prakritojon

* Role Of Media in Promoting Health Rights – Mr. Khairuzzaman Kamal, Director BMSF

* Reproductive Rights In Char Area – Mr. Shawkat Ali, Director, SHARP

* Public Health Issue – Mr. F. M. Mostaque, Director – PSTC

* Traditional Medicine – Mr. Naresh Madhu, Director – SPS.

The session ended with an open discussion.

South Asia Social Forum Community Radio

For those who cannot join the different events of the South Asia Social Forum 2011 we have a special arrangement. You can listen to the South Asia Social Forum Community Radio on FM 94.00 MHz. This broadcast has been made possible with the help of BNNRC.

Media Reactions On The Inauguration of South Asia Social Forum

1) Let’s change South Asia:

The South Asia Social Forum 2011 began in the capital yesterday with calls for a social change in South Asia and a single regional identity.

Several thousand representatives of South Asian civil society groups and social movements and some from Africa, America and Europe gathered here on the occasion to explore alternative ways of development through people’s participation and sharing of resources rather than pursuing capitalistic ideologies. [Details in The Daily Star]

2) অন্যরকম এক দক্ষিণ এশিয়া গড়ার আহবান:

শুক্রবার থেকে ঢাকায় শুরু হয়েছে ৫ দিন ব্যাপী (১৮-২২ নভেম্বর) দক্ষিণ এশিয়া সোস্যাল ফোরাম ২০১১। শুক্রবার বিকালে সাহাবাগ জাতীয় যাদুঘরের সামনে থেকে এ ফোরামের উদ্বোধনী র‌্যালী বের হয়। দেশ বিদেশের শতাধীক বেসরকারী সংগঠনের ২০ হাজার মানুষের অংশগ্রহণে র‌্যালীটি জাতীয় শহীদ মিনারের সামনে গিয়ে শেষ হয়।

র‌্যালী শেষে শহীদ মিনারের সামনে উদ্বোধনী অনুষ্ঠানে বক্তব্য রাখেন, ঢাকা বিশ্ব বিদ্যালয়ের উপাচর্জ ড. আ আ ম স আরেফিন সিদ্দিক, দক্ষিণ এশিয়া সোস্যাল ফোরাম এর সমন্বয়কারী মুহাম্মদ হিলালউদ্দিন, ভারতীয় বুদ্্িধজীবি কুলদীপ নায়ার, নারী নেত্রী িিশরিন আখতার, এবারের দক্ষিণ এশিয়া সোস্যাল ফোরাম ২০১১’র মূল প্রতিপাদ্য হচ্ছে ‘দক্ষিণ এশিয়ায় সামাজিক রূপান্তরে গণতন্ত্র: অংশগ্রহণ, সাম্য, সুবিচার ও শান্তি’। [বিস্তারিত বিডি২৪লাইভ.কম]

3) SASF 2011 Rally and opening program at ATN News. See the Video here (Facebook video).