Dutch NGOs reassures support for SDG

NGOs from the Netherlands assured that they would continue their support to Bangladesh for achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs) within the stipulated time.

They came up with the pledge at a seminar titled “Bangladesh NGO network and friendship meeting: Towards a dynamic Bangladesh” hosted by the Bangladesh embassy in The Hague, with support from a Dutch NGO, Niketan, on 22 September on the embassy premises.

Around 50 representatives from more than 35 Dutch NGOs of different sizes, which are active in Bangladesh, participated in the meeting, said a press release issued by the embassy.

The meeting was moderated by Istiaque Ahmed, first secretary of the embassy.

Bangladesh ambassador Sheikh Mohammed Belal opened the meeting with a keynote speech. He highlighted child marriage, woman empowerment, income inequality etc and urged NGO support in achieving the SDGs.

Terming the SDGs to be challenging for a country like Bangladesh, he called for multi-stakeholder approach for inclusive development and stressed on mobilizing domestic and international resources to achieve the SDGs.

Ambassador Belal urged the Dutch NGO’s to be part of the development works going on in Bangladesh. He also explained government’s initiatives like developing special economic zones for the foreign investors with all facilities.

He also briefed the audience on the Rohingya crisis and called for moral support.

Counsellor of the embassy Kazi Russel Pervez highlighted the current status in working condition in Bangladesh and the relevant government policies. He briefed the audience about the stable political situation prevailing in Bangladesh. Counsellor Russel also explained government’s “zero tolerance” against terrorism and extremism.

Senior Policy Officer of Netherland’s foreign ministry Jan de Boer welcomed the initiative of Bangladesh embassy.

Former first secretary of Dutch embassy in Dhaka, Ella de Voogt, stressed on better coordination of Dutch development organisations in Bangladesh.

In the face of Dutch policy shift from aid to trade for Bangladesh, she advised all to wait for the new government to be formed in the Netherlands and new foreign trade and development cooperation minister to take over.

She acknowledged to have a very good relation with the Bangladesh government from during her days at Dutch embassy in Dhaka and assured the NGOs to support them in liaising with the government agencies.

Later, Niketan board member Astrid Frey conducted the plenary session in the meeting where the participants were invited to talk about the success they achieved and the contribution they made. The NGOs also talked about the opportunities and challenges in Bangladesh.

Diaspora development organisation BASUG representative Bikash Barua Chowdhury stated that they have built awareness among the migrant workers to send remittance through banking channel.

From JW Support Joke Wittekok has explained her organisation’s work in supporting orphans in continuing education and finding out employment.

Maarten from Diva Worldwide shared the story how he opened a production house in Dhaka to develop online contents by the young ICT professionals of Bangladesh.

Maarten welcomes women developer participation in his expanding works. The Hunger project representative Catelin shared their activities in the fields of child marriage and leadership development where women volunteers are heavily involved.

Save the Children representative Mahua talked about their activities in child rights governance and financial inclusion.

J.U Litton from Bouwen aan Bangladesh shared his experience in working in child education and disaster management sectors.

He also said that now they are working to support the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

Saidul from Stichting Jongerenhulp said that they wish to work with senior citizens in Bangladesh.

The participant NGOs highly appreciated the initiative of the embassy in building bridge between the government and the development partners.

All of them termed Bangladesh as a very friendly country for the foreign NGOs. They termed Bangladesh ‘a land of opportunities’ owing to its young and energetic people.

As finishing remarks Ambassador Belal urged all for introducing the best practices of the Netherlands in Bangladesh especially in agriculture.

He also requested support from all concerned for implementation of Delta Plan 2100, the flagship Dutch Bangla Project.

Embassy has a plan to host this kind of meeting at least once in a year.