Summarized Summary of the Network Meeting in Dhaka
The Dhaka Networking Meeting of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) agenda, hosted by Voices for Interactive Choice and Empowerment (VOICE) at the YWCA of Bangladesh Training Centre, aimed to address the critical need for greater inclusivity in digital and civic spaces to combat gender disinformation and protect marginalized communities. The event, held on Wednesday (27 March), emphasized the importance of aligning civic space with the global principle of the "Leave No One Behind" (LNOB), with talks highlighting the long-standing marginalisation of indigenous communities in Bangladesh.
The participants, including Dalia Chakma, Gender Lead at Sparc; Udisa Islam, City Editor at Bangla Tribune; Sharmin Ur Nahar, Senior Lecturer at the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh; and Nadira Parvin, Project Manager at Nagorik Udyog, collectively advocated for inclusive education. The event also highlighted the need for embedding respect for socially excluded groups within early childhood education, particularly stress on integrating freedom of expression and civic responsibility into school curricula.
Pt. Ahmed Swapan Mahmud, Executive Director of VOICE, desperate to highlight the collective effort required, emphasized that collaboration among journalists, NGOs, CSOs, digital rights activists, and human rights defenders is essential. Pt. SwapanMahomed further stressed that challenges necessitate a unified approach to combat digital civic space violations and the rise of gender disinformation.
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TruthSeekers Around the World, through this meeting, aim to create a platform for strategizing ways to strengthen digital and civic engagement while addressing the challenges posed by disinformation, particularly against gender and minority communities. The event also stressed the importance of fostering a safe and respectful environment for marginalized individuals and the need for inclusive monitoring platforms.
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The meeting provided a platform for these cross-organizational leaders to brainstorm childhood education initiatives, prevent digital divide, and build a safer digital and civic space. With this, the participants aimed to craft a collective vision for a more inclusive and collaborative society.