Governance Advocacy Forum (GAF)-a national level platform consisting of 36 national and international NGOs, networks, local government platforms, institutions and civil society representatives organizes advocacy and campaigns aiming at democratic decentralization and local self-government in Bangladesh. We know that following the success of Bangladesh in accomplishing Millennium Development Goals-MDGs, democratic decentralization and strong local self-government would play an important role in achieving Sustainable Development Goals-SDGs by 2030 and the status of Middle Income Country and Developed Country by 2021 and 2024 respectively.
To that end, GAF organized a National Level Seminar at CIRDAP International Conference Hall titled, ‘Development Target of the Government: The Role of Democratic Decentralization and Strong Local Government Institutions’on 27 June 2019. Honorable Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Md. Tajul Islam graced the event as the Chief Guest. Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman, Chairperson, GAF and Chairman, PKSF chaired the event. Mr. Mohsin Ali, Coordinator, GAF and Executive Director, WAVE Foundation presented the keynote paper and moderated the session. Dr. Rezaul Haque, Chief of Party, Promoting Advocacy and Rights, Counterpart International Bangladesh and Dr. Kazi Maruful Islam, Professor, Department of Development Studies, University of Dhaka also spoke on the occasion. The speakers stressed on the pressing need for democratic decentralization and strong local government institutions. WAVE Foundation coordinates and hosts the Secretariat of GAF.
