Right to Food Bangladesh-RtF BD is an Umbrella Network of CSOs, NGOs, INGOs, networks, peasant’s organizations, women organizations, indigenous organizations, social movements, researchers, academia, trade unionist, youth, small-holder farmers, and other parts of the society works towards ensuring right to food and nutritional security for all the people of the country. Now around 1000 organizations across Bangladesh are the members of the Platform and WAVE hosts its Secretariat.
Right to Food Bangladesh (RtF BD) Network organized the inauguration of `Right to Food & Nutrition Campaign’ on 25th July 2018 at National Museum Auditorium, Shahbagh, Dhaka. The inauguration shared detailed on the campaign for July-December 2018 centering upcoming national parliamentary election. A total of 648 representatives from 523 NGOs, networks, educational institutions, youth, women and farmers’ organizations, trade unions, indigenous and different professionals’ organizations and local government institutions participated from Dhaka city and 50 districts.
Mr. Anowarul Haq, Treasurer, RtF BD and Director, CARE Bangladesh greeted all participants and focused on the major campaign initiatives. Mr. Qazi Riazul Haque, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Ms. Rasheda K. Chowdhury, Executive Director, Campaign for Popular Education and Former Advisor of Last Caretaker Government, Mr. Khondokar Ibrahim Khaled, Co-Chair, RtF BD, Mr. Md. Abdul Karim, Managing Director, Palli Karma-Shahayak Foundation (PKSF), Ms. Tasmima Hossain, Editor, the Daily Ittefaq and the fortnightly Ananya, Ms. Farah Kabir, Country Director, ActionAid Bangladesh, Ms. Tessa Schmelzer, Country Representative, ICCO International, Mr. Nowazesh Ali Khan, Advisor (Program), ATN Bangla, Ms. Helen Ware, Program Director, Concern Worldwide, Ms. Ellie Valentine, Chief of Party, Promoting Advocacy & Rights, Counterpart International were present as guest of honor and delivered their valuable speech. Participants from different districts and Dhaka based organizations, networks and institutions expressed their solidarity and made commitment to implement activities set under the campaign. Mr. Shoeb Sazzad Khan, Program Coordinator, Manusher Jonno Foundation, Mr. Adbur Rahman, Regional Project Coordinator, DanCharchAid Bangladesh and Md. Moniruzzaman, Programme Officer, NETZ Bangladesh delivered solidarity speech on behalf of their organizations. National Human Rights Commission, PKSF, Actionaid Bangladesh, Care Bangladesh, Christian Aid Bangladesh, World Vision Bangladesh, MJF, Oxfam, DanChurchAid Bangladesh, NETZ Bangladesh, ICCO Cooperation, Concern Worldwide Bangladesh and Gain Bangladesh made commitment in respect of their active participation in the campaign.
Sharing the progress of the country made so far, Mr. Mohsin Ali, General Secretary, RtF BD and Executive Director, WAVE Foundation stressed on the role of relevant stakeholders in implementing `Right to Food’ to achieve respective goals country has set yet.
Dr. Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Chairperson, RtF BD and PKSF presided over the program and led the declaration of the inauguration.
The Inauguration concluded with a joint vow. The declaration recited the inauguration of campaign demanding the Right to Food Act to ensure right to food and nutrition for the 40 million extreme poor and poor to achieve the prime goals of the country eventually. The occasion was moderated by Mr. Ataur Rahman Miton, Secretary, RtF BD and Country Director, Hunger Free World and Ms. Kaniz Fatima, Coordinator, RtF BD Secretariat. An exhibition displayed colorful presentation of RtF BD’s initiatives so far that was organized in the inauguration premises.
