2nd Bangladesh Humanist Forum
Dhaka Declaration
2nd Bangladesh Humanist Forum urges all concerned people to act together to build an socio-economic situation in and around Bangladesh using the tools of active non-violence and non-discrimination to develop and maintain a peaceful state and genuine human coherence - in the 'Dhaka Declaration', on Sunday, 24th August 2008, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
The Bangladesh humanists and their friends announced this at the end of the day-long program, held at the National Press Club auditorium.
This declaration that was expressed at the joyous crescendo following the discussions is based on the knowledge that the whole world is now standing at the threshold of anarchy and chaos. To save all of humanity, it was indicated that the ruling classes along with the political and community leaders everywhere in the world need to come forward and adopt their respective polices inhering the principles of non-violence and non-discrimination.
Eminent intellectuals, lawyers, journalists, representative of different NGOs and cultural organizations participated in the Forum; while nearly 400 members of 12 councils of the Humanist Movement in Bangladesh also took part, demonstrating a variety of different activities according to their respective Council projects.
The 'Society of Volunteers, Human Support' arranged this Forum, on behalf of the Bangladesh chapter of the International Humanist Movement.
The '2nd Bangladesh Humanist Forum' in the afternoon session organised nine discussion tables to determine the primary national conflicts. As a start, the Tables were titled as: Present Situation & Active Non-violence, Women Empowerment & Equal Rights, the Challenge of a Changing Climate & Ecology, Democracy & Good Governance, Food Security, How to have a Drug Free Youth, Health for All, Education for all, and, Enjoying Cultural Diversity
After the Table discussions, the general opinion at the Humanist Forum was that if we want to guide our country in the right direction, we need democracy and good governance with accountability in all sectors - these minimally need to be ensured.
In addition, the Forum urged all the democratic institutions, especially the government, to work actively to handle the challenges of climate-change and a deteriorating ecology by bringing on board the ordinary citizen by disseminating practical information thus motivating the common people to think and act coherently.
Further notifications were made regarding stopping violence towards women; ensuring the health services reach out to all the needy; and guaranteeing a basic but world class standard of education for the majority.
The Forum also urged the government, NGOs and civil society to take concerted efforts in these regards.
The Forum observed that the right direction is an employment oriented education policy that can reach out to save young people from succumbing to drug addiction owing to a lack of choice and frustration.
The Forum pointed out that International Humanism supports all cultures, all communities, and gives special emphasis to indigenous ethnic groups that are discriminated against. People must be allowed to nurture and cultivate their own culture and enjoy equal rights - for indeed these people have a legitimate right to co-exist.
The Humanist Movement desires to raise all people up, of each and all cultures, on the same basis of equality, to attain the norm of a quality human life.
