INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON PROMOTING SECURITY SECTOR REFORM IN SOUTH ASIA: LESSONS FROM JAPANESE EXPERIENCE HELD AT BIISS

A two-day International Conference on Promoting Security Sector Reform in South Asia: Lessons from Japanese Experience was held at BIISS Auditorium from 14 December 2010 to 15 December 2010. The Conference was organised by BIISS with the support of the Japan Foundation. Colonel A K M Nazrul Islam, afwc, psc, G, Acting Director General, BIISS delivered the welcome address (click here for the welcome address). Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Faruk Khan, psc (Retd), MP, Hon'ble Minister for Commerce Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh was the Chief Guest at the Inaugural Session of the Conference. H. E. Mr. Tamotsu Shinotsuka, Ambassador of Japan to Bangladesh was present as Special Guest at the Inaugural Session. Major General Muhammed Firdaus Mian, psc, Chairman, Board of Governors, BIISS, chaired the session.

Beside Bangladesh the scholars from India, Japan Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka presented papers in the conference. In the First Working Session papers were presented by Brigadier General Shahedul Anam Khan, ndc, psc (Retd), Editor, Defense and Strategic Studies Affairs, The Daily Star, Dhaka on Security Sector Reform: A Conceptual Analysis (click here for the presentation) and Dr. Toshiya Hoshino, Professor, Osaka School of International Public Policy (OSIPP), Osaka University, Osaka, Japan on Self-Defence Forces: Reform and Development (click here for the presentation). Major General Muhammad Abdul Matin, ndu, psc (Retd), Former Director General, BIISS chaired the First Working Session.

In the Second Working Session presentations were made by Mr. Kamal Kumar, IPS (Retd.), Honorary Senior Fellow, Centre for Public Affairs, New Delhi, India on State of Security Sector Reform in South Asia: An Indian Perspective (click here for the presentation), Dr. Maqsudul Hasan Nuri, Acting President, Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI), Islamabad, Pakistan on State of Security Sector Reform in South Asia: A Pakistani Perspective (click here for the paper) and Dr. Masaki Kudo, Deputy Assistant Director, Central Asia and the Caucasus Division, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Tokyo, Japan on Police Reform in Post-War Japan: Lessons for South Asia” (click here for the presentation). The session was chaired by Mr. Abul Hasan Chowdhury, Former State Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Ambassador (Retd) Dr. M. Afsarul Quader, Vice President, Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) chaired the Third Working Session. Papers were presented by Mr. Rana Banerji, Head-Task Force (IR), Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis, New Delhi, India on Security Sector Reform in India (click here for the presentation), Dr. M. Jashim Uddin, Senior Research Fellow, BIISS, Dhaka on Security Sector Reform in Bangladesh (click here for the presentation) and Professor Dhruba Kumar, Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies (CNAS), Nepal on Security Sector Reform in Nepal (click here for the presentation).

In the Fourth and Concluding Session Ms Salma Malik, Assistant Professor, Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, Quaid-I-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan (click here for the paper) and Dr. S. I. Keethaponcalan, Head, Department of Political Science and Public Policy, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka presented papers on Security Sector Reform in Pakistan and Security Sector Reform in Sri Lanka respectively (click here for the presentation). Mr. A. K. M. Abdus Sabur, Research Director, BIISS presented the Summary Proceedings of the Conference. Major General Muhammad Firdaus Mian, psc, Chairman, BOG, BIISS chaired the Concluding Session. In the Open Discussion of the sessions of two-day conference there were lively participation by academia, media, government officials, business circles, representatives from the civil society and NGOs as well as other concerned professionals (click here for the proceedings).

 

CHINA INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL STRATEGIC STUDIES DELEGATION VISITED BANGLADESH

A five member delegation from the China Institute for International Strategic Studies (CIISS) led by Major General Yan Jiangfeng (Retd), Vice Chairman of the institute visited Bangladesh on invitation of BIISS from 05 December 2010 to 10 December 2010. The other members of the delegation were Major General Li Rui (Retd), Senior Advisor, CIISS, Mr. Zhang Linchu, Senior Research Fellow of CIISS, Mr. Hu Yumin, Senior Research Fellow of CIISS and Mr. Jiang Weiqing, Program Officer and Research Fellow of CIISS. During their stay in Bangladesh the Delegation visited Bangladesh Institute of Peace Support Operation Training (BIPSOT) at Rajendrapur Cantonment, National Martyrs Monument at Savar, Coxs Bazar Sea Beach and called on Dr. Dipu Moni, MP, Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh, General Md Abdul Mubeen, ndc, psc, Chief of Army Staff, Bangladesh Army, Lieutenant General Abdul Wadud, ndu, psc, Principal Staff Officer, Armed Forces Division and Major General Muhammed Firdaus Mian, psc, Chairman, Board of Governors, BIISS. The Delegation also participated in a day-long Seminar "BIISS-CIISS" Dialogue organized at the BIISS Auditorium. The visiting delegation members exchanged views with BIISS Faculty on each others research undertakings and put emphasis on promoting and reinforcing the cooperation, the mutual exchange of information, the improvement of research and academic programs, and also the exchange of experts and researchers of the two institutes.

 

LOOK AFRICA: AN EMERGING FOREIGN POLICY OPTION FOR BANGLADESH

The Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organized a seminar on Look Africa: An Emerging Foreign Policy Option for Bangladesh in Dhaka on Thursday, 02 December 2010. Dr. Gowher Rizvi, Adviser to the Hon'ble Prime Minister, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh was present as Chief Guest (click here for the speech). Colonel A K M Nazrul Islam, afwc, psc, G, Acting Director General of BIISS delivered the Address of Welcome (click here for the speech). In the seminar, three papers were presented. Prof. Dr. Syed Anwar Husain presented a paper on Bangladesh and Africa: Changing Realities, Opportunities and Challenges. Dr. Mohammad Mahfuz Kabir and Mr. Sharif Mosharraf Hossain, Research Fellows at BIISS, jointly presented a paper on Why Look Africa: An Analysis of Economic Potential for Bangladesh (click here for the presentation). Brigadier General Ilyas Iftekhar Rasul, ndc, psc, (on LPR) presented a Bangladesh paper on Bangladeshs Contribution to UN Peace Keeping Missions in Africa (click here for the paper). The seminar was attended by foreign dignitaries, government officials, academicians, civil society members and representatives from electronic and print media. The seminar was chaired by Major General Muhammad Firdaus Mian, psc, Chairman, Board of Governors of BIISS (click here for the proceedings).

 

DR. KABIR PARTICIPATED IN CONFERENCE AND SEMINAR IN SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA

Dr. Mohammad Mahfuz Kabir, Research Fellow of BIISS, participated in the Conference titled Korea-South Asia Cooperation in an Era of Rising South Asia, held at LOTTE Hotel World, Seoul, South Korea, on 25 November 2010. The Conference was organised by Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP), a leading government think-tank of South Korea, and sponsored by National Research Council for Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences (NRCS). The Conference brought together prominent scholars, including a number of policymakers, from South Asia as well as from the South Korean academia. Topics related to Trade, FDI, and regional dynamics of South Asia (including SAARC and SAFTA) were discussed and ideas for strengthening Korea-South Asia cooperation were shared. Dr Kabir presented a paper in the conference titled Non-economic Obstacles in the Prospects of SAARC & SAFTA in the Conference. He made another presentation in the Panel Discussion session of the Conference titled Bangladesh-South Korea Trade and Economic Cooperation: Current State and Future Options. Dr Kabir also participated in a Seminar titled South Asia Pool Seminar: SAFTA and the Developments of Trade Policies in South Asia, organised by KIEP, held at KIEP Auditorium, Seoul, on 26 November 2010. In the Seminar presentations were made on the trade policies of three major countries of South Asia ― Bangladesh, Pakistan and India ― focusing on bilateral and regional trade agreements. Dr Kabir made a presentation in the Seminar titled Bangladesh's Trade Policy: Focus on Bilateral and Regional Trade Agreements. Eminent scholars from South Asian and South Korea were present in the event.

 

BIISS CHAIRMAN ATTENDED ANNUAL CONVENTION OF THE CONSORTIUM OF NTS-ASIA AT SINGAPORE

Major General Muhammed Firdaus Mian, psc, Chairman, Board of Governors of BIISS attended the 4th Annual Convention of the Consortium of Non-Traditional Security (NTS)-Asia, held on 25-26 November 2010 at the Traders Hotel, Singapore. The Convention was organised by Centre for NTS Studies, Secretariat of the Consortium of NTS-Asia. Similar to previous years, the convention brought together members of the Consortium to take stock of the salient NTS issues in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as to formulate ways forward to sustain the Consortium's activities.

 

BIISS ACTING DIRECTOR GENERAL ATTENDED THE 10TH BI-ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF COUNCIL FOR ASIAN TRANSNATIONAL THREAT RESEARCH (CATR)

Colonel A K M Nazrul Islam, afwc, psc, G, Acting Director General of BIISS attended the 10^th Bi-Annual International Conference of the Council for Asian Trans-national Threat Research (CATR) held in Manila, Philippines from 27-29 October 2010. The theme of the conference was the Emerging Landscape of Transnational Threats: Taking CATR to the Next Level. The Conference was organized by the CATR and the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research (PIPVTR), with the support of the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) of the United States. The Conference was attended by 39 participants from Afganistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and United States. Colonel Nazrul presented a paper on Water Security: Bangladesh Perspective in the conference.

 

 

 

 

LECTURE ON "EDUCATION IN BANGLADESH: PRESENT STATE, CHALLENGES AND FUTURE OUTLOOK"

As part of Eminent Persons Lecture Programme of BIISS Mr. Nurul Islam Nahid, MP, Hon'ble Minister, Ministry of Education, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh delivered a lecture on Education in Bangladesh: Present State, Challenges and Future Outlook at BIISS Auditorium on 21 September 2010 at 1100 hours The lecture was followed by a lively question and answer session in which there were active participation by academia, media, government officials, diplomats, business circles, representatives from the civil society and other concerned professionals including experts and practitioners on the related field. Major General Golam Mohammad, nwc, psc, Director General of BIISS delivered the Address of Welcome and Major General Muhammed Firdaus Mian, psc, Chairman, Board of Governors, BIISS chaired the session (click here for the Welcome Address) (click here for the proceedings).

 

 

 

 

 

MR. MAHBUBUR RASHID BHUIYAN ATTENDED A CONFERENCE ON INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS IN UK

Mr. Mahbubur Rashid Bhuiyan, Research Officer of Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) attended a Conference on International Relations from 08 August 2020 to 14 August 2010 at the Mansfield College, Oxford, UK. The English Speaking Union (ESU) of the Commonwealth organized this Conference. Thirty participants from different countries attended the Conference. Besides, distinguished scholars from the academia and civil society organisations delivered lectures on different important topics of contemporary international relations and politics. The organizers also conducted workshops on the arts of public speaking and the use of PowerPoint presentations.

 

PANEL DISCUSSION ON CAUSES, CONSEQUENCES, AND CHALLENGES OF DEMOGRAPHIC EXPLOSION IN BANGLADESH: POLICY PRESCRIPTIONS AND FUTURE OUTLOOK HELD AT BIISS

A Panel Discussion on Causes, Consequences, and Challenges of Demographic Explosion in Bangladesh: Policy Prescriptions and Future Outlook was organised by BIISS on 05 August 2010, at the BIISS Auditorium. Professor Doctor Syed Modasser Ali, Adviser to the Hon'ble Prime Minister on Health and Family Welfare, and Social Welfare Affairs, the Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Major General Golam Mohammad, nwc, psc, Director General, BIISS made the Address of Welcome (click here for the speech). Two papers were presented by the panelists. The first paper was on Causes, Consequences, and Challenges of Demographic Explosion in Bangladesh which was presented by Mr Mohammad Abdul Qayyum, Former Director-General, Directorate General Family Planning, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Currently, National Project Director, Comprehensive Disaster Management Project (CDMP), Disaster Management Bureau, Mohakhali, Dhaka (click here for the presentation). The second paper on Demographic Explosion in Bangladesh: Policy Prescriptions and Future Outlook was presented by Mr Fakrul Ahsan, Division Chief, General Economics Division, Planning Commission, Ministry of Planning, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka (click here for the presentation). The designated discussants for the first and second paper were Professor Dr A K M Nurun Nabi, Department of Population, Sciences, University of Dhaka and Professor Dr M Kabir, Member, National Population Council, Dhaka respectively. The presentations were followed by a lively and interactive open floor discussion. Distinguished scholars, policy makers, diplomats, representatives of multi-disciplinary professional bodies and media participated in the discussion. Professor Muzaffer Ahmad, Former Chairman, Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) and Member, Board of Governors of BIISS chaired the session (click here for the proceedings).

 

MOHAMMAD JASIM UDDIN PARTICIPATED IN AN INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR IN PAKISTAN

Mr. Mohammad Jasim Uddin, Research Fellow of BIISS, participated in an International Seminar on Stabilising Afghanistan:Regional Perspectives and Prospects in Islamabad, Pakistan. The Seminar was organised by Islamabad Policy Research Institute (IPRI) in collaboration with Hanns Seidel Foundation (HSF) on 03-04 August, 2010 in Islamabad, Pakistan. Mr. Mohammad Jasim Uddin presented a paper on SAARCs Prospective Role in Promoting Economic Development in Afghanistan in the Seminar. The Seminar was attended by participants from Pakistan, Germany, China, Turkey, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Russia, and India.

 

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION ON The Millennium Development Goals and Bangladesh: Present Status and An OUTLOOK FOR THE FUTURE

A Roundtable Discussion on The Millennium Development Goals and Bangladesh: Present Status and an Outlook for the Future was held at BIISS Auditorium on 21 July 2010. Dr. Mashiur Rahman, Adviser to the Hon'ble Prime Minister on Economic Affairs, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Major General Golam Mohammad, nwc, psc, Director General, BIISS made the welcome address. Two presentations were made prior to initiating the discussion. Dr. Mohammad Mahfuz Kabir, Research Fellow, BIISS made a presentation on Challenges of Financing MDGs (click here for the presentation). Mr Arastoo Khan , Additional Secretary, Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh, presented a paper on Dynamics of Resource Mobilisation and Donor Relations (click here for the presentation). Major General Muhammed Firdaus Mian, psc Chairman, Board of Governors of BIISS chaired the session. The open discussion of the roundtable was a very lively and rewarding one as most of the participants were experts and practitioners on the related issue (click here for the proceedings).

 

SEGUFTA HOSSAIN PARTICIPATED IN AN INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM IN BEIJING

Ms. Segufta Hossain, Research Fellow of BIISS, participated in an International Symposium on Food Security: China and the World jointly sponsored by China Institute of International Strategic Studies (CIISS) and Katie Chan Foundation (KCF), Hong Kong on 1-2 July, 2010 in Beijing, China. The purpose of the Symposium was to discuss the food security situation, trends and impacts, food security strategy and international cooperation on food security. Ms. Hossain presented a paper on International Cooperation in Food Security: Issues and Challenges in the Symposium. The Symposium was attended by participants from China, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Mongolia, Nigeria, Thailand, the United Kingdom, the United States of America.

 

 

 

 

BIISS ORGANISED WORKSHOP ON CIVIL-MILITARY RELATIONS: TRUST BUILDING

A two-day workshop on Civil-Military Relations: Trust Building was organized by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) with the support of the Defense Institution Reform Initiative (DIRI) of USA at the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel on 22-23 June 2010. The Inaugural Session of the workshop was held at 1100-1430 hours on 22 June 2010. Major General Golam Mohammad, nwc, psc, Director General, BIISS delivered the Welcome Address (click here for the speech). Major General Eric Olson (Retd) of DIRI also gave his Welcome Speech as the co-host. Two papers were presented in the Inaugural Session. Dr. Syed Anwar Husain, Professor, Department of History, University of Dhaka presented a paper on Identifying and Promoting Common Goals to Build Confidence and Trust in Civil-Military Relations in Bangladesh (Click here for the paper) and Air Commodore Ishfaq Ilahi Choudhury, ndc, psc (Retd), Registrar, BRAC University, Dhaka presented a paper on Improving Military Ability to Relate with Civil Society in Bangladesh (Click here for the paper). Mr. M. Idris Ali MP, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Defence, Bangladesh graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Major General Muhammed Firdaus Mian, psc, Chairman, Board of Governors, BIISS chaired the session and delivered the Closing Remarks. In the open discussion of the workshop, there were active participation by diplomats, academia, media, government officials, business circles, representatives from the civil society and other concerned professionals.

During the lunch, Major General Olson (Retd) of DIRI, USA made a key note speech on Thoughts on Building Civil-Military Trust and Confidence. The after lunch session of the first day was held with the nominated members of the workshop participants which included members of parliament, former ministers, opposition party members, senior civil and military officials both serving and retired and civil society representatives. The participants engaged in meaningful deliberation on related issues in the whole of second day (click here for the proceedings).

 

PANEL DISCUSSION ON MANAGEMENT OF WATER RESOURCES AND WATER SECURITY: THE CASE OF THE GANGES- BRAHMAPUTRA-MEGHNA (GBM) RIVER BASINS HELD AT BIISS

A Panel Discussion on Management of Water Resources and Water Security: The Case of the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) River Basins was held at BIISS Auditorium on 15 June 2010. Major General Golam Mohammad, nwc, psc, Director General BIISS delivered the Address of Welcome (click here for the speech). Professor Dr Ainun Nishat, Vice-Chancellor, BRAC University, Dhaka initiated the discussion by making a presentation on Management of Water Resources and Water Security of the GBM River Basins: the National Dimension (click here for the paper). Another paper on Management of Water Resources and Water Security of the GBM River Basins: the Regional Dimension was presented by Professor Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, Chairman, Palli Karma Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), Dhaka (click here for the paper). Mr. Mohamed Mijarul Quayes, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh graced the occasion as Chief Guest. The open discussion which followed was a very lively and rewarding one as most of the participants were experts and practitioners on the related issue. Major General Muhammed Firdaus Mian, psc, Chairman, Board of Governors, BIISS chaired the session (click here for the Proceedings).

 

PANEL DISCUSSION ON ALLIANCE OF CIVILIZATIONS: REFLECTIONS ON BANGLADESH PERSPECTIVES HELD AT BIISS

A Panel Discussion on Alliance of Civilizations: Reflections on Bangladesh Perspectives was organised by Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) on 23 May 2010 at the BIISS Auditorium. Major General Golam Mohammad, nwc, psc, Director General, BIISS made the welcome speech (Click here for the speech). The Panel included Ambassador (Retd) Ashfaqur Rahman, Chairman, Center for Foreign Affairs Studies, Dhaka, Dr. Abdur Rob Khan, Associate Professor of International Relations, North South University, Dhaka and Mr. S. M. Shameem Reza, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mass Communication and Journalism, University of Dhaka. Ambassador (Retd) Ashfaqur Rahman made presentation on Alliance of Civilizations: Challenges and Prospects (Click here for the paper). Dr. Abdur Rob Khan and Mr. S. M. Shameem Reza presented papers on Shared Responsibility of State and Non-state Actors towards the Alliance of Civilizations (Click here for the presentation) and Responsibility of Media to Promote Alliance of Civilizations (Click here for the presentation) respectively. The presentations were followed by a lively and interactive open floor discussion. Distinguished scholars, policy makers, diplomats, representatives of multi-disciplinary professional bodies and media participated in the discussion. Mr. Mohamed Mijarul Quayes, Foreign Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh represented the Minister for Foreign Affairs in the Panel Discussion and readout her (Minister for Foreign Affairs) speech (Click here for the speech). The Session was chaired by Major General Muhammed Firdaus Mian, psc, Chairman, Board of Governors, BIISS (Click here for the Proceedings).

 

DR. UDDIN PARTICIPATED IN A THREE-DAY RESEARCH WORKSHOP HELD IN SINGAPORE FROM 17^TH MAY TO 19^TH MAY 2010

Dr. M. Jashim Uddin, Senior Research Fellow of BIISS, participated in the Council for Asian Trans-national Threat Research (CATR) Workshop titled Country Threat Assessment and Major Findings and Plans for the Next Phase Joint Research, held at the Marina Mandarin Hotel in Singapore from 17^th to 19^th May 2010. The workshop was organized by the CATR and the Centre of Excellence for National Security (CENS) of Rajaratnam School of International Studies, with the support of the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) of the U.S.A. Researchers and academics from various research organizations and universities of 12 countries in the Asia-Pacific region presented their respective country's threat assessment and major findings in the workshop. The main objective of the workshop was to analyze and share the emerging security threats; and also the most important cross-cutting security threats found in each country's threat assessment and formulate overarching common threats to the countries to address in the next phase of the research workshop. Dr. Uddin presented a paper on Emerging Security Threats and Challenges: Bangladesh Perspective in the workshop.

 

 

BIISS DIRECTORS PARTICIPATED COLOMBO MEETING OF REGIONAL NETWORK OF STRATEGIC STUDIES CENTER

Colonel A K M Nazrul Islam, afwc, psc, G and Mr. A. K. M. Abdus Sabur, Research Directors of BIISS participated in the Working Group Meeting of Regional Network of Strategic Studies Center (RNSSC) held at Rabat, Morocco from 20-22 April 2010. The Network is a partnership of strategic study centers primarily located in the Near East South Asia region, and currently enjoys involvement from over thirty centers. The Center for Studies and Research in Social Sciences (CERSS), Mohammed V University, Rabat co-hosted this meeting. The goals of the Working Group meeting were to discuss various strategic issues of interest and continue making progress on the work plans by the working groups. Colonel A K M Nazrul Islam, afwc, psc, G represented BIISS in the Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)/Border Security Working Group and Mr. A. K. M. Abdus Sabur represented the institute in the Water Security Working Group.

 

 

 

BOOK LAUNCHING AND DISCUSSION ON COUNTERING TERRORISM: BUILDING A COMMON APPROACH IN SAARC HELD AT BIISS

Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies (BIISS) organised a Book Launching and Discussion Session on Countering Terrorism: Building a Common Approach in SAARC in collaboration with Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS), New Delhi and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) on 12 April 2010 at the BIISS Auditorium. H. E. Mr. Holger Michael, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Bangladesh was present as the Guest of Honour at the Session. Major General Golam Mohammad, nwc, psc, Director General, BIISS made the welcome speech. Major General Dipankar Banerjee, AVSM (Retd), Director, IPCS and Dr. Beatrice Gorawantschy, Resident Representative, KAS, New Delhi made introductory remarks in the discussion session. Dr. Suba Chandran, Deputy Director, IPCS made a presentation on the book titled Countering Terrorism: Building a Common Approach in SAARC, which was followed by a lively and interactive open floor discussion. Distinguished scholars and researchers of the eight South Asian countries, policy makers, diplomats, representatives of multi-disciplinary professional bodies and media participated in the discussion. Major General Muhammed Firdaus Mian, psc, Chairman, Board of Governors, BIISS presided over the Session.

 

DR. SHAHEEN AFROZE PARTICIPATED IN A REGIONAL WORKSHOP IN PAKISTAN

Dr. Shaheen Afroze, Research Director, BIISS participated in a two-day Regional Workshop on Restructuring SAARC on 30-31 March 2010 in Karachi, Pakistan. The workshop was organized by the Department of International Relations, University of Karachi, Pakistan in collaboration with Hanns Seidel Foundation, Islamabad. Scholars from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan participated in the workshop. Dr. Afroze presented a paper on Restructuring SAARC: Bangladesh Perspectives in the workshop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PANEL DISCUSSION ON THE 16^TH SAARC SUMMIT HELD AT BIISS

A Panel Discussion on The 16^th SAARC Summit was organised by BIISS on 07 April 2010, at the BIISS Auditorium. Dr. Hasan Mahmud, MP, Hon'ble State Minister for Environment and Forest, Government of the People Republic of Bangladesh graced the occasion as Chief Guest. Major General Golam Mohammad, nwc, psc, Director General, BIISS made the welcome remarks (Click here for the address). Presentations were made by six panelists. Their topics of presentation were: Ambassador (Retd) Q A M A Rahim, Former SAARC Secretary-General Institutional and Programmatic Dimensions of SAARC: An Overview of 25 Years of SAARC; Ambassador (Retd) C M Shafi Sami, Former Chairman, Board of Governors, BIISS, The Role of Non-Governmental Agents/Actors and Inter-facing Track-I, Track-II and Track-III Dialogues to Strengthen the Regional Integration Process; Ambassador (Retd) Farooq Sobhan, President, Bangladesh Enterprise Institute, Dhaka, SAARC Counter-Strategy to Combat Transnational Cross-border Issues: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects; Ambassador (Retd) Muhammad Zamir, Former Secretary of the Bangladesh Government, Issues of Energy, Food Security and MDGs: Challenges and Prospects for SAARC States; Dr Ainun Nishat, Senior Adviser, International Union for Conservation of Nature, Asia Region, Dhaka, Climate Change in SAARC Context: What Should Be the SAARC Strategies and Action Plans to Address Effects of Climate Change (Click here for the presentation); and Professor M Ali Taslim, Chief Executive Officer, Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI), Dhaka, Deepening and Operationalizing SAFTA in Expanded SAARC: Issues, Challenges, Opportunities and Future Outlook. The presentations were followed by a lively and interactive open floor discussion. Distinguished scholars, policy makers, diplomats, representatives of multi-disciplinary professional bodies and media participated in the discussion. Major General Muhammed Firdaus Mian, psc, Chairman, Board of Governors, BIISS chaired the session (Click here for the Proceedings).

 

INDEPENDENCE DAY COMMEMORATIVE SEMINAR ON ROLE OF GENERAL MASSES IN THE WAR OF LIBERATION: FUTURE DEFENCE HELD AT BIISS

Independence Day Commemorative Seminar on Role of General Masses in the War of Liberation: Future Defence was held at BIISS Auditorium on 24 March 2010. Dr. Dipu Moni, MP, Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh graced the seminar as the Chief Guest. Dr. Captain Mujibur Rahman Fakir (Retd), MP, Hon'ble Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Maj General Sheikh Md Monirul Islam, ndc, psc, Director General, BIISS delivered the Welcome Address (Click here for the address). Four papers were presented in the seminar. Paper presenters were Major Qamrul Hassan Bhuiyan (Retd), Chairman and Chief Researcher, Centre for Bangladesh Liberation War Studies (Click here for the paper), Mr. Ghulam Mustafa, Bir Bikram, President and Managing Director, Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (Click here for the paper), Mr. Mahabub Elahi Ronju, Bir Protik (Click here for the paper) and Dr. Syed Anwar Husain, Professor, Department of History, University of Dhaka. The open discussion of the seminar was a very lively and fruitful one as most of the participants were freedom fighters, experts and practitioners in the related field. Major General Muhammed Firdaus Mian, psc, Chairman, Board of Governors, BIISS chaired the session and delivered the Closing Remarks. It may be mentioned here that every year BIISS organizes this seminar on the occasion of our Independence Day focusing on the topics of national security, foreign policy and related issues.

 

BIISS DELEGATION PARTICIPATED IN KATHMANDU WORKING GROUP MEETINGS OF REGIONAL NETWORK OF STRATEGIC STUDIES CENTER

A two-member delegation led by Major General Sheikh Md Monirul Islam, ndc, psc, Director General of BIISS attended the Working Group meetings organized by the co-sponsors of the Regional Network of Strategic Studies Center (RNSSC), held in Kathmandu, Nepal on 24-26 February 2010. The Kathmandu-based Centre for South Asian Studies was the local host. The Director General participated in the meeting on Civil-Military Relations Working Group. Prior to the meeting, he attended the Working Group's Editorial Committee meeting. Ms. Neila Husain Choudhury, Senior Research Fellow of BIISS participated in the Reintegration, Reconstruction and Reconciliation (R3) Working Group meeting. The purpose of both the meeting was for each participant of the respective Working Group to make country presentations on the theme of the working group. The objective of this Network was also to share experiences of working on peace and security in the Near East and South Asian (NESA) region, and looking at ways to develop and strengthen partnerships within the region. There was also interaction between the working group participants and individuals from the strategic community in Kathmandu at the dinner hosted by the organizers.

 

ROUND-TABLE DISCUSSION ON BANGLADESH-CHINA DIALOGUE

A Round-table Discussion on Bangladesh-China Dialogue was held at BIISS Auditorium on 14 March 2010. Major General Sheikh Md Monirul Islam, ndc, psc, Director General, BIISS delivered the Address of Welcome (Click here for the address). Dr. Dipu Moni, MP, Honourable Minister for Foreign Affairs, Government of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh graced the Round-table as the Chief Guest (Click here for the address). Discussion was initiated by four paper presenters. Ambassador (Retd) Ashfaqur Rahman, Chairman, Centre for Foreign Affairs Study, Bangladesh presented a paper on The Political Dimension of Bangladesh “China Bilateral Relations" ( Click here for the paper) and Professor Rehman Sobhan, Chairman, Centre for Policy Dialogue, Bangladesh presented a paper on Bangladesh-China Economic Relations: Issues, Challenges and Opportunities. The other two papers were presented by Lieutenant General M Mahbubur Rahman, psc (Retd), Former Chief of Army Staff, Bangladesh Army ( Click here for the paper) and Mr. Zhang Lei, Chief of Political Section, Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Dhaka ( Click here for the paper) on Bangladesh-China Defence Cooperation in the Twenty-first Century and Chinese Perspective for Political and Economic Development of Bangladesh respectively. The Open Discussion of the Round-table was actively participated by academia, media, diplomats, government officials, business circles, representatives from the civil society and other concerned professionals. Mr. Wang Yu, Charge De Affairs, Embassy of the Peoples Republic of China in Dhaka also spoke in the Round-table. Major General Muhammed Firdaus Mian, psc, Chairman, Board of Governors, BIISS chaired the Round-table Discussion ( Click here for the Proceedings).

 

DR A T SALAHUDDIN AHMED PARTICIPATED IN A TWO-DAY INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON SAARC: TOWARDS A GREATER CONNECTIVITY IN INDIA

Dr A T Salahuddin Ahmed, Senior Research Fellow (Research Director In-Charge), BIISS, participated in a two-day International Seminar on SAARC: Towards a Greater Connectivity organized by the Centre for SAARC Studies, Andhra University, Vishakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India on 2-3 March 2010. Dr Ahmed presented a paper on Maritime Security of Bangladesh: Exploring Regional Co-operation (Click here for the abstract of the paper) in the Seminar. He also chaired a session of the Conference (Session-VI: Economic Cooperation-I). About 36 participants from India and from other SAARC member states made their presentation in the Seminar, speaking on various dimensions of greater SAARC connectivity within SAARC members via meaningful regional and sub-regional co-operation in which gender perspective also figured. The key objectives of the Seminar were to remove the existing barriers among SAARC members to move towards greater connectivity in the field of economic co-operation (mainly), and socio-political and non-military security co-operation by way of exploring various ways and means.