A nation’s work is never done
The Sustainable Development Goals, least developed country (LDC) graduation, pandemics and wars. Bangladesh, like much of the world, is undergoing a stress test across all fronts. Policy-makers have tough choices to make even as resources are shrinking while the global economy contracts. However, even in times of upheaval, governments should not sacrifice the fundamental reforms required for the long-term wellbeing of their citizens. Universal health coverage, energy security and preventing youth radicalisation are just some of the topics we cover in this issue of WhiteBoard. …Read more >>
Bangladesh can provide universal health coverage
What is universal health coverage? In simple terms, UHC means every person has access to good quality health services whenever they need them. More importantly, UHC absorbs the risks of financial hardship for everyone. A big benefit of UHC is that it prevents health care…
New visions for ethnic minorities in Bangladesh
Let’s first unpack the notion of ‘ethnic’ in ethnic minorities. The term derives from the Greek word ethnos. The ancient Greeks generally used genos for the Greeks themselves in a restricted kinship sense. They used the term ethnos for the non-Greek ‘others.’ Greek classics record…
Where is South Asia’s single energy market?
Very few realise that energy trading by South Asian countries has been on an upward trend. Specifically speaking, cross-border electricity trading (CBET) in South Asia has almost doubled in a decade since 2012. In 2012, it was 1400 MW; by 2020 this had edged up…
Fractured minds and unchecked online content fuelling radicalisation
In 2010, critically acclaimed US social critic Noam Chomsky said in an interview, ‘Everyone’s worried about stopping terrorism. Well, there’s really an easy way: stop participating in it.’ Let us dissect what he said. One of the world’s leading scholars, Chomsky considers stopping oneself from…
Pathways to global recognition of the Bangladesh genocide
In 1948, the newly formed intergovernmental United Nations (UN) declared genocide as a crime under international law. Since then, the UN has considered genocide to be a problem of severe international concern. Meanwhile, more than half a century ago, in 1971, Bangladesh emerged as a…
Redefining competition for Bangladeshi small businesses
Bangladesh has been heralded as a model of economic development and poverty reduction. The driving force has been the concerted effort between its government and the people. Small businesses, collectively termed ‘cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises’ (CMSMEs), have been the bloodline of the economy. …
Revisiting pending issues – A policy briefcase
On counter-terrorism Anti-Terrorism Act Bangladesh enacted its specialised counter-terrorism legislation, the Anti-Terrorism Act, in 2009. The law was amended in 2013. The law provides for punishments for terrorism and subversive activities. It outlaws the receipt and collection of money, services or support for a…