Secretariat support for Bangladesh
Countering violent extremism
In July 2019, the Secretariat helped bring together the Bangladeshi government and researchers working to prevent violent extremism in education.
In December 2019 and February 2020, the Commonwealth Secretariat's Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Unit delivered part of its Amader Porichoy (‘Our Identity’) project in Bangladesh. The project will raise awareness of what causes extremist violence.
Countering violent extremism work
Youth
In 2018-19, the Secretariat helped 6 young people from Bangladesh build understanding on terrorist propaganda.
The CVE Unit supported a programme for youths to create positive stories to challenge hate and division and promote peace and tolerance instead.
In May 2018, a Commonwealth workshop helped build 28 young Bangladeshis’ skills as leaders to encourage understanding of different faiths and cultures.
The Secretariat helped senior officials from Bangladesh develop national policies to encourage young people to set up businesses.
Elections
The Commonwealth sent observers to Bangladesh’s parliamentary elections in December 2018.
Sport
The Secretariat helped Bangladesh use sport to meet development goals in, for example, gender equality and human rights.
Sport for development and peace work
Trade
The Secretariat helped Bangladesh improve investment in its economy. This included encouraging citizens who now live overseas to invest money in the country.
Blue Charter
Bangladesh is a member of the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance, Ocean and Climate Change, Mangrove Ecosystems and Livelihoods, Sustainable Aquaculture and Sustainable Blue Economy Action Groups.
Connectivity Agenda
Bangladesh is a member of the Digital and Regulatory Connectivity clusters of the Commonwealth Connectivity Agenda. The Connectivity Agenda is a platform for countries to exchange best practices and experiences to trade and investment and undertake domestic reform.
Bangladesh in the Commonwealth
Muhammad Yunus, Founder of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, delivered the 6th Annual Commonwealth Lecture, on ‘Halving Poverty by 2015’, in 2003.
2 Bangladeshi-born writers have won the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize Best First Book award: Adib Khan (1995) and Tahmima Anam (2008).
