Experts: Social mobilization key to achieving SDGs

Economic and development experts have urged NGOs, donors and UN agencies to work together towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and continuing the country’s development process through social mobilization. 

The experts discussed the advantages of social mobilization at a national seminar on SDGs and development,organized by Eminence Associates for Social Development and held at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Addressing the seminar, Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad, chairman of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) who presided over the event, said in order to ensure proper economic distribution, inequality must be eradicated.

“All stakeholders have to assist the government to protect the environment and ensure social protection,” he told the seminar.   

Experts discussed therole of NGOs, the UN, and other donor agencies in helping the country achieve the SDGs, the barriers in achieving these goals, and the need for overall social growth in reaching all targets.

“The Ministry of Planning and the Ministry of Information have to be connected with other social organizations to ensure accountability and people’s participation,” said Dr Shamsul Alam, senior secretary of the General Economics Division under the Bangladesh Planning Commission.

The participants highlighted the need for using social media as a tool to involve more people in the efforts for achieving SDGs.

They agreed that social discrimination was a big barrier to achieving the SDGs, and recommended that the government take steps to minimize it.

They also emphasized the need for political commitment to achieve these goals, and expressed their hope for cooperation from the government and other stakeholders. 

The seminar was attended by Abdul Malek, secretary at the Ministry of Information, KM Abdus Salam, director general of NGO Affairs Bureau under the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Prof Md Aminul Haque Bhuyan, former SUST vice-chancellor and a professor at Dhaka University, and Prof Shah Monir Hossain, senior national adviser at FAO and former director general of health services, among others.