RAJSHAHI, Dec 9, 2023 (BSS)- Integrated efforts of all the government, non-
government and volunteer organisations concerned can be the best way of
ensuring non-violent atmospheres everywhere in the society for the sake of
its successful advancement.

Proactive role of the civil society, including the youth, has become crucial
for making the society non-violent and peaceful for attaining the cherished
development.

Academics, professional leaders and development activists made the
observation while addressing a national seminar titled "United for Peace:
Peace Multipliers join hands from grassroots to national level Lessons Learnt
and Future Steps" here today.
 
On behalf of their "Strengthening Young and Adult Peace Multipliers in
Bangladesh (AHIMSA)" project, DASCOH Foundation, Manab Kallyan Parishad
(MKP), National Conflict Transformation Platform (NCTP), NETZ Bangladesh
jointly organised the seminar at Shah Dine Convention Hall in Rajshahi city.

Professor Tanzima Yeasmin, chairman of the Department of Biochemistry at
Rajshahi University, addressed the seminar as the chief guest while Chief
Executive Officer of DASCOH Foundation Akramul Haque was in the chair.

Editor of Daily Sonar Desh Akbarul Hassan Millat, MKP Executive Director
Rabiul Islam, RUFAO Executive Director Afzal Hossain and Deputy Director of
the Department of Youth Development Zabed Iqbal spoke as special guests.

During her keynote presentation, NETZ Programme Manager Afsana Binte Amin
gave an overview of the project along with its aims, objectives and
implementation strategy together with, so far, achievements.

MKP Programme Coordinator Rashedul Islam Liton and Dr Nurunnahar Soma from
DASCOH Foundation also spoke on the occasion.

They told the meeting that 1,440 young key actors at 32 high schools
consisting of 960 members of 32 student forums, 480 members of 32 theatre
groups and 640 students as self-defense were given practical knowledge on the
issue.

Apart from this, 128 adult key actors at 32 high schools consisting of 64
teachers and 64 SMC members, 510 adult key actors in 22 Civil Society
Organizations (CSOs) comprising 16 CSOs at union level, four CSOs at sub-
district level and 2 district level each with 25 members were given ideas.

The discussants unanimously viewed that cooperation between inclusive civil
society groups and public authorities and their application of non-violent
approaches in the targeted communities should be promoted for ensuring non-
violent atmosphere through mitigating all sorts of conflicts.

In her remarks, Professor Tanzima Yeasmin said utmost emphasis should be
given on enhancing civic-public networking for peace building initiatives and
visibility of good practices.

Joint efforts of local government representatives and community people have
become indispensable to stop direct and indirect forms of violence against
ethnic minority people.