Exchange meeting for What Kind of Bangladesh Society Do We Want to See in the Future
Noman Sabit: An exchange of views titled “What Kind of Bangladesh Society Do We Want to See in the Future?” was held in New York ahead of the upcoming election of the Bangladesh Society. The event took place Friday, August 21, at a restaurant in Jackson Heights.
Engineer Abdus Sobhan, president of the Foundation for Better World and convener of the meeting, delivered the welcoming remarks.
In his address, Sobhan outlined his vision for the future of the Bangladesh Society, the changes and improvements needed in its activities, and how the organization’s next elected leadership could implement those priorities.
He said experienced leaders and community representatives participating in the panel would share their views on a range of important issues. He expressed hope that the ideas emerging from the discussion would provide guidance for the Society’s future leadership.
The event also highlighted the Foundation for Better World’s publication of an important compilation titled “Bangladesh Society at a Glance.”
The publication includes the names, photographs and terms of service of individuals who have served as presidents and general secretaries of the Bangladesh Society over the years. Organizers said the compilation could serve as a useful reference for those seeking information about the organization’s history and leadership.
An open discussion was held on leadership, elections, and transparency. Approximately 13–14 panelists spoke at various stages of the discussion. Among the speakers were Dr. Golam M. Mathbor, Professor and Dean at Monmouth University; Dr. Dilip Nath; Nasir Khan Paul; Gias Ahmed; Moin Chowdhury; Hasan Habib; Shah Shahidul Haque; Fakhrul Islam Delwar; Sarwar Ahmed; Md. Babul Chowdhury; Kazi Sakhawat Hossain Azam; Akhtar Hossain Badal; Farhana Chowdhury; Engineer Abdus Sobhan; and Md. Mahbubur Rahman, among others.
The discussion addressed several important issues facing the Bangladesh Society, including its current voter registration system, electoral process, leadership continuity and participation of future generations.
Speakers suggested that consideration should be given to creating opportunities for new leaders rather than allowing the same individuals or members of the same panels to repeatedly occupy leadership positions. They also emphasized the importance of establishing a balance between experienced and younger leaders.
The Society’s financial management, transparency and accountability were also discussed. Participants raised questions and offered recommendations on how the organization’s finances could be managed in a more transparent and accountable manner.
One of the major themes of the event was the participation of the younger generation in leadership.
Participants said that providing young people with meaningful opportunities to serve alongside experienced community leaders could create a healthy balance between institutional experience and a new generation of ideas and leadership.
Toward the end of the event, Engineer Abdus Sobhan presented the results of an opinion survey that included questions about the need for new leadership and whether candidates should participate in election-related public discussions and debates.
Of the 39 respondents, 38 supported the idea that candidates should participate in election discussions or debates. Participants also expressed positive views about increasing the involvement of younger leaders.
Speakers also called for greater use of the collective strength of New York’s Bangladeshi community, noting that Bangladeshis have become a large and increasingly important population in the city.
They emphasized that the strength of Bangladeshi voters should not be limited solely to electoral politics. Instead, the community’s growing influence should also be used to advance education, social development, youth empowerment and community welfare.
The discussion also addressed what minimum qualifications candidates seeking leadership positions in the Bangladesh Society should possess and how the leadership selection process could be made more effective, credible and broadly acceptable.
Engineer Abdus Sobhan proposed organizing an election debate involving the leaders of the two panels contesting the Bangladesh Society election.
He said both sides had agreed to participate in the proposed discussion. A date is expected to be announced later following discussions with TBN24 and other relevant media organizations.
Under the proposed format, two representatives from each panel—a total of four participants—would take part in the discussion. In addition, approximately 15 prominent members of the community could be invited to the studio to offer opinions and participate in evaluating the discussion.
The primary objective of the event was to create an open, constructive and positive dialogue on how to make the Bangladesh Society a more effective, transparent, accountable and community-oriented organization.
Organizers expressed hope that discussions of this kind would encourage future leaders to become more proactive and help elected representatives play a more effective role in advancing the welfare and development of the Bangladeshi community.
The Foundation for Better World also made clear that it does not support or oppose any individual, panel or faction in the Bangladesh Society election. The organization said its primary objective is to support progress and work for the broader welfare of the Bangladeshi community.
At the conclusion of the event, the Foundation for Better World expressed its sincere appreciation to all speakers, guests, journalists, audience members, panelists and others who participated in and contributed to the program.
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