Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD) is a non-profit Bangladeshi organisation working for human rights and environmental justice through research, training, dialogue and advocacy. Operating since 1993, SEHD works closely with communities where environmental and human rights have been eroded.
SEHD is vocal about the danger of man-made disaster and poor environmental conditions, and the impact these have on the people living in such conditions. It is indeed an advocate for the rights of the marginalised communities. SEHD seeks to draw attention to these problems by giving affected communities a voice through research, investigative reporting, publications, capacity building training, and grassroots empowerment programs.
The two broad areas of SEHD’s work are human rights and environment, specific areas include but not limited to: Adivasis (indigenous people), tea workers, sex workers, Bede (gypsy), Harijans, Rrishi, Jaladas, stranded Bihari, Kaiputra (pig rearing community), forests, pollution for tanneries, coastal environment, the Chittagong Hill Tracts and journalism. SEHD has around 150 books, monographs, special publications, documentary films, and photography exhibitions. It also hosts a special documentation library at its office in Dhaka.
Through its activities, SEHD has helped to provide skills and training to journalists, marginalized and indigenous communities, youths, students and academics. All of SEHD’s activities are underpinned by its commitment to democratic values and the inherent importance of empowering people by giving them a voice.