At the root of waste of natural resources is the willingness to control nature. On the other hand, the biggest asset of a nation is its people. These thoughts involve global politics and economics. This publication is all about these critical thoughts on our position in politics and economics and what we need to do. It compiles various presentations and discussions of a national seminar on the theme, ‘Politics and economics of property, property rights and life forms’. UBINIG, Nijera Kori, Association for Land Reform and Development (ALRD) and Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD) organized the seminar.

The Guide provides information and direction about working together to understand environmental issues; implementing clean technology; building friendships and coalitions between nongovernmental organizations and businesses; developing skills for analyses and mitigation measures; and promoting grassroots actions for environmental benefits to the society.

Prof. Rafiqul Islam is one of a few scholars today who directly participated in the language movement centering 1952 that established Bangla as a state language in the Pakistani regime. Young Rafiqul Islam had a camera in hand and he used it right to document historic moments. The book “Bangla Bhasha, Shahityo o Shangskritik Andolon” (Bangla Language, Literature and Cultural Movement) that he has recently authored puts together both his experiences of the language movement and an album of the language movement. SEHD made this publication possible out of its commitment to protect the language and culture.

In different chapters, the book tells of the language movement; the history of the shaheed minar (monument for martyrs of the language movement) and its architect Hamidur Rahman. Making mention of different actors involved in the unique movement for Bangla and Bengali culture, the book tells of incidents that became historical events including how the Bardhaman House became today’s Bangla Academy. The book also puts together quotes from many poems and lyrics on the language movement.

What make the book most significant are photos. Dr. Islam has been preserving his films, although some got partially damaged and some got lost. Now the best ones are presented to the present generation who must know the right history of the language movement and make fresh pledges to make their language richer.

In this book Prof. Rafiqul Islam tells about the struggles and experiences people went through during the language movement and shows how gradually the language and cultural movement became the base for an independent Bangladesh. What Prof. Islam also does not forget to mention is how Bangla has become so rich with elements drawn from other languages particularly those of the Santal, Oraon, Munda, and Kol to mention few. He cautions that the Bengalis should show their respect to other languages that have given so much to Bangla and Bengali culture. He observes that these neighboring languages remain unprotected and neglected, which is a shame for Bengalis who gave their lives for their mother tongue. He calls upon Bengalis to protect and nurture the languages of these indigenous people.

Publication Details

Published: 2006
Language: Bangla
Hardback: 158 pages
Author: Prof. Rafiqul Islam
Price: Tk.300 / US$15

NGOs and community-based organizations (CBO) can play an extremely important role because they can effectively voice the needs and demands of the people. NGOs, if effective in their advocacy for reforms, can convince businesses to rethink and change their environmentally destructive practices, and governments into enacting and implementing progressive legislation or instituting policy reforms.

A Guide to NGO-Business Partnerships is a guidebook compiling information, anecdotes, experiences and practical tips for developing and continuing partnerships between non-government organizations and businesses. An explicit goal of the guidebook is to improve the environmental conditions across Asia. The book has emerged from the NGO-Business program, initiated in the mid-1990s, funded by the US-Asia Environmental Partnership (US-AEP) and administered by The Asia Foundation.

Publication Details

Published: 2003
Language: English and Bangla
Paperback: 66 pages
Authors: Q.A. Tahmina and Philip Gain
Published for: Asia Foundation
Price: Tk.50 / US$5

The eighth parliamentary election, held on 1 October 2001, was unique in the electoral history of Bangladesh. It was held in the trail of seven parliamentary elections, three ­­­presidential elections, and three referendums since Bangladesh became independent in 1971. Given the tumultuous political history the voters shrugged off all the fears and trepidation and went to vote with the high aspiration that this election would contribute to stabilizing democracy.

The CCHRB Election Observation Report 2001, was prepared by the Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD) for Coordinating Council for Human Rights in Bangladesh (CCHRB) in a very challenging situation. It presents information, analysis and insights on events, behavior of the political parties and politicians, legitimacy questions of the political parties, electorate, election violence, fraud, election observation efforts, etc.

The report tries to explain how important it is to make genuine efforts by all quarters for building democratic institution in this country. The caretaker government, a unique institution, which came into being because of political parties’ credibility crisis, was put to the real test. The Awami League, which ruled the country for its full five-year term alleged this interim government was not right in performing its duties. What we learn in the end is that the caretaker government must remain absolutely neutral in holding a “free and fair election” and building confidence among the electorate.

The report contains information on all major aspects of the election in Bangladesh such as: election observation, caretaker government, election schedule, political parties and candidates, preparation of the Election Commission and analysis of results. A chronology of important events centering on the election is included, as well as annexes with relevant and useful information i.e., the code of conduct, results, political parties and their symbols and management of CCHRB election monitoring.

Publication Details

Published: 2002
Language: English
Paperback: 66 pages
Editor: Philip Gain, Q. A. Tahmina and Shishir Moral
Prepared by: Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD) for Coordinating Council for Human Rights in Bangladesh (CCHRB)
Price: Tk.200 / US$10

A quarter million Rohingya refugees who fled the Myanmar military persecution are now sheltered in 19 camps, mostly in Cox’s Bazar, a southern district of Bangladesh bordering Myanmar. Of the 3 million people in Myanmar’s Arakan province, approximatel 2 million are Rohinga muslims who continue to face persecution under the rule of General Ne Win.

This report looks at the Rohingya refugees, their situation, the camps as well as the issue of repatriation.

Publication Details

Published: 1992
Language: English
Photocopy: 32 pages
Editor: Philip Gain, Brother Jarlath D’Souza CSC
Price: Tk.50 / US$2