YPSA organized a Mayor Dialogue with the participation of mayors of Chattagram and Cox’s Bazar, councilors, representatives of displaced people, researchers, academics, journalists, development workers, civil society and youth to protect the rights and dignity of displaced people due to climate change, on October 4, 2021 at the Radisson Blue Conference Room.
M Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Mayor of Chattogram City Corporation, was present as the chief guest at the Mayor’s Dialogue on October 4, 2021 at 10 am in the Radisson Blue Conference Room of the city to protect the rights of the displaced.
Speaking as the chief guest, Mayor Rezaul Karim said climate change is a global problem. Everyone must work together to protect the rights of people displaced by climate change. In places where people are becoming homeless, the people’s representatives and the administration have to take the first step to protect their rights.
The city corporation has already taken several initiatives to protect the rights of the displaced people in the city. For example, it has taken initiative to provide permanent shelter to 350 displaced families. The quality and scope of healthcare has been increased in every ward-based health clinic in the city.
The mayor has expressed solidarity with the 21 recommendations proposed by YPSA. He added, Non-government organizations and donors, including the city corporation, must come forward to protect the rights and dignity of the displaced people.
Mr. Shahjahan Sikder, Mayor of Rangunia Municipality and Mr. Muktadir Maula Selim, Mayor of Sandwip Municipality were present as special guests at the Mayor Dialogue.
Chittagong University Professor and Dean of the Department of Law; ABM Abu Noman, Adab President and Elma Chief Executive Jasmine Sultana Paru; YPSA Deputy Director, Mohammad Shahjahan; Jasmine Parveen Jesse, Councilor, Panel Mayor; Baby Dubhas, Councilor; Afroza Kalam, Panel Mayor; Md. Gias Uddin, Panel Mayor, Chittagong City Corporation and Shirin Lira Senior IBP Manager, Prakash-British Council, were present as speakers.
Former Chairman and Professor of Department of Public Administration of Chittagong University Dr. Amir Muhammad Nusrullah and YPSA Program Manager Abdus Saburr read out the concept paper in the function conducted by YPSA Chief Executive Md. Arifur Rahman.
In the dialogue conducted, Farida Yasmin and Musleh Uddin, residents of Veramara Market, Chaktai Ward 35 and Mohammad Ziaul Karim of Cox’s Bazar shared their experiences as representatives of the displaced people. In the dialogue, YPSA proposed 21 recommendations to protect the rights and dignity of the displaced people.
