Monthly Updates September 2014 BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), BRAC University BIGD Head Of Research presented his paper in ADB-3ie's Making Impact Evaluation Matter Conference Dr. Minhaj Mahmud, Head of Research of BRAC Institute of Governance and Development presented a paper titled Building Parental Capacity to Help Child Nutrition and Health: A Randomized Controlled Trial in the ADB-3ie's Making Impact Evaluation Matter Conference at Manila on 1-5 September 2014 organised by 3ie in partnership with the Asian Development Bank and the Philippine Institute for Development Studies. The Making Impact Evaluation Matter conference brought together 600 participants a mix of researchers, policymakers, programme managers and development practioners - for the first major international conference on impact evaluations and systematic reviews in Asia. The pre-conference workshops from 1-3 September had practical training sessions on designing, planning and using impact evaluations and systematic reviews. The conference from 3-5 September featured vibrant and productive conversations between researchers, policymakers and practitioners on making impact evaluations matter in real world settings. Parallel sessions offered the opportunity to have focussed discussions on impact evaluations of development programmes in particular sectors like education, health, infrastructure, climate change, agriculture, social protection and community-driven development. Major international figures in the field of impact evaluation and policymaking spoke at the plenary sessions of the conference. BIGD organized In House training on Stata BIGD organised a two-day workshop on Stata held on 7-8th September 2014 at the BIGD Conference Room, Dhaka. This two day workshop was an introduction to Stata. The aim of this workshop was to provide the initial tools to the participants who wish to develop quantitative skills for managing and analysing datasets, their applications using real data and to learn Stata at the same time. A number of 19 researchers of BIGD participated in this training. The course objectives included helping participants achieve the understanding of descriptive, and to some extent, the inferential statistics; to able to manage, summarise and present data. The course provided the participants an introduction to Stata; data management and data cleaning; descriptive statistics including Stata graphics; inferential statistics. The learning objectives of this workshop are to give each participant an understanding and experience to undertake a basic research project using Stata. CGST, BIGD s National Sharing on Unpaid Care Work Centre for Gender and Social Transformation (CGST), BIGD and ActionAid Bangladesh, with support from European Commission, disclosed the key findings of a research project titled The
Pattern of Time Use of Adult Women and Men in Rural North Bangladesh at a sharing program at the National press club on the 17 th September. The findings have revealed the striking fact that a woman, on average spends seven hours on care work a day which is seven times more than a man spends for this unrecognized work. BIGD lead researcher Maheen Sultan presented the findings. National Sharing on Unpaid Care Work The research has covered a total of 345 respondents in Gaibandha and Lalmonirhat districts and used a popular tool for data collection-time Use Diary. Time use diary is a widely used tool to measure the amount of time people usually spend in different activities: care work, productive work, and non productive work, as well as sleep and rest. The chief guest of the event was the State Minister for Women & Children Affairs Meher Afroj Chumki MP. Country Director of ActionAid Bangladesh and also moderator of the program Farah Kabir said a working woman takes double responsibility by working at home in addition to her office work. Dr. Protima Pal Mojumder, Former Senior Research Fellow of Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) and Ms. Suraiya Begum, Secretary of Statistics and Informatics Division (SID), Ministry of Planning were also present. Among others present were: Shahnaz Arefin, Director-PPCD, AAB; Mr. Kabir Uddin Ahmed, Deputy Director, Industry and Labor Wing, Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics; Dr. Nicole Malpas, Program Manager - Trade and Private Sector Development, a delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh and Ms. Farzana Ahmad, National Program Officer, UN Women Bangladesh spoke at the program. Sadia Mustafa, Research Assistant of BIGD also attended the programme. The program ended with the hope that social norms are changing, may be very slowly but it will take place in a greater pace if the government comes forward to recognize, reduce and redistribute the unequal burden of women s unpaid care work, by changing relevant policies and introducing new programs, interventions regarding unpaid care work.
Seminar on Governance in Primary Education and Health Sector in Bangladesh BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), BRAC University organized a Seminar on Governance in Primary Education and Health Sector in Bangladesh on Wednesday, 24 September, 2014 at 4.00 PM at the BRAC Centre Inn, Mohakhali, Dhaka 1212. Dr. Jonathan Rose, political scientist presented his research findings as the keynote speaker in the seminar. Barrister Manzoor Hasan, Executive Director, SAILS, BRAC University and Dr. Mirza Hassan, Lead Researcher, BIGD were present as the designated discussants. Dr. Minhaj Mahmud, Head of Research, BIGD Chaired the event. The speakers suggested that government and non-governmental organizations spend more on research in various aspects of the two key basic sectors. And the research outcomes have to be made accessible and readable to people from all sections of society. Focusing current state of primary education and health sector in the country, political scientist Dr Jonathan Rose told the meet that the literature on the control of corruption identifies numerous issues, both at national and local levels. "These include losses in drug stocks, illegal fees, incorrect drug prescriptions, private referral by doctors, unofficial absenteeism and informal payments by lower-level officials at the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) to higher-level ones," he said. He substantiated his points by citing a recent working paper of the World Bank. The political scientist also stressed the importance of decentralization of the primary education sector to overcome the problems facing the sector. Speaking on the occasion, BIGD researcher Dr Mirza Hasan said ministers, senior public officials and teachers paid serious heed on quantity instead of quality in primary education in a misplaced focus. Roundtable Discussion on Governance for a Livable Chittagong BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD), BRAC University organized a Roundtable Discussion titled State of Cities: Governance for a Livable Chittagong on 7 September, 2014 at Chittagong Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CMCCI) Conference Hall, Chittagong. Dr. Tofail Ahmed, Head of Politics, Democracy and Governance, BIGD conducted the event. BIGD Research Fellow M. Shahidul Islam shared the key research findings of the institute s forthcoming the State of Cities report that analyzed the evolution of urban governance, service delivery, transport management, land use and housing, political economy of urban governance of Chittagong city. The designated Panel Discussants, Professor Dr. Muinul Islam, Engr. Ali Ashraf, Dr. Mainul Islam Mahmud and Professor Mohammad Jashimuddin opined their views and suggestions on the draft research report. Distinguished guests then participated in an open discussion and shared their observations.
The roundtable was arranged before the inauguration of the research report in order to accommodate feedback from the stakeholders and intellectuals based in Chittagong. The roundtable was also attended by Mohammad Abdus Salam, Administrator, Chittagong Zilla Parishad; Mr. Mahmudul Islam Chowdhury, Ex-Mayor, Chittagong City Corporation; Professor A.Q.M. Serajul Islam, President, Peshajibi Samannay Parishad, Chittagong; Engr. Md. Delwar Hossain Majumder, President, Committee of Concerned Citizens-CCC, Chittagong Metropolitan, formed by TIB; Profesor Dr. Syed Ahsanul Alam, President, CMCCI; Dr. Q Mohidul Alam, Vice Chairman, CCC; Dr. Monzurul Amin Chowdhury, President, Forum for Peoples Voice; Md. Mahfuzur Rahman, Deputy Director, IIUC, Engr. Bidhan Barua, Forum for Planned Chittagong; Muhammad Zohurul Hoque, Chittagong WASA; Engr. Shubhash Barua, Forum for Planned Chittagong; Mofizur Rahman, General Secretary, Bangladesh Awami League, Chittagong South District; Mr. Wahid Malek, Managing Editor, The Dainik Azadi; Mr. Bishwajit Chhowdhury, Joint Editor, The Daily Prothom Alo; Mr. Ejaz Eusoofi, President, CUJ; Professor Sikandar Khan, Vice Chanellor, East Delta University and others. BIGD s Communication team participated in Research Communication and Advocacy workshop Ekram Hossain, Project Manager (Communications); Shakil md. Faisal Communications Associate and Mahmudul Alam Rasel, Communications Assistant of BIGD, BRAC University s communication team participated the Workshop on Research Communication and Advocacy on 3-4 September, 2014 at the BRAC Learning Centre (BLC), Niketan, Gulshan 1, Dhaka organised by BRAC Communications. About 40 participants from BRAC and BRAC University attended the workshop. Professor Afsan Chowdhury facilitated the workshop. The main objectives of the workshop was to give a clear idea about the Research communication and advocacy, how to deal with it, the process should be followed for advocacy etc. BIGD lead researcher presented Bangladesh findings at Comparative Analysis Workshop on Gender and Political Settlement Professor Dr. Sohela Nazneen, lead researcher, BIGD set the agenda of the workshop and presented Bangladesh findings on the comparative analysis workshop on Effective States and Inclusive Development Research Center s gender and political settlement research project held at the Centre for Basic Research in Kampala, Uganda from September 24 to September 26, 2014 organised by Effective States and Inclusive Development (ESID) Research Centre, University of Manchester and Centre for Basic Research, Uganda arranged. BIGD, BRAC University is the lead partner of this project.
Dr. Sohela Nazneen presenting at the session The comparative research focused on the policy processes involved in the passing and implementation of domestic violence /gender-based violence and universal primary education legislation in four case study countries. The objective of the workshop was to compare the emerging findings from the country case studies, identify key trends and to develop a clear uptake and publications strategy. Rezwan Masud, Research Assistant of BIGD also attended the workshop. During the workshop, participants broke up into country teams to discuss emerging policy implications of their research to date for government, civil society, and transnational actors. Dr. Sohela Nazneen presented at the ESID/CBR Public Event on Gender and Political Settlement BIGD, BRAC University lead researcher Professor Dr. Sohela Nazneen presented the comparative insights from four countries (Bangladesh, Ghana, Rwanda and Uganda) at the ESID/CBR public event on disseminating the findings of the comparative research project on Gender and Political Settlement, held at the Centre for Basic Research, Kampala, Uganda on the 25th September. BIGD, BRAC University is the lead partner for the research on gender and political settlement project under Effective States and Inclusive Development Research Center s portfolio. Dr. Sohela Nazneen presented at the Event
The comparative research focused on the policy processes involved in the passing and implementation of domestic violence /gender-based violence and universal primary education legislation in four case study countries. Professor Nazneen pointed out that the research goes beyond existing feminist analysis and ask what shapes women s inclusion and what shapes the extent to which inclusion leads to influence? She shared key insights that are already emerging from an initial comparative analysis of the four country cases. Among others, Hon. Jane Alisemera Babiiha, Former Chair, Uganda Women s Parliamentary Association (UWOPA); Ms. Ritah Aciro, Executive Director, Uganda Women s Network; Ms. Tina Musuya, Executive Director, Centre for Domestic Violence Prevention; Ms. Lillian Kiwanuka, Uganda Law Reform Commission; Ms. Irene Among, DFID; Dr. Josephine Ahikire, Executive Director, Centre for Basic Research and Professor Sam Hickey, Research Director, Effective States and Inclusive Development Research Centre, University of Manchester spoke as panelists at the program. BIGD researchers Field trip for the research project titled Choice, Constraints and Gender Dynamics in Labor Market in Bangladesh As part of the CGST research project titled Choice, Constraints and Gender Dynamics in Labor Market in Bangladesh funded by The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and the Department for International Development (DFID), UK, CGST-BIGD researchers Lopita Huq, Sanjida Parvin and Sufia Khatun visited and collected data from Pirojpur and Tangail by taking interviews, KIIs and FGDs on 23-27 September, 2014. The overall aim of the research is to explore the reasons for the marked and persistent gender inequalities in labor market outcomes in the specific context of Bangladesh. The research will explore this labour market puzzle. It will carry out detailed empirical investigation into the interaction between individual choice and structural constraint, including cultural norms and values, which are believed to shape labour market outcomes within the Bangladesh context. BIGD arranged Training on Procurement Participants at the training on Obtaining and Selecting Offer in OTM and LTM and Concluding Framework Agreement for capacity building of BRAC Procurement Division on 10-11 September, 2014.
BIGD, BRAC University arranged training on Obtaining and Selecting Offer in OTM and LTM and Concluding Framework Agreement for capacity building of BRAC Procurement Division on 10-11 September, 2014. A number of 30 Participants from BRAC attended the training. BIGD contractual faculty Md. Zikrul Islam conducted this training. BIGD, Executive Directors Activities Dr. Sultan hafeez Rahman, the Executive Director of BIGD, BRAC University, attended the Growth Week and Chaired The Taxation and Development session on September 23, 2014 at London, UK, which is the International Growth Centre s annual conference, which brings together worldwide network of leading researchers and policy-makers. Professor Rahman said that the taxation is a crucial development issue and there is increasing policy interest in the taxation around the world. Professor Henrik Kleven (Professor of Economics, LSE) and Professor Asim Khwaja (Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School) were the speakers. Professor Henrik Kleven (Professor of Economics, LSE) presented first and described two current approaches to study public finance and taxation. Professor Kleven covered two aspects of the micro approach of studying public finances- (a) enforcement and (b) tax policy. The next speaker, Professor Asim Khwaja (Professor of Public Policy, Harvard Kennedy School) started his presentation with three important points about taxation. (a) people matter both the tax staff and citizens matter for taxation (b) people (generally) act in their self-interest and (c) policies/systems work better when designed to account for the fact that people act in their self-interest. Professor Rahman also Chair the Matchmaking session (Managing and Growing Cities) on September 24, 2014 and Bangladesh Country Session on September 25, 2014 at this event. He also attended in the Country Directors meeting on September 26, 2014. Beside these Professor Rahman also attended several meetings with different distinguished professors and personalities. Activities of Professor Tofail Ahmed Professor Tofail Ahmed, Head of Politics, Democracy and Governance, of BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) attended a Roundtable Discussion titled ``State of Cities: Governance for a Livable Chittagong as Moderator on 7 September, 2014 at Chittagong Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CMCCI) Conference Hall, Chittagong, arranged by BIGD. The key research findings of the institute s forthcoming the State of Cities report was shared which analyzed the evolution of urban governance, service delivery, transport management, land use and housing, political economy of urban governance of Chittagong city. Professor Tofail also delivered lecture on CIPP as designated discussant at General Economic Division, Planning Commission on 14 September 2014. He also delivered lecture on the Birthday Centenary of Dr Akhter Hameed Khan at CIRDAP and Comilla, KTTCCA on 12 th and 13 September 2014. He delivered a lecture as a panelist in the roundtable titled Constitutional Reform: Democracy and Good Governance arranged by Forum for People s Voice, Chittagong, which held on 27 September at Chittagong. Among others Mr Suranjit Sengupta,MP, Advocate Khandkar Mahbub Hossin, President Supreme Court Bar Association were also present at the roundtable meeting. Professor Tofail attended a meeting at Manusher Jonna Foundation on National Forum for Social Protection and The Forum unanimously made him one the three Joint Conveners of the forum.
Beside this he also attended an exchange meeting with Law Commission on Local Government Reform on 17 September, 2014. From 23-25 Sept, 2014, Professor Tofail visited two Union Parishads, Shilmaria in Putia and Matikata in Godagari of Rajshahi, on behalf of Sharique-3 Project. Media engagements 1. The Daily New Age published an Interview on 14/09/2014 2. The Daily Somakal published an op.ed on September 5, 2014 3 The Daily Somakal published an interview on Dhaka City Corporation on September 25, 2014. 4. TV Talk Show on September 14, at Desh TV 5. TV Talk show in Channel-I with Muhammad Jahangir on Friday in the first week of September. OP-Eds & Interview Dhaka Tribune: Eyes on Scotland by Mr. Sarwar Jahan Chowdhury, 18 September, 2014. The Daily Samakal: Interview of Dr. Tofail Ahmed, 25 September, 2014. The Daily New Age: Political crisis rooted in caretaker govt system repeal Interview of Dr. Tofail Ahmed, 14 September, 2014. The Daily Samakal: The People s Representative Contribution cannot be mere by DR. Tofail Ahmed, 5 September, 2014.