Ethnic Community Development Organization-ECDO launched Development Initiative to Promote Transforming Youth and Adolescents – DIPTYA project from 1st July 2011 with support from Manusher Jonno Foundation (MJF). It is a pilot project for ECDO with MJF. After one year capacity building trainings ECDO & MJF have an agreement for this pilot project. ECDO will arrange trainings on Income Generating Activities (IGA) for one hundred participants. All participants will be within the age limit of 15-24. The main objective of this project is 1. to develop skill for improving their socio economic status through income generating activities of young and adolescents, 2. to enhance the awareness on human rights and RTI of young and adolescents.

 Among these 100 participants 60 participants will select from women and 40 from men. They will also be ensuring about the awareness on the act of Right to Information and Women Rights as well as IGA training. ECDO will select most of the project participants from indigenous community. This project will be end on 31 March 2011 as per our agreement. It is extendable subject to our proper and quality implementation of the project.

Theme:

“Indigenous designs: celebrating stories and cultures, crafting our own future”

International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

In 1994, the General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People shall be observed on 9 August every year during the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People (Resolution 49/214 of 23 December). The date marks the day of the first meeting, in 1982, of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations of the Subcommission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights.

The UN General Assembly had proclaimed 1993 the International Year of the World’s Indigenous People, and the same year, the Assembly proclaimed the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, starting on 10 December 1994 (Resolution 48/163). The goal of the First Decade was to strengthen international cooperation for solving problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as human rights, the environment, development, education and health.

In 2004, the UN General Assembly proclaimed a Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples through Resolution 59/174. The goal of the Second Decade is to further the “strengthening of international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as culture, education, health, human rights, the environment, and social and economic development, by means of action-oriented programs and specific projects, increase technical assistance, and relevant standard-setting activities”.

Secretary-General’s Message for 2011

On the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, we reaffirm the rights of indigenous peoples and our shared commitment to advance the values of equity, justice and dignity for all.

Indigenous peoples represent remarkable diversity — 5,000 distinct groups in some 90 countries. They make up more than 5 per cent of the world’s population, some 370 million people. Together, they are custodians of a valuable and often fast-disappearing cultural heritage. We see their creativity and innovations in the arts, literature and the sciences. These contributions are highlighted by the theme of this year’s observance, “Indigenous designs: celebrating stories and cultures, crafting our own future”.

Indigenous peoples face many challenges in maintaining their identity, traditions and customs, and their cultural contributions are at times exploited and commercialized, with little or no recognition. We must work harder to recognize and strengthen their right to control their intellectual property, and help them to protect, develop and be compensated fairly for the cultural heritage and traditional knowledge that is ultimately of benefit to us all.

I encourage all Member States to take concrete steps to address the challenges facing indigenous peoples — including marginalization, extreme poverty and loss of lands, territories and resources. Countries should also commit to ending the grave human rights abuses that indigenous peoples encounter in many parts of the world.

As we look forward to the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples in 2014, I urge all Member States to work in full partnership with indigenous people to identify practical ideas and proposals for action at this important gathering.

Together, let us celebrate and recognize the stories, cultures and unique identities of indigenous peoples around the world. At the same time, let us work to strengthen their rights and support their aspirations.

                                                                                                                                                                          Ban Ki-Moon

A district level sharing meeting on Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation was organized by Ethnic Community Development Organization (ECDO) under the project of Capacity Strengthening on Community Managed Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation with support from Concern Universal Bangladesh (CUB) & Cordaid at Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall in Sylhet on 10th January 2011. Mr. Abu Sayed Mohammad Hashim, honorable Deputy Commissioner of Sylhet & Mr. Enamul Habib, Upozella Nirbahi Officer, Sylhet Sadar Upozella were present respectively as chief guest & special guest in that meeting. Mr. Lakshmikanta Singh, Executive Director of ECDO presided over the meeting. Besides of these there were present Environment activist, NGO activist, Lawyers, Human rights activists, Media personnel, students & other civil society members.
At the beginning of the meeting Mr. Masud Rana, Assistant Program Manager of CUB shared his experiences about different dimensions of disaster & how community peoples adopted after disaster through a multimedia presentation. After his presentation an open discussion was held with the active participation of the participants. Mr. Abu Sayed Mohammad Hashim honorable chief guest were emphasize to create proper awareness among the community peoples about the disaster and its management process.  He said any kinds of disaster are not possible to manage by only existing government mechanisms. Further he said to ensure  maximum risk reduction during disaster and climate change it needs proper coordination among government and non-government agencies. Mr. Enamul Habib special guest were also shared some of his experience about climate change and disaster. At the end of the meeting Mr. Singh said, ‘We should ensure awareness for every family about the different disaster and climate change adaptation strategy, so that every one can co-opt it easily with their lives’.  Ms. Konika Chakraborty, Project Officer of CUB was also present in the meeting. The whole meeting was conducted by Ms. Nongpoklai Sinha, Coordinator of ECDO.

The Human Rights Day is observed on the 10th December every year. On this day in 1948, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). To mark the Human Rights Day, Ethnic Community Development Organization (ECDO) organized a program on the 10th December, 2010 in Sylhet. This year the Human Rights Day is dedicated to the Human Rights Defenders who play a vital in the fight against discrimination. The theme of this year’s international celebration is Human Rights Defenders Taking Action to End Discrimination.

Ethnic Community Development Organisation (ECDO) hosted a workshop, on ‘Rights on land and forest of indigenous people’, at a Sylhet city hotel on 14th November 2010.
In this workshop the government has been urged to implement Section 97 of Land Act, 1950 to ensure security of land owned by indigenous communities. According to the speakers, indigenous people in the plains face problems such as encroachment, eviction from khas land, harassment by criminals and fake land records, among others. “There is a spiritual relationship between indigenous people and their land but the people are being evicted from their land by various means,” they said.
ECDO executive director Mr. Laksmikanta Singh urged to the government through his well come speech to take necessary steps for ensuring indigenous peoples land rights in the country.
Chairing the inaugural session, Faruk Mahmud Chowdhury, administrator of  The Sylhet Chamber of Commerce & industry Limited & the President of Subidhabanchito Nagorik Adhikar Forum, said ensuring equal rights for all citizens is the government’s responsibility. Further he stressed the need to ensure the rights of indigenous people on plain land.
Sylhet District Bar Association president Emad Ullah Shahidul Islam said only proper implementation of Section 97 of Land Act, 1950 can ensure land owned by indigenous people is not snatched away from them. More he added there are more than 45 ethnic communities who would be added under the current Act.
Among others, journalist Aziz Ahmed Salim, Al Azad, Iqbal Siddique, Sangram Singha, Uzzal Mehdi, Abdul Alim Shah and Mintu Deshowara spoke at the workshop.

Program related media link;
http://www.theindependentbd.com/paper-edition/metropolitan/others/19535-apply-act-to-save-land-of-adivasis.html

http://www.sobujsylhet.com/S_I%20Rokib

A Manipuri indigenous women weaver association consists of 25 members formed by ECDO. All of the members are involved with indigenous Manipuri traditional hand loom production. The ECDO’s aim of formation of this women association is are as follows;
• To make a common platform for  Manipuri indigenous women who are involved with hand loom sector.
• Increasing their skills & capacity by providing different kinds of training & other technical support.
• To set up a production & display centre for marketing.
• Providing funding support with the help of from other GO & NGO sectors.
• To create gradually more employment opportunity in this sector also for the rest of other women.
• To uplift the standard of livelihood for Manipuri women through creating income generating activities.

ECDO is seeking cooperation from government and NGO/INGO for ensuring these above mentioned aims of ECDO through providing financial & technical support.

As part of the activities in Anagrasar Gano Unnayan Prakolpo (AGUP) funded by Oxfam GB a Roundtable was organized by Ethnic Community Development Organization (ECDO) on “Importance of Bi-lingual Education and Indigenous Teacher for Indigenous Children at Primary Level” on 22nd May 2010 at the conference room, Hotel Polash, Sylhet. Mr. A K M Riaz Uddin, District Primary Education officer graced the event as the Chief Guest. Mr. Maruf Ahmed Choudhury, Upozilla Primary Education officer was present as special guest. Mr. Lakshmikanta Singh, Executive Director of ECDO presided over the round table meeting.

At the beginning of the program a keynote paper was presented by Mr. Oinam Pamheiba Singha, Project Coordinator of ECDO. Chief Guest Mr. A K M Riaz Uddin thanked to ECDO for taking initiative to bring the issue of Bi- Lingual Education to light. He also added that Government is aware on the issue and will take initiative for ensuring basic education in mother tongue for indigenous children within a short period of time. He mentioned the commitment of government to achieve “Millennium Development Goal” and explained that it will only be possible if we ensure education in mother tongue for indigenous people.

Speakers and participants emphasize the need to provide basic education for indigenous children in their mother tongue & recruit indigenous teacher at Government primary school. They called on the government to take initiative very urgently.

Round Table related link;
http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2010-05-23/news/65484
http://www.uttorpurbo.com/index.php?id=203&cid=14749

http://www.sylhetsanglap.com/fullnews.php?nid=1812&date=2010-05-22

A Seminar was held on 15^th April, 2010 on the issue of the importance of primary education in mother tongue for indigenous children. The seminar styled ‘Indigenous children’s primary education in mother tongue: significance and intention’ was organized by the Ethnic Community Development Organization with a support from Oxfam GB under it’s Anagrasar Gonounnayan Project. The seminar was presided over by Mr. Lakshmikanta Singh executive director of the organization. Eminent author and chief of the computer science and engineering department of Shahjalal University of Science and Technology Professor Mohammed Zafar Iqbal addressed the seminar as chief guest.
Mr. Enamul Habib, Upozella Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Sylhet sadar & Mr. A.K.M Reaz Uddin, District Primary Education Officer (DPEO) were present as special guests. Seminar papers on this topic was present by Professor Dr. Tulshi Kumar Das, Chairman Social Work Department & Dean of social sciences faculty of Sylhet Shahjalal University of Science and Technology.

Mr. E. U Shahidul Islam renowned lawyer & the president of Sylhet Bar Association played role as a Moderator in this seminar. Professor Zafor said every child have the rights to study in their own mother tongue. But considering the real situation we should think up to which class we should provide in mother tongue education for indigenous children. Further he said once all indigenous children have to be mainstreaming for ensuring their own development.

Speakers of the seminar stressed the need for teaching the indigenous children in their mother tongue at the primary level so that they could absorb the lessons easily. Mentioning that the children have a natural capacity to learn any language, the speakers said the indigenous children should learn Bangla as the national language side-by-side with their own language so that they do not have to face any difficulty in their professional life.

In the seminar some indigenous leader participants were very angry for the publication with wrong information in some national curriculum books for primary and secondary level about some indigenous communities. They claimed to the concern authority of the government to make amendment this wrong information after discussion with the concern indigenous communities as early as possible.

Besides the chief & special guests other honorable participants were also delivered their valuable speeches. There were Professor Dr. Yasmeen Haque of SUST, Mr. Farukh Mahmud Chowdhury Administrator Sylhet Chambers of Commerce, Professor Dr. Abul Fateh Fattah of Sylhet Madan Mohan College, Mr, Aziz Ahmed Selim Chief editor of The Daily Uttar Purba  & BTV representative of Sylhet, Mr. A K Sheram Chairperson of Bangladesh Manipuri Sahitya Sangsad, Mr. Khoiram Kamini Kumar Singha indigenous teacher, Mr. Khoiram Indrazit Singha Manipuri poet & litterateur have deliver their valuable speeches. At the end of the seminar Mr. Lakshmikanta Singh thanks to all participants to make the seminar successful.

Seminar related media link:-

http://www.thedailystar.net/campus/2010/04/04/newsroom.htm
http://www.newagebd.com/2010/apr/17/met.html