How can Bangladesh build a robust civil society?

The Bengal Sultanate was once a beacon of cultural, literary, and intellectual excellence, celebrated for its advancements in art and architecture.

 

However, centuries of stagnation have stifled critical thinking, intellectual dynamism, and social progress. While Bangladesh has made strides in literacy, the nation now requires inclusive dialogue and strategic action to address its contemporary challenges.

 

To revive its historical legacy, Bangladesh must embark on a comprehensive social, political, intellectual, and cultural renaissance. This revival would not only inspire pride but also pave the way for progress. Achieving this vision necessitates the establishment of a well-functioning civil society to foster social enterprise, economic resilience, and environmental stewardship.

 

 

The dissemination of knowledge and the cultivation of strong moral character are essential in empowering individuals to contribute meaningfully to society. Institutions like Brac and Grameen Bank have already shown the transformative potential of grassroots initiatives, empowering millions through education, microfinance, and skills development.

 

 

A robust civil society can build on these foundations, acting as the eyes and ears of the people while bridging the gaps between the government and citizens. Through community engagement, an active civil society can amplify the voices of marginalized groups, ensuring their inclusion in the nation’s development.

 

 

Furthermore, it can nurture a culture of lifelong learning, particularly through digital literacy initiatives, thereby unlocking the economic potential of individuals and enabling their meaningful contributions to society.

 

 

Knowledge dissemination: The key to progress

Despite Bangladesh’s economic achievements, such as its thriving ready-made garment industry and rapid digitalization, significant gaps remain in access to quality education, particularly for rural and marginalized communities.

 

 

The country urgently requires more effective sharing of information, skills, and expertise across all segments of society. While initiatives like Digital Bangladesh looked to have empowered urban youth with technological skills, a more inclusive educational infrastructure is needed to bridge the urban-rural divide and promote lifelong learning.

 

 

To achieve this, civil society organizations (CSOs) can collaborate with the government and private sector to develop capacity-building programs, provide access to modern teaching tools, and advocate for equitable policies.

Tackling systemic issues such as gender disparities, high dropout rates and outdated curricula is essential for sustainable progress. Moreover, ensuring campuses are free from political interference and violence will foster a conducive learning environment.

 

 

Character building: The foundation for ethical progress

While knowledge equips individuals with skills, character shapes the moral and ethical foundation necessary for sustainable development. Core values such as honesty, integrity, empathy, and responsibility are vital for building a cohesive and just society, ultimately leading to much-needed national solidarity, or Asabaiya.

 

 

Building a strong national character is particularly vital for Bangladesh, where corruption and socio-economic inequality remain significant challenges. Addressing these issues requires collaboration between educational institutions, religious organizations, and community initiatives on crucial issues to nurture future generations to prioritize the collective good over individual gain.

 

 

Incorporating value-based education into early childhood, school, and religious curricula, coupled with nationwide parenting programs, can instil civic responsibility and ethical behaviour from an early age. 

 

 

Civil society serves as a critical watchdog, ensuring that public and private institutions adhere to ethical standards. Promoting transparency and holding leaders accountable require cultivating a culture of integrity and service to others, rather than self-enrichment. An active civil society raises awareness of ethical issues, combats corruption, and fosters a sense of social responsibility, thereby laying the groundwork for a fairer and more equitable society.

 

 

Book clubs: Catalysts for intellectual revival

Read, in the name of your Lord Who created -- Qur’an 96:1 

Book clubs across the country can play a pivotal role, not only in fostering better reading habits among citizens but also in reviving an appreciation for Bangladesh’s rich history and heritage. By bringing these elements to the forefront of national interest, book clubs can inspire citizens to share a meaningful future in the contemporary world.

 

 

These clubs go beyond being mere spaces for reading -- they are powerful catalysts for intellectual and cultural awakening. Through thoughtful planning and engaging content, book clubs can ignite grassroots movements that empower individuals to realize their transformative potential. Rooted in collective learning and critical discourse, they can instil a sense of purpose and aspiration, motivating people to aim higher and contribute to a brighter future.

 

 

Book clubs are instrumental in promoting critical thinking, disseminating ideas at the grassroots level, fostering dialogue and tolerance, reviving historical and cultural awareness, encouraging leadership and activism and strengthening community bonds.

Initially, they can be piloted in selected urban and rural areas to test models and refine strategies. For greater impact, they should evolve into a national program with clear objectives and structured frameworks.

 

 

To be truly effective, book clubs must prioritize young people, focusing on their self-development and leadership potential. They should emphasize topics of pressing importance, such as social justice, political ethics, and global challenges such as climate change.

By connecting participants nationwide -- whether through virtual or in-person discussions, author interactions, debates or workshops -- and collaborating with schools and universities, book clubs can even be integrated into national curricula.

 

 

With a well-executed plan and determined effort, this initiative can unlock significant opportunities. Partnerships with libraries, publishers and NGOs, along with active engagement from educators, local leaders and cultural groups, would further amplify its impact.

 

 

The reading habits of a population are a cornerstone of its intellectual and ethical growth. As Cicero aptly observed, “A room without books is like a body without a soul.” The progress of a nation is fundamentally rooted in the empowerment of its people through knowledge and strong moral character. Bangladesh stands at a pivotal crossroads where the synergy between knowledge dissemination and character building can significantly accelerate its path toward rapid and sustainable development.

 

 

An effective civil society, serving as a mediator, advocate, and implementer of these principles, is essential for fostering inclusive growth and national advancement. Bangladesh’s potential for prosperity lies in its ability to harness the collective power of its people’s intellect and values. By cultivating a culture of continuous learning and ethical behaviour, and by leveraging the influence of a vibrant and active civil society, the nation can address its challenges and achieve holistic progress within a generation.

 

 

This vision required every citizen to see themselves not merely as beneficiaries of progress but as active contributors to a brighter and more equitable future. Through unified effort and shared responsibility, Bangladesh can unlock its potential to achieve sustainable development and enduring social harmony for generations to come.

 

Dr Muhammad Abdul Bari is an educationalist and author.