NDC E-JOURNAL

INTERFAITH RELATIONS IN BANGLADESH: CAUSES AND SECURITY IMPLICATION

Siraj Sikder — 2023-10-26

Bangladesh, a country of around 180 million people, has a cluster of religions, races, cultures and ethnicities. Though the country is a Muslim majority one, it consists of people of other religious beliefs or faiths including Hinduism, Christianity, Buddhism and Animism etc. Although Bangladesh enjoys relatively peaceful coexistence of diverse religious groups, the coexistence of different religious groups has been at times disturbed by different communal conflicts which often raise question of the interfaith relations in Bangladesh. This study aims at exploring the causes and security implications of recent (between 2000 and 2014) conflicts on the interfaith status of Bangladesh in light of religious, political and economic motives associated with the persecutions of the religious minorities. As a part of the case-study based qualitative exploration, notable historical interfaith conflicts and events of the sub-continent are studied to find out any potential pattern, if any, these persecutions follow. The study finds that socio-economic, and political motives often play a pivotal role in igniting conflicts among different religious groups which often turns into interfaith issues as religion gets played in the conflict as a divisive issue. The study also finds that interfaith conflicts have both short and long term socio-economic and security implications which have both national and international significance.

THE SKIP ZONE OF DEFENCE DIPLOMACY: THE SOUTH ASIAN PERSPECTIVE

Md Shamim Kamal — 2023-10-26

The South Asian defence diplomacy spectrum distinctly falls short of expectation in conflict prevention. Some of the regional countries display ‘smoking gun’ evidence blaming to each other, often increasing mistrust. The nuclear neighbours India-Pakistan’s archrivalry and inimical attitude are the prime hurdles in flourishing defence diplomacy in the region. Apart from Kashmir Conflict, Sino-Indian border conflict, Rohingya crises, and turbulent Afghan crisis are the most complex agenda on the defence-diplomatic table. There is no option, but to foster and nurture strategic and moralistic trust in bilateral and multilateral relations amongst the countries of South Asia. They should craft the activities carefully and explore issues of common interests. Disaster management, search and rescue operation, counter insurgency operation, anti-drug drive, anti-terrorism operations, anti-trafficking of human, PKO, pandemic management etc. are the untapped potential sectors of defence diplomacy of the region. South Asian countries need to take a leap of faith and put forth trust even at the cost of risk. Mistrusted partners need opportunity to display that they are reliable and trustworthy. Strategic trust and fair political commitment in a form of defence diplomacy still may kindle light of hope at the end of the long dark tunnel of South Asia.

ENERGY SECURITY AND GEOPOLITICS: BANGLADESH PERSPECTIVE

Md Hakimuzzaman — 2023-10-26

Energy and geopolitics are intertwined where the Energy Security is a complex notion. In addition to the perspective of 4As (affordability, accessibility, acceptability and availability), Energy Security is currently also evaluated through the viewpoints of Sovereignty, Resilience and Robustness of the system where geopolitics is inherently related. Therefore, the research aims to critically comprehend the correlation of Energy Security and Geopolitics from Bangladesh Perspective with a view to outlining an apt geopolitical approach towards the enhancement of Energy Security. The critical analyses on ‘energy scenario’ (including outlook-2041), ‘energy-geopolitics’ and ‘energy-politics’ from global and regional perspectives yield the appropriate geopolitical approach for Bangladesh. The ‘Tunnel and Vulnerability Model of Vital Energy System’ (VES) has been developed in order to determine geopolitical risks and vulnerabilities therein. The ‘Energy System Analysis’ reveals three types of Energy Actors Bangladesh has, i.e., Source, Supplier and Infrastructure, and their ability to influence geopolitically. In the domain of geopolitics, the Belt Road Initiative (BRI), Quad led Indo Pacific Strategy (IPS), volatile Middle-East, Regional Opportunities and Realities, Asia Centric Global Geopolitics etc. made a tightrope walk situation for Bangladesh. In this context, Bangladesh should avoid the strategy of ‘Bandwagoning’, rather follow the strategy of ‘Balancing and Rebalancing’ and ‘Multi-collaboration’. An apt geopolitical approach based on the Pillar of ‘Resources’, ‘Energy Actors’ and ‘Geopolitics’ would enhance the Energy Security of Bangladesh. Formulation of National Security Policy/Strategy is sine qua non where energy should be securitised at the earliest and integrated within the National Security Paradigm.

ENHANCING ETHICS IN THE PRIMARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION SYSTEM IN BANGLADESH

Abul Hasnat Mohammad Sayem — 2023-10-26

The scope of the research is confined within the schools of primary, secondary and higher secondary levels of Bangladesh. Domains of ethics are selected based on focused group discussions with teachers, parents and students. The ethical state of different institutions was evaluated based on a ground visit to the schools, and interview with teachers, parents and students. Certain numbers of inhibiting factors were identified through interviews, ground survey and visits. In this paper, it has been asserted that a comprehensive approach needs to be taken for enhancing ethics in the education system of Bangladesh. Ethics in the learning contents, ethics in the school environment, role of teachers, role of society and role of state have been figured out deliberately. Since, this is an affair which needs a long-term persistent effort, as such concerted efforts need to be taken by all the stakeholders to get the desired output in the long run. Improving learning content in relation to ethical values at different levels, preparing teachers in the teachers’ training schools and colleges for their task to become role model to the students, emphasis on co-curricular activities and practice of ethics at school environment are few of the significant works to be done. Schools/ colleges need to work concertedly with parents for enhancing ethics to the students. Schools should be made a place of pride for the students, teachers and parents. Social, electronic and print media need to be used as force multiplier for making positive changes in the affairs of moral and ethical development of students. Efforts to be taken for nurturing children’s idealism to become forward looking, positive, patriotic and progressive person imbibed with the spirit of liberation war.

AN EXPLORATION OF CIVIL-MILITARY COORDINATION ARCHITECTURE IN DISASTER MANAGEMENT OF BANGLADESH: WAYS FORWARD

Raju Ahmed — 2023-10-26

Bangladesh is a disaster-ravaged country. Since its independence, the country has experienced several deadliest disasters. Despite all such calamities, the country has established itself as a role model in disaster risk reduction and management in the world. Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief (MoDMR) along with other stakeholders has taken different efforts in this regard. The military as one of the important stakeholders has always stood beside the nation. A good number of regularity framework allows military participation in disaster management too. It has been observed that no agreeable coordination mechanism between civil and military exist at the functional level. Every disaster is managed with a makeshift arrangement between civil and military. Disaster management modality in a multi-stakeholder environment is not very clear in the regularity framework specially in Standing Order on Disaster (SOD). Disaster Incident Management Team (DIMT) is one of such concepts indicated in SOD without any details. Therefore, the broad objective of the research was to develop a common civil-military response coordination architecture during any mega-disaster in Bangladesh. It was exploratory research using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The non-probability sample size comprised both civil and military communities. Opinions of practitioners and scholars both from home and abroad were collected. International practices of Centre for Excellence in Disaster Management (CFE-DM) USA, ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA) Indonesia, Regional Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response Coordination Centre (RHCC) Singapore have also been studied. After analysing all survey data, detailed model of DIMT has been suggested in this dissertation. The model has been retained simply by keeping present practice in mind. The concept is likely to provide better effectiveness in the overall coordination framework between civil and military in disaster management of Bangladesh.

NDC E-JOURNAL, Vol. 03, No. 01, October 2023 (Compiled PDF)

NDC E-JOURNAL — 2023-10-26