Transcript (Presentation)

Advocacy for Mainstreaming IT in National
Development Strategy in Bangladesh
Taifur Rahman
Unnayan Shamannay
Bangladesh
Advocacy for What?
To establish upward and downward
linkages between the grassroots and the
policy makers (both at local and national
level) so as to integrate people’s views
and concerns on issues of linkages
between international trade and human
development into the policymaking
process.
 Should be based on good research.
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Research
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Impact of international trade on the ground
Elements of social and political considerations to
be taken into account for international trade to
benefit the poor.
How to embed social and political considerations
in national trade policy?
How to engage civil society organisations into the
process of trade policymaking in a socially
inclusive manner?
What could be alternative trade policy scenarios
in Bangladesh?
What improvements are required in existing
institutions in order for international trade to be a
more effective route for poverty reduction?
What to Do in Research
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Using what we already have
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Researches already done
Data already available
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Statistics on macro and trade indicators
Household level data (e.g. HIES)
Local level data on socio-economic indicators and
poverty indicators.
What to Do in Research
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Acquiring what we don’t have
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Investigation at different levels
Household
Exposure to and impact of trade
Perception
Survey
Consultation
Entrepreneur
Exposure to and impact of trade
across classes (e.g. poor, rich)
Perception
Survey
Case studies
Policy people
Perception and practical
experience
Possible strategies to mainstream
trade
Interviews
Discussion
Experts
Problems and constraints
How to move forward
Interviews
Discussion
How to Advocate
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National Level
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Advocacy with policy makers, lawmakers and
civil society
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Meetings/consultations/workshops
A national working group
Media
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Partnership with electronic and print media to
regularly disseminate the trade mainstreaming
issues, particularly the ones based on findings of the
research
How to Advocate
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Local Level
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Sensitising the local stakeholders
Forming Local Trade Promotion Group (LTPG)
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Undertaking regular events at the local level
using LTPG
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Business model for demonstration
Conferences, local trade fairs etc
From Local to National Level
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Sharing the experiences from the local level
work with national level policy- and lawmakers.
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Bringing the grassroots ‘voice’ in the national policy
making framework for international trade.