National volunteer policy to be formulated: Tajul
DHAKA, 5 Dec, 2020, (BSS) – Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Md Tajul Islam today said that a national volunteer policy will be formulated in the country to recognize the work of volunteers and bring them under one framework.
The minister made the announcement while addressing a function on the occasion of International Volunteer Day 2020 and award distribution at a hotel in the capital, said a press release here.
The event was jointly organized by the Ministry of Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives, Department of Youth Development, Ministry of Youth and Sports, UNV Bangladesh and Water Aid.
“In the great War of Liberation, during various natural calamities and difficult times, volunteers spontaneously took part in many public welfare activities. National Volunteer Policy, if formulated, will help bring the voluntary activities of government organizations as well as private sector and development partners into the mainstream and give government recognition to volunteerism,” he said.
He also said that work is underway to form a National Technical Working Committee and finalize the terms of reference of the committee.
“Immediately after independence, the Disaster Preparedness Program was launched on July 1, 1973 under the direction of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, and then Bangabandhu began to think about volunteers,” he said.
But subsequently, no national voluntary policy was formulated, Tajul said.
Mentioning that many people have taken part in humanitarian activities amid the deadly coronavirus epidemic, he said, “In any disaster, the people of this country stand by the people risking their lives, because it’s their nature.”
The minister commented that at the request of UNV, he adopted a plan to formulate a national policy after learning that there was no platform to recognize those who do great work as volunteers.
The local government minister said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is developing the country to materialize Bangabandhu’s dream.
“The mission and vision is set out in the construction and the Sustainable Development Goals-SDG. It is possible if people from all walks of life are included in these,” he said.
The minister suggested people to share their opinions in making the National Volunteer Policy better and flexible.
He later handed over the prizes to 18 volunteers for their contribution to the service.
Helaluddin, senior secretary, Local Government Department, was present as the special guest at the function presided over by Md Akhtar Hossain, secretary, Ministry of Youth and Sports.
Sultana Afroz, secretary and CEO, PPPA, Prime Minister’s Office, Aminul Islam Khan, secretary of the Technical and Madrasa Education Department, and Mia Seppo, UN Resident Coordinator were present, at the function.