The inception workshop for the research project titled “Examining the Impact of Social Capital in Rural Bangladesh” was successfully held on Wednesday at the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment (MoEWOE), a press release said on Thursday. The workshop brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, academic experts, civil society organizations, and development partners, to discuss on the crucial topic of social capital and its possible impact in rural Bangladesh.
Senior Secretary of MoEWOE Ahmed Munirus Saleheen, who highlighted the significance of delving into the multifaceted aspects of migration beyond the purely economic dimension. He emphasized that migration was not solely about financial gains but also encompassed various social and cultural dimensions that deserved attention. Additionally, he voiced his concern regarding the lack of adequate collaboration in addressing migration-related challenges.
Saleheen appreciated the efforts of the Center for Migration Studies (CMS) for proactively bringing together stakeholders from different sectors, including government officials, to engage in comprehensive research on this pressing issue. He stressed on the importance of safeguarding the rights of laborers, making their protection a priority in research and programs.
Professor Sk. Tawfique M. Haque, Director of South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG) of North South University stressed the need for a holistic collaboration among academia, government bodies, and civil society organizations to ensure that the research findings translate into impactful policy actions. He emphasized that such collaboration was vital for conducting policy-informed action research, which would drive positive change in in the area of labor migration.
Nazia Haider, Program Manager of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), highlighted that migration was an integral part of Bangladeshi society. She highlighted the importance of focusing on safe migration practices and safeguarding the rights of laborers. Haider expressed SDC’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote research, understanding, and practical solutions in the field of migration.
With the support of the SDC, the research project will be led by Dr. Samiksha Koirala along with key experts Dr. Harisur Rahman and Dr. Jalal Uddin Sikder of Center for Migration Studies of SIPG. By involving a wide spectrum of stakeholders and experts, the project seeks to pave the way for informed policies and actions. The project aims to investigate the dynamics of social capital among labor migrants from the Middle East and South East Asian countries in rural Bangladesh.
