Dhaka University (DU), in collaboration with Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), organised a seminar on "Changing Humanitarian Context: Role of Red Cross and Red Crescent" at Nabab Nawab Ali Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of the university yesterday.
Visiting Secretary General of IFRC Elhadj AS Sy was the chief guest at the programme. He delivered a special lecture as a keynote speaker.
In his speech, Mr Elhadj AS Sy called upon the political leaders of the world to come forward with humanitarian values to uphold the dignity of mankind.
"The people are suffering now from both man-made and natural disasters all over the world. Every day, hundreds of people are dying in the battle fields in various countries including Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan," he added. He also said: "We have to follow humanitarian norms to make the world a peaceful one." He stressed the need for working together to solve the burning problems and save those innocent lives.
While speaking on the occasion, Dhaka University Vice Chancellor Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique recalled the valuable contribution of IFRC during Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. He appreciated the impartial roles of IFRC authorities to protect lives and dignity of the victims of war at different parts of the world as well as provide them with assistance and relief. He also hoped the Red Cross movement would be strengthened further under the dynamic leadership of Elhadj AS Sy.