NSU holds webinar on Rohingya Crisis

North South University (NSU)) in collaboration with the Center for Peace Studies (CPS) of South Asian Institute of Policy and Governance (SIPG), NSU and the High Commission of Canada to Bangladesh organized a webinar on “The Rohingya Crisis: Western, Asian, and Bilateral Perspectives” on Monday.

Former Foreign Minister of Malaysia Tan Sri Dato Seri Dr. Syed Hamid Albar joined the programme as the speaker of “Asian politics: role of ASEAN and other regional forums impacting Rohingya Crisis” session while US ambassador to Bangladesh Earl R. Miller on “US policy on Rohingya crisis”, SIPG senior fellow Md. Shahidul Haque on “Rohingya crisis in the context of Bangladesh-Myanmar bilateral relations” session, Canadian high commissioner to Bangladesh Benoit Préfontaine  on “Canada’s approach to the Rohingya crisis” and foreign secretary Masud Bin Momen on “Bangladesh’s approach towards hosting Rohingya” sessions.

The webinar was moderated by Dr. Ishrat Zakia Sultana with NSU Vice-Chancellor Professor Atiqul Islam in the chair, said a press release.

US ambassador to Bangladesh in his speech said, “The Rohingya crisis is a big concern not only for Bangladesh and Myanmar but also for the regional and global prospective which needs to solve. We must continue to press Myanmar to stop this institutional way of discriminating and exploiting the community living in Myanmar.”

Dr. Syed Hamid Albar said, “Asia is the largest continent in the world where 60 % population of the world live. The Rohingya crisis is not only a problem between Bangladesh and Myanmar but also a regional and global crisis.”

He further said, “The Rohingya tragedy is not only a humanitarian crisis but also a security and political crisis involving regional and global institutions. We must need to take steps to stop humanitarian violation and genocide.”

Canadian high commissioner said, “Canadians have been shocked by what has happened in Myanmar since the beginning of the Rohingya crisis and we have been firmly on Bangladesh’s side all the time. We understood from the beginning that we need to do something to resolve the Rohingya crisis. Our Prime Minister first took the important decision by appointing special staff to resolve the Rohingya crisis.”

Professor Atiqul Islam said, “NSU takes pride in emphasizing research that provides output in policy making for government and for industry which have impact on practical life. We believe this type of seminar and its outcome will help government to take decision and make policy to solve this crisis.”

He thanked the organizer and panelists for arranging and participating in the event.

GY