Community Forum Project begins in Khulna

KHULNA, July 14: To improve the quality of life for ordinary citizens by raising awareness, collaborates with local government, promoting service activities, ensuring citizen rights, and establishing accountability, the 'Community Forum Project' was launched on Monday at the Shaheed Altaf Auditorium of Khulna City Corporation (KCC). 

Organized by the ADAMS Foundation, a non-governmental development organization, KCC Secretary Sharif Asif Rahman presided over the inaugural function.

KCC Secretary Asif said that true development lies in improving the lives of ordinary people, and efforts must be made to serve them better. The quality of services must be enhanced in every sector.

It was informed in the event that the project is being implemented in 24 designated wards under the KCC. 

Each ward committee consists of 40 members. The formation of 24 youth committees across the wards is ongoing. 

Under this project, 960 members from the 24 committees are being trained on gender equality, human rights, basic and reproductive health awareness, and income-generating activities.

The goal of the project is to create a platform through organizational process for slum dwellers or people connected to slum communities.

By forming ward-level and a central committee across the 24 administrative wards, the project aims to raise awareness about their rights and responsibilities and build their capacities.

The project also seeks to reduce the gap between service-providing government agencies, especially KCC, and the general beneficiaries, fostering a collaborative and effective relationship through partnership.

Additionally, 480 female members of the 24 committees are receiving financial support to become self-reliant. To make the Community Forum more credible, balanced and influential, members of civil society including development workers, local dignitaries, slum leaders, and retired government and private sector employees have been incorporated.

Special guests at the event included Adams Foundation Executive Director SM Ali Aslam and President of the Community Forum Central Committee Sheikh Kamruzzaman. 

KCC officials, officials responsible for various wards, and presidents, general secretaries, and members of the Ward Community Forums also participated in the event.