Published: 10 February 2025
In a significant push towards better governance, Transparency International Bangladesh's (TIB) Committees of Concerned Citizens (CCCs) orchestrated a series of innovative workshops in January 2025, focusing on the National Integrity Strategy (NIS) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiatives, carried out in Cumilla, Dinajpur, and Lalmonirhat, brought together government officials to craft actionable plans for institutional integrity.
TIB's Civic Engagement Department led the knowledge-sharing sessions, with Coordinators from the department facilitating discussions across the three districts. The workshops delved deep into integrity concepts, examining the NIS framework and its critical role in achieving Bangladesh's development goals. Special attention was given to SDG-16, highlighting its importance in combating corruption and fostering transparent governance.
"To sustain development, transparency and integrity are non-negotiable," emphasized a senior district official during the workshop. "Creating an information-enabled environment is crucial for implementing integrity strategies across all institutions."
The series of workshops drew 189 participants from various government and non-government departments, who collaboratively developed concrete action plans for their respective institutions. These plans aim to advance both NIS implementation and SDG achievement, marking a crucial step toward more accountable governance.
Senior officials from all three districts stressed the importance of grassroots change. "Preventing corruption starts at home. Building a culture of transparency begins with our families before it can transform our departments," noted one district administrator during the sessions.
The workshops generated practical strategies for implementing integrity measures while advancing sustainable development goals. Participants engaged in detailed discussions about the government's SDG initiatives and explored how the NIS framework could support these objectives. The sessions emphasized that proper implementation of integrity strategies is essential to honor the legacy of Bangladesh's anti-discrimination movement.
District officials concluded the workshops by calling for rigorous follow-up on the action plans developed during the sessions. They expressed confidence that these initiatives would enhance the knowledge and capabilities of both government and non-government officials in promoting transparency and good governance.
Through these coordinated efforts, TIB's CCCs continue to strengthen institutional capacity for integrity and sustainable development across Bangladesh, fostering a more transparent and accountable public service delivery system.
