Community Development for Peace’s purpose is simple and concise: To build a community fostered by peace. Since its creation in 2013, CDP has made integral efforts to combat negative phenomena in Bangladesh. Our organization has been registered under the Bangladesh Government Act of 1961, voluntary and social welfare organization (registration and monitoring) ordinance (46), of the Ministry of Social Welfare, People’s Republic of Bangladesh. We also work closely with governmental law enforcement agencies in Bangladesh and several diplomatic missions. Our organization has given the youth population of the nation a fundamental duty and platform to exercise their freedoms and pursue the betterment of society.
CDP truly understands that the youth is the future, therefore their efforts, abilities, and opinions are essential in improving living conditions in Bangladesh. The subject of drugs, radicalism, crime, and human trafficking has become a rising issue in the country, which CDP fundamentally works to combat. CDP strongly works around the methodology that enriches conversations around such topics which ultimately raises more awareness. Our seminars are participatory, which cultivates solutions or new ways of thinking about the proposed topics. This organization’s cybercrime event at the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh allowed us to understand students’ perspectives on internet fraud, bullying, and trafficking.
Furthermore, CDP has participated in the UNODC Ad Hoc Committee sessions to ‘Elaborate a Comprehensive International Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes’. CDP is also focused on Humanitarian Crisis management, working closely with UNDHR and UNHDR to protect and enforce human rights. Bangladesh hosts a diverse population of people from various backgrounds. We understand the importance of enshrining the Human Rights Convention in our community despite one’s race, religion, or gender. Bangladesh has been met with a refugee crisis since 2017, with over one million Rohingya refugees currently settled by the coastlines of the country. The Bangladesh government is working closely with UNDHR to provide medical and educational facilities for the minority group.
CDP’s participation and efforts at the Rohingya Refugee camps are also appreciated and acknowledged by law enforcement in the area. We devote our time to the camps by conducting extensive research with qualitative data, attending schools and performing cultural activities, and also working with professionals from the field of the Rohingya refugee crisis to develop an enhanced understanding. Furthermore, climate change adaptation remains at the heart of this organization, from participating in COP28 to creating seminars discussing the dangers of rising saltwater conditions. CDP is hosting several ‘Youth to be resilient’ seminars, which were attended by primary school girls and raised awareness of the dangers of climate change on health. Through these seminars and activities, we are preparing youth for climate change negotiations.
Finally, CDP makes its stance against gender-based discrimination very clear, by confronting systematic oppression towards women. We work to promote women’s education and further advocate for women’s empowerment by improving medical facilities. This organisation has members who take gender studies and their research has been vital to our contribution towards women and children. We strive for equality and advocate against gender-based violence strongly. We also work closely with the U.S. Embassy, Bangladesh Anti-Terrorism and Transnational Crime Unit, Bangladesh Police, various Universities and law enforcement agencies. All in all, CDP strongly advocates for a better future for all. This is possible with your participation in our existing initiatives and contribution towards future ideas. We aim to continue our collaboration with various other institutions in hopes of achieving peace and stability in our community.