Speakers at a program yesterday discussed various ways to ensure development in a post-pandemic world.
They emphasized connecting non-profit innovators, social entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders to catalyze lasting change with limited resources.
The discussion, themed ‘The Future of Development in a Post-pandemic World’, which was part of a two-day Frugal Innovation Forum (FIF), was held at a hotel in Dhaka.
Organized by Brac, the international conference brought together more than 250 global practitioners, policymakers and ecosystem partners from around the world to learn, share and scale up low-cost models, and amplify what is already happening across the globe.
Asif Saleh, executive director of Brac, moderated the closing plenary session, titled “Outlook for the Future”, and the opening session, titled “Covid-19 and Healthcare: Challenges and Progression for a Sustainable Future”.
He said: “Bangladesh is moving forward amid the global crisis, but everyone is not moving at the same pace.”
“People are paying for health services but are not getting affordable quality services,” he added.
State Minister for Planning Dr Shamsul Alam and High Commissioner of Canada to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls – among others – were present on the occasion.
Dr Shamsul Alam said Bangladesh is facing many challenges like other countries due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. However, by mitigating the challenges, the country is moving forward followed by the 8th five-year perspective plan and Delta Plan 2100.
Lilly Nicholls said the way out of mitigating the challenges is to promptly increase technical and vocational education for youth as the country is on track to eliminate poverty.
Attending the panel discussion, Arfan Ali, former managing director, Bank Asia, said: “The financial inclusion of rural women has taken place in Bangladesh through agent banking as some 46% of clients are female. As women are getting involved in the banking system, we observe a big change in society.”
