BICN 22 Mar - 4 Apr 2001
Volume 4 Number 13
From the Editor
Letters to the Editor
Multi Fibre Agreement
Dragonboats in Bangladesh?
Feature Article
Message From US Congress Bangladesh Caucus Chairman
To His Colleagues in Congress
This
Issue's Sponsors (Commercial Ads)
Offered for Sale - Easy Bangla
Software (Version 2.0 With Voice) For Foreigners & Bangladeshi Children
Abroad
Effective Bangla Language Center (EBLC)
Community Announcements
Habitat for Humanity in
Bangladesh
Call for Papers on Bangladesh
Economic and Policy Issues, Association for Economic and Development Studies
on Bangladesh (AEDSB)
From British Women's
Association
World Bank To Help Bangladesh
Strengthen Literacy Programs - Project Will Help The Newly Literate Apply
Skills, Improve Living Standards
Events Calendar, Dhaka & Beyond
Webby!
Bangladesh Youth Federation
Website
Bengali Books Online at www.boi-boi.com [no
longer online]
Foreignborn.com
Womanabroad.com
Personal Advertisements
Subscription, Advertising, & Other Details
Next issue submission deadline Tue 6
Mar 2001.
(c) BICN. Items may be freely reprinted with this attribution:
"Source: Bangladesh International Community News ( http://bicn.com
/ news@bicn.com )."
Get BICN on your handheld! Visit:
http://avantgo.com/channels/_add_channel.pl?cha_id=2181
From the Editor
My apologies that there was no newsletter for early March - I was in Canada
for a family funeral.
Also, I plan to do only two more issues this publication year, one in April
and one in May. This is because I have been doing three email newsletters a
month (two BICN and one Arsenic Crisis News) since December, which turns out to
be about half a newsletter a month too much for a "hobby"!
Finally, the current best guess around my house is that we will be
demobilizing from Bangladesh at the end of this school year.
I have not come up with any feasible scheme to continue the publication of
BICN after my departure from Dhaka. The basic problem is this: I have been
subsidizing BICN's ISP costs, and producing it for free, which was fine for me,
but they are not conditions under which a new editor can reasonably be
recruited.
Realistically, BICN's connect and website hosting ISP costs are about
USD1000/year, and an editor's stipend/honorarium should be offered of at least
USD2000/year (about USD200 per month of publication).
Advertising, which is BICN's only current source of income, generates only a
few hundred dollars a year. Therefore, additional revenue of USD2700/year or
more would have to be generated to keep BICN going.
For some time now, I have been mentally exploring a variety of options to
generate additional revenue; such as charging for subscriptions, corporate
sponsorship, soliciting voluntary donations a la NPR, increasing the amount of
advertising by marketing it more actively ...), but my overall assessment is
that the amounts that could be raised would be insufficient; plus which the
marketing/administrative effort is fairly high for some of these approaches.
For example, to generate an additional USD2700 for next year, BICN would need
54 individuals or organizations to act as sponsors and donate USD50 each. This
(54 sponsors) is a bit over 6% of the current ~850 subscribers; seems like a
high proportion. A pure subscription system would also be possible (you pay
USD18/year for the newsletter ie USD1 per issue), but I fear that this would
become an administrative nightmare, plus which it would unquestionably reduce
readership by a drastic proportion - I'm not sure by how much, but to generate
USD2700, there would have to be at least 150 paying subscribers at USD18 each,
or 20% of the current readership; which seems like a very high conversion rate
from "free" to "paid".
Personally, I think suspending publication after June is perfectly OK - BICN
has had a good run, I had fun doing it, but the sky is not going to fall if
there's no more BICN! On the other hand, if enough of you in the subscriber
community want it to continue, then I would be happy to put some additional
effort into raising the funds to keep it going. Please let me know your
thoughts.
Letters to the Editor
Multi Fibre Agreement
Dear Sara:
Your recent issue of BICN (vol 4 no 12) was only the second time during my
seven years here in Bangladesh that I heard about the preferential (and
time-limited) access to markets that Bangladesh enjoys under the Multifibre
Agreement (MFA).
I have, however, never once come across any analysis of the current social
impact of (mainly women's) garment work. ICDDR,B is currently conducting a child
nutrition intervention in the Dhaka metropolitan area. Our impressions from
households with weanling-age children who are already severely malnourished
suggest that there are tremendous social costs to young women's garment work
which have, as far as I know, remained largely unresearched and undocumented.
BICN readers along with myself would probably be interested to learn about
any existing or planned study on the current social impact of garment work.
Petra Osinski
Consultant Scientist, ICDDR,B
Dragonboats in Bangladesh?
Dear Editor,
I am particularly interested in Dragonboats. Are there any Dragonboating
Clubs here in Dhaka? I have heard rumours of the sport here, but seem unable to
find anyone interested or involved.
Many thanks
Antony Lodge
an_lodge@yahoo.co
Feature Article
Message From US Congress Bangladesh Caucus Chairman To His Colleagues in
Congress
[I thought this was fairly interesting. I got it from The
Bangladeshi-American Foundation, Inc., email probashiusa98@hotmail.com
- Ed.]
Join The Congressional Bangladesh Caucus March, 2001
Dear Colleague:
We are writing to invite you to join the Congressional Bangladesh Caucus.
The purpose of this bipartisan Congressional Member Organization is to
heighten Congressional awareness of the political, social and economic issues
affecting Bangladesh. With a country the size of the State of Wisconsin and a
population equal to half of the United States, Bangladesh is the largest Muslim
country with a working democracy.
Bangladesh overcame formidable challenges of rapid population growth and food
deficit within a generation after becoming Independent in 1971. The country is
consolidating democratic principles at home, is a partner in global peacekeeping
efforts, and an exporter of development ideas, including the Grameen Bank
microcredit concept.
In 1999, Bangladesh reached a political resolution of a 21-year-old domestic
insurgency without the involvement of a third party or any international agency.
Problems with the Chakma tribe in the Chittagong Hill Tracts are traceable to
the separation of British India into Pakistan and India in 1947, with all the
ingredients of a Kashmir situation. These problems exacerbated during the
Pakistan period and subsequently in Bangladesh when East Pakistan became
Bangladesh. With democratic consolidation in the country, successive governments
worked towards achieving a politically negotiated resolution culminating in a
landmark agreement between the government and leaders of the insurgency
movement.
Bangladesh is also contributing to global peace and democratic development.
From 1988 to March 2001, it has contributed over 38,000 personnel in 26
countries for international peacekeeping and related efforts, including
participation in Operation Dessert Shield and Haiti.
The US-Bangladesh bilateral relationship has also evolved. The aid donor and
recipient relationship of the 1970s has been replaced with a relationship based
on increased trade and investment. The U.S. has become the adopted home to an
increasing number of highly educated and financially and professionally
well-established Bangladeshi-Americans, now numbering 250,000 strong.
With the help of Bangladeshi-American organizations, other NGO's, embassy
officials, and other experts, our goal is to keep members of Congress updated on
current events in Bangladesh, resulting in informed policy decisions.
If you would like to join the Congressional Bangladesh Caucus, or would like
more information, please contact [_].
We look forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Joseph Crowley
Member of Congress
Chairman, Bangladesh Congress
This
Issue's Sponsors (Commercial Ads)
Offered for Sale - Easy Bangla Software (Version 2.0 With Voice) For
Foreigners & Bangladeshi Children Abroad
Easy Learn Bangla Software (Ver. 2.0) by '212 Soft Bangladesh' will help you
learn Bangla by yourself at home in a short time. It is very user friendly and
fun to play with; foreigners who tested it for us gave us very positive
responses. Features of the program include:
- Introduction to the Bangla language
- Bangla alphabet and numbers, with animated writing order, scientific
pronunciation with voice, and automatic English-to-Bangla number conversion
- Easy Bangla Grammar, a simplified approach to Bangla Grammar
- Useful daily conversations with voice- such as greetings, getting around,
food and restaurants, asking directions, around town, making hotel
reservations, shopping, talking on the telephone, emergencies, Bangla
proverbs etc.
To run the software, you need to have a computer with Windows 95 +,Pentium
processor, 16Mb RAM, 5 Mb free hard disk space and a CD-ROM drive.
To purchase, visit Aarong's Dhaka (Dhanmondi, Gulshan) or Chittagong outlets.
Or, email aminulkc@bdcom.com to arrange
delivery to your home or office (by courier to international addresses).
Software price net of shipping is Tk1000 / USD18. For more information, please
contact Dr. Aminul Karim Chowdhury, 212 Soft Bangladesh, S/25 Noorjahan Rd,
Mohammadpur, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh, tel +880(2)8115958, cell 018-239711.
Effective Bangla Language Center (EBLC)
A new Bangla language center in Banani with a grop of the most experienced
instructors. We promist to make your life easier in Bangladesh. Courses are
offered to individuals and groups:
- Course 1, Survival Bangla - 20 2-hour sessions focusing on speaking and
understanding
- Course 2, Basic Bangla - 20 2-hour sessions with the introduction of reading
and writing
- Advanced course - focusing on Bengali customs, culture, historical, social,
and religious aspects
- Special course for diplomats
- Crash course in spoken Bangla specially designed for Western children
- Intensive course & individual instruction tailored to students' needs
All instructors are former senior staff of HEED Language Center, each with
12+ years of Bengali teaching experience.
Email bangla@bicn.com,
include your name & telephone number.
School Opening Hours: 8:30am to
4pm
Address: House 16/A, Road 25/A,
Banani
Hotline: 017678547
Evenings after 7pm: 802, 8129299,
8018967, 8114663
Fees: One-time registration Tk1000.
One month course fee Tk5500. Hourly rate Tk350. Book Tk200.
Community Announcements
Habitat for Humanity in Bangladesh
[This item was excerpted from The Jute, Vol. 1369, Wed 21 Mar 2001.]
Habitat for Humanity is a Christian housing ministry started 25 years ago.
Over the years many volunteers have joined in, resulting in more than 100,000
houses being built in 76 countries. More than 28 families are now living in
decent and healthy homes in Bangladesh since Habitat began building in
Mymensingh in January 2000. We expect to build 100 houses in Bangladesh this
year.
If you would like to volunteer some weekend at one of our local Habitat work
sites, please contact us. We promise you that it will be one of the most
rewarding times in your life! For those of you who may be thinking, "I
would like to work on a house but I don't have any experience," we'll teach
you how! Contact Tim or Diane Fonderlin, habitat@citechco
.
Call for Papers on Bangladesh Economic and Policy Issues, Association for
Economic and Development Studies on Bangladesh (AEDSB)
The Executive Committee of the Association for Economic and Development
Studies on Bangladesh (AEDSB) has decided to provide institutional support for
publication of edited volumes on Bangladesh development issues on a regular
basis, each consisting of research papers on economic issues and policies in
Bangladesh. The first volume is expected to be published by the middle of 2002.
All papers will be selected by the editors through a formal process of double
blind reviewing by at least two referees.
Papers will be accepted on a wide range of topics in order to encourage
researchers with expertise in different areas of economics. Papers should be
submitted by 30 April 2001. For additional information on topics, formatting,
etc., contact the editors: Dr Akhtar Hossain ahossain@sti.imf.org.sg
, Dr Farida Khan khan@uwp.edu , Mr Tanweer
Akram tanweer_akram@atkearney.com
.
From British Women's Association
For those who are members of BWA, a reminder that it's time to pay your
annual subscriptions. If you wish to join or become an associate member, contact
one of the committee members. Email bwa@bicn.com
.
World Bank To Help Bangladesh Strengthen Literacy Programs - Project Will
Help The Newly Literate Apply Skills, Improve Living Standards
DHAKA, February 28, 2001--The World Bank has approved a US$53.3 million
credit for a project to improve and expand literacy education in Bangladesh. The
Post-Literacy and Continuing Education for Human Development Project aims to
support the newly literate in sustaining their literacy skills and using them to
increase their incomes, improve their family's welfare, and participate fully as
citizens. The new project is designed to benefit newly literate adults, who are
among the country's poorest people. The total project cost is US$ 71.5 million
with US$53.3 from WB, US$ 7.0 million provided by the Swiss Agency for
Development and Cooperation (SDC) and US$11.2 million provided by the Government
of Bangladesh.
"The purpose of education is to allow people to improve their family,
work and community situations," said Ana Maria Jeria, the World Bank team
leader for the project. "They need functional skills, sufficient literacy
to support such skills, and a realistic belief that they can succeed in applying
their education to improve their lives."
Currently, many people who complete basic literacy courses do not have the
opportunity to continuously use and enhance their reading and writing skills in
order to make them an effective tool for improving their social and economic
life. In addition, it is likely that the lack of literacy content in many skills
training programs, such as vocational or life-skills courses, that target
illiterate people, limits the effectiveness of such programs.
The four primary objectives of the project are:
1. Promoting a Comprehensive and Enhanced Non-Formal Education System by
offering technical expertise to help set a vision and develop a national
framework for non-formal education, advocacy and dissemination activities.
2. Supporting Improved Post-literacy Education through helping the
Directorate of Non- Formal Education (DNFE) integrate literacy with functional
knowledge, to ensure that people are able to apply literacy skills to real
opportunities.
3. Establishing a Continuing Education Program. Improving on services that
are currently available, the project will support Continuing Education Centers;
strengthen and develop courses for those centers; and link learners at the
centers with opportunities for continuing education, employment, credit
services, and other chances to improve their lives.
4. Strengthening Institutional Capacity by supporting DNFE in improving its
administrative, financial information and monitoring systems and in developing
its staff.
The five-year project is expected to benefit 1.6 million learners, half of
them women. In addition, the project aims to create a nationwide network of
organizations providing continuing education and related services, approximately
230 field offices that help link service providers and learners, and 6,900
village-level Continuing Education Centers. Non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) and other non-formal education providers will implement the post-literacy
and continuing education programs.
Education And Poverty In Bangladesh
Illiterate Bangladeshis are more than twice as likely to be poor. Studies
completed in 1996 showed that 48 percent of illiterate people were living in
poverty compared to only 20 percent of the literate population.
In general, the government has placed high priority on education and has made
substantial progress over the last 20 years. Most children now participate in
primary school, and public expenditure on education has increased. The
Government has also placed high priority on non-formal education specifically
literacy training with a goal of achieving 84 percent adult literacy by the year
2002.
The current challenge is to improve quality of the government's programs,
ensuring that children receive a good education and complete their schooling,
and that adults who make the effort to become literate are provided with
opportunities that make the effort worthwhile for themselves, their families and
communities.
Events Calendar, Dhaka & Beyond
To have your Bangladesh-related event - in Dhaka or anywhere else in the
world - included in the next Event Calendar, please email the time, date, place,
description, and email contact address to news@bicn.com by Tues
3 Apr 01.
All events are in Dhaka unless otherwise noted. Entry to some events is
restricted, eg to members - contact event organizers for more information.
Late March
Mon 26 Mar - BAGHA Quiz Night.
Mon 26 Mar - Independence Day (Government holiday)
Tue 27 Mar to 4 April - Solo exhibition of photographs by Pierre Claquin,
"Paintings on the Berlin Wall" at the Goethe Institute of Dhaka, House
10, Road 9 (New), Dhanmondi. The photographs were taken in April 1990 and
document the famous "East Side Gallery" of the Berlin Wall where
artists expressed themselves freely. The opening will be on 27th at 6 pm.
Early April & Beyond
Tue 3 Apr - Deadline to submit items for next edition of BICN.
Wed 4 April - BWA event, talk on UNFPA (Population Fund) on maternal and
child health issues. Email bwa@bicn.com for
more info.
Fri 6 Apr - Vocal chamber music concert by Cantemus, Morning Sky, and
Expatria at the Armenian Church, Old Dacca at 4pm. Tickets Tk250 adults, Tk50
students, available from Folk Bangladesh, Video Connection, choir members or
email Jane Angell at alodhaka@citechco
.
Sat 7 April - First day of Passover
Mon 9 Apr - BAGHA Quiz Night.
Thu 12 Apr - International World Beat Night. Tickets on sale at the American
Club [I can't figure out where this event takes place! -Ed.]
Thu 12 Apr - Maundy Thursday Service, 7pm at Dhaka International Christian
Church (DICC), Korean School, Bashundara
Fri 13 Apr - Good Friday Communion Service, 4:30pm Dhaka International
Christian Church (DICC), Korean School, Bashundara
Sun 15 Apr - DICC Easter Sunrise Service, 6am American Club. Bring breakfast
dish for sharing afterwards.
Sun 15 Apr - Community Easter Sunrise service, 6am on the steps of the
Parliament buildings in Dhaka for all those who would like to join with the
churches of Dhaka for the celebration of Easter.
Sat 21 Apr - ARA Club Garage Sale.
Mon 23 Apr - BAGHA Quiz Night.
Fri Apr 27 - The Beat Goes On! DAWC's 50's, 60's, 70's and 80's Night - Many
of your Favorites will be There! Diana Ross, Gail Gaynor, Bill Haley and his
Comets, Credence Clearwater, Cher, Ray Charles, Janis Joplin, Stevie Wonder,
Tina Turner, Jimmy Hendrix and more. Don't Miss it! 8:00pm American Club, Tk 500
entrance, snack, show. Dress: Decade of your Choice. Open to all Expat Card
Holders. Photo ID required. Bring Taka cash for bar. No club chits accepted.
This is a fundraiser and all proceeds go to local charities.
5-7 May - BUET- UNU International Workshop On Technologies For Arsenic
Removal From Drinking Water. Pre-registration is required but there is no fee.
For more information and registration form, contact Professor M. Feroze Ahmed,
Department of Civil Engineering, BUET, tel 9663693, email itn@dhaka.agni.com
; or Dr. M. Ashraf Ali, Department of Civil Engineering, BUET, tel 8614640/7625,
email ashraf@bdcom.com
Mid May - BWA Yard Sale 10am-12 noon. An opportunity to sell lots of things
especially if you are leaving this summer. Contact BWA to purchase your selling
space and whatever you sell is for your pocket. Email bwa@bicn.com
for more info.
End of May - BWA musical evening to raise funds for Acid Survivors
Foundation. If you wish to contribute your musical skills, let us know. Email bwa@bicn.com
for more info.
Webby!
Bangladesh Youth Federation Website
At www.bangladeshyouth.org .
Bengali Books Online at www.boi-boi.com
"I take this opportunity to inform you that we're presenting world's
first electronic books in Bangla. They are termed as "Boi-boi"
(boidyuteen boi). Boi-boi helps Bengalis around the world to get access to
Bangla e-books through the net. Kindly visit: http://www.boi-boi.com and
download a free sample book. We'll be obliged if you kindly let your Bengali
friends and relatives know about us. Thanks in advance, Subhendu Sen"
[Also, if Bengali font implementation is of interest to you, have a look at
this site. It uses a method I have not seen before (and couldn't quite figure
out) that, unlike many other Bengali font implementations out there, seems to
work very well. - Ed.]
www.Foreignborn.com
"Our organization provides free information online to help individuals
coming to the United States, whether for business, study, temporary visits, or
permanent relocation. Our website includes a variety of useful information, from
tax issues and medical briefings to overviews of banking and credit in the U.S.
We have a popular guide that helps students who desire to study in the U.S., and
we have extensive U.S. visa information that was developed with the assistance
of a former official from the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service. We
provide this information at no cost, and there is no registration requirement
(users remain anonymous)."
www.Womanabroad.com
[This item was excerpted from The Jute, Vol. 1369, Wed 21 Mar 2001.]
Woman Abroad is a new international English language magazine. Order a trial
issue at www.womanabroad.com .
Non-Commercial Advertisements
Always free in BICN - personal classified ads, this means ads to buy or sell
personal household items, to hire or place household staff. For security/privacy
reasons, ads contain only names and email addresses - residential addresses and
phone numbers are not normally published.
CAR FOR SALE - 1989 Toyota Corolla (passbook), excellent for running around
town, new AC - new clutch - new brakes - new muffler - engine recently serviced.
Available early April, only £500/$725. Email andy.cole@wfp.org
LODGINGS SOUGHT - American male, 26, seeks furnished apartment/room to rent
from March 30 - June 15, 2001, in Gulshan or Dhanmondi areas of Dhaka. Willing
to negotiate price. Can live with male/female/family. VERY easy to live with and
a non-smoker. Recent MS graduate of the U of Minnesota in Health Informatics and
will be working short-term on an immunization/child health project with
Management Sciences for Health as an Alexander Fellow. I enjoy exercising,
reading, and hiking. Contact: craig.benson@bangladesh.com
ELECTRICAL ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR SALE MID-APRIL 2001: Phillips 21"
Television Set: Dual system, Remote with many functions, etc 20 months old 1
ps. Tk 20,000 (US$ 350), Phillips Music Centre: CD, Cassette and FM/AM Radio
with remote control (2 years old) 1 ps. Tk 12,000 (US$ 200) Filter Coffee Maker
1 ps. Tk 1,300 Contact: 011 850 408 Svetlana
DRIVER SOUGHT - The ideal candidate would live in Tongi/Uttara, have an
H.S.C. education, be very good with children, enjoy work, be honest, encouraging
and have great perseverance. If he could do minor repairs to the car as well as
driving it carefully, even better. Does this sound like someone you know who is
looking for a job? Contact: robin@altruists.org
CLEANER/AYAH AVAILABLE - Jasmine has been our cleaner/ayah for the last two
years and is looking for another job in early April. She has been cleaning the
houses and looking after the children of Concern expatriate staff for many years
now and is absolutely superb. Our flat is always immaculate and she also washes
clothes, does all of the ironing and is undaunted by endless dirty nappies. She
has been looking after our baby son for the last five months and is brilliant
with him. She understands and can speak basic English. Jasmine is a pleasure to
have around the house with her happy face and cheery nature and we have
absolutely no hesitation in recommending her for a similar position. If you are
looking for a cleaner/ayah then please let me know by emailing me at andy.cole@wfp.org
AYAH/BEARER AVAILABLE - Our ayah has worked with us for 2 years. She was
excellent as an ayah, reliable and dependable with the children. She also helped
clean, and did other useful jobs round the house during her free time. We
recommend her for anyone needing an ayah or bearer. Contact pvries@bangla
for more info.
CAT/KITTEN WANTED - "Eleven year old boy is looking for a cat to be his
special friend. As his parents are doctors and worry about rabies, the cat will
always stay inside. Does anyone out there in Bangladesh cyberspace have an
indoor companion cat, neutered/spayed, that they love, but need to give up for
some reason? Or if you know of some pretty kittens, let us know that too!
Contact Stewart at clmorgan@citechco
.."
DRIVER AVAILABLE - Haque is available for immediate employment. Kindly
contact tullyxxx@yahoo.com for further
information..
WANTED TO BUY - Used Vehicle (Passbook) Have taken off an old car from our
personal passbook and would like to purchase a newer, more reliable vehicle for
use around Gulshan. Would prefer a larger 4WD Pajero-type but a good sedan would
also be acceptable. Will be able to negotiate time of sale, depending on a
person's departure date. If you have a vehicle for sale within the next few
months, contact Sharlene Meisner at smeisner@ais-dhaka
and we might be able to purchase and put on our passbook easily. .
WANTED TO BUY - New or used girl's or boy's bicycle. 24-inch wheel size
desired. Single gear or multi-gear. Hand brakes or pedal brakes. Does not have
to be in good shape. Will provide it with a good home. Don Schroeder dmsetal@citichco
..
Subscription, Advertising, & Other Details
BICN is a free email newsletter published first & third Wednesdays,
September to May, from Dhaka Bangladesh. Sara Bennett, Editor.
Contact Info - Email all inquiries & items to news@bicn.com
. BGD tel +880(2)988-1708, USA fax +1(978)418-8132, mail H28 R4 Blk C, Banani
Dhaka.
Always Free -
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