20 September 2024
The Bangladesh Dialogue formally commenced its journey with the inaugural event, “TBD Perspective I”, held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB) Complex. The session, titled “The Reality of Bangladesh’s Democracy and Future Trajectory”, brought together distinguished academics, policymakers, and thought leaders to deliberate on the challenges and opportunities facing the nation’s democratic landscape.
As an independent think tank guided by a “Bangladesh First” policy, The Bangladesh Dialogue is dedicated to fostering informed discourse through seminars, roundtable discussions, and exhibitions. The platform seeks to promote critical analysis, constructive engagement, and consensus-building on issues of national importance. The inaugural program marked the beginning of this mission, establishing The Bangladesh Dialogue as a forum committed to advancing ideas and perspectives that serve Bangladesh’s long-term interests.
1st October 2024
The Bangladesh Dialogue (TBD), a think tank rooted in the principle of a “Bangladesh First” policy, continues its mission of fostering informed discourse through its signature series, TBD Perspective. Following the inaugural session on “The Reality of Bangladesh’s Democracy and Future Trajectory”, TBD hosted its second event, “Media Freedom: The Pillar of a Functional Democracy”.
Held with an engaging audience, the session featured celebrated voices of media freedom, including Author and Journalist Ehasan Mahmud, Film Director Ashfaque Nipun, and the Editor of Netra News, Tasneem Khalil. Drawing from their personal experiences of state reprisals, the speakers highlighted challenges ranging from government and corporate control to self-censorship within Bangladeshi media. Audience participation enriched the dialogue, underscoring the collective urgency of safeguarding press freedom.
07 January 2025
The Bangladesh Dialogue (TBD) continues its signature series TBD Perspective with its third episode, “রাজনীতির অভিমুখ: সংস্কার ও নির্বাচন”. The event, held at the 3D Seminar Hall of Krishibid Institution Bangladesh (KIB), brought together distinguished voices including Mr. Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of Bangladesh; Dr. Mahdi Amin, Advisor to the Acting Chairman of BNP; and Mr. Abu Saiyeed Khan, Advisory Editor of Daily Samakal.
The session explored the reform agendas of the interim government, political parties’ positions, and the perspectives of various stakeholders on upcoming elections. The audience actively engaged through incisive questions, adding depth to the dialogue and addressing issues often left unexplored.
31st January 2025
The Bangladesh Dialogue (TBD) successfully hosted its fourth episode of TBD Perspective, titled “Discussing Chittagong—The Economic Capital”, at Parjatan Hotel Shaikat. The event convened distinguished voices, including Professor Dr. Muhammad Al-Amin, Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin, and Mr. Fakhrul Mamun Noel, to deliberate on Chittagong’s immense potential, pressing challenges, and sustainable future.
The discussions highlighted critical issues such as waterlogging and ecological risks, the need for eco-friendly infrastructure and renewable energy, and the importance of accountable budgeting for development projects. Speakers also emphasized ecotourism, tourism infrastructure, global branding, and securing GI patents for Chittagong’s unique products. From business sustainability to political and economic stability, the session underscored that Chittagong’s future lies in balancing growth with environmental responsibility.
With active participation from the audience, TBD Perspective IV reaffirmed the Dialogue’s role as a platform for shaping informed and constructive conversations on Bangladesh’s most vital challenges.
7 November 2024
The Bangladesh Dialogue (TBD) inaugurated its exhibition series, TBD Visual Narration, with the program titled “Revolution and Solidarity: Glimpses from November 7, 1975.” The event offered a visual journey into the historic Sepoy-People’s Revolution, capturing moments of struggle, solidarity, and transformation that shaped Bangladesh’s political landscape.
Through carefully curated exhibits, the program sought to engage audiences with the spirit of November 7, highlighting its complex historical context and enduring significance. By blending history with visual storytelling, the exhibition created a space for reflection on the dynamics of revolution, the role of people’s movements, and the lessons they continue to offer for Bangladesh’s future.
With this first step into visual narration, The Bangladesh Dialogue expands its mission beyond seminars and discussions, reaffirming its commitment to diverse formats of knowledge-sharing and to preserving critical moments of national history.
8 October 2024
The Bangladesh Dialogue (TBD) launched its new academic discussion series, TBD Lens, with the inaugural session titled “Fascism and Lawlessness: The Challenge of Mob Lynching in Bangladesh.” Held at the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Dhaka, the session provided a rigorous examination of one of the country’s most pressing social and legal challenges.
The discussion featured distinguished guests Dr. Mohammad Nazmuzzaman Bhuian, Professor of Law at the University of Dhaka and Dean of the School of Law at IUB, and Advocate S.M. Mahidul Islam Sajib of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh. They offered critical insights into the legal, political, and societal dimensions of mob lynching, highlighting its threat to the rule of law and democratic values.
With vibrant participation from the audience, the program underscored the role of TBD Lens as a platform for academic inquiry and informed debate on urgent national issues.
23rd November 2024
The Bangladesh Dialogue (TBD) convened the second session of its academic series, TBD Lens, titled “The Constitutional Conundrum of the Interim Government.” The program brought together leading legal scholars to reflect on pressing constitutional questions in Bangladesh’s current political context. The venue was at the Faculty of Law, University of Dhaka.
Distinguished speakers Professor Towhidul Islam, PhD, and Dr. Md. Mahbubur Rahman provided in-depth analyses of the constitutional challenges surrounding the interim government framework. Their keynote presentations examined the legal ambiguities, institutional implications, and potential pathways for ensuring constitutional integrity during transitional governance.
The discussion, enriched by audience engagement, reaffirmed the importance of academic dialogue in navigating the complexities of law and politics. Through TBD Lens, The Bangladesh Dialogue continues to strengthen its role as a platform for rigorous, scholarly exploration of issues central to Bangladesh’s democratic and constitutional future.
24 Feb 2025
The Bangladesh Dialogue (TBD) successfully hosted the third episode of its academic series, TBD Lens, in collaboration with Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) — marking the first TBD program held at a private university. Titled “Echoes of Defiance: Youth, Resistance, and the Path to Democratic Restoration,” the session explored the vital role of young people in Bangladesh’s democratic journey.
The discussion featured Aqib Md. Shatil, Special Correspondent of Netra News; Professor Dr. Bokhtiar Ahmed; Sam Jahan, Reuters South Asia’s TV Correspondent; and Professor Dr. Mohammad Nazmuzzaman Bhuian. Speakers highlighted the historical and contemporary struggles of youth-led movements, from 1952 to 2018, and underscored the urgent need for accountability, political participation, and the restoration of democracy.
With vibrant student engagement, the event reaffirmed TBD Lens as a platform for critical academic dialogue, while emphasizing the transformative role of youth in shaping Bangladesh’s democratic future.
15th march 2025
The Bangladesh Dialogue (TBD) successfully convened the fifth episode of its flagship series, TBD Perspective, titled “অর্থনৈতিক নীতি ও ব্যবসার ভবিষ্যৎ: বাংলাদেশ কোন পথে?” The session gathered leading voices to assess Bangladesh’s evolving economic policies, financial stability, and investment climate in the post-Hasina era.
Nahian Rahman Rochi, Head of Business Development at BIDA, underscored the need for policy continuity and effective public–private dialogue to ensure sustainable growth. Economist Rabiul Islam Rabi highlighted the centrality of foreign direct investment (FDI) in balancing the economy while stressing financial accountability and the recovery of laundered assets. Dr. Javed Hossain, Assistant Professor at North South University, analyzed monetary policy, banking stability, and Bangladesh’s global economic positioning.
The discussion addressed investment barriers, skill development, and policy reforms, offering critical insights into the future of Bangladesh’s economy. With strong audience engagement, the program reinforced TBD Perspective as a platform for shaping informed dialogue on national priorities.
28 May, 2025
The Bangladesh Dialogue (TBD) successfully hosted the sixth episode of its flagship series, TBD Perspective, titled “On the Diplomatic Front: South Asia and Beyond.” The session brought together prominent foreign policy experts to reflect on Bangladesh’s evolving diplomatic trajectory in the post-Hasina context.
Former Ambassador M. Humayun Kabir, Dr. Saimum Parvez, and Mr. Asif Bin Ali highlighted the urgency of adopting a transparent, interest-driven foreign policy while recalibrating relations with regional and global powers. The discussion underscored the growing significance of economic diplomacy, candid engagement on international platforms, and the strategic necessity of preparing a new generation of skilled diplomats for the Indo-Pacific era.
The legacy of President Ziaur Rahman’s balanced diplomacy was revisited as a model for navigating today’s geopolitical complexities. With robust audience engagement, the program reaffirmed TBD Perspective as a vital forum for critical debate on Bangladesh’s national and international priorities.
4-5 July 2025
The Bangladesh Dialogue (TBD), in collaboration with the Dhaka College Debating Society (DCDS), proudly hosted the Civil Discourse Nationals 2025, held on 4–5 July at Dhaka College. Against the backdrop of democratic values under strain, the tournament provided a vital platform for young voices to debate, deliberate, and engage on issues of national importance—from fair elections and civil rights to institutional accountability.
The program culminated with a closing ceremony at the Bangla Academy’s Abdul Karim Sahitya Bisharad Auditorium on 8 July 2025, featuring a light-hearted Bangla Asian Parliamentary show debate, recognition of champions, and reflections from distinguished guests, including Chief Guest Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, Secretary General of BNP, alongside eminent academics, professionals, and civic leaders.
Through spirited competition and meaningful dialogue, Civil Discourse Nationals 2025 reaffirmed that democracy is not inherited but practised, inspiring a new generation to embrace the responsibilities of active citizenship.