Knowledge for Development Management (K4DM) for ERD UN wing, a joint initiative of the GoB and UNDP Bangladesh is being undertaken in the context of the UNDAF Action Plan during the period 2014-16. In the context of declining ODA and increased emphasis on results, the project aims to explore :
a) Simplify programming procedures and improve knowledge management;
b) Promote new knowledge and resource partnerships under the canopy of South-South and Triangular as well as Public-Private Partnership modality; and
c) Support a common expert pool, strategic knowledge generation and innovative programming.
To achieve its objectives, the project aims to work in conjunction with Development Effectiveness wing of ERD and UNDP supported project at General Economics Division (GED) titled ‘Support to Sustainable and Inclusive Planning’. The project is anchored in UN wing of ERD but it will seek to reach out all Implementing Partners including line ministries, ‘for-profit’ and ‘not-for-profit’ entities, civil society, think tanks, academia, eminent personnel and grassroots and ultimately will create an inclusive environment for attaining results stipulated in the UNDAF and the country’s 7th Five Year Plan. The Programme is being implemented by Economic Relations Division, Ministry of Finance. The implementation period of the project is from September 2014 to December 2017. Total budget of the project is USD 3.00 million which is funded by UNDP.
One of the major activities of the project is to establish a platform for engagement of the Non-resident Bangladeshi experts in the country’s development process. This involves setting-up a knowledge taxonomy of expertise in development finance and other technical specializations likely to be needed by ERD and develop a platform for effective and useful engagement of the Non-resident Bangladeshis (NRB) in the development process of the country.
Several initiatives were undertaken by different Government and non-Government agencies and organizations for engaging Bangladesh diaspora in the development process, but no platform or mechanism has been developed so far.
Historical as well as contemporary experiences of some countries show that the diaspora can be an agent of national development. Diaspora and migrant enterprise, investment and remittances have tremendous potential to positively contribute to the development nexus of the country. There are several other ways in which members of the Bangladeshi diasporas can contribute to social, economic and cultural development in their countries of origin through facilitating transnational exchange of ideas, knowledge, technologies and skills for full range of human development. The engagement may be in many different ways, including (1) policy advices, (2) advocacy and philanthropy, (3) remittances, investment, and entrepreneurship, (4) tourism and volunteerism, (5) protection of Bangladesh’s interests abroad etc. |
