JUNE 2003- Dhaka, Bangladesh

Local Democracy: Milestones in our Strategy

The Hunger Project-Bangladesh recently held two important events in its highest priority strategy: strengthening local democracy - each organized through a coalition organized by The Hunger Project. Local democratic institutions are the only society-wide structures through which grassroots people can meet their basic needs.

June 24, 2003 - 200 leaders rally

More than 200 elected local leaders rallied here today at the national monument (Shahid Minar) to demand greater budget allocations from government. These leaders - elected members and chairpeople of the UP’s (Union Parishads - the lowest tier of government servicing a cluster of villages) then marched to Parliament.

The rally was held by the “Self-Government UP Advocacy Group” - a national-level advocacy forum for elected local leaders created by The Hunger Project.

Local democracy is weak in Bangladesh, and the central government has recently moved to make it weaker through adding un-elected village-level committees through a program called “Gram Sarkar” (village government). Our advocacy group has succeeded to date in convincing government to at least delay this new program.

The other demands of the advocacy group include bringing the structure of UP’s into conformity with the constitution, ensuring equal participation by women, giving the UP’s decision-making authority over local resources, and allowing UP’s to mobilize more local funds.

June 26, 2003 - Top experts assail budget cuts to local government

“Citizens for Fair Elections” - a coalition of national-level experts and development organizations convened by The Hunger Project - held an open meeting on the importance of local democracy in poverty-eradication programs, and strongly criticized moves by government to reduce local government allocations in the 2003-2004 national budget.

The meeting brought together top economists, members of parliament and the media.