On 22 June 2019, a seminar and workshop on “Preventing Terrorism & Extremism by Community Engagement” was organized by Postgraduate Programs in Disaster Management (PPDM) Brac University, in collaboration with Community Development for Peace (CDP) and the Anti-Terrorism Unit of Bangladesh Police, at the Brac University Auditorium. The main purpose of the event was to encourage and enable young minds to resist terrorism and extremism in the society. Over a hundred students from various schools, colleges, madrasahs and private universities from Dhaka participated the event.
Professor Zainab Faruqui Ali, Chairperson of Department of Architecture, and Chairperson of PPDM Board, BRAC University welcomed all with the inaugural speech. Md. Didar Ahmed, the DIG of Anti-Terrorism Unit addressed the audience explaining the objectives of the event. The founding Director of PPDM, Professor Fuad Hassan Mallick, the Dean of School of Architecture and Design of Brac University explained the diverse scope of PPDM, including addressing the issue of terrorism. Mr. Khandaker Lutful Kabir, the Commissioner of Khulna Metropolitan Police talked about the role of women in strengthening the social ties to prevent extremism. Mr. Karl Clark, the Program Director of Department of Justice of the United States focused on how terrorism hinders development. Additional DIG Md. Moniruzzaman discussed on extremism and terrorism in Bangladeshi context. The address by Ms. Lucy Daley, the second secretary of British High Commission was focused on the role of youth on establishing rule of law. First part of the event was concluded with the speech of Mr. Saiful Islam, the Deputy Commissioner of the Counter Terrorism and Trans-National Crime Unit of Bangladesh Police.
In the second session a workshop was carried out where the senior officers of Bangladesh Police and guests of three participating foreign missions took part with the student participants in roundtable discussion sessions dedicated to various possibilities of preventing extremism and terrorism. The outcomes from each discussion table were presented to the participants of that group. A concluding presentation that synthesized all outcomes was presented to all the audience.
Mr. Earl R. Miller, the US Ambassador to Bangladesh, Ms. Penny Morton, the High Commissioner (Acting) of the Australian High Commission and Mr. Kanbar Hossain Bor, the High Commissioner (Acting) of the High Commission of UK delivered their valuable speeches in the third session. This session included address by Mr. Mohammad Abul Kashem, the Additional Inspector General of Police and the Head of Anti-Terrorism Unit. Professor Vincent Chang, the Vice-Chancellor of Brac University delivered the concluding remarks to the audience stressing the importance of being a better human being. The speakers gave various directions and suggestions to inspire the students to make positive Impacts on the society. Participating students received certificate of participation at the end of the concluding session.