Skip to main content

Country-Representative-of-BRAC-in-Liberia-receiving-the-medal-from-Her-Excellency-President-Sirleaf-frontCountry-Representative-of-BRAC-in-Liberia-receiving-the-medal-from-Her-Excellency-President-SirleafCountry Representative of BRAC in Liberia receiving the medal from Her Excellency President Sirleaf

BRAC in Liberia was honoured by the President of Liberia, Her Excellency Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, during the celebrations marking the 170th Anniversary of the independence of Liberia. The investiture ceremony took place on 25 July, 2017 at the C. Cecil Dennis, Jr. Auditorium in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Monrovia.

President Sirleaf, herself the Grand Master of the Order of Distinction of the Republic of Liberia, admitted BRAC into the Humane Order of Africa Redemption and conferred the Grade of “Knight Commander” in consideration of the contributions of BRAC to alleviate poverty in Liberia. Mainuddin Ahmed, the Country Representative of BRAC in Liberia, received the medal on behalf of BRAC.

The-Knight-Order-Certification-for-BRAC-in-LiberiaThe Knight Order Certification for BRAC in Liberia

The President recognised and publicly appreciated BRAC’s contributions to the socio-economic development of Liberia through multi-sectoral programmes which have spurred economic recovery and growth over the past ten years.

Sir-Fazle-Hasan-abed-Jim-Yong-Kim

Jim Kim

Dr Jim Kim and international development community hail BRAC as a global leader in ending extreme poverty


On Sunday, 23 July 2017, Sir Fazle Hasan Abed, founder and chairperson, BRAC shared the stage with Dr Jim Yong Kim, president of the World Bank Group at the annual RESULTS International Conference held in Washington, DC.

At the plenary titled Going the Last Mile, Dr Joanne Carter, executive director of RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund, recognised Sir Fazle and Dr Kim as two global leaders and practical visionaries who did “what the world had said was too hard or even impossible”, played a critical role in fighting tuberculosis, and had what it will take to get to the last mile in ending extreme poverty.


Sir Fazle talked about the motivation behind BRAC’s globally successful graduation programme; reaching those trapped in ultra poverty.


Dr Kim emphasised the need for governments today to invest in their own people and move away from supply-driven investments to demand-driven investments.

Both Sir Abed and Dr Kim highlighted the role that women can play in fighting poverty, and the need to mobilise them as ‘agents of change’ for poverty alleviation.


In his closing remarks, Dr Kim expressed his concern of rising aspirations everywhere;

 “We are racing against time and the sense of urgency we have today is greater than it was ever before,” he said. “We have to get better at thinking about the foundations of human solidarity. We have to find a way forward. We have to commit and recommit to equality of opportunity,” he concluded.


Representatives from BRAC presented the details of their graduation programme in a separate panel with panellists from the University of New Hampshire, Uplift and the RESULTS Educational Fund. This session provided the opportunity to understand the various forms of social protection and livelihood programmes and the need to make such programmes more comprehensive, adaptive and scalable in order to reach the extreme poor and provide them with better support to help escape poverty sustainably.

 

He holds the number 37 position on Fortune’s List of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders and has won an incredible number of prestigious awards. He is the founder and chairperson of the world’s largest private development aid organisation, with 100,000 employees in 11 countries and a budget of one billion dollars. He is 81 years old, and his biography reads like an adventure novel. After 45 years, the ongoing success of his NGO called BRAC offers a convincing response to those cynics who declared development aid a thing of the past. His name is Sir Fazle Hasan Abed and De Dikke Blauwe spoke to this architect of poverty reduction during his visit to the Netherlands in mid-June. read more

This article was published in the Daily Observer, Liberia on 1 June 2017

BRAC Liberia recently concluded a two-day nutrition training for twenty (20) leaders in the health and agriculture sectors of six counties, including Montserrado, Grand Bassa, Margibi, Bong, Bomi, and Cape Mount.

The training was held in Kingsville, Careysburg district, Montserrado County.

According to BRAC-Liberia the training focused on breastfeeding, complementary breastfeeding, malnutrition prevention, and vitamin A deficiencies.

Facia Goah, nutrition focus person for Montserrado County at the Ministry of Health, appreciated BRAC for involving community organizations in the fight against malnutrition.

She added that diet diversification is one of the major challenges to reducing malnutrition in the country.

"Our people are used to eating one kind of food, and parents are encouraging children to eat the same food. However, encouraging people to eat varieties comes with huge collaboration," she said.

Thursday, 08 June 2017 00:00

Celebrating diversity in Sierra Leone

Liberia-celebrating-diveristy-frontLiberia-celebrating-diveristyBRAC in Sierra Leone celebrating diversity

Liberia-football-team-on-Diversity-DayBRAC in Sierra Leone football team on Diversity Day

BRAC in Sierra Leone celebrated the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development across the country. All area offices, branch offices and the country office got involved for the occasion.

The country office celebrated the day at the famous Aberdeen/Lumley Beach with cultural events, food, and sports and games. Representatives from each ethnic group in our offices talked about their cultural practices, norms and values of their respective tribes, followed by music and dancing.

The staff partook in various sports and games afterwards, including football, volleyball, musical chairs, Ludo and more.

Liberia-ED-visit-Cash-for-work-CFW-frontLiberia-ED-visit-Cash-for-work-CFWBI ED visit Cash for work (CFW) site at Airport branch

The executive director for BRAC International, Mr Faruque Ahmed visited BRAC in Liberia from May 9, 2017 to May 12, 2017. During this time, he visited several project sites and met with some of the beneficiaries and staffs of the programmes, including microfinance, early childhood development and cash for work.

Liberia-BRAC-Int-ED-demonstrateBRAC Int.l Executive Director demonstrate mount preparation for Cassava

Mr Ahmed met with Her Excellency President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf to discuss how BRAC can provide a platform for the Government to achieve their goals. He also held meetings with various other Government officials and donors in the trip, including the Minister of State for Presidential Affair Mr Slyvester M. Grigsby, the Minister of Agriculture and the Ambassador and Delegates of European Union to Liberia.

Mr Ahmed concluded the trip by spending time with the team in Liberia and engaging in some lively discussions with the staff.

 

Wednesday, 24 May 2017 00:00

Radio Pollikontho wins ABU Awards

Ankhi-Palit-receives-award-frontAnkhi-Palit-receives-award

Community Radio Pollikontho (99.2 FM), an initiative of BRAC Community Empowerment Programme (CEP) has been honoured with the ABU (Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union) Awards on Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction.

Ankhi Palit, the producer of Community Radio Pollikontho received best radio feature international award in the category of “Disaster Risk Reduction“ in a competition of the broadcasters organised by Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU).

The award was given in recognition of the best production and presentation of a community radio feature titled: “Follow Earthquake Practices and save yourself.” Ankhi Palit produced the programme following a radio script prepared by Biplob Kanti Dev, another producer of Radio Pollikontho.

Martuza Ahmed, hon’ble secretary of the Ministry of Information handed over the prize to Ankhi Palit on 10 May 2017 at a Gala night held at Bangabandhu International Conference Center, Dhaka. Radio Pollikontho is the only recipient of this award from Bangladesh.

The ABU recognises the best productions in radio and television categories every year to encourage inspiring stories across the globe on climate change adaptation, disaster preparedness and disaster risk reduction. Hasanul Haque Inu MP, hon’ble minister for Ministry of Information, & Dr. Javed Mottagi, secretary general, the Asia - Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) and all participants of 3rd ABU Media Summit were present during the Gala Awards Ceremony. This is annual competition honours the best Radio and Television programme on climate change adaptation, disaster preparedness and disaster risk reduction. The competition has two radio and two television categories and two special awards.

Community Radio Pollikontho 99.2 FM, was launched in 2011 at Moulvibazar district with the aim to increase access to information and also strengthen grassroots voice, especially of women. The programmes are designed to address socio-economic issues within the community, prioritising on women and children. Currently, 729 listeners clubs have been formed to ensure greater community engagement with the radio station. It is mentionable that in 2015, it won `The ABU Prize’, organised by Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union, for the radio programme on autism called Tobuo Shopno (ray of hope). It won Meena Media Awards of UNICEF Bangladesh, in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 for its work in promoting child rights and children’s education in the media. It also won Family Planning Media Award 2013, organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in cooperation with UNFPA, for its programme called Shushasthya (Good Health).

Tuesday, 23 May 2017 00:00

Diversity Day 2017

diversity-2017-frontdiversity-2017WE ARE BRAC!

BRAC International celebrated World Cultural Diversity Day on May 21, 2017, across its countries, as well as at the head office in Dhaka. The staff in Dhaka was joined by the second batch of international Young Professionals, who are visiting on training purposes.

diversity-2017-best-dressedMohammed Madaty as best dressed with his award

BI hosted a small ceremony where people were encouraged to dress up, representing a culture of their choice. It was a very colourful event with attires from all corners of the world. The event started with the Head of Communications, Ms. Shehzeen Chowdhury giving her take on diversity, explaining how BRAC International gains its strength through the presence of various ideas and thoughts from different cultures and traditions. Her sentiments were echoed by more speakers who shared similar sentiments.

After talking about diversity for a bit, a vote was taken to establish who was the best dressed for the day. The winner was Mr. Mohamed Madaty, one of our Young Professionals from Tanzania. Mr. Madaty expressed his gratitude at winning the award and dedicated it all his colleagues.

BRAC International prides itself on its diversity and continues to foster an environment which is welcoming to people from all walks of life.

diversity-2017-ypBRAC International Young Professionals 2017

rs-front-rallyOn 13 May, bus drivers and transport association leaders at the Mohakhali bus terminal took pledges to keep the speed of their vehicles below 30 kilometre per hour while passing schools, hospitals, residential areas and on roads with mixed traffic of non-motorised vehicles and pedestrians. A total of 5000 bus drivers, transport association leaders, operators and administrators are expected to take part in this week-long activity.

 

rs-rally-Pledge
Scene from the Mohakhali bus terminal on the first day of the pledge-taking ceremony

This is part of a campaign that was organised by BRAC on the eve of United Nation Global Road Safety Week 2017 which was observed during May 8 - 14 across the world. This year's UN road safety campaign theme was "Save Lives - #SlowDown".

 

rs-rally-Discussion
From left: Ahmed Najmul Hussain (director of BRAC's road safety programme), Ratanawadee Winther (Asian Injury Thailand's chairperson), Md Moshiar Rahman (chairman of BRTA) and Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mikael Hemniti Winther

Bangladesh Road Transport Authority (BRTA) chairman Md Moshiar Rahman inaugurated the event, followed by a discussion on the significance of the week at the south plaza of National Parliament. Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Mikael Hemniti Winther, Asian Injury Thailand chairperson Ratanawadee Winther, BRAC Road Safety programme's director Ahmed Najmul Hussain and its advocacy programme's director KAM Morshed, among others were also present.

This was followed by a motor cycle rally involving 200 bikers who carried colourful flags, placards and banners that boldly displayed UN's campaign slogan. During the rally, they engaged with drivers of buses, cars and three-wheelers to spread the message of slowing down speeds to prevent loss of lives.

 

rs-rally-Rally
200 members of the Road Riderz motorbike group helped stage the rally

BRTA's chairman said the high speed is the key reason behind deadly accidents. Safe speed of vehicles could help save hundreds of lives every year.

Winther said the campaign will draw the attention of the policy makers about the burning issues related to road safety and will develop simple, low-cost interventions to address these. He urged the drivers for going slow, saving lives of both others and themselves.

 

rs-rally-biker
The 35 kilometre rally started from the National Parliament building and ended at Bashundhara residential area

Najmul Hussain stated that BRAC for years has been raising community awareness about road safety, training drivers and driving instructors, and doing research to improve road safety in Bangladesh.

 

Wednesday, 17 May 2017 00:00

We mourn for Faruq Ahmed Choudhury

we-mourn-faruq-a-choudhuryfaruq-a-choudhury
(1934-2017)

BRAC deeply mourns at the demise of Mr Faruq Ahmed Choudhury, former adviser and governing body member of BRAC. He passed away on May 17, 2017 at 4.30 am, in Square Hospital, Dhaka at the age of 83.  He left behind his wife, a son and a daughter.

Mr Faruq Ahmed Choudhury, was born in January 4, 1934 in Assam, India. Throughout his successful career, he served the Bangladesh Government for two decades and occupied the roles of foreign secretary and ambassador.

He joined BRAC as an advisor in 1992 and continued to work with BRAC until 2006. His contribution played a key role in BRAC’s expansion and growth. He was also a governing body member of BRAC, a trustee board member of BRAC University and the chairman of Delta-BRAC housing company.

As an eminent columnist, he received popularity for his publications on socio-economic and political issues. He received IFIC Bank Literature Award in 2014 and Bangla Academy Literature Award in 2016.

Join the world’s biggest family

sign-up

Subscribe

STAY INFORMED. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Top