Expatriate Bangladeshi 2000
Linking Individuals, Regions, Ideas, and Actions
Expatriate Bangladeshi 2000Linking Individuals, Regions, Ideas, and Actions |
Answers to Frequently Asked Questions on the EB2000 Draft ProposalFollowing answers were prepared in response to questions and comments to the EB2000 draft proposal. It has been retained in its original version as of November 29, 1998.1.1 Have you reviewed
similar experiences of organizing the expatriates through the Internet?
2.1 Who is an Expatriate
Bangladeshi?
3.1 Will it be a
donor agency funded NGO?
4.1 Is Global Amitech
a non-profit or commercial organization?
5.1 Will membership
fees deter an individual from joining?
6.0 Timetable and Task Definitions 6.1 What could be examples of projects undertaken by EB2000/Think Tank? 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Have you reviewed similar experiences of organizing the expatriates through the Internet? Prior to launching EB2000, we examined previous and ongoing initiatives such as ProBaSh, TechBangla, and Bangladesh Environmental Network, petition drives such as the ones against Hartal, Censorship, and Rape, and discussion forums such as SCB, NFB, NFB/SAMILAN, and ALOCHONA. Some key individuals from some of these initiatives extended their support to EB2000. 1.2 Are the Expatriates solutions or part of the problem? Our assumption is that due to the global economic climate, there exists gaps in the area of ideas, skills, institutions, projects and coordination which are acting as hindrance to the process of development in Bangladesh. It had been proven by various research studies that the non-residents could contribute significantly towards the development of home country. A case in point is India’s massive technology transfer in the computer-related area. 2.0 EB2000 2.1 Who is an Expatriate Bangladeshi? We are defining expatriates as those individuals of Bangladeshi origin who are living abroad either temporarily or permanently. An expert is one who has specialized knowledge and skills in a variety of areas such as social, economic, technological, scientific, industrial, educational, agricultural, ecological, and political that can be applied towards the development of Bangladesh. It should not be difficult at all if we can generate interest and a willingness to participate from the expatriate community. Various available statistics shows that it is possible with the rapid growth in Internet technologies. 2.4 How do we leverage the technology of the Internet? We wish to create direct pathways between individuals, communities and organizations residing in different parts of the world and connect them to the policy and development network in Bangladesh through Global Amitech. Through the development of the web site we will create the virtual community. As the technology develops further, we will have the opportunity for video conferencing. 2.5 What type of organizations will be involved in the network? EB2000 has come in contacts with representatives of various professional societies such as the Association for Economic and Development Studies on Bangladesh (AEDSB), American Institute of Bangladesh Studies (AIBS), Bangladesh Chemical and Biology Society of North America (BCBSNA). It will seek to establish relationships with Internet based development networks such as Bangladesh Environmental Network (BENV), Techbangla etc. In due time various community organizations will also be brought under it’s umbrella. 2.6 Will the network be kept free from politics and religion? Absolutely! Being politically and religiously non-aligned, neither EB2000 nor the Think Tank will advocate any position favoring any particular religion or political party. The organization will not infringe on anyone’s religious and political beliefs, but it will keep those views from this arena. 2.7 What is the relationship between NFB and the strategic alliance? NFB is a free service provided by Global Amitech to bring in news and opinions to the Internet community, Bangladeshi and otherwise. EB2000/ Think Tank will have a direct relationship with Global Amitech, not with NFB. Global Amitech may utilize NFB as a medium for disseminating EB2000 information along with its other affiliates such as The Independent and Muktakantha. 2.8 How will you evaluate the success and failure of EB2000? EB2000 has three objectives that it wants to accomplish by the year 2000:
3.0 Think Tank 3.1 Will it be a donor agency funded NGO? The think tank will be registered as a not-for-profit organization in the United States. Its operation will be funded through the financial contribution of its members and no outside agency will be able to exert undue influence on its operation. The think tank may seek external funding for specific projects if allowed by its constitution and By Laws without violating its not-for-profit status. 3.2 Is it necessary to have foreign dignitaries in its organizing body? It was expressed as a suggestion in the draft proposal to retain some checks and balance. However, after additional consideration it is believed that a measure of checks and balance can be attained through distribution of power and authority among the five components of the think tank, namely, the Board of Advisors, Panel of Experts, Executive Committee, Coordinators and Members. 3.3 What are the criteria for selecting committee members? The exact criteria for selecting members will be addressed through the constitution and the By Laws. It is our expectation that any expatriate with established professional or academic credentials would be able to become a general member. Selection to the Panel of experts will be based on an individual’s background and expertise. Coordinators will be moderators of various discussions and managers of development projects. Board of advisors will be expatriates who can be consulted in important matters relating to the administration and management of the strategic alliance. 3.4 Could someone participate without being a part of the organization? A person can approach the various panels of the think tank with specific proposals or suggestions. However, to avoid a management nightmare and other practical reason participation in think tank activities will require membership in the organization. 3.5 How will the think tank be different from existing think tanks and professional organizations? The think tank is both an independent entity and a node in the policy network it seeks to develop. As an independent entity it will be different by having a group of stakeholders of Bangladeshi origin only. Its agenda is set by its expatriate members and not by outside funding agencies and are regionally and ideologically diverse. As a node it is the first of its kind considering the scale and the regions involved. 3.6 What are the objectives of the think tank and how they will be carried out? The objective of the think tank will be to enrich the current policy making process. We understand this process as having at least four components:
3.7 What is the target audience of the think tank? The target audience include various entities who influence the current policy making process in Bangladesh. It is a function of the policy in question. It includes the government of Bangladesh, other governments and international organizations, activist organizations, universities, other think tanks, citizens of Bangladesh and so forth. 3.8 What clout will it have over the BD Government? Clout will become important to influence components (c) and (d) of the policy making process as identified in 3.6 above and will feature more prominently as the network develops. If the situation demands, a project to establish an organization as a forum for Non Resident Bangladeshi (NRB) could be undertaken to lobby on behalf of the policy preferences of the think tank. 3.9. Will political neutrality imply avoidance of criticism of the government or opposition? Political neutrality implies that policy choice will follow policy analysis. It will not be based on the position of any particular political party. It is the policy that will be analyzed and vigorously debated, neither the politicians nor the political party. 3.10 How will the think tank put ideas into action? The methodology will follow a loosely defined Delphi philosophy. An idea or question proposed by a member will be cleared first by the general membership and then placed before the expert panel, which in turn will propose appropriate actions. It can be a project idea, a policy problem, an electronic petition, an impending disaster, and so forth. 3.11 How will we know the area of expertise of the panel of experts? All experts will be asked to register information regarding their background, training and experience. This information, when cleared by the expert, will be available to the members. The organization will have a database of the members' resume/CV, available by request. This will help the expatriates in their own professional developments. 4.0 Global Amitech 4.1 Is Global Amitech a non-profit or commercial organization? Global Amitech is a private company that provides information technology services to clients in Bangladesh. It is not a NGO. 4.2 How will Global Amitech benefit from EB2000? EB2000 will not provide any direct benefit to Global Amitech other than to compensate it for the services it will provide. Indirectly, it will benefit from increased Internet traffic, transfer of knowledge and expertise and networking with different individuals, groups and organizations. 4.3 What is Global Amitech’s technological base? Global Amitech has been providing web-hosting services for various national newspapers and periodicals in Bangladesh for more than two years. It has dedicated hardware, software and individuals to manage each of its accounts. Global Amitech will acquire necessary hardware, software, and technical support for executing its part in the strategic alliance. 4.4 Will Global Amitech have linkages with organizations located in Bangladesh? Global Amitech already has established linkages with various media organizations, activist groups and private universities. It will establish new linkages with other universities, think tanks, government entities, etc. as deemed necessary by EB2000. 5.1 Will membership fees deter an individual from joining? Since the principle behind EB2000 is to promote solving problems of development through our own resources, it is imperative that we do not rely on outside funding as it will exert undue influences on the working of the organization. We believe that, if transparency and accountability is assured, expatriates will not hesitate to contribute funds towards the cause of EB2000. 5.2 Is it premature to have budgets and officers? Our survey of past initiatives on the Internet involving the expatriate community shows that attaining a critical mass is crucial for sustainability. Given that EB2000 will be an after work activity for most expatriates, it is unreasonable to expect a steady level of participation at all times. Also, knowledge of the information industry tells us of first mover’s advantage and the importance of initial endowments. We think having budgets and officers from the very beginning is absolutely necessary for the future success of the enterprise. 6.0 Timetable and Task Definitions 6.1 What could be examples of projects undertaken by EB2000/Think Tank? Our initial understanding was to commit to one development related project during the EB2000 phase of the Think Tank. Through Global Amitech, EB2000 has established liaison with foundations engaged in bringing information technology to the rural mass. After we invited the expatriate community to join our efforts, we have received a number of project and policy proposals as identified below (no particular order followed):
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