Expatriate Bangladeshi 2000
Linking Individuals, Regions, Ideas, and Actions
Expatriate Bangladeshi 2000Linking Individuals, Regions, Ideas, and Actions |
Comprehensive Structural Reforms for the Operation and Management of BangladeshShahidur RahmanPresident, Singapore Bangladesh SocietyAssociate Professor, Nanyang Technological University, SingaporeASRAHMAN@ntu.edu.sgTable of Contents
Networking and information technology has integrated the global countries in such a way that economy, business and trade competitions have become borderless. Existing skills and knowledge become obsolete quickly. In order to maintain competitive edge with the global changes, improve the effectiveness of human resources practices a "Comprehensive Structural Reforms for the Operation and Management of Bangladesh", should be the top priority to design the future of Bangladesh. Through your deep feelings for the common and distressed Bangladeshis, I trust you will review this proposal for building a better Bangladesh that will reap benefits for many generations to come. 1. Why Structural Reforms for Bangladesh?We are in support of freedom, democracy and national development. For freedom and democracy thousands of lives have been sacrificed, lots of tears have been shed, yet lots of hopes were not fulfilled. As you know, we have already spent 30 years. How many more years the common poor Bangladeshis need to pass in hardship, distress, sufferings and tears? For how many more years do they have to cry for peace, justice and good life? After the independence, we have seen the changes in political leadership and Government operations and management institutional matrix. There have been a number of attempts for the improvement of socio-economic developments, poverty elimination and peace restoration, pollution and population controls, drugs, violence, and crime prevention. Yet there are some questions that need to be addressed with the perspective of Bangladesh political and administrative structure. Although there are politically conscious people who elect people of their choice, one has to examine the kind of structure in which these elected people are operating? One thing we have to remember, our elected people are operating the Bangladesh Structure, most of which was created and developed by the British and Pakistani Colonial rulers. For independent and fair Bangladesh building we have to give a good thought for good research of comprehensive structural reforms. We want reforms of a kind that would help to meet the needs of common people. The common people do not want to hear assurances of false hopes any more; they want to see concrete actions. Today, they want skills, knowledge and expertise of its people. They want to have special breed of people who can significantly change their lives and set them up on a footing so that they can compete with people from around the globe. The current speed of the problem solving approaches and their achievements are not as much as it should be to meet the needs of the people. With the increasing rate of problems arising, we have to act properly and wisely. It seems a profound structural reforms in development, operation and management of all Bangladesh government activities including constitutional matrix, education, trade, tax, economic, finance and privatization components are absolutely necessary. In this regard we would like to pursue, "Comprehensive Structural Reforms for the Operations and Management of future Bangladesh Government bodies", for a happier future for our children and ourselves. If the current Bangladesh Government is courageous enough, it could take a move for comprehensive structural reforms. It can make a breakthrough of the millenium for a sustainable development of future Bangladesh. It is possible that the curses of terrorism, corruption, bribery and miss-operation and miss-management can be eliminated through these reforms. 2. Methodology of the Structural ReformsThe main focuses of these reforms will be to set effective and viable guide lines for the future by appraising, reviewing and evaluating the current institutional and organizational structure and management practices of Bangladesh. In order to achieve those comprehensive reforms, the methodology will be to adopt the Scenario Simulation Technique. Scenario simulation technique has proved consistently effective for dealing with structural reforms globally by exploring alternative policies under various uncertainties. 3. Proposed Structural ReformsThe competition of survival in the 21st century is expected to increase over
time. To meet the challenges of greater competitions with the current Bangladesh
structure and nature of work force, it is crucial to act promptly and
effectively. The present Bangladesh Government organizational and functional
structure is configured with the British and Pakistani colonial rulers needs,
which is the major constraint and the cause of failure of the last 30 years
achievements. The new structure should be reorganized from a single functional
organization to a matrix organization to have a quality work force, managers and
leaders that could propel the engine of growth and optimize the output. To have
a greater participation of the comprehensive structural reforms for a matrix
organization the formation of the following few action groups need to be
considered: 1. For the formulation of structural reforms of the operation and management
of Bangladesh Government bodies, formation of a "National Action
Board". 3.1 National Action Board (NAB)To achieve the target of a millennium-class workforce through global competence and excellence, we have to develop new mindset of our Bangladeshis as well as all executives of Bangladesh Govt. Sound NAB is of utmost importance for increasing organizational efficiency through possible restructuring and process "reengineering". One important aspect of visionary leadership is to know how to define the future and lead the people in that direction in a unified way. In the knowledge-based world and with the changeable future we need conscious people. Also we need leaders and advisors who should be the teachers and at the same time the facilitators of the future generations. In the quest to have an exhaustive, effective and acceptable structural reform investigation, uniform across time that could meet up the future needs and crisis of Bangladesh, we need to adopt National Action Board (NAB). Both within and outside of Bangladesh, there is a wealth of educated Bangladeshi nationals. Past policy makers and professionals with sincere and neutral intention to help develop the country to its full potential should make up the core of NAB. NAB should have two wings. The first wing will be the administrative and coordinating wing and the second wing will be the advisory wing. The administrative wing will coordinate the selection of the members of the advisory wing, operation and management of the prospective grass root level projects as and when necessary. The members of the NAB advisory wing will be selected from the Domestic and International Think Tanks, i.e. distinguished and talented members of Bangladesh Government, Planning Commission, BIDS, Universities, representatives from all political parties, former Bangladesh Presidents and Prime Ministers, interested High Commissioners/Ambassadors, selected NGO's representatives (e.g. Grameen Bank, BRAC, EB2000, ALOCHONA FORUM, TECHBANGLA, ENVIRONMENTAL NETWORK), selected foreign countries' experts (e.g. UNDP, USAID, WORLD BANK experts) etc. NAB advisory wing members will have problem solving attitude for the positive changes of the future. They will be committed to dynamic thinking and continuous improvement in the quality performance. Methodology of which the NAB selects development-related projects and its execution plans is by Scenario Simulation. This is to expedite our National Development in minimum time, cost and efforts to get maximum results. NAB shall utilize all talented ideas in a concrete form from different political groups and other grass root levels NGO's e.g. the EB2000 and should be completely different from Planning Commission's projects. For any particular project execution ideas, NAB administrative wing will invite possible scenarios from NAB advisory wing and essays and ideas from all over the county. By using proper cost-benefit and different efficiency analysis, NAB will choose the best project and propose for execution by the Bangladesh Government. NAB can use TV and radio media, WWW and Internet for group discussions. Particular projects title may be chosen from NAB advisory wing, EB2000 members, Center for Policy Dialogue, different NGOs and others. These may be (1) Reviewing the Current Development Planning and their Implementation System; (2) Educating Bangladeshi's for the 21st century; (3) Bangladesh Constitution: problems and prospects; (4) Comprehensive Rural and Urban Planning (5) VCND; (6) Action Oriented Solutions to Overcoming the Corruption and Terrorism in Bangladesh, (7) Administrative Reforms to Bangladesh Governance, (8) Reforming the Health Issues; (9) Accelerated Job Creations; (10) Creation of Man Power Export Technical Institutes (11) Comprehensive Manpower Development; (12) Reforming Revenue and Tax System; (13) Viable Land Reforms; (14) Comprehensive Solutions for Roads and Traffics; (15) Comprehensive Domestic Resource Mobilization and Development; (16) Viable Policies for Export Processing Zones and Foreign Direct Investment; (17) Structured Flood Control and Water Resource Development (18) Clean and Green Bangladesh; (19) Reforming the Overall Educational Institutions in Bangladesh; (20) Basic Needs and Rights Awareness to all Bangladeshis; (21) Potential Privatization of Bangladesh (22) Foreign Bangladeshi Forum (FBF) etc. 3.2 HOUSE OF SENATEBangladesh has experienced the functions of neutral caretaker government for fair and free election, which attracted much support both nationally and internationally. The formation of neutral government needs an abundance of research and thought to make it viable and executable for the betterment of Bangladesh. One possibility of formation of neutral government could be through the formation of the House of Senate. The members of the Senate could be elected form the National Action Board Advisory Council. This House of Senate will work side by side of the present Parliament. It will act like the American House of Senate or the British House of Lords. In setting up the House of Senate, it should not merely add another layer of administrative bureaucracy to the existing structure of the Parliament. It would have to add value in terms of coordination and decision making. It would be like electing experts from a neutral educated group who would help to execute the development plans. The head of the House of Senate will be the President of the country and the head of the House of Commons (existing Parliament) will be the Prime Minister of the country. The advisors of the House of Senate could be named as Senator Generals and the advisors of the House of Commons would be named as the Ministers. The election procedure for the House of Commons is the one that is practiced in Bangladesh during the general election. The election of the Senate will be held among the NAB advisory council members for the operation, management and the development of Bangladesh. If the election of the House of Commons is held in 2001 then the election of the House of Senate should be either in 2002 or 2003. Due to this non-overlapping procedure, election of one could be held under another jurisdiction. This House of Senate will help to monitor and advice the elected government to develop (as mentioned in NAB guide lines) comprehensive policies in the field of human resource development, effective administration, viable education, structured foreign affairs, general health, dynamic economics, desirable water and electricity development, etc. 3.3 Volunteer Cadre for National Development (VCND)To cope with the world current IT and development momentum, the future Bangladesh requires changes in the traditional thinking and creating an environment for a culture, process and people who can deal with changing future with networking, continuous adaptation, new learning skills, brain power and knowledge management. In order to achieve this objective we need to have Volunteer Cadre for National Development (VCND). This VCND will be the government guided future freedom fighters for Bangladesh development. VCND members will be dedicated young generations who will be committed to reject violence, combat all kind of evils and confronted all kind of future challenges of Bangladesh. They will help to execute government plans at the grass root level and to transform all possible national weakness into strength, particularly to fight for the illiteracy, hunger, malnutrition, corruption, anti-terrorism from the grass root levels and also fight against all kinds of natural disasters. VCND will be formed from the students of all over Bangladesh. The Bangladesh education system requires twelve years prior to entrance to University. I propose that one of these twelve years of schooling be spent in compulsory VCND training. All over Bangladesh, students must participate to these development services. During this year, students will learn independence and skills that will help them understand the country's challenges. The course curriculum can be designed and redesigned from time to time by the NAB. As the major role of VCND is to transform our national weakness into strength, they will learn for themselves and pass their knowledge to the uneducated and the future generations. VCND training can be in four phases. Each Phase comprises with three months training. First Phase will be Primary Training including Computer, IT, WWW basics and ABC of Business Communications. Second Phase include mini-Business Administration, the Basics of Bangladesh Economy, Health, Education Development knowledge. Third Phase could include Save on Crisis Training (SOC) i.e. Basics of Civil Defense Police training, ABC of Bangladesh Law, Basics of Flood, Cyclone, illiteracy, Birth control. In Phase Four members of VCND will be divided into different groups for Practical Attachments Training according to their interests and talents. Their Practical Attachments Training groupings may be like: (1) VCND for Basic Citizen's Needs, Rights and Duties Awareness; (2) VCND for Village Development; (3) VCND for Flood Control; (4) VCND for fighting illiteracy; (5) VCND for Clean and Green Bangladesh; (6) VCND for Health Development; (7) VCND for Save on Crisis; (8) VCND for Bribery and Crime Buster; (9) VCND for Drugs and Anti Terrorism Counseling (10) VCND for Bangladesh Government's basic Rules and Laws awareness Program etc. Their Training and Practical Attachment materials, leaflets, brochures, audio-vedio cassettes will be developed and designed by National Action Board. Bangladesh Government will provide them out of pocket expenses during their training. Those who have potential should get the opportunity to serve the country. The better ones should be trained for more complex and challenging future. All Bangladesh Government future appointments including BCS Cadre, Police Force, Military Force, will be made from the most contributing VCND members. For the prior preparation of the VCND training, students of all over Bangladesh from Class Seven to Class Nine should have a compulsory course named as, "Fundamentals of Bangladesh Development". The course curricula of Bangladesh Development Studies will be designed and redesigned by the NAB advisory council. This is to ensure that the students could catch up the VCND training materials easily. 3.4 Foreign Bangladeshi Forum (FBF)Many Bangladeshis are scattered around the world in search of jobs and duties that offer higher wages and more comfortable life styles. Like many other nations, now the time has come when the sun cannot set on the Bangladeshi presence in the world. The relations and activities of these Foreign Bangladeshis towards their native country's development should be planned and set as to: How can they assist in domestic economic and business development and natural disaster? How can they help with cultural and business development internationally? There are many foreign Bangladeshi associations all over the world. Under this FBF all Bangladeshi associations could be brought under one umbrella. Their constitutions, activities, welfare programs, problem-solving guidelines should be given strong footings so that Bangladeshis know how to bring up their national image and prestige to a respectable level. 4. Reforming Plans1. Reforming the operation and management system by including NAB, House of
Senate, VCND and FBF. In conclusion I must say the fate of future Bangladesh may often be debated nationally and internationally, but few active action and execution plans are undertaken. We have lots of ideas but few actions. We must strive hard to ensure that vision is realized with its full potentials, hopes and expectations. Our greatest task is to put all visions and scenarios together under NAB for simulation to get concrete and viable action and execution plans. The people of Bangladesh have suffered too much to maintain a life of dignity and self-respect. But they never failed in the history. By the theory of invisible reactionary force they have always shown their courage, strength and overcoming leadership during the crisis and crucial time. There are always a prosperous future for them that will bring stable, peaceful, hunger and crime free Bangladesh. I am approaching these points to all the relevant persons concerned, because I believe that all of you are committed and striving hard for the betterment of your own family and relatives and overall your backward nation. It may not be easy initially, as it was not easy to form a Care Taker Government. Our common people would like to pay a special tribute to those leaders, Freedom Fighters and Policy makers who some how or other contributes for the nation building. They forgo their interest enough to gain a free, fair and prosperous future. But they don't like to lead their lives any longer in chaos and confusion, which cause intolerable misery and sufferings. We hope that Lord of the Universe will guide us and give us the courage and the strength necessary for the executions of these reforms plan for the common people benefit. |
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