Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication organized a day-long Deep Dive on Digital Development for Digital Democracy in Barisal on December 20, 2024, with the participation of the Executive Director and senior officials of civil society organizations and NGOs.

The Deep Dive was held to enable civil society organizations/NGOs to formulate action strategies to integrate digital development issues with their ongoing activities by addressing the existing challenges in the digital development process. Coast Foundation is supporting in organizing the Deep Dive. One of the NGOs, Speed Trust, provided overall support as a supporting organization in organizing the Deep Dive in Barisal.

The Deep Dive included three sessions. Four-panel discussants participated in each session, and 25 participants expressed their opinions on the relevant issues.

 At the beginning of the deep dive, Mr. A.H.M. Shamsul Islam Dipu, CEO of Speed Trust, delivered the welcome speech and moderated the whole session. He started the program, giving thanks to all, and mentioned that if this discussion is understood, the activities of NGOs will be better known in the future, allowing us to understand their progress. He drew attention to whether the challenges or initiatives from 30 years ago still exist today. Donor agencies are still present, which presents both opportunities and limitations. He emphasized that the work that will create demand in the future includes digital development, advertising, and digital democracy. He questioned whether democracy should be integrated into our thinking, stressing the importance of accountability and transparency. He added that digital development focuses on several key areas.

First is digital transformation, which involves all activities being conducted in a digital language. We need to undergo this transformation. For instance, we used to rely on paper and pen to write letters, but now we use emails and the internet. These transformations will open new horizons in the economic and social fields.

Focusing on digital inclusion, he highlights that we have not yet successfully included our society's poor, underprivileged, and illiterate members in the digital process. They must be integrated through digital inclusion.

The next topic was digital responsibility, which refers to our obligations in the digital realm. Following this was the concept of digital sustainability, which emphasizes that all our actions should be sustainable and permanent. He identified these four elements—digital transformation, digital inclusion, digital sustainability, and digital responsibility—as the pillars of digital development, an international standard we aim to adopt in Bangladesh.

He added that while we lacked digital education in the past, failing to act according to our level of digital literacy now presents a significant challenge.

After the introduction round, AHM Bazlur Rahman, CEO of BNNRC, Conducted the first session. In this session, he discussed the workshop's objective, including the context of Digital Development, the four pillars or objectives of digital development (Digital Transformation, Digital Inclusion, Digital Responsibility, and Digital Sustainability), and the digital ecosystem (Digital Society, Rights, and Governance, Digital Economy, Digital Infrastructure, and Adoption), Digital Good governance. He also touched upon nine principles of digital development, including Understanding the Existing Ecosystem, Sharing, reusing, and improving; designing with people; designing for inclusion; building for sustainability; establishing people-first data practices; creating open and transparent practices; anticipating and mitigating harms, use evidence to improve outcomes.

Four discussants participated in the session. The panelists were Ms. Rahima Sultana Kajol, Executive Director of Aabash; Mr. Shahidul Islam Khaled, Executive Director of Sankalpa; Mr. Anwar Zahid, President of ICDA; and Ms. Shiuli Saha, Movement Secretary of Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, Barisal District.

Regarding the current situation, Ms. Sheuli Saha, Movement Secretary, Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, Barisal District, discussed her organization’s use of digital tools, including a website and WhatsApp groups, for project monitoring and communication with donors. She also highlighted the positive impact of technology on stakeholder services.

Mr. Shahidul Islam Khaled, Executive Director, Sankalpa, highlighted the digital divide, particularly among older members of their organization. Shared examples of digitalization in microcredit, enabling members to address disparities in digital inclusion among different age groups and literacy levels.

Mr. Anwar Zahid, President of ICDA, addressed disparities in digital inclusion among different age groups and literacy levels. He shared an example of a young boy using digital tools to innovate despite limited formal education.

Expressing experience on Technology Facilitated Gender-based Violence (TFGBV)) through social media among her working partners and stakeholders or beneficiaries, Ms. Sheuli Saha, Movement Secretary, Bangladesh Mohila Parishad, Barishal District, highlighted women’s vulnerability to cybercrimes and the need for enhanced security training for young women. Noted the technological backwardness of many women in Bangladesh compared to global standards.

In a question-and-answer session, Participants asked about initiatives related to cyber security and mental health awareness. The panelists responded that efforts are being made to address these issues and that training programs are being extended to the grassroots level.

The session concluded with a collective commitment to bridging the digital divide and advancing sustainable, inclusive digital practices among NGOs and CSOs.

In the second session, Mr. Bazlur Rahman, CEO of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), discussed the digital ecosystem -Digital Society, Rights and Governance, Digital Economy, Digital Infrastructure, and Adoption—and its elements in detail. He also focused on the role of CSOs in coping with the digital ecosystem.

Four discussants participated in the session. The panelists were Mr. Ziaul Ahsan, Executive Director of Pirojpur Gono Unnayan Samity; Mr. Rafiqul Islam Panna, Executive Director of People Development Foundation; Ms. Mahfuza Islam, Director of Shuktara Mohila Sangstha, Patuakhali; and Mr. Ranjit Dutta, General Secretary of PDO, Barishal.

Mr. Bazlur Rahman opened the session with a comprehensive speech on governance and good governance. He defined good governance as a system that allows institutions and civil society to express their legal rights and engage in state management. He emphasized the existing gaps in collaboration among civil society, NGOs, and corporate entities in achieving effective governance.

The digital Ecosystem was discussed through the following three categories: Digital Society, Digital Economy, and Digital Infrastructure.

Mr. Ziaul Ahsan, Executive Director, Pirojpur Gono Unnayan Samity, identified the district administrations' lack of ICT initiatives, highlighting their dependency on monthly internet packages and issues regarding fraud.

Expressing his own experience, Mr. Rafiqul Islam Panna, Executive Director of the People Development Foundation, shared how mobile access has changed his life. While urban areas have access to services like bKash and Nagad, rural areas still lack such opportunities, which, if improved, could bring significant changes.

Reflecting on digital financial services like bKash and Rocket, Mr. Ranjit Dutta, General Secretary, PDO Barishal, mentioned their convenience but pointed out the challenges civil society members face in adapting to digital transactions due to limited readiness.

Regarding both the positive and negative aspects of digitalization, Ms. Mahfuza Islam, Director, Shuktara Mohila Sangstha, Patuakhali, highlighted that women are often subjected to harassment via mobile phones and face blackmail. She emphasized women's safety, empowering them through digital tools and connectivity, allowing them to join meetings through platforms like Zoom without going out.

Emphasizing greater social media awareness, Mr. Hiren Pandit, Program Coordinator, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), defined and discussed the importance of distinguishing between misinformation, disinformation, and malformation.

In the question-answer round, In response to the question of how to protect data analysis, it is said that every organization has huge data, which is called Big Data. But we can't manage it properly. It is said that there is a market called Photography Bazar after eight o'clock in Dhaka city. All the data that is collected throughout the day, but here comes in the form of photocopies. It has been said to be more trained in this regard. So that the data can be stored properly. And microcredit institutions need to be more trained.

The session concluded with a strong call to action for NGOs to enhance their efforts in digital development, specifically in areas such as digital rights, building a robust digital society, and addressing misinformation. Emphasis was placed on transparency, effective data management, and stakeholder engagement in these initiatives.

Mr. A.H.M. Bazlur Rahman, CEO of Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC), opened the Third session by expressing gratitude to all participants. He emphasized the strategic digital development plans of the governments of England, the USA, and Denmark for the next decade, mentioning the UK's focus on four pillars, the USA's aim for a robust digital ecosystem through 2034, and Denmark's commitment to integrating technology into developmental strategies.

Four discussants participated in the session. The panelists were Mr. Edward Robin, Executive Director of CRSS; Mr. Shuvankar Chakraborty from MAP Bangladesh, Patuakhali; Ms. Nina Afrin, Executive Director of Agnibeena Women Development Association, Patuakhali; and Mr. Rafiqul Islam Panna, Executive Director of People Development Foundation.

Mr.  A.H.M Bazlur Rahman highlighted how addressing violence against women through digital development strategies has become a significant focus. He urged organizations on violence prevention to incorporate strategic documentation, websites, and annual reports to build a strong digital ecosystem, including Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), Digital Public Goods, and Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF).

By giving an example, Mr. AHM Bazlur Rahman discussed the Social Obligation Fund (SOF). He said The Social Obligation Fund (SOF) is a funding system in Bangladesh's telecommunications sector used for telecommunications-related projects: Developing the telecommunications sector, Connecting remote areas of Bangladesh, and Addressing the digital divide. The Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) manages the fund and requires licensees to contribute 1% of their annual audited total revenue. The fund's size is currently Tk 18 billion. The funds were deposited in Sonali, Agrani, and Janata Bank in various FDR and savings accounts.  He requests the participant's CSOs to raise their voices and advocate to ensure the funds for the actual deprived group. Here, the Right to Information Act would be a helpful tool.  Mr. Bazlur Rahman also discussed the Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Digital Public Goods (DPGs

Regarding the current situation, Women leaders were urged to organize victims of violence at district-level public hearings. Additionally, issues such as financial fraud on platforms like Rocket and bKash could be addressed through public hearings to promote transparency and justice.

Other issues that came up included how to participate in four district-level hearings, how to eliminate digital devices, how to incorporate digital ecosystems and digital development in the process, how to increase knowledge about digital by training the youth, and how to reduce the cost of the Internet. Private security teams can also be formed at the divisional level to prevent violence against women.

The discussion also mentioned that appropriate information is lacking at the upazila level. Massive digital outreach is needed. Overall, the workshop was completed through participatory and group-based presentations.

Expressing his own experience Mr. Rafiqul Islam Panna, Executive Director, People Development Foundation, shared insights on using platforms like YouTube to promote transparency and accountability in his organization.

The session concluded with interactive group presentations and discussions. Emphasis was placed on participatory approaches to incorporate digital development into organizational processes. The workshop successfully identified actionable steps to bridge digital gaps and foster inclusivity in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

In this closing session, the participants recommended/ identified the role of CSOs in ensuring Barisal's digital development. Some of the roles that came from their group discussions are-

·         Develop comprehensive digital literacy training programs targeting underprivileged and illiterate communities to ensure their inclusion in the digital economy.

·         Promote collaboration among civil society organizations, NGOs, and corporate sectors to build a robust digital ecosystem that addresses the gaps in digital infrastructure, accessibility, and services, particularly in rural areas.

·         Establish cybersecurity training modules for NGO workers and beneficiaries, emphasizing protection against online harassment and digital violence.

·         NGOs should adopt best practices in managing big data and ensuring data privacy.

·         Advocate for the practical usage of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and Digital Public Goods (DPGs) to address issues such as the digital divide.

·         Encourage district-level public hearings to give victims of violence a platform.

·         Provide training on digital financial services to enhance users' knowledge and confidence, particularly in rural settings.

·         Foster networking and mentorship programs among NGOs and similar organizations to share experiences, challenges, and best practices in digital development.