BACKGROUND OF THE ORGANIZATION & OTHERS                                                              

BNNRC: A Local Powerhouse with Global Reach!                                                               

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC) specializes in approaches that leverage media and ICT, such as community radio broadcasting and ICT, to reach underserved communities through implementing the UN World Summit on the Information Society (UN WSIS) action line C1-C11 in Bangladesh since 2006.  https://www.bnnrc.net                                                              

The BNNRC, in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and accredited by the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the SDGs Media Compact of the United Nations, and the UN WSIS prize winner 2016, Champion 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2023 for media development, ICT4D. This international recognition, a testament to our commitment and impact, is a source of pride and reassurance for our stakeholders.                                                                   

BNNRC has strategically and confidently shifted its focus towards digital development, information integrity, and online spaces, delving deeper into digital Development and digital localization since 2015. This strategic shift, a testament to our adaptability and forward-thinking, has opened new possibilities and opportunities for us to make a difference. It inspires hope for a more inclusive and digitally advanced future, showing our stakeholders we are at the forefront of digital transformation.                                                                    

We have implemented several projects aligned with Digital Development, Media Development, Internet Governance, Combatting Technology-facilitated Gender-Based Violence (TFGBV), Road Safety Journalism, and Information Integrity for Advancing Media Development & Access to Digital Technology for Equitable Digital Inclusion and Human-Centric Digital Transformation.                                                                      

BNNRC has been accredited by the UN Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on the security of and use of ICT of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). BNNRC’s intervention is to increase knowledge and awareness of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and regularly inform policymakers and stakeholders about the rapidity and liveliness of its multifaceted impacts.                                                                     

Since 2006, BNNRC has had the privilege of hosting the secretariat for the Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum, and from 2022, the secretariat of the Bangladesh Initiative for Unified Voices on the Global Digital Compact and the UN Summit for the Future 2024.                                                              

BNNRC, which has been active in the Global Digital Compact (GDC) and Summit of the Future process since its inception, has written to and made statements expressing concerns regarding the GDC and Summit of the Future's deep dives and informal consultation organized by co-facilitators.                                                                        

Currently, BNNRC’s digital development and digital localization intervention-focused efforts fall into four main areas: CSOs responsibly integrating digital technologies across the practice of development, building open, inclusive, secure, and rights-respecting digital ecosystems, improving staff members of CSOs' capacity to facilitate technology to meet rural people socioeconomic and livelihood needs and focusing on sustainable, inclusive, and human-centric digital transformation.                                                           

Registration                                                                       

BNNRC is registered with the Ministry of Law, Parliamentary and Justice Affairs and NGO Affairs Bureau, Office of the Prime Minister, Government of Bangladesh according to the foreign donation (Voluntary activities) regulation and established in 2000 as per Article 19 charter of the UN bill of rights. The registration number is 2023, renewed from 30 March 2020 to 29 March 2030.                                                                  

BNNRC Vision                                                            

Foster equitable access to on-demand knowledge for everyone by utilizing appropriate media, promoting constructive public dialogue, and empowering citizen engagement for advancing digital democracy in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.                                                             

BNNRC Mission                                                                      

Enable a media and digital development that fosters a literate, informed, and participatory society, allowing underserved communities to shape their lives and livelihoods through the following:                                                                   

Promoting public discourse, encouraging media diversity, strengthening democracy through effective human-centric digital technology, and empowering and amplifying the voices of vulnerable, marginalized, and excluded communities in discussions on development and digital Development.                                                              

Collaborating with media and knowledge stakeholders empowers individuals and communities to create positive changes in their lives and livelihoods and serving as a knowledge hub that is both locally rooted and globally connected.                                                                

Members of the Governing Board                                                               

The Board of Trustees (BoT) is the highest policy-making body.                                                                   

Name  Position                                                          

Mr. Md. Arifur Rahman-         Chairperson                                                    

Mr. SM Nazer Hussain             Vice Chairperson                                                        

Mr. Mirza Shahidul Islam Khaled        Vice Chairperson                                                        

Mr. AHM Shamsul Islam          Treasurer                                                        

Mr. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury  Trustee Member                                                        

Mr. Md. Ziaul Ahsan    Trustee Member                                                        

Mr. Md. Rafiqul Alam  Trustee Member                                                        

Mr. Md. Zahurul Haque Bali    Trustee Member                                                        

Mr. AHM Bazlur Rahman        CEO & Member Secretary                                                      

BNNRC Strives for                                                                 

BNNRC has fostered a collaborative knowledge network with them, engaging effectively at national, regional, and global levels.                                                                   

National                                                                     

Citizen's Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh                                                                   

Road Safety Coalition Bangladesh                                                                 

Equity and Justice Working Group (Equity BD)                                                                     

Right To Information (RTI) Forum                                                                  

International and Regional                                                               

Association for Progressive Communications (APC)                                                              

Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD)                                                                    

Community Media Forum, Europe                                                                

Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD)                                                 

Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU)                                                                      

World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC)                                          

Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Media Alliance                                                        

One Health Bangladesh                                                                     

International Partnership on Religion and Sustainable Development (PaRD)                      

The Grassroots Justice Network                                                                    

weADAPT                                                                   

Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety                                                                   

Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA)                                                            

Arab Culture and Arts Network (ACAN)                                                                     

International Democracy Community                                                           

Global Network of Civil Society Organizations for Disaster Reduction (GNDR)                    

Dynamic Coalition on the Sustainability of Journalism and News Media                             

Coalition for the UN We Need (C4UNWN)                                                                

Health information for all (HIFA)                                                                   

NGO Forum on ADB                                                               

Circular Economy Alliance                                                                 

World Internet Conference (WIC)                                                                  

Global Coalition for Tech Justice                                                                    

Internet for Trust (I4T) Knowledge Network                                                              

Global Digital Justice Forum                                                              

Freedom of Information Advocates Network (FOIAnet)                                                       

Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice                                                

Global Encryption Coalition                                                               

Child Rights International Network (CRIN)                                                                

XR4ALL                                                           

Prevention Web: UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).                                       

Asian Media Information and Communication Centre (AMIC)                                             

Media Freedom Coalition Consultative Network (MFC-CN)                                     

International Association of Religion Journalists.                                                                  

Internet Rights and Principles Coalition                                                                    

Transparency, Accountability, and Participation (TAP) Network                                            

Asia Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism                                                              

Observer Organization                                                                      

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)                    

Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO)                                                                    

International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC)                                                                   

Endorsement Organization                                                               

Principles for Digital Development (PDD)                                                                  

The Nairobi Work Programme (NWP), UNFCCC                                                                    

International Declaration of Communications Professionals and Researchers                     

For A Healthier, Viable, Better World, INTERDECOM                                                            

Principles of Partnership Supporting Organizations, Global Humanitarian Platform (GHP) 

The Charter for Change                                                                     

Accreditation With                                                               

United Nations Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) on the security of and use of ICT of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)                                                      

UN World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS)                                                          

UN World Summit on the Information Society Forum                                              

UN Summit of the Future.