Bangladesh Development Communication Forum (BDCF) with the support of Expressions Ltd hosted the first-ever Development Communication Conclave at the British Council Bangladesh on Saturday.
Over 200 communications professionals from over 120 international and national organizations across diverse sectors including development, media, corporate, and research participated in the daylong event.
The conclave served as a powerful platform to illuminate the transformative potential of communication in addressing the dynamic challenges of Bangladesh's development journey.
Social Welfare Minister Dr. Dipu Moni attended the event as the chief guest, while Country Director of CARE Bangladesh Ramesh Singh, Additional Managing Director of PKSF Md. Fazlul Kader and Director and Chief Belief Officer of Expressions Ltd Syed Apon Ahsan attended as special guests.
Dr. Dipu Moni highlighted the crucial role of development communication in tackling pressing national needs.
“The role of development communication professionals is crucial in driving change by promoting positive shifts in people's mindsets, making behavioral change communication indispensable for successful implementation of any developmental initiative,” she said.
The minister emphasized on the significance of crafting impactful narratives that resonate with stakeholders and drive positive change.
With an enriching lineup of sessions and speakers, the conclave holds a daylong exploration of the evolving landscape of communication in the development sector.
The event kicked off with the session ‘Amplify to Influence,’ featuring notable speakers including Policy Analyst and Distinguished Fellow of Center for Policy Dialogue Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya, Mission Director at USAID Bangladesh Reed Aeschliman, Country Director of British Council Bangladesh Tom Miscioscia, and Chairman and MD of Expressions Ltd Ramendu Majumdar, Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya stressed the significance of creating communication messages that are easy to understand and precise, while also focusing on being clear, concise, and humble.
He emphasized that Development Communication is a multidisciplinary field, which inherently makes it complicated. To improve its effectiveness, it is essential to evaluate both the transmission process and its results. The following sessions explored the intricacies of Social and behavioral change in Bangladesh, featured luminaries like Mira Mitra of Bharasa Institute of Social Development and Human Advancement, Sara Zaker from Asiatic Marketing Communication Ltd., and Tropa Majumdar from Expressions Ltd.
Additionally, discussions on Telling Global Stories and Building Brands in the Digital Age was led by experts including Munaf Mobin Chowdhury of Aleph Bangladesh and Tanvir Chowdhury, Correspondent at Aljazeera.
It also featured a thought-provoking discussion on the relevance of individuals in the era of AI, with speakers including Nazia Andaleeb Preema, and Hasan Rahman. Speaking about the significance of the event, Tony Michael, Convenor of the event stated, "This conclave marks a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s development communication landscape.
With the convergence of over 200 experts and professionals from various sectors, we aim to foster dialogue, exchange insights, and chart a course towards impactful communication strategies for development."