(R-L) Dr. S.K. Singh, Director, Training Division, CIRDAP, Dr. Mustafa K. Mujeri, Director General, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) , Dr. Durga Paudyal, Director General, CIRDAP; Dr. Anwara Begum, Director, Research Division, CIRDAP.

DU.1/108-                                                                                                                                                                                                               25 July 2011 

Press Release

Discussion Programme on CIRDAP 

CIRDAP’s perspective revisited during a discussion programme marking the Centre’s 32nd Foundation Day

Dhaka, 25 July 2011: The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) on occasion of its 32nd founding anniversary, held a discussion on ‘Revisiting CIRDAP Perspective: Challenges and Opportunities’, at the Centres’ Headquarters in Dhaka today. Dr. Mustafa K. Mujeri, Director General, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) made the keynote presentation in the discussion. Academicians, rural development practitioners, and development professionals attended the discussion programme at the Centre’s Headquarters today. 

Dr. Mujeri, in his presentation, remarked that CIRDAP was established in response to a felt need by the member countries to address issues of rural development and poverty alleviation in the Asia-pacific region. There is a need for readdressing the focus of the organisation to the present context. He stated that the Centre should reposition itself with a realistic view in context of the global dynamics of change, work on areas where it has comparative advantages, readjust itself to the needs of its member countries. Also take account of macro, micro and sectoral relationships in the RD policies. He underscored the need of a regional and intergovernmental body like CIRDAP to revitalise the cause of rural development and urged its policy bodies to make use of its full potentials. 

The presentation was followed by an open and lively discussion. The discussion brought out several important issues relating to rural development. Dr. Durga Paudyal, Director General, Dr. Anwara Begum, Director Research and Dr. S.K.Singh Director Training, of CIRDAP also spoke on the occasion. The discussion programme was followed by a cultural show by the family members of CIRDAP staff.

Headquartered in Dhaka, the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) is a regional, inter-governmental, and autonomous institution, established in 1979 to act as a regional platform to promote rural development. Its member countries include Afghanistan, Bangladesh (Host State), Fiji, India, Indonesia, Iran, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.

Dr. Vasanthi Rajendran 
Director
Information & Communication Division