Bangladesh

9:10 pm on July 17, 2025 · Bangladesh (8), digital divide (11), environment (6), ethics (5), wsis (34)

RECORDING – WSIS 2025 High Level Event – Session 413 – Bridging the Digital Divide: Inclusive ICT Policies for Sustainable Development

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isoc.live

isoc.liveYOUTUBE | AUDIO | TRANSCRIPT | SUMMARY |

ARCHIVE | PERMALINK | DIGWATCH

On Friday, 11 July 2025 the International Standard University and City University, Bangladesh organized a session ‘Bridging the Digital Divide: Inclusive ICT Policies for Sustainable Development‘ at the WSIS 2025 High level Event in Geneva. The session, alternately titled ‘Inclusive and Ethical ICT Policies for a Sustainable and Equitable Digital Future’, sought to foster a critical dialogue on the urgent need to design, implement, and monitor ICT policies that leave no one behind, using a three-pillared approach: fostering universal connectivity and digital literacy; embedding ethical principles such as transparency, privacy, and human rights in technological development; and promoting sustainability through green ICT practices and equitable access.

SPEAKERS
Dr. Hakikur Rahman – International Standard University
Dr. Ranojit Kumar Dutta – City University

 

#WSIS2025 #DigitalInclusion #EthicalTech #GreenICT #BridgingDigitalDivide @isubangladesh @WSISProcess @ITU @UN

1:39 am on April 24, 2024 · a11y (127), accessibility (84), Bangladesh (8), reading (1)

WEBCAST APR 24 – The Role of Accessible Digital Reading Materials in Achieving the SDGs & #ZeroDigitalDivide

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ISOC LIVE

ISOC LIVEOn Wednesday April 24 2024 at 3pm-4pm BST (09:00-10:00 UTC) the Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme, of the Information and Communication Technology Division of People’s Republic of Bangladesh, in association with the DAISY Consortium presents an international webinar ‘The Role of Accessible Digital Reading Materials in Achieving the SDGs & #ZeroDigitalDivide ‘.

The webinar on the role of accessible digital reading materials for achieving global goals brings together industry experts, advocates, and stakeholders to understand the challenges faced by individuals with print disabilities in the context of accessible reading materials, sharing knowledge and best practices, promoting collaboration among stakeholders, and advocate for policy changes and industry standards that prioritize accessible reading materials, ultimately driving meaningful change in the accessibility landscape for achieving SDG4.5 and SDG4.a.

This webinar aims to foster dialogue, share insights, and catalyze action toward a more inclusive digital reading environment, aligning with global efforts to reduce the digital divide and promote access to information for all

OPENING REMARKS
Mollah Mizanur Rahman , Joint Project Director (Joint Secretary) ,a2i

PANEL
Dipendra Manocha, Chair, DAISY Forum – Born Accessibility and next-generation standardized accessible reading materials
Hiroshi Kawamura, Vice President, Assistive Technology Development Organization (ATDO) – International Laws and Convention regarding accessible information and knowledge and best practices around the world
Monica Halil Lövblad, Head, Accessible Books Consortium, WIPO – Implications of the Marrakesh VIP Treaty, Impact on Global South
Dr. Monica Duhem, Director of Global Advocacy Center, G3ict – Role of the UN in achieving disability-inclusive education in line with SDG.
Moderator: Richard Orme, CEO of DAISY Consortium

MULTIMEDIA SHOWCASE
Vashkar Bhattacharjee, Innovator

DISCUSSION/Q&A
Moderator: Richard Orme, CEO of DAISY Consortium

CLOSING REMARKS
Mohd. Monirul Islam, Additional Secretary (attached) (SDG Affairs), Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), People’s Republic of Bangladesh

The session will be simulcast by the Accessibility Special Interest group of the Internet Society New York Chapter.

LIVESTREAM https://livestream.com/internetsociety/a2i-reading

PARTICIPATE VIA ZOOM https://undp.zoom.us/j/83899815058

REAL TIME TEXT (see ISOC.LIVE)

TWITTER #ZeroDigitalDivide @a2i_bd @accessibledaisy @MonicaDuhem @G3ict @VashkarBD @UNESCAP @WIPO @ways2read #SDGs #SmartBangladesh2041 #A11y #Accessibility #DigitalInclusion @a11ySIG

MASTODON  #ZeroDigitalDivide

SIMULCASTS
https://twitter.com/ISOC_Live
https://www.twitch.tv/isoclive
https://www.facebook.com/liveisoc/ (AI Captions)

ARCHIVE
https://archive.org/details/a2i-reading

ADD TO CALENDAR https://calndr.link/event/Lv1xFG7WvC

5:38 am on December 11, 2023 · accessibility (84), asg (4), Bangladesh (8), TEDx (3)

VIDEO: From Limitation to Innovation – Vashkar Bhattarcharjee talk at TEDxGulshan

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Photo: Vashkar addresses TedX Gulshan

Photo: Vashkar addresses TedX GulshanOn November 4 2023 Internet Society Accessibility Standing Group Vice President Vashkar Bhattarcharjee gave a presentation From Limitation to Innovation at TEDxGulshan in Dhakar, Bangladesh. Vashkar spoke about how, after initial rejection by the education system because of his disability, he went on to change the whole very nature of that system for all disabled persons.

VIEW ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qs9u1JTMVIU

TRANSCRIPT: PDF

ARCHIVE: https://archive.org/details/vashkar-bhattacharjee-tedx-gulshan (EN/BN captions)

TWITTER: #TedTalk #TEDx #TedxGulshan #InnovationForEquality @VashkarBD @a2i_bd

COPYRIGHT: CC BY-NC-ND TED

6:02 pm on August 7, 2023 · Bangladesh (8), digital inclusion (15)

WEBCAST AUG 9 – Realizing the Rights and Improving Accessible and SMART Services for Persons with Disabilities in Hard-To-Reach Areas

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isoc.live

isoc.liveOn Wednesday 9th August 2023 at 19:00-20:30 BST (13:00-14:30 UTC) Friendship NGO in collaboration with Aspire to Innovate (a2i), ICT Division of the Government of Bangladesh hosts a webinar ‘ Realizing the Rights and Improving Accessible and SMART Services for Persons with Disabilities in Hard-To-Reach Areas.’ The aim of this international dialogue is to understand the gaps and discuss possible digital solutions to include persons with disabilities living in hard-to-reach areas in the process of making ‘SMART Bangladesh’.

The SMART Bangladesh Vision 2041, led by the Honorable Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, is about bridging the digital divide by innovating and scaling sustainable digital solutions that all citizens, regardless of their socio-economic background, and all businesses, regardless of their size, can benefit from. This Vision will straddle 4 key pillars: Smart Citizen, Smart Government, Smart Economy, and Smart Society.

DISCUSSANTS
Md. Mahmudul Hossain Khan, Secretary, Coordination & Reforms Cabinet Division, Government of Bangladesh
Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor, a2i Programme, Government of Bangladesh / UNDP Bangladesh
Runa Khan, Founder, Friendship NGO
Marc Elvinger, Chair, Friendship Luxembourg / Co-Chair, Friendship International
Vashkar Bhattacharjee, National Consultant- Accessibility Disability Innovation Lab (a2i)
Suzana Brown, Associate Professor, Department of Technology and Society, State University of New York
Ann Gummels, Director, Foundation of Children with Autism
Betteke de Gaay Fortman, Director, Friendship Netherlands
Ahmed Toufiqur Rahman, Deputy Director, Friendship NGO
Barrister Ayesha Taasin Khan, Senior Director & Head of Inclusive Citizenship, Friendship NGO

MODERATOR
Deepak Raj Sapkota, Executive Director of Karuna Foundation, Nepal / the Honorary Consul of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

The event will have IS interpretation, and will be live simulcast by the Accessibility Special Interest Group of the Internet Society US New York Chapter (A11ySIG).

LIVESTREAM http://livestream.com/internetsociety/bd-digitalinclusion3

PARTICIPATE VIA ZOOM https://bit.ly/3Ypzi6G

REAL TIME TEXT https://bit.ly/3YwhWoL

TWITTER #digitalsolutions @a2i_bd @friendship_ngo #accessibility #SmartBangladesh2041 #Bangladesh #DigitalInclusion #A11y @a11ySIG @ISOCapac

MASTODON https://mastodon.social/tags/digitalsolutions #digitalsolutions

SIMULCASTS
https://twitter.com/ISOC_Live
https://www.twitch.tv/isoclive
https://www.facebook.com/liveisoc/
https://www.facebook.com/isocasiapacific/

ARCHIVE
https://archive.org/details/bd-digitalinclusion3

 

8:35 am on May 30, 2023 · accessibility. a11y (1), Bangladesh (8), digital inclusion (15), g3ict (1)

WEBCAST MAY 30 – Expert Forum: The Importance of Digital Inclusion for People with Disability

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ISOC LIVE

ISOC LIVEOn Tuesday May 30 2023 at 21:00 BST (13:00 UTC) the Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme, Bangladesh Directorate of Information and Communication Technology Division, and the Global Initiative for Inclusive ICTs (G3ict) through its Smart Cities for All (SC4A) Initiative and the International Association of Accessibility Professionals (IAAP), a division of G3ict present an expert forum ‘ The Importance of Digital Inclusion for People with Disability’. This 60-minute discussion will be targeted specifically to Bangladesh but open to participants worldwide. It will raise awareness of the importance of digital technology adoption and address the skills and capacities needed to increase the use of digital services and foster digital inclusion.

This event will be in English. Text captions and Bangla Sign Language (BdSL) interpretation will be available.

DISCUSSANTS
Vashkar Bhattacharjee, National Consultant- Accessibility, a2i / G3ict Country Advisor for Bangladesh / Vice Chair, ISOC Accessibility Standing Group
Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor, Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme, Bangladesh
Monica Duhem, Director, Global Advisory Center, G3ict
Dr. Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir, Project Director, Aspire to Innovate (a2i) Programme, Bangladesh
Dr. Mohammed Ali Loutfy, Director for Capacity Building and Advocacy, G3ict

MODERATOR
María de Lourdes Arreola, IAAP

LIVESTREAM http://livestream.com/internetsociety/bd-digitalinclusion

PARTICIPATE VIA ZOOM https://bit.ly/3WGVRmD (AI CC, BdSL)

REAL TIME TEXT https://bit.ly/3II4h7h

TWITTER #accessibility #Bangladesh #DigitalInclusion #A11y @G3ict @a2i_bd @IAAPOrg
@ictdivision @ISOCapac

SIMULCASTS
https://www.twitch.tv/isoclive
https://www.facebook.com/liveisoc/
https://www.facebook.com/isocasiapacific/

ARCHIVE
https://archive.org/details/bd-digitalinclusion

 

2:49 am on December 13, 2022 · a11y (127), accessibility (84), asg (4), Bangladesh (8), isoc (163)

WEBCAST DEC 21 – Webinar: Digital Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities to Achieve the Global Goals

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On Wednesday December 21 2022 at 09:30-10:30 BST (03:30-04:30 UTC) the Internet Society Accessibility Standing Group presents a webinar ‘Digital Inclusion for Persons with Disabilities to Achieve the Global Goals‘. This is an international webinar with a focus on accessibility in Bangladesh, in cooperation with the Bangladesh Government’s public service innovation unit (a2i).

The WHO estimates that about 15% of the global population lives with some form of disability, and among them, 80% live in low and middle-income countries. They have limited digital footprints due to the lack of internet facilities and the accessibility of the websites, apps, and digital services. Although the Bangladesh Government has set the priorities of digitizing the public services to implement the vision of Digital Bangladesh including making it more inclusive and barrier-free for all, persons with disabilities are still deprived of accessing these public services.

Nowadays, a remarkable number of private services are also provided online, and those are inaccessible to persons with disabilities. Consequently, a significant number of citizens are being deprived of digital services. Therefore, awareness should be created to promote digital inclusion for persons with disabilities, complementing the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

This event will be in English. Text captions and Bangla Sign Language (BdSL) interpretation will be available.

PROGRAMME 09:30-10:30 BST (03:30-04:30 UTC)

WELCOME
Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor, a2i
KEYNOTES
Gunela Astbrink, Chair, Accessibility Standing Group, Internet Society
Vashkar Bhattacharjee, National Consultant – Accessibility, a2i / Country representative G3ICT / Vice Chair, Accessibility Standing Group, Internet Society
PANEL
Swaran Ravindra, Academic, Fiji National University / Leader, Accessibility Standing Group, Internet Society
Azfar Adib, Senior Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) / Member, Internet Society Bangladesh Chapter
Md. Mozammel Haque, Project Manager, UNDP Bangladesh
Moderator: Anir Chowdhury, Policy Advisor, a2i
SPECIAL GUEST
Dr. Abu Saleh Mostafa Kamal, Director General, Department of Social Services (DSS)
CHIEF GUEST
NM Zeaul Alam PAA, Senior Secretary, Information and Communication Technology Division
CLOSING REMARKS
Dr. Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir, Project Director, a2i (Joint Secretary)

LIVESTREAM http://livestream.com/internetsociety/isoc-asg-bd (Open Captions)

PARTICIPATE VIA ZOOM https://bit.ly/ISOC-ASG-BD (CC, BdSL)

REAL TIME TEXT https://www.streamtext.net/text.aspx?event=CFI-ISOC-ASG

TWITTER #accessibility #Bangladesh @InternetSociety @a2i_bd @UNDP_BD #IDPD #IDPD2022 #SDGs @ISOCapac #a11y #captioned

SIMULCASTS (Open Captions)
https://www.twitter.com/ISOC_Live/
https://www.twitch.tv/isoclive
https://www.facebook.com/liveisoc/
https://www.facebook.com/isocasiapacific/

ARCHIVE
https://archive.org/details/isoc-asg-bd

11:25 pm on November 10, 2022 · Bangladesh (8), isigf (1), NRI (94)

WEBCAST NOV 10-12 – 17th Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum

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ISOC LIVE

ISOC LIVEFrom Thursday 10 November 2022 to Saturday 12 November the 17th Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum will be convened in Dhaka. The meeting will be hosted under the overarching theme: Resilient Internet for Sustainable Development and Smart Bangladesh. The program will be developed around the following 15 constituent themes aligned with the UN Secretary-General’s envisioned Global Digital Compact.

PROGRAM (BST/UTC)

Day -1 (10 November 2022)
15:00/09:00 Empowering Youth for Smart BangLadesh onwards to IG Process
Sayda Kamrun Jahan Ripa, Bangladesh Youth Internet Governance Forum
Manik Mahmud, Aspire to Innovate (a2i)
Nehrin Mustofa, Bangladesh Awami League
Biplob G Rahul, BASIS /eCourier
Ilmul Hoque Sajib, e-CAB / Sheba.xyz
Jenna Fung, Dot Asia
Srinivas Goud Chendi, APNIC
Dr. Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir, Aspire to Innovate (a2i),
Moderator: Faisal Ahmed Bhubon, Bangladesh Youth Internet Governance Forum

16:15/10:15 Resilient Internet for Sustainable Development and Smart BangLadesh; Road to Addis Ababa
Mohammad Abdul Haque Anu, Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF)
Anir Chowdhury, UNDP Bangladesh
Rojina Nasrin, Bangladesh Mohila Awami League
Md Emdadul Hoque, Internet Service Providers Association of Bangladesh (ISPAB)
Rizwan Rahman, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI)
Shyam Sunder Sikder, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC)
H.E. Mustafa Jabbar, Minister, Post and Telecommunications Division
H.E. Hasanul Haq Inu, MP, Chair, Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum
Moderator: AHM Bazlur Rahman, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)

Day 2 (11 November 2022)
10:00/04:00 Kid’s IGF: Rights in the Digital environment
Zartaj Haque Simra, Viqarunnisa Noon School & College
Rituraaz Bhowmik, Australian International School
Afreen Ahmed, Ideal School & College
Khundkar Ayesha Shahriyar Anika,BCSIR School & College
Samarah Arisha Hossain, Australian International School
Dr. Md. Idris Ali, BCSIR School & College
Md. Tazul Islam, Chief Executive Officer, IXPRESS
Dr. Rafiuddin Ahmed, Dhaka University
Adv. Khundkar Hasan Shahriyar, Bangladesh Kid’s Internet Governance Forum
Moderator: Ayesha Labiba, Saint Francis Xaviers Greenherald International School

11.15/05:15 Fellowship Opportunity on Internet Governance
Sayda Kamrun Jahan Ripa,Bangladesh Youth Internet Governance Forum
Srinivas Goud Chendi, APNIC
Moderator: Mohammad Kawsar Uddin, Internet Society Bangladesh Chapter

11.45/05:45 Basic Routing Security & MeaningfuL Coordination in Digital Ecosystem
Simon Sohel Baroi, Fiber@Home Global Limited
Srinivas Goud Chendi, APNIC
Moderator: Abdur Rahman Khan Jehad, Bangladesh Computer Society

12.15/06:15 Kid’s IGF CLosing Ceremony
Adv. Khundkar Hasan Shahriyar, Bangladesh Kid’s IGF

14:30/08:30 The disruptors for digital transformation (Part 1 | Part 2)
Bijoy K. Chowdhury, Fred Intelligence Ltd.
Moderator: Farha Mahmud Trina, Bangladesh Women Internet Governance Forum

15:00/09:00 Youtube Village model, Shimulia, Khoksa, Kushtia – How it Contributes to Socio-Economic Development?
Liton Ali Khan, YouTube Village, Shimulia, Khoksa, Kushtia
Shazzad Hossain, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, Jasod
Moderator: AHM Bazlur Rahman, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)

15:45/09:45 Governing Data and Protecting Privacy
Barrister Nazmus Saliheen, Bangladesh Supreme Court
Dr. Mohammed Shafiul Alam Khan, IIT, University of Dhaka
Md. Saleh Akram, University of Asia Pacific
Sumon Ahmed Sabir, Fiber @ Home Ltd.
Samira Zuberi Himika, Bangladesh Association of Software and InformationServices (BASIS)
Tapan Kanti Sarkar, CTO Forum
Mohammad Saiful Alam Khan, Enhancing Digital Government Economy
Adv Mahafujur Rahman Likhon, Assistant Attorney General
Dr. Shahjahan Mahmood, Bangladesh Satellite Company Ltd.
Moderator: Khundkar Hasan Shahriyar, Supreme Court of Bangladesh

Day 3 (12 November 2022)

10.00/04:00 (Women IGF: MeaningfuL access and affordable Internet for women | Pt.2 | Pt.3 | Pt.4)
Tamanna Mou, Ministry of Education
Natasha Kader, Eastern Bank Ltd.
Md. Nazrul Islam, Carnival Internet
Afroza Haq Rina, Bangladesh Women Internet Governance Forum
Rubaba Dowla, Oracle Bangladesh, Nepal & Bhutan
Shabnam Tahmina Kabir, Jatio Mohila Songstha
H.E. Naheed Ezaher Khan, MP, Bangladesh Parliament
Nahid Sultana Mallik, Information and Communication Technology Division
Moderator: Farha Mahmud Trina, Bangladesh Women Internet Governance Forum

11:15/05:15 Policy Dialogue on Dot Bd and Universal Acceptance
Dr. Ajay Data, ICANN
Haseeb Istiaqur Rahman, Professionals Systems
Edmon Chung, Dot Asia, Hongkong
Sarmad Hussain, ICANN
Brig. Gen. Md. Ehsanul Kabir, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC)
Md. Rafiqul Matin, Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Limited (BTCL)
Moderator: Dr. Md. Rakibul Hoque, University of Dhaka

12.15/06:15 Women IGF CLosing Ceremony
Farha Mahmud Trina, Bangladesh Women IGF
Yasmin Tazrin Jahan Tarin,
Md. Nazrul Islam, Carnival Internet

14:00/08:00 Data Privacy & Emerging Technologies in Financial Ecosystem
S.M. Tofayel Ahmad, Bangladesh Bank
Hossain Mohammed Faisal, Social Islami Bank Limited
Mohammad Shahadat Hossain, Grameenphone Limited
Md. Mahbubur Rahman Alam, Bangladesh Institute Bank Management (BIBM)
Dr. Shah Md. Ahsan Habib, Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management
Md. Razib Pervez, Director, BASIC Bank Limited
Debdulal Roy, Bangladesh Bank
Muhammed Abdullah Al Mamun, United Commercial Bank Limited

15:15/09:15 Opportunities and Challenges of Mobile Telecom Towards Smart BangLadesh
Hans Martin Henrichsen, Grameenphone
Abdus Salam, Ericsson Bangladesh
Shahed Alam, Robi Axiata
Brig Gen Mohammad Moniruzzaman Jewel, BTRC
Shyam Sunder Sikder, Chairman, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC)
Moderator: Brig Gen S M Farhad (Retd.), Association of Mobile Telecom Operators of Bangladesh (AMTOB)

16:15/10:15 Connecting ALL People and MeaningfuL Access; Declaration for the Future of the Internet
Mohammad Abdul Haque Anu, Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF)
Reza Salim, Amader Gram
Ashiqur Rahman Rean, Dotlines
Srinivas Goud Chendi, APNIC
Brig. Gen. Md. Nasim Parvez, BTRC
Dr. A J M Shafiul Alam Bhuiyan, University of Dhaka
AHM Bazlur Rahman, Chief Executive Officer, Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)

LIVESTREAM https://www.youtube.com/@BangladeshIGF/streamsIGF

FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/BangladeshInternetGovernanceForum

TWITTER #BIGF2022 @BangladeshIgf #Bangladesh 

4:39 am on September 11, 2020 · Bangladesh (8), igf (239), NRI (94), SIG (2)

WEBCAST FRI/SAT – 4th Bangladesh School of Internet Governance #bdSIG #bdSIG2020 @ISOC_APAC

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livestream

livestreamOn Friday-Saturday 11 – 12 September 2020 the 4th Bangladesh School of Internet Governance (bdSIG) will be held online. The 4th bdSIG is organized by the Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum (BIGF) and will provide training programs to 85 participants who attended the bdSIG survey and expressed their interests on the skills of Internet Governance, Localization and ICT, Cyber Security, Data Protection and Privacy, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IOT), Blockchain, Digital Economy, Effective Use of Digital Platforms during Pandemic and Internet Fellowships & Grants.

LIVESTREAM http://livestream.com/internetsociety/bdSIG

AGENDA https://bit.ly/bdSIG2020 (UTC+6)

PARTICIPATE VIA ZOOM https://bit.ly/3k7G1gl

TWITTER #bdSIG https://bit.ly/bdSIG

SIMULCASTS_
https://www.pscp.tv/ISOC_Live/
https://www.twitch.tv/isoclive
https://www.facebook.com/isocasiapacific/live

ARCHIVE
https://archive.org/details/bdSIG2020