Sep14

On 13 September 2025, the Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI) hosted a national roundtable titled “Future of Democratic Bangladesh: People’s Perspectives and Expectations” at the Ikebana Hall, Hotel Lakeshore, Gulshan-2, Dhaka. The event brought together leading political figures, civil society representatives, academics, former ambassadors, members of the BEI Board of Governors, and other distinguished personalities to reflect on the aspirations of citizens for a democratic Bangladesh.

The roundtable was graced by Professor Dr. Ali Riaz, Vice Chairman of the National Consensus Commission and Head of the Bangladesh Constitutional Reform Commission, who attended as the Chief Guest. Other distinguished guests included Mr. Salahuddin Ahmed, Member of the Standing Committee of the BNP; Dr. Badiul Alam Majumder, Secretary of SHUJAN; Mr. Junaed Abdur Rahim Saki, President of Gana Sanghati Andolon; Ms. Tasnim Zara, Senior Joint Member Secretary of the NCP; Lt. Col. (Retd.) Helal Uddin Ahmed, Vice Chairman of the Amar Bangladesh Party; Mr. Saiful Haque, General Secretary of the Bangladesh Biplobi Workers Party; Mr. Munir Haider, Special Assistant to the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh’s Interim Government; Dr. Mushtaque Hossain, Standing Committee Member of JASAD; and Mr. Mominul Amin, General Secretary of the Nationalist Democratic Movement (NDM).

The event also featured a presentation of BEI’s findings from Dhaka and twelve districts across the country, which captured the voices and perspectives of citizens on reform priorities. These findings, drawn from BEI’s nationwide consultations, highlighted the public’s demand for inclusive governance, electoral integrity, judicial independence, and greater accountability. The presentation underscored how citizens — particularly youth, women, and marginalized communities — are shaping expectations for Bangladesh’s democratic future.

The meeting was further enriched by the presence of former ambassadors, members of BEI’s Board of Governors, representatives from academia and civil society organizations, as well as respected figures from across different sectors. Amb. Farooq Sobhan, Distinguished Fellow and Board Member of BEI, also attended the event.

Ambassador (Retd.) M. Humayun Kabir, President of BEI, presided over the discussions and highlighted BEI’s continuing efforts to foster inclusive dialogue through nationwide consultations. He noted that the initiative aims to ensure that reform processes are informed by the perspectives and expectations of the people.

The deliberations focused on the challenges and opportunities of strengthening democratic governance, promoting accountability, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens. Speakers underscored the urgent need for reforms that reflect the aspirations of the people and reaffirmed their collective commitment to building a more inclusive and democratic Bangladesh.