In-house Seminar

This in-house seminar critically examines the synergistic yet challenging relationship between Governmental Organizations (GOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the concerted effort to prevent human trafficking from Bangladesh. As a complex transnational crime with deep socio-economic roots, human trafficking requires a multi-stakeholder response where the state's law enforcement and policy frameworks are complemented by the grassroots access, specialized services, and advocacy of NGOs. This discussion aims to map the current landscape of GO-NGO cooperation, identifying existing mechanisms and successful collaborative models in areas such as victim identification, rescue operations, shelter provision, legal aid, and community-based prevention campaigns.

While acknowledging the progress made, the seminar will focus primarily on the persistent challenges that hinder a more effective partnership. These include issues of mutual mistrust, bureaucratic bottlenecks, inadequate information sharing protocols, and disparities in resources and capacity. The session will also delve into the sustainability of NGO-led initiatives, which are often dependent on fluctuating donor funding, and the need for a more integrated national strategy that formally recognizes and embeds the role of civil society. The "way forward" segment will explore concrete, actionable solutions. Panelists will discuss the potential for establishing a high-level joint task force, developing standardized operating procedures for victim support and repatriation, and creating shared data platforms to better track trafficking trends. The ultimate goal is to foster a more cohesive, trust-based, and effective partnership that leverages the respective strengths of both government and non-government actors to create a robust national front against human trafficking.