Expatriates, policy makers and people must work together

A group of like-minded expatriate economists, during the launching of their research journal 'Bangladesh Studies' in Dhaka early this year, seemed to have generated some hope that the policy making exercise would benefit from vigorous research, provided wholesome interaction between NRBs and their peers at home, on various economic, development and social issues, is maintained. Sceptics however point out that most policy-makers, by and large, are not found to be interested in academic journals, thus 'leaving a vital gap in communicating the message.' This lack of interest in putting all heads together, to collate information and bridge knowledge gaps --- which is not unlikely on both sides ---- can prove to be a major retarding factor in the effort to take the country forward as smoothly as its potential would permit. Sceptics cannot always be dismissed. In the matter of ecological education, for example, it is seen that although policymakers use the right rhetoric, in action there is more wrong being done than otherwise. This serious gap must be removed if the public at large is to be informed correctly about the causes and effects of human choices and actions. The earth and its ecological health has been brought to the current crisis because indiscriminate and over-exploitative development models, led by the over-consuming industrialized countries, have been followed for too long. They are still being followed, even by most developing countries ---- laying waste much natural resources. Such models of development have been generating a great deal of heat and disrupting global climate in violent ways, triggering erratic and extreme weather patterns everywhere. Bangladesh is among the poor, low-lying countries that are said to be most vulnerable to the worst effects of global warming. In terms of global carbon emissions, Bangladesh is among the lowest contributors, but its sufferings on account of world carbon emissions would be terribly high. However that does not absolve either the government or the public from the obligation of 'acting locally', and with wisdom. Ecologically sound decisions must be taken regarding development in all sectors. People in this country also have been polluting and destroying their own natural resources thoughtlessly enough. It is imperative that policy-and-decision makers in the country are fully abreast of the issues at stake in order to be able to tread the right path at home and also speak up for the people's right to climate justice in the international arena. It bears repetition that a coalition of environmental rights groups has been trying to get the industrialized North ---- with their giant conglomerates, their powerful military-industrial complex, their highly exploitative financial institutions ---- to accept responsibility for their predatory policies which have left many regions worldwide worse off. The activists claim that the above ought to be regarded as the main debtors to the world's poor and should be compelled to pay reparations so that the most vulnerable can get on with their development efforts, even while trying to cope with the worst effects of climate change. Countries like Bangladesh ought to link up with such groups and work out how best to win proper compensation, which should then be channeled into vital sectors like education, health, infrastructure, a-forestation and other long-term core development imperatives.