PM for building developed, knowledge-based society

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina iterated on Monday her government's firm commitment to building a developed, prosperous and knowledge-driven society in pursuit of 'Vision-2041' saying that women and girls in Bangladesh will remain in the forefront of national endeavour to this end, report agencies.
In this regard, the prime minister urged the United Nations and the international community to work together with Bangladesh on girls' and women's education.
The PM made the appeal while inaugurating an international conference on 'Girls' and women's literacy and education: Foundations for sustainable development' marking the International Literacy Day 2014 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city.
The programme was organised by the Government of Bangladesh in partnership with UNESCO, in support of the UN Secretary General's Global Education First Initiative (GEFI).
Speaking on the occasion, Hasina said the government believes that in the post-2015 development context, GEFI's focus on promoting inclusive education, improving quality of education and grooming every child can act as one of the core foundations of sustainable development and a key driving force in universalising girls' and women's literacy and education.
She also expressed her belief that only the right kind of education can make a girl self-reliant economically, socially and emotionally.
In this connection, the prime minister said it is the education that gives girls strength to stand against any wrongdoing and discrimination.
She mentioned that in line with GEFI's third pillar, one of the main objectives of her government's education planning is to "groom the children into becoming truly global citizens, standing tall with their Bangalee identity."
Education Minister Nurul Islam Nahid, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova, Korean Ambassador in Bangladesh Lee Yun-young and Chinese Charge d' Affaires QU Gungzhou also spoke at the function, while Primary and Mass Education Minister Advocate Mustafizur Rahman delivered the welcome address.
Ministers, parliament members, diplomats, academics and high civil and military officials were present on the occasion. Besides, international autism expert and PM's daughter Saima Hossain Putul was present.