FE REPORT
Development programmes may become more purposeful when they pay attention to establishing human dignity of the beneficiaries in addition to their economic growth, according to a research book launched on Thursday.
The publication also said a specialised programme launched by the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) made significant impact on the beneficiaries' living, health, education and food consumption.
In the surveyed area, the number of people earning more than TK 10,000 went up to more than 50 per cent during the end-line survey as opposed to 15 per cent during the baseline, the research found.
The research book titled "Sustainable Development, Human Dignity and Choice: Lessons from the ENRICH Programme, Bangladesh" was unveiled at a ceremony organised by the PKSF at its headquarters in the city's Agargaon area.
Economic Affairs Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr Mashiur Rahman attended the ceremony as the chief guest with PKSF Chairman Dr Qazi Kholiquzzaman Ahmad in the chair.
PKSF Managing Director (MD) Dr Nomita Halder made the inaugural speech while its Additional Managing Director Dr Jashim Uddin briefed on the ENRICH programme.
A professor at the University of Sussex Martin Greeley and two professors of Development Studies at the University of Dhaka (DU) Asif M Shahan and Shubhasish Barua conducted the research to evaluate efficiency of the ENRICH programme.
International publishing house Springer Nature introduced the book.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mashiur Rahman said the idea of dignity is not usually discussed in economic discourse."Consideration of dignity into development discourse by the ENRICH programme is a unique," he said, expressing hope that the success of the programme will be expanded further.
How one individual is accepted by others in the society following the improvement in his economic status is one form of dignity, he said.
Kholiquzzaman Ahmad said the ENRICH programme is an integrated and human-centric development programme to help people establish their economic status and dignity. However, the programme now face hiccups due to fund crisis, he said without elaborating.
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