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BNNRC now strives for following core interventions
BNNRC now strives for following core interventions to achieve PRSP, WSIS action plan and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)
# Awareness on correlations of ICT, poverty alleviation and Institutionalization of Democracy and Right to Information(RTI)
- To promote awareness among general mass so that they will consider access to ICT not as a privilege rather this as people’s basic human rights.
- Publication of development communication materials.
- Training for NGOs, CSOs who will multiply the knowledge.
- Awareness sessions, fairs etc with community especially in disadvantage areas.
- Organise Right ti Information related campaign.
Awareness on correlations of ICT in poverty alleviation and institutionalization of democracy
General mass even the educated people have apathy on ICT and its progressive as they are not aware or information on latest ICT development is not available to them. So, there should be some process that the mass people especially the opinion leaders should know all of that information.
Policies also prevent the free flow of information, which is fundamental to institutionalize democracy. Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights state that “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”. BNNRC does like to spread the principles of article 19 and its implementation to build up a true democratic society.
Even educated people do not understand the correlation of access to information and knowledge is fundamental not only in respect of institutionalizing democracy but it is also correlated to poverty reduction. Forty years ago, Ghana and the Republic of Korea had virtually the same per capita. By the early 1990s Korea’s per capita income was six times higher than Ghana’s. The development practitioners believe that half of the difference is due to Korea’s greater success in acquiring and using information. Mass people and especially politicians and policy makers should have understanding on this correlation, which are helpful to have favorable policy environment.
In order to create mass awareness on ICT use and its correlation to poverty alleviation and institutionalization of democracy, BNNRC has been working on promotion of 9 principles of article 19 and ICT use and potentials especially in remote areas and disadvantaged communities.
BNNRC arranged a number of seminars and workshops and also prepared some advocacy materials. Through these seminars and advocacy materials, BNNRC oriented a number of policy makers and regular citizens with ICT and its implication with ongoing development initiatives. BNNRC arranged a national level training and 10 seminars at union level. It also published three posters and two booklets and translated two books into Bengali.
Establishment of ICT Resource Center and Promotion of Radio Listeners Club as primary ICT catalyst in remote rural areas
- To promote radio listeners especially in remote rural and coastal areas.
- Training to the NGOs and CSOs for promotion of radio listeners.
- Organize and facilitate events like annual conference to promote radio listeners club throughout the country.
# Establishment of ICT Resource Center and Promotion of Radio Listeners Club as primary ICT catalyst in remote rural areas;
- To promote radio listeners especially in remote rural and coastal areas.
- Training to the NGOs and CSOs for promotion of radio listeners.
- Organize and facilitate events like annual conference to promote radio listeners club throughout the country.
ICT4D Resource Centre
Still mass people consider the access to information communication technology (ICT) is a privilege; it is not as a basic human right. Airwaves spectrum being considered for profit or for revenue earning by the state, hardly it is being considered as a public property for public good/welfare. Although in fact almost all the research and infrastructure are done with public money, but the basic facilities being enjoyed by the rich or by urban population and thus the digital divide perpetuating poverty and exploitation mechanism.
An ICT4D resource centre has been established at BNNRC secretariat and it is getting equipped continuously to create an ICT resource base and to make young student catalyst especially in coastal area consider ICT as a basic human right not as mere privilege.
Information on progressive use of ICT is available in the resource centre. A total of five PhD researchers have closely used this resource centre for their research work. BNNRC and its partner organizations are frequently getting help from the resource centre for their advocacy, campaign and research programs. Moreover, a large number of booklets, leaflets, posters, newsletter and bulletins have been developed and published from this resource centre which are immediately distributed among the policy makers and stakeholders for the dissemination of information and knowledge on the ICT and development issues.
Moreover, radio is the only easy and low cost means of ICT for rural and coastal population. Especially for the youth in those areas, this is the only and low cost access for them in international world. BNNRC has been promoting radio listener’s movement especially in the remote rural and coastal areas as a door opener having access to international and free information world and developing the radio listeners as primary ICT catalyst.
# Establishment of Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) for Disaster Preparedness and Risk Reduction through Amateur Radio promotion .
- Provide training and technical assistance where possible to make the access easier
Amateur license means an amateur license that authorizes the holder to operate an amateur or an amateur-satellite station, or an amateur station or amateur-satellite station located on board a land vehicle, a maritime vessel or an airborne vehicle.
There are lots of examples that the public communication network, even the Red Cross communication network has failed during the time of disaster especially during the time of cyclone disaster.
Bangladesh is a country where 5% disaster of the world caused 85% of its damages, recently chances of earthquakes has increased and there are several small seismic turmoil in the city of Chittagong. In India this is the Amateur Radio Operator first established communication in Orissa after super cyclone and in the city of Vuze - Guzrat after the earthquake, even in developed country like in USA government takes the help of Amateur radio operator even to catch smugglers. Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Service (RACES) is a popular activity in this regard. BNNRC members of the coastal area developed a disaster radio network, which works as an alternative stand-by and emergency communication system to public and Red Crescent radio network. BNNRC also developed a rapid deployment team known as RACES in its working areas for any rapid deployment in any place for disaster communication.
In June 2000 the network has organized training with funding support from OXFAM-GB especially to create amateur radio operators in coastal areas, accordingly two NGO leaders succeeded to pass the examination and commissioned two amateur radio stations both respectively in Barisal and Chittagong. After formation of Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) a stagnant situation was created and for last three years no amateur radio examination was held and no new license was issued. BNNRC continuously pursued the Chairman of BTRC and gave applications and hearing. Thena committee has been formed to conduct the examination in which BNNRC Chief Executive Officer is also the member. Promoting Amateur Radio is fundamental to build alternative emergency communication system especially in remote areas and international friendship without interference from government.
Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) finalized provisions and conditions of Amateur Radio License under this National Frequency Allocation Plan (NFAP).
In order to promote amateur radio operation in the country, BNNRC arranged three training courses for the enthusiasts. Most of the trainees have been successfully capable of using amateur radio and qualified in the examination. A total of 340 people of different level and professions actively took part in the courses. The first training course was held at IUCN Conference Room on 03-08 June 2000. The second training course was held at CARITAS auditorium in Chittagong on 17-21 August 2002 and BNNRC arranged third training course on 12-15 January 2004 in cooperation with Foundation for Amateur Radio International Service (FAIRS) and COAST.
As a consequence of the consistent advocacy of BNNRC, Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) has resumed conducting Amateur Radio Operator License Tests.
The tests are conducted through Computer Based Testing (CBT) system. This system is lobbied by Barl.
# Establishment of People's Right in Telecommunication
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