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Celebrating the scaling up of AVCB II to 1,080 unions

2017

On 9 April 2017, Local Government Division with the assistance of Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Phase II Project (AVCB II) celebrated the “Scaling up of Activating Village Courts in Bangladesh Project”. The aim of the event was to acknowledge the achievements treasured in the pilot phase (2009 – 2015), share reflections, experience and learning of the AVCB project with a view to encouraging all relevant stakeholders in making the AVCB II successful.

The celebration was graced by the participation of Mr. Abdul Malek, Secretary, LGD as the Chief Guest while Mr. Mario Ronconi, Minister-Counsellor, Head of Cooperation, Head of Unit, European Union Delegation to Bangladesh, and Mr. Sudipto Mukerjee, Country Director, UNDP Bangladesh as Special Guests. Mr. Iqramul Haque, Additional Secretary, Local Government Division and National Project Director, AVCB II Project chaired the event. Around 180 participants from relevant government and non-government stakeholders of AVCB Pilot and AVCB II areas, government officials from central, division and district administration, representatives from local government institution – mostly UPs, NGO Officials, media professionals and the community peoples who were directly benefited by village courts steered by AVCB Project were present in the event.

Mr. Sudipto Mukerjee, Country Director, UNDP Bangladesh in his speech said, “Bangladesh Government has brought several reforms in the justice system which reduces time, cost and number of visits to the court which are also reflected in the Village Courts system and eventually ensures access to justice.”

“European Union has a higher expectation to implement the AVCB II project which will be established in line with the mainstream justice system and eventually it will be sustainable,” said Mr. Mario Ronconi, Minister-Counsellor, Head of Unit and Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Bangladesh.

Chief Guest of the event Mr. Abdul Malek, Secretary, LGD said, “AVCB II is adopted based on the Village Courts Act 2006. Cumulatively, through Pilot and second Phase 1,431 unions of Bangladesh is being supported, which is only one-third of the total number of unions. Therefore, the government has taken initiatives to establish ejlash, distribution of VC forms and registers throughout the country.”

Mr. Iqramul Haque, Chair of the session, Additional Secretary, LGD and National Project Director, AVCB II Project suggested to coordinate with and motivate local NGOs in the monthly NGO coordination meeting at district and upazila level and requested the local administration to cooperate in the monitoring of Village Court’s performance.