Workshop & Knowledge-Sharing on Kleptocracy with Integrity Champion was held today in Chittagong division. The workshop was held under the Transnational Responses Against Corruption and Kleptocracy (TRACK) III project to raise awareness among political leaders, government officials, academics, civil society representatives, students and journalist representatives. The project is being implemented by RUPSA organization with financial support from IRI (International Republican Institute).

Educationists of Chittagong district, leaders of various political parties, officials of various government departments, journalists and representatives of civil society and students of various universities participated in the workshop. Here the participants discussed their role in raising public awareness about kleptocracy and corruption and reforming laws and policies. He also expressed their commitment in conducting advocacy to fight corruption at the field level.

The workshop was presided over by Hiranmoy Mondal, Executive Director, Rupsa, and Sheikh Mostafizur Rahman, Director-Programme, Rupsa, gave a presentation on Kleptocracy. Dr. Shahadat Hossain, Honorable Mayor, Chittagong City Corporation, Chittagong, Nazmun Nahar, Lecturer, Saraipar City Corporation Degree College, Chittagong, Mohammad Shafiul Alam, Director, Board of Trustees, International Islamic University, AMB, Syed Mostafa were present as chief guests on the occasion. Alam, International Parliament For Safety Peace & Justice, ASIA, Md. Abdul Hannan Alam, Assistant Director, Directorate of Youth Development, Chittagong, Md. Kamrul Pasha Bhuiyan, Assistant Director, Ministry of Social Services,

Chittagong City Corporation Mayor Dr. Md. Shahadat Hossain as the chief guest said in the workshop that he emphasized the importance of honesty and commitment of political leaders in establishing a democratic state and developing the country and nation by preventing kleptocracy and corruption. He termed the initiative as timely and recommended organizing similar workshops across the country to raise public awareness and engage the young generation to combat corruption and kleptocracy.

Rajeev Nandi, Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism Department of Chittagong University, presented a paper in the workshop. He analyzes the harmful effects of kleptocracy and corruption from an academic perspective.

Everyone in the workshop said that a nationwide social movement should be developed to make Bangladesh a corruption-free country. All agree to pledges that express their commitment to kleptocracy and corruption. All those present at the workshop signed the Integrity Pledge to strengthen their position in the fight against corruption.