The first global climate strike took place 3 years ago in 150 countries across the globe. It was about demanding justice by people who said NO to ALL forms of injustice. Climate issues is neither an environmental issue nor a political issue; it is a social or economic issue, either. It is a broad terminology, which gives us a chance to remind ourselves about our interrelatedness. By reflecting on how all of these seemingly separate issues are deeply connected and influence each other, we come to realize that we need to be in a dialogue with one another rather than trying to tackle issues individually in a separate and isolated manner.

Concerning with the worse situations, we urgently demand climate justice movements in every corner of our locations and observed the GLOBAL CLIMATE STRIKE 2022 in Patenga, Chattogram, Bangladesh with local climate vulnerable people and visitors in the beach area of Bay of Bangle to raise and add their voices. In the movement it demanded urgent Climate Justice for all and urged to save People and Planet from the man-made climate induced crises. A human chain with slogans ‘ People not profit, Planet over profit, settle the climate refugees, pay up for loss and damage and keep our planet a livable place for all living beings not destroying nonliving nature ‘ and many others.

It also highlighted the climate injured vulnerabilities of Bangladeshi people as it’s low-lying topography, high population density, poverty and exposure to various hazards, such as flooding, storms, rising heat waves, sea levels, water logging, river erosion, or communicable diseases caused the world’s seventh most climate vulnerable country. The important aspect of tackling climate change is addressing and minimizing loss and damage by reducing carbon emission, which is a growing problem of every country. The Climate Strike movement is organised by Atisha Dipankar Peace Trust Bangladesh with support from Interreligious Climate and Ecology (ICE) Network and ADPT Bangladesh Foundation.

This year the theme for the 2022 International Day of Peace is End Racism, Build Peace. A roundtable discussion on the theme and host peacemakers call on the day ‘Empower the Local Peace maker’s Efforts for Ending Racism and Racial Discrimination’ is held under chaired by Atisha Dipankar Peace Trust Bangladesh chairman professor Tushar Kanti Barua. Eminent professor Ranjit Kumar Dey and executive chairman RFP Bangladesh was the key note speaker, among others Chattogram Development Authority(CDA) board member and politician Jashim Uddin Shah, journalist Ali Ahmed Shahin, Hindu community leader advocate Tapan Kanti Das, Buddhist scholar professor Dr. Dipankar Srigyan Barua, Christian Rev. Asai Tripura, Jumma Refugee Welfare Association, general secretary Santoshita Chakma Bakul, Principal Rita Datta, Muslim spiritual leader Moulana Shaleh Sufian Forharabad, civil society actors Ms Fatema Akter, Ajit Kumar Aich, Trustee Ven Dr. Priyadharshi Mahathero, Anna Sampson, Dr. Sabuj Barua, Talukdar Abdul Halim, Interfaith peacemaker Sharif Nabab Hossain, ADPT Bangladesh Foundation chairman Dr. Dibakar Barua, member secretary Souman Chakraborty, youth representative Ananda Kumar Biswas, peace activist Hasan Md. Ripon, Mukta Chakraborty, cultural activist Pronove. Raj Barua participated in the dialogue. The dialogue is inaugurated by Advocate Tapan Kanti Das and started by recitation of the national anthem and interreligious prayers. The Peace Day event coordinator and general secretary, Atisha Dipankar Peace Trust Bangladesh presented the keynote paper and importance of Peace Day initiatives and Peacemakers congregation. Young peacemaker Ananda Kumar Biswas conducted a session on ‘Community Visioning Summit for Achieving Sustainable Peace’.

The speakers noted the importance of empowering the local Bangladeshi and all religious and traditional peace actors for ending racism and racial discrimination at all levels of their working areas and fields of interest and urged starting from each person, family, society to state level to achieve it. Moreover the highlighted important points of the discussion are integration of peace, social and economic justice, equity, inclusion, combat hatred, intolerance, division, mistrust, religious violent extremism and amplifying the voice of global citizenship in the existing educational curriculum, social policies and organizational mandates that would greatly facilitate an inclusive society and would bring sustainable peace at all levels in Bangladeshi society. The Peace Day dialogue ended with commitments to continue working together for common goods, defeating social inequalities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 Agenda to end poverty, protect the mother earth and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, leaving no one behind in the society.

The speakers highlighted that although independence was the nation’s highest achievement, we have a long way to go in order to build a peaceful and inclusive Bangladesh which was the core objective of independence. Developing a long term strategic plan is needed to establish a just society, where all men, women and children enjoy the basic fundamental needs, equality and justice, political, economic and social achievements in their respective way of life. This plan needs to clarify the role of the religious and traditional peacemakers in achieving collective goals from individuals, families and communities across the country. Approaches to implement the strategic plan need to represent the needs of local to state level institutions.

The speakers suggested submitting the findings and recommendations to the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to be added to and implemented with state level policies. The discussion among the various traditions of peacemakers was lively with commitments made to work jointly in meaningful ways reaching a diverse group of people that will work for a better Bangladesh. Professor Tushar Kanti Barua, Chairman, Atisha Dipankar Peace Trust Bangladesh presided over the dialogue session. Among the participants Prof. Dr. Mohammed Sakendhar Chowdhury, Prof. Ranjit Kumer Dey, Prof. Rita Dutta, Prof. Dr. Bikiran Prasad Barua, heroic freedom fighter Abul Fazal, principal Shimul Barua, Rev Asai Tripura, Iqbal Bahar Sabery, Ms Fatema Beagum, Shouman Chakraborty, Hasan Md. Ripon, Pronab Raz Barua were the remarkable speakers of the dialogue. The keynote paper on Building a Peaceful and Inclusive Bangladesh that described- our achievements and expectations was submitted by Sanat Kumar Barua, General Secretary, Atisha Dipankar Peace Trust Bangladesh and national coordinator, Religious and Traditional Peacemakers- Bangladesh.

The following observations and recommendations were made regarding building a peaceful and inclusive Bangladesh:

1) Observation: Local peacemakers efforts would be organized, meaningful and equipped for building a secular, democratic and peaceful Bangladesh embracing the state constitution in which the rule of law, fundamental human rights and freedom, equality and justice, political, economic and social rights are secured for all its citizens.

Recommendation: It needs more collaboration and networking with the government, local and international bodies.

2) Observation: In the last fifty years national achievements in social, economic, public health care, education, infrastructure, communication systems etc., have achieved more. However, sustainable policies, people’s expectation and participation, moral and materialistic development are absent. In order to support national interest, sometimes religious or social values are not practiced to: reduce corruption, prevent exploiting the population, misuse national resources, wealth, state power which are against people’s will and independence.

Recommendation: It is urgently needed to motivate the people to build a patriotic , value-based society and apply the best use of religious teachings rather than practicing religions as the tool of self- interest or for pursuing state power.

3) Observation: Changes to the primary level national education system urgently needed, because currently religious learning generates divisions; leads to religious motivated supremacy and, hate crimes; is discriminatory rather than generating love, empathy, respect and so on.

Recommendation: Designing an early childhood value-based education system and multi-religious literacy within Bangladesh’s primary level education system. Also examine education policies in other South Asian countries.

4) Observation: Societal peace and sustainability are the main tools for national progress and development.

Recommendation: The participants emphasized developing a long- term strategic plan to equip and engage in social actions, sustainable development issues, positive change, innovative ways that encourage youth and women to include and also to encourage the unlike minded people in respecting their constructing views through dialogue and motivation.

5) Observation: Radicalization, religiously motivated tension, intolerance, and violent conflict frequently occur nowadays in Bangladesh.

Recommendation: An action plan is needed to identify the root causes and social actions to reduce conflict on a small scale.

6) Observation: The peacemakers prioritized practicing inclusivity in every stage of state levels. But it is regrettable that it is not customized in the present situation.

Recommendation: It should take proper steps within government and non-government levels to meet people’s expectations, respect their uniqueness, diversity and make them feel valued within a just and peaceful society.

7) Observation: The peacemakers argued that our expectation of independence is to build a just and peaceful Bangladesh where everybody enjoys dignified, equitable opportunities and no one leaves behind.

Recommendation: It needs a long- term strategic plan and eagerly wishes to contribute individually and collectively along with the government for promoting an Inclusive Bangladesh for the people.