The Bangladesh Foundation for Development Research was established in 1996-the Silver Jubilee year of Bangladesh’s Independence. The main objectives are as follows :

(a) To compile a factual and unbiased history of Bangladesh through research on Bangla Language, Liberation War, culture, formation of the Bangalee nation and state;

(b) To undertake research as a Think Tank on various social, political and economic issues facing the nation and suggest policy options for the policy makers and the people.

(c) To organize roundtable conferences, seminars, workshops, discussion meetings, exhibitions and publications on Bangla Language, Literature, Culture, Liberation War, society, politics, election system etc.

Eminent citizens with deep commitment to Bangalee nationalism, non-communalism, fraternal cooperation, development, self-reliance and the spirit of our Liberation War are among the Trustee Members and Board of Governors of the Foundation. Mr. Shah AMS Kibria, MP, a distinguished Former Finance Minister of Bangladesh and Former Executive Secretary/ UN Under Secretary General of the United Nations Economic Scientific Commission for Asia and the Pacific, Bangkok (1981-92) is the Chairman of the Foundation. Mr. Monaem Sarker a noted Writer, Columnist and Social Worker is its Director General.

Activities of the Foundation
Significant publications of the Foundation are : Bangladesher Mukti Sangramer Itihas (History of the Bangladesh Liberation Movement, 1947-71) and Sheikh Mujib, Ekti Lal Golap (Sheikh Mujib, a Red Rose). Bangladesh Foundation also compiled speeches, statements, declarations etc. of the Bangabandhu under the title of Bangaleer Kantha (Voice of the Bangalees). Foundation organized a seminar on Chittagong Hill Tracts Peace Treaty. It also organized a number of seminars on different topics during the period from March ’97 to June 2003. The titles of the topics were “Political Terrorism in the context of National & International Fields”, “Development Strategy of Bangladesh”, “Present Political, Economic & Social Conditions of the Country,” “Political Terrorism: Recent Killings”, “Rise of Fundamentalist Forces in Bangladesh,” “Democracy, Voting Rights and Human Rights”, “Bangladesh Vision 2020 and Gas Policy”, “Distortion of the History of Liberation War in Text books-2002”, “Thoughts on City (Dhaka) Development and Governance”, “Election 2001 : Role of Civil Society”, “Concept of Liberation War and present Bangladesh”, “Export of Gas and National Interest”, “Designing a Pro-Poor Budget for Bangladesh” etc.

The publication of three THEMATIC MAPS on muktibahini (RESISTANCE CAMPS, REFUGEE CAMPS AND MUJIBNAGAR GOVERNMENT) during the Liberation War in 1971 is a crowning achievement of the Foundation.

Another Milestone activity of BFDR is the Historical Documentation on Bangladesh Liberation struggle. It includes the history of liberation struggle and the nine month War of Liberation (Muktijuddha). The Title of the video document is ‘BANGLADESHER MUKTISANGRAM (Liberation War of Bangladesh).’ It is recorded in Beta-Com Cassette, 30 minutes each in 22 Episodes. These are transferred into C.D. and V.H.S.