Preamble
Name
Address
Aims and Objectives
Work Procedure
Participation with the Foundation
Member
Board of Governors
Duties and Responsibilities of the Board of Governors
Meeting of Board of Governors
Chairman
Organisational Structure
Director General
Funds of the Foundation
Audit of the Foundation
Framing of Rules
Annual General Meeting (AGM)
Amendment of the Constitution
Liquidation

Advisers
Trustee Members
Board of Governors
Directors

Preamble
The emergence of Independent Bangladesh in 1971 through a liberation war is the most memorable event in the history of the Bangalee nation. For the first time in its history the Bangalee nation was able to form an independent nation state. The independence of Bangladesh carried with it a thousand years’ history laden with countless memories, sacrifices and struggles. The name of the Great Leader of the War of Independence of the country and Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman will remain engraved in golden letters in the history of independent Bangladesh.
In Pakistan founded on the basis of the so-called Two-nation Theory the question of Bangalee nation issue could not find any resolution. The struggle for establishing an independent nation state began in 1947 which culminated in 1971. In the first phase of the struggle, the success of the language movement added a new dimension to the movement for the establishment of nationhood of the Bangalees. The 1954 elections lent further momentum to the consciousness of the people of East Bengal. Independent, sovereign People’s Republic of Bangladesh took its place in the map of the world as the culmination of a long series of events, uncompromising struggle and movement against the misrule of the Pakistanis from 1958 to 1971, the victory of the Awami League in the general elections in 1970 with absolute majority, the non-cooperation movement of 1971, clarion call for independence on March 7 at the race course maidan, the declaration of independence by Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on March 26, formation of an independent Bangladesh government on April 10, 1971, the formal swearing-in of the Government of independent Bangladesh (composed of the elected parliament members) at Mujibnagar on April 17, the establishment of a full-fledged administrative system under the sovereign Bangladesh Government and the defeat of the Pakistani occupation army after the nine-month long liberation war under the leadership of that government. The work for the reconstruction of the war-ravaged country and its economy started in full earnest in 1972 under the leadership of Bangabandhu. But local and foreign agents of the forces defeated in the war tried to impede Bangabandhu’s efforts. A band of traitors brutally killed the Father of the Nation along with most members of his family on August 15, 1975. The same year on November 3 the assassins hired by Khondoker Mustaque Ahmed, the usurper president of the country brutally killed in the Dhaka central jail four national leaders who had led the War of Liberation. The expectations, ideals and consciousness which had led to the birth of independent Bangladesh were turned upside down, the moral and political values of independence war were trampled upon. The local lackeys of the Pakistanis usurped power, let loose a reign of killings, coups and conspiracies and military dictatorship and again snatched away the rights of the people. For the last 21 years the erosion of social values, political instability, virtual annulment of people’s franchise, corruption of the election procedures, economic stagnation, faulty and motivated policy of education, embezzlement of funds worth hundreds of millions of dollars, increased disparity between the rich and the poor, lack of a sense of direction etc. came out as the characteristics of our national life. In this context the struggle and movement gaining momentum through more than 21 years led to the coming to power of the pro-liberation forces through a free and fair election under a caretaker government on June 12, 1996. The nation celebrated the Silver Jubilee of independence in 1996.
The end of the cold war has generated new opportunities for the development of humankind. Regional and sub regional cooperation is taking positive shape in various regions of the world. We have to move rapidly on to the track of economic development in accordance with the changed global scenario. Otherwise we will trail behind other nations in the global competition of the new century. Proper planning and direction, optimum utilization of human and other resources, proper use of science and technology specially IT sector are necessary for the development of a nation. Similarly basic knowledge of the soul-searching of the country, its history, tradition, politics, economics, society, structure, trends of change, study of the country’s art, culture, literature, faith etc. are necessary. It is unfortunate that our achievement is very poor in these areas. Our country has a dearth of basic research relating to various aspects of society and life. It is only knowledge based on fundamental research which can open the doors of development for the nation besides giving a sense of direction. Based on that realization, in the Silver Jubilee year of our independence (1996) and the War of Liberation, an initiative was taken for establishing Bangladesh Foundation for Development Research (BFDR). It is a research organization built on individual initiatives, and is run by independent, voluntary participation.
THE BFDR IS A LEADING NON-PROFIT PUBLIC POLICY RESEARCH THINK-TANK, FOUNDED AND SUPPORTED BY A CROSS SECTION OF LEADING INTELLECTUALS, ACADEMICS, PUBLIC FIGURES, SOCIAL ACTIVISTS, HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVISTS, INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING, BUSINESS LEADERS, REPESENTATIVES OF WOMEN’S NGOs & MINORITY COMMUNITY NGOs OF BANGLADESH.

• 1.    Name
• The organization shall be named Bangladesh Foundation for Development Research (BFDR). Henceforth ‘Foundation’ will mean Bangladesh Foundation for Development Research.
•  
• 2.   Address
• The Foundation will have its office in Dhaka.
•  
• 3.   Aims and Objectives

The aims and objectives of the Foundation will be as follows :

THE FOUNDATION WOULD AID AND ENCOURAGE THE FORMULATION OF POLICIES FOR THE CREATION OF A STRONG, PROSPEROUS AND SECULAR BANGLADESH. POLICIES THAT WOULD RESULT FROM RIGOROUS RESEARCH, DEBATE AND A SYNTHESIS OF DIVERGENT BUT INFORMED OPINIONS. AREAS OF FOCUS WILL BE DEVELOPMENT ISSUES, A SAFER WORLD AND GLOBAL CONCERNS.

• To compile a factual and unprejudiced history of the nation through intensive research work on Bangla Language, literature, culture, the formation of the Bangalee nation and state, civil society and the liberation war etc.
• To contribute to the socio-economic development and advancement of the country through research on subjects like social structure, national politics, economy and development, environment, problems and prospects of inter-state co-operation at regional & sub-regional level etc.
• To conduct research, arrange seminars and develop policy options in furtherance of the Basic Principles of State Policy and the Fundamental Rights as enshrined in the constitution of Bangladesh.
• To help find possible peaceful solution to any political, regional or sub-regional conflict.
• To arrange seminars, workshops, discussion meetings, exhibitions and publications on Bangla language, economic, development, environment, inter-state co-operation at regional and sub regional levels etc.
• To establish liaison with similar local and international research organizations and adopt and carry out joint research projects and seminars on national & international issues.
• To promote the empowerment of women and generally to raise the status of women so as to achieve gender equality in Bangladesh polity.
• To conduct research on the democratic institutions, central as well as local. To improve the quality of governance and to meet the Human Rights obligations.
• To conduct research on election process and procedures and enhance public awareness and suggest reforms in order to further strengthen the democratic process.
• To conduct research on request from government and non-government organizations or persons on special topics like state, governance, and election issues within the scope of the Foundation.
• To promote the rights of poor and socially excluded people, different tribal peoples of Bangladesh especially of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) people.
• To arrange Round Table conferences on national, economic, social, political issues.
• To prepare or compile reports on policy-making issues.
• To arrange surveys on public opinion (on selected issues).
• To organize memorial lectures.

• 4.  Work Procedure
• All involved with the Foundation will be integrated in research. Apart from that, there will be some permanent and temporary researchers. The activities of the temporary researchers will be project-oriented.
• Persons interested in research activities can submit research projects consistent with the aims and objectives of the Foundation and on acceptance of the project by the Board of Governors of the Foundation they will be appointed as temporary researchers. Financial and intellectual cooperation and support will be accorded to basic and creative research activities consistent with the aims and objectives of the Foundation.
• Any information, book, statement, documentary evidence, photograph or similar items that fall under the purview of the aims and objectives of the Foundation will be preserved by the Foundation.

• 5. Participation in the activities of the Foundation
• Anybody with deep commitment to and faith in Bangalee nationalism, non-communalism, fraternal cooperation, development, self-reliance and the spirit of our liberation war may become involved with the activities of the Foundation.
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• 6. Member*
• a) Trustee Member : Any person or organization donating Taka one hundred thousand or more to the Foundation can become a Trustee Member.
• b)  Donor Member :  Anybody donating from Taka ten thousand to less than Taka one lakh will be treated as a Donor Member of the Foundation.
• c)   General Member :  Any body qualified as per stipulation 5 above of this Prospectus & Constitution may become General Member of the Foundation by contributing a minimum amount of Tk. 1,000/- (One thousand) only.
• d)  Termination of the Membership : Any member of the Foundation shall cease to be a member for the following  reasons :
• i)        Death
• ii)       Insanity/Invalid
• iii)     Resignation
• iv)     Absence of 3 (three) consecutive meetings without prior intimation to Chairman/ Director General of the Foundation.      

• 7.   Board of Governors

The Foundation will have a Board of Governors consisting of at least seven members. The Trustee and Donor members will elect the members of the Board of Governors. In the first meeting of the Board, a Chairman and a Director General will be appointed from among the members. The Director General will act as the Member-Secretary of the Board.

In a Board meeting the matter of inclusion of a new member or termination of sitting member in the Board, a resolution in that context shall have to be adopted and an approval will have to be sought in the General Meeting. The presence of at least one-third of the total members on the Board will be required to form a quorum.

• 8.      Duties and Responsibilities of the Board of Governors

The Board will :

• a)  formulate policies of the Foundation
• b)  adopt measures for implementation of the Foundation’s programmes to implemented through the council of Directors.
• c)  preserve, control and allocate/ distribute funds and properties of the Foundation
• d)   approve yearly budget
• e)  take measures for the formulation and implementation of the projects of the Foundation.

• 9.   Meeting of Board of Governors

• a)      The Board of Governors will meet at any time considered necessary.
• b)      After consultation with the Chairman the Director General will fix the date, time and location of the meeting.
• c)       At least 24 hours’ notice will have to be given for convening a meeting.
• d)      At least one-third of the Board Members will constitute quorum.
• e)      If there is no quorum, the chairman will declare the meeting postponed.
• f)        Quorum will not be necessary for a deferred meeting.
• g)      In the absence of the chairman, a member elected by the members present will preside over the meeting.
• h)      Each member will have one vote and in case of a tie the chairman will have a casting vote.

• 10.   Quorum

In any meeting of the Foundation will require a presence of one-third members to fulfill quorum.

• 11.   Chairman
• a)      The Chairman will be elected by the Board of Governors.
• b)      If the post of the Chairman falls vacant or he/she becomes unable to perform his/her duties because of prolonged absence, sickness or any other reason, a member of the Board of Governors will be entrusted, in the Board meeting, with the responsibilities of the Chairman until a new Chairman takes over or the Chairman resumes his/her duties.

• 12.   Organizational Structure
• All activities of the Foundation will be run by a council of Directors consisting of 11 members. The council of Directors shall be elected/nominated/selected by the Board of Governors for a term of five years. They will be elected/nominated/selected from General members & Donor members or Trustee members.  
• Director General
• Director (Administration)
• Director (International affairs and collaboration with different think-tanks)
• Director (Research)
• Director (Publication)
• Director (Finance)
• Director (Culture)
• Director (Collection and Documentation)
• Director (Information)
• Director (Programme)
• Director (Public Relations)
•  
• 13.   Director General
• a)      The Foundation will have a Director General (DG) who will be the chief executive officer.
• b)      The Director General will be appointed by the Board of Governors.
• c)       If the post of the Director General falls vacant or the Director General becomes unable to perform his/her duties because of prolonged absence, illness or any other reason a senior Director of the Foundation will be selected by the Chairman to perform the duties of the Director General until a new DG takes over or the DG resumes his/her duties.

• 14.  Funds of the Foundation

The funds of the Foundation will be formed in the following manner :

• i.         Donation of the Trustee Members.
• ii.       Donation of the Donor Members.
• iii.      Contribution of the General Members.
• iv.      Money earned through sale of books, magazines and other properties.
• v.       Any fund/grant received by the Foundation.
• vi.      Grants received from government/non-government sources and other National & International academic and research organizations.
• vii.    Loans subject to the approval of the Board of Governors.
• viii.    Any other source/s, not specified in this section.

15.   Uses of Funds
a)  When necessary the Foundation will use funds for performing its duties.
b)  The funds of the Foundation will be deposited in any scheduled bank in the name of the Foundation.

• c)       The bank account will be jointly operated by the DG and Director (Finance), or a senior Director or one member from the Board of Governors.

16.   Audit of the Foundation

• a)       The Foundation will properly maintain its accounts and prepare an annual statement of accounts.
• b)       Auditing of the accounts of the Foundation will be done every year by a reputed audit firm and the audit report will be presented at the meeting of the Board of Governors.

17.   Framing of Rules
For achieving the objectives of the constitution the Board of Governors can recommend necessary framing of rules.

18.   Annual General Meeting (AGM)

Every year a general meeting, with the participation of Trustee and Donor members, will be held. In the general meeting the advisers, Governors and Members of the Group of Directors will participate ex-officio. The meeting will review the activities of the Foundation and formulate next year’s plan. It will approve the audited accounts of the preceding year. Any amendment to the constitution can be presented in the meeting. This AGM will appoint the Auditors for the following year.

19.   Amendment of the Constitution

In the interest of the Foundation the Constitution can be amended with two-thirds majority in the annual general meeting (AGM)

20.   Liquidation

Liquidation of this research organization can be done, if and when deemed necessary, by two-thirds majority votes in a joint meeting of Board of Governors & Trustee Members. Assets and properties left over will be donated to any similar research organization.
LIST OF ADVISERS, TRUSTEE MEMBERS, DONOR MEMBERS AND
GENERAL MEMBERS UPTO 30TH JUNE 1908

Advisers

• 1.      Prof. A.F. Salahuddin Ahmed

2.   Prof. Mustafa Nurul Islam

• 3.      Music Personality Kalim Sharafi
• 4.      Mr. A. M. A. Muhit
• 5.      Mr. Faruq A. Chowdhury
• 6.      Mr. Abdul Matin  (London)
• 7.      Abdul Gaffar Chowdhury  (London)
• 8.      Prof. Shamsul Huda Harun
• 9.      Dr. Borhan Uddin Khan Jahangir
• 10.    Prof. Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed
• 11.    Prof. Rafiqul Islam
• 12.    Barrister Amirul Islam
• 13.    Mr. Ali Aksad
• 14.    Air Vice Marshal (Retd.) Abdul Karim Khandaker, BU
• 15.    Major General (Retd.) K.M. Safiullah, BU
• 16.    Ambassador Mostafa Faruque Mohammed
• 17.    Dr. Quazi Kholiquzzaman
• 18.    Journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
• 19.    Syed Badruddin Hossain
• 20.    Syed Hasan Imam
• 21.    Dr. S. A. Samad
• 22.    Dr. Masihur Rahman
• 23.    Dr. Alauddin Ahmed
• 24.    Writer Syed Shamsul Huq
• 25.    Artist Quayyum Chowdhury
• 26.    Artist Hashem Khan
• 27.    Mr. Shamsuzzaman Khan
• 28.    Architect Rabiul Hussain
• 29.    Mr. Ramendu Mazumder
• 30.    Theatre Personality Ali Zaker
• 31.    Dr. Anupom Sen
• 32.   Dr. Enamul Haque
• 33.    Theatre Personality Asaduzzaman Noor
• 34.    Dr. Sanjida Khatun
• 35.    Prof. Mahfuja Khanam
• 36.    Dr. Kazi Faruk Ahmed
• 37.    Dr. Atiur Rhaman
• 38.    Mrs. Aroma Datta
• 39.    Dr. Abdur Razzak, ex-M.P.
• 40.   Mr. Babul Biswas

Lest We Forget *

• 1.       Late Shawkat Osman
• 2.       Late Dr. Abdullah Al Muti Sharfuddin
• 3.      Late Syed Ali Kabir
• 4.      Late Journalist Santosh Gupta
• 5.      Late Poet Shamsur Rahman

       *Founder Advisers

Lest We Forget *

• 1.       Late Shawkat Osman
• 2.       Late Dr. Abdullah Al Muti Sharfuddin
• 3.      Late Syed Ali Kabir
• 4.      Late Journalist Santosh Gupta
• 5.      Late Poet Shamsur Rahman

Founder Advisers *
 Dr. Enamul Haque

• 33.    Theatre Personality Asaduzzaman Noor
• 34.    Dr. Sanjida Khatun
• 35.    Prof. Mahfuja Khanam
• 36.    Dr. Kazi Faruk Ahmed
• 37.    Dr. Atiur Rhaman
• 38.    Mrs. Aroma Datta
• 39.    Dr. Abdur Razzak, ex-M.P.
• 40.   Mr. Babul Biswas