During a visit to Germany, Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, Distinguished Fellow, CPD met German Members of Parliament, Mr Stefan Rebmann and Mr Christoph Strässer from the Social Democratic Party (SPD) on 11 May 2016.
The progress of Bangladesh in the post-Rana Plaza period, the status of human rights in Bangladesh and Bangladesh-German trade and economic relations were among the issues discussed.
Mr Stefan Rebmann, who is a Member of the Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development, is currently the Development Policy Spokesperson of the SPD parliamentary group in the German Bundestag. He previously served as the Committee’s Deputy Chairman until he took office as the spokesperson.
Mr Christoph Strässer is currently a Member of the Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development in the SPD. Until February 2016, he served as the Federal Government Commissioner for human Rights Policy and Humanitarian Aid.
The Committee on Economic Cooperation and Development deals with various factors impacting development, including climate change, population growth, world trade, basic services (education, healthcare, social security systems), good governance, food sovereignty, minimum standards, gender and inclusion.