The Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) has been at the forefront of generating knowledge, amplifying the voices of the marginalised, and challenging injustice to drive the development of Bangladesh since 1993. On 1 December 2024, CPD commemorated the completion of 30 remarkable years at a day-long dialogue titled ‘The CPD Journey: Commemorating Thirty Years of CPD’, and reflected on its journey of transformative impact on policymaking and societal change.
In his speech during the first session titled The CPD Journey, Professor Rehman Sobhan, the Chairman of CPD, shared his personal reflections on the organisation’s inception and evolution.
‘When we started CPD in 1993, our vision was simple yet bold—to create a space for dialogue where diverse voices could come together to discuss the pressing issues facing our country and shape the future of Bangladesh,’ the chairman recalled. What began as a small initiative with a powerful vision has grown into one of the most influential think tanks in the country, playing a pivotal role in shaping public discourse and policy.
The Chief Advisor of the Interim Government, Nobel Laureate Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, congratulated CPD on completion of 30 years in a video message. He shared ‘CPD has always strived to establish a democratic, just, and accountable society. It has held a special place in my heart for its independence and unwavering commitment to offering sound advice to policymakers in the country’s best interest’.
‘CPD has emerged as an independent voice beyond political parties, offering a platform to express views in the public interest’ remarked the Former Minister for Commerce, Mr Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury.
‘CPD’s journey in a country with limited space for independent voices offers ample experiences and lessons that can guide the think tank landscape in Bangladesh and other developing countries’ remarked the Executive Director of CPD, Dr Fahmida Khatun, while chairing the session.
The CPD Journey: Commemorating Thirty Years of CPD
Professor Rounaq Jahan, a Distinguished Fellow at CPD, shared her reflections and said ‘Over the last three decades, we have witnessed dramatic changes in our country—movements, conflicts, and even a popular uprising. Yet, amidst all these events, CPD has been able to continue its work, remaining committed to its core mission’.
Barrister Nihad Kabir, Board of Directors, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) noted that CPD’s dialogues have become essential to the institutional memory of public policy debates in Bangladesh, spanning four successive regimes and addressing a broad range of political and economic issues.
‘CPD has earned a prominent place in Bangladesh’s policy and media landscapes, largely due to the credibility and stature of its founder, Professor Rehman Sobhan’, underscored the Editor and Publisher of The Daily Star, Mr Mahfuz Anam. He also said that CPD’s strong media presence is attributed to its consistent track record of high-quality research, thorough analysis, and reliable, in-depth studies on social and economic issues.
Thirty Years of CPD – Sharing the Journey
‘CPD has been conducting research on labour rights for a long time, and the impact of its reports and recommendations can be seen in various sectors, particularly in the garment industry’ remarked Ms Taslima Akter Lima, President, Bangladesh Garments Sramik Sanghati.
The first session concluded with the launch of two commemorative volumes marking 30 years of CPD. The first book, Thirty Years of CPD: Sharing the Journey, features contributions from fellow travellers and friends of CPD, offering personal reflections and insights. The second volume, a coffee table book titled The CPD Journey: Commemorating Thirty Years of CPD, chronicles the organisation’s milestones and growth through a collection of photographs.
