About Us — Unnayan Uddog

The Inception of Unnayan Uddog

Unnayan Uddog (literary meaning: development initiative) is a national, non-profit, non-political and non-governmental development organization. It was founded by Rathindranath Pal, a development specialist, together with a group of social and development workers, with a view to consolidate social capital — to use the power of people's unity and the strength of small rural social institutions such as educational institutions, cultural organizations and youth clubs as a vehicle for development.

A lot of events in our social history illuminate that educational institutions, cultural organizations, youth clubs and other social organizations respond spontaneously during natural disasters. But those responses have hardly been consolidated, because their role is barely appreciated once the crisis is over.

On the contrary, the teachers and students of rural educational institutions have great influence in their respective societies. Till date, they are the most acceptable community leaders among their illiterate neighbours. The organizers of local cultural organizations, youth clubs and other social organizations are more or less advanced in their thinking and are deep rooted in their communities. They are more familiar with the nature and dimension of the problems of their own communities, and because of their genuine feelings — more so than an outsider's — they can inspire their communities with greater dedication to be involved in the development process.

To confirm this idea, Unnayan Uddog involved a rural college in executing a development programme. The lesson learned from that pilot intervention was that if the students and teachers of rural educational institutions are organized under a network, they can implement development programmes successfully and cost-effectively. This proved to be the right approach for involving large groups in the development process — and experience shows that the paramount problems of the country (over population, mass illiteracy, lack of proper health and sanitation systems, malnutrition, environmental degradation and child labour) can be addressed successfully through this approach in a relatively shorter period and with limited resources.

The Mission

The mission of Unnayan Uddog is to reduce suffering and to contribute to the sustainable social, economic, educational, cultural and technological development of the disadvantaged section, especially the women, children and disabled of society.

The Objectives

To organize the disadvantaged section, especially women and children, so that they can be empowered and become worthy citizens;
To create public awareness about child rights (UNCRC) and eliminate child labour, ensuring a better future for them;
To promote improved agricultural technology;
To create self-employment through promoting rural industry;
To conduct formal and non-formal education programmes to reduce illiteracy;
To work for solving the housing problem;
To undertake rehabilitation activities for the old, the disabled and victims of natural calamities;
To work for reducing population explosion;
To undertake primary health care programmes;
To promote awareness for creating social forestry in order to protect the environment;
To provide legal support to the deprived section of the society;
To undertake skills development training for human resource development, and to undertake development research.

Working Area

Within Bangladesh. The head office is at Uttara Model Town, Dhaka, supported by 4 branch offices, with field activity concentrated in areas such as Mirzapur in Tangail and the Chanda Beel water body.

Legal Status

Registered with the Department of Social Welfare, Government of Bangladesh, vide Registration No. Dha-04003 dated 10.12.1997.

Organizational Management

The General Council (GC) of 21 members is the highest policy making body of the organization. It meets once a year to review and approve activity plans, annual budgets, expenditures and the audit report of the last financial year. It formulates policies and elects an Executive Committee (EC) for two years. The present EC of 11 members meets quarterly to approve and review quarterly activity plans, budgets, expenditures and progress. The Executive Director (ED) is responsible for running daily activities through the staff and volunteers, and is accountable to the EC.

Organogram

General Committee (22 members)
Executive Committee (11 members)
Chairman
Executive Director

Consultant
Admin Officer

Programme Coordinator
Accounts Officer

Programme Manager
Office Assistant

Programme Officer / Credit Officer
Caretaker

Training Officer / Trainer
Field Supervisor / Field Organizer