To strengthen
the information and analytical base of the dialogue process,
the CPD maintains an active research portfolio. CPD's
flagship research activity relates to preparation of an
annual Independent Review of Bangladesh's Development (IRBD)
which looks at critical issues of national interest with a
view to put forward concrete policy suggestions. CPD also
impliments policy tailored research programmes on frontier
development issues which include Trade Related Research and
Policy Development (TRRPD), Investment Promotion and
Enterprise Development, Agriculture and Rural Development,
Ecosystems and Environmental Studies, Human Resource
Development, Gender Issues and Social Protection, Governance
and Policy Reforms. CPD takes an active research interest in
issues related to regional cooperation and integration in
South Asia, especially in the areas of trade and investment,
energy, transport and communication and sharing of common
resources.
At the core of
CPD's activities lies its dialogue programme. In order to
move away from the prevailing tradition of rhetorical
exchanges, CPD designs the dialogue format in such a way as
to stimulate a constructive engagement and informed exchange
of views. Since the CPD dialogues are not intended to be
merely academic, but tailored towards implementation, the
discussions are designed to come up with specific
recommendations reflecting stakeholders' views in terms of
both redefining the policies as also for ensuring their
effective realisation on the gound. These recommendations
are then placed before current and prospective policy-makers
of the country as inputs to the policy making process.
Senior CPD
professionals are members of various consultative committees
set up by the GoB to provide trade related policy inputs.
CPD also maintains an active and extensive network with a
large number of regional and international organisations to
advance LDC interests in the context of the global trading
system, particularly in view of the ongoing negotiations in
the WTO.
With a view to
promote vision and policy awareness amongst the young people
of the country, CPD is implementing a Youth Leadership
Programme. The aim of the programme is to inculcate
democratic values and leadership qualities and promote civic
responsibility amongst the young professionals of the
country through internship, research involvement, dialogue
participation and civic activism. In line with the above
programme, a Young Scholars' Seminar Series (YSSS) has been
introduced to provide young professionals at CPD an
opportunity to hone their analytical ability and improve
their articulation and presentation skills.
