Research

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.