About

SRO’s Health Initiative endeavors to take health, nutrition and their social determinants to the policy high table, and establish health and nutrition security as important components within the broader national security discourse. The initiative achieves this by conducting analyses of up-to-date and relevant datasets, and elevating media discourse through regular publications of evidence-based knowledge products.

SRO endeavors to ensure gender diversity and equality along with youth development. The initiative achieves this by conducting analyses of up-to-date and relevant datasets, and forecasting to find gaps and scopes. It also works on training and skills enhancement activities through partnerships and regular programs.

The 21st century has ushered in a new development order, with traditional powers showing reluctance to provide global public goods, and the emergence of new development models. In this new context, the Sustainable Development Program aims to shape Bangladesh’s development policies around the twin pillars of equality and efficiency. The Program carries out its mandate by conducting interdisciplinary research; building networks and partnerships to bridge the gap between knowledge, policy, and community; and creating platforms for the effective dissemination of its research and policy ideas.

Technology is no longer just a force-multiplier of production, as conventionally understood: It has the power today to induce changes in social relations, disrupt livelihoods, and re-orient politics - whether it’s the radicalization and recruitment of individuals by terror groups, or the perpetration of violence based on political/cultural motivations. Within this context, the Cyber and Media Program aims to identify the many dimensions of change associated with technology, while also finding ways to address the intersections between hate and extreme speech, misinformation and its amplification through social media.

By the end of the 2020s, Bangladesh’s GDP will be approaching several billions of USD. What sort of economy will it be? Will it satisfy the aspirations of all Bangladeshis, be inclusive, dynamic and forward-looking? What institutions must we put in place to help Bangladesh’s transition to the first rank of economic powers, in a world disrupted by technological change and populist politics? Through data-rich research, long-form analysis, and a sheaf of quick analytical briefs, SRO serves to enrich debates around market supporting institutions, infrastructure finance, the green transition, international trade and investment, and social welfare - discussions that gain importance as Bangladesh’s economy increases in complexity.

This program intends to facilitate debate and coordinate research initiatives to harness Bangladesh’s latent capacity to lead initiatives on strengthening its governance, democracy and liberal values. Despite being one of the world’s largest democracy and an ostensible stabilising force in Indo-Pacific region, Bangladesh does not have an official strategy for democracy promotion, nor any visible institutional mechanism (including endowments and link institutions with resources) to act as a critical forum for ideas and innovation on governance best practices. By organizing brainstorming sessions, conferences, lectures as well as, initiating research studies and publications, the program intends to shed light on Bangladesh’s key contribution to liberal democratic order and deliberate its domestic governance policies.

There is growing apprehension over the rise of mega urban regions, the proliferation of unauthorized colonies and slums, and the absence of a cohesive and holistic regional approach to sustainable development. The aim of SRO is to build an understanding of these emerging urbanization patterns particularly in Bangladesh, and to generate knowledge about integrated and interdisciplinary approaches to sustainable urban/regional planning and development. The aim is being achieved by engaging in collaborative and multidisciplinary research, networking with national and international organizations, and organizing seminars and conferences for sharing of research experiences and findings.