Invitation to a dialogue

The Sanglap or dialogues feature invited audiences asking questions to panels consisting of ministers, experts from various fields, opinion formers etc. The result is expected to be a "national conversation'', looking at where Bangladesh stands today, and where it has the potential and ambition to go tomorrow.

Debate, dialogue, discussion -- whatever one calls it, the BBC now sees "conversation'' as a key element in its broadcasting strategy. The World Service has recently launched its Global Conversation programme called World Have Your Say, and this series of Bangladesh Sanglap by the Bengali service fits in well with this strategy. The idea is to interact with the audiences, and engage them in a discussion about things that are important to them.

This does not allow the BBC to take a position on any issue. Whether its corruption or human rights, trade or local government, it is the interaction between the audience and the panellists that will matter. Radio listeners can contribute their opinions in the phone-in programmes. Hopefully, this will build awareness about these critical issues, and enable ordinary people to ask questions and share ideas about the way forward. Here, the BBC will act as a facilitator, to bring people together, provide the platform to enable a structured discussion to take place.

But why governance? Because, it can be justifiably argued, that everything that is important to Bangladesh's future, everything that is right or wrong with its past and present -- all flow from issues of governance. As a media organisation, the BBC tackles governance-related issues on a daily basis. But this project is designed to go deep into the issues, to explore both their academic aspects and how they affect the everyday lives of ordinary folks.

What's more, the debate over governance is no longer a domestic issue. It is a global phenomenon, with potential to impact on external relations, including trade and aid.

Ever since the fall of Soviet communism in Europe and the end of the Cold War, "governance'' has become the hottest topic in political discourse around the world. More precisely, "good'' governance has become the yardstick by which the success of nation-states is being measured.

Increasingly, it is argued that the best foundation for a "well-governed'' society is democracy, where popular will -- expressed through the ballot box -- determines who runs the country. Proponents of such a view would suggest that, social and political institutions built through the consent of the people are likely to be far more durable, than those built through mere acceptance by the people.

Without democracy, even a state apparently enjoying "good governance'' may not be able to sustain either its institutions or social stability.

Bangladesh has been no exception to this global trend of events. In fact, Bangladesh has been a step ahead of the rest, as the country has always seen democracy as the bottom-line, the minimum requirement for an acceptable design of social organisation. The country has struggled throughout its post-colonial history to establish democracy and ensure freedom. It has been successful to the extent that, Bangladesh today has one of the most vibrant political landscapes in the developing world (along with one of the more robust media scenes and a population not afraid to speak its mind, or vote out a government given half a chance).

There are, however, question marks over issues related to governance: While the people enjoy the rights and freedoms of a democratic society, are they being well-served by the people they chose to govern them? Are the tools of the state -- police, administration, schools, hospitals etc -- working for their welfare? Are the workings of the government honest, transparent, fair? Are people treated equally under the law? Parliament is elected by the people, but how effective is the Jatiya Sangsad in law-making and in holding the government to account? How effective are Members of Parliament in representing the views and interests of their constituents in the Sangsad? The list of questions Bangladeshis may have seems almost endless.

It is argued that effective governance is essential for a state to perform its primary function -- which is to deliver basic socio-economic goods to the population. By socio-economic goods, one would mean such things as primary health care and education, economic stability, food security, social harmony, justice under the law, protection of life and liberty etc.

Local as well overseas experts believe that Bangladesh has made progress in many areas, such as primary education particularly for girls, child survival, empowerment of women etc. But these experts also recognise that the country faces many challenges: basic services such as health and education still not reaching all, justice under law remains a mirage for many, lack of security is a constant worry, corruption is endemic, businesses and workers both worry about impact of a globalised world under WTO rules and the administration remains highly centralised.

It is clear that democracy, by itself, is no guarantor of good governance; but by the same logic, lack of good governance could threaten the success of -- or public confidence in -- democracy itself. The importance of governance issues thus go deeper in Bangladesh than being just a matter of clean and efficient government.

Not surprisingly, issues related to governance have become key areas of debate across society -- within the government, in the media, among non-governmental organisations, among aid-donor organisations etc. It is clearly one area on which political parties lay great emphasis at election times: promises to provide services and improve the quality of life in general dominate election manifestoes of all parties.

Reduce corruption? Nobody says let's have more graft. Improve law and order? No one says let's have some more chaos. Justice for all? Nobody disagrees with that. Ensure universal access to primary health and education? Improve maternal health and child nutrition? All in agreement, no doubt. Strengthen local government to have better services and accountability at local level? Most would want that. Everybody knows where Bangladesh needs to go. Its just a matter of getting there -- or, agreeing on how to get there.

The Sanglap season is designed to make a humble contribution towards building a national understanding and consensus about governance issues, as part of the national debate that is well in progress. The discussion format will enable ordinary folks to ask questions to people who should have the answers; or raise issues and make suggestions so that decision-makers can take note. Such a dialogue or debate can generate ideas and inspire positive thinking. Having it broadcast on radio and television means millions others can connect to the debates and contribute through other channels -- such as the letters column of this newspaper!

The writer is Acing Executive Editor, Asia and the Pacific Region, BBC World Service.