Better development through leaders of influence
Comprehensive leadership initiative culminates in international meeting
Remote communities in Bangladesh endure high rates of illness, malnutrition, illiteracy, infant mortality, and other social burdens. Religious and secular leaders—leaders of influence we have worked with since 2004—are well-placed to contribute to development efforts and advancement of democratic values. Bangladeshi society confers high stature on these individuals, whose contributions to community life and public affairs reflect special knowledge, understanding, and personal integrity. Recently, nearly 20,000 leaders traveled to Dhaka to attend sessions on agriculture and aquaculture, environmental management, education and family health, human rights, and anti-trafficking. Topics such as corruption prevention and religious tolerance were featured. The highly anticipated U.S. Presidential Global Engagement Initiative Regional Conference last spring allowed for productive discussions and debate among Bangladeshi religious and traditional leaders, political actors, and development practitioners and their international counterparts: 70 delegates from 14 other South and Southeast Asian countries, together with USAID and senior U.S. Embassy officials.