The 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Campaign for Popular Education (CAMPE) was held at the Krishibid Institution Bangladesh in Dhaka. The gathering brought together 133 representatives from CAMPE’s council, affiliated members from across the country, and CAMPE staff, marking a significant event for the organization. The meeting was chaired by Md. Yakub Hossain, Executive Director of the Village Education Resource Centre (VERC) and a CAMPE Council Member in place of Chairperson Kazi Rafiqul Alam, who was unable to attend due to illness. Joining him on stage were Aroma Dutta, Vice Chairperson of CAMPE, and Shishir Anjelo Rozario, Treasurer of the organization.
The meeting began with a welcome address by Rasheda K. Choudhury, Member Secretary to the Council and Executive Director of CAMPE, setting a constructive tone for the day’s discussions. The agenda continued as planned, with the minutes from the previous meeting receiving unanimous approval.
Key resolutions and approvals
During the meeting, a resolution was passed to express heartfelt condolences for the martyrs of the recent student-led anti-discrimination movement. Another resolution was adopted in memory of CAMPE members who have passed away since the last meeting.
The gathering also included the presentation and approval of CAMPE’s Annual Report and the Statutory Audit Report for the period from July 2023 to June 2024. These reports provided valuable insights into CAMPE’s progress, underscoring its efforts to promote education and development across the country.
New memberships and renewals
An important decision was made regarding membership expansion, as the meeting approved the inclusion of seven new organizations into CAMPE. These organizations are Anandalok Trust, Desh Unnayan Shangstha (DUS), Manob Kallayan Swabolonmbi Songstha (MKSS), Ashroy Angon Society (ASS), D-net, Association for Development and Social Work (ADS), and Unnayan Parishad. From ten applicants, these seven were selected through a rigorous evaluation process.
Leadership Transition in Council
In the absence of Chairperson Kazi Rafiqul Alam, the meeting conveyed best wishes for his recovery and acknowledged his ongoing support for CAMPE. To address challenges related to a mismatch in his bank signatures due to illness, it was decided to nominate Mr. Tapan Kumar Karmakar, Executive Director of RDRS and Vice Chair of CAMPE, as the Acting Chairperson until the next AGM in 2025.
Additionally, the membership renewal for co-opted council members—Gram Bikash Kendra (GBK), Plan International, and Zareen Mahmud Hosein (FCA)—who completed their first term was approved for a second term of two years.
Closing Remarks
The AGM concluded with a vote of thanks from the Chair, bringing the day’s discussions to a close. The meeting addressed key administrative and strategic matters for the organization while also fostering a spirit of unity and commitment among members to further CAMPE’s mission in the coming year.
