A two-day workshop titled “Nationalism, the State and Civil Society: Understanding State-Society Relations” concluded in Dhaka on Saturday, focusing on ideological debate, conceptual understanding and participatory learning among young women politicians.
The workshop was jointly organised by the Center for Governance Studies (CGS) and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) as part of the Politics Lab initiative at a hotel in the capital.
A total of 25 female representatives from different political parties and organisations participated in the final day of the programme.
The sessions were conducted by Dr Julian Benedict Kuttig, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Leipzig Research Centre Global Dynamics, Leipzig University, and Dr Lailufar Yasmin, Professor at the Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka.
Dr. Julian discussed the evolution of narratives surrounding nation, nationalism and national identity over time, while Dr Yasmin criticised the uncritical adoption of Western theoretical models that often fail to reflect the realities of developing countries.
Both speakers emphasised the importance of a vigilant civil society in holding governments accountable and safeguarding citizens’ interests.
Participants engaged in group activities and presentations reflecting their understanding of the state, government and civil society, while also sharing their aspirations for future socio-political and economic development in the country.