The International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) is a research institute based at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) in Dhaka. The organization focuses mainly on climate change adaptation and development through capacity building programs, education and training workshops.
Our aim is to work in collaboration with different stakeholders; including government, NGOs, civil society, academia and students, to develop and distribute knowledge in building capacity at the local and national level, as well as working towards empowering the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) particularly in the southern region. We also provide a platform for national and international participants, through our annual conference ‘Gobeshona’, to share information and experience on the climate change subject to explore possible interventions and innovations.
Bangladesh is one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change but, apart from being exposed to climate change, we also realise the reality and necessity of capacity building, preparedness and awareness required for conserving natural resources, biodiversity and wildlife. Climate change and land cannot be separated; similarly, our efforts and actions need to complement each other for overall benefit.
Our approach to addressing climate change extends to science, policy and practice to make a positive influence on various components of the environment, including conservation of forest biodiversity and wildlife. And we are keen to include conservation aspects with adaptation actions in Bangladesh.
ConservationNOW embraces everyone, whether professional or just an individual enthusiastic for the protection and preservation nature. Therefore, by joining the global community we intend to share knowledge and gain valuable information from each other, through the positive interactions and raise the important issues related to conservation.
Following the vision of Conservation Optimism, we also aim to encourage more research work to understand conservation issues within the environmental scenarios. We also want to learn and work on ideas, tools, and creative techniques to empower youth, affected communities and policymakers, specifically for the region such as Sundarbans in Bangladesh – a world heritage site, where communities can make a huge impact on the conservation of nature. Also, this opportunity will help to enhance our network of new and existing partners to work together through multi-disciplinary methods.
The ConservationNOW community will help us increase our understanding and will provide valuable information about conservation strategy around the world. We positively hope that this collaboration will support us to actively engage in education and awareness among various stakeholders to magnify the need for including conservation essentially in future plans.
Subsequently, we want to utilise the platform to highlight developments in the conservation sectors and steps that we need to take collectively as a global community with international cooperation.
The key difference each one of us could make is to take effective measures towards fighting the environmental challenges now and for our future. Becoming a part of ConservationNOW is bringing us one step closer to the common cause of conservation and will help us support and inspire individuals to make a greater change.