The conference, Self-help: Stakeholders perception and realisation, aims to provide a forum for the stakeholders to share their experiences with self-help approach.

More than 40 government, non-government and community-based organisations and development partners are taking part in the conference organised by a self-help promotion core group comprising eight members including ICDDR,B, Swiss Red Cross, Plan International and Dascoh.

"Self-help is a noble cause that already exists. We are not inventing anything new but looking forward to better alternatives and better ways to overcome the challenges in health sector," said Dr David A Sack, executive director of the Centre for Health and Population Research, at the inaugural session.

A total of six groups met yesterday for panel discussions on different topics under the banner of community-based organisations, local government, adolescents, regional network, cooperatives and development partners.

A declaration styled 'Dhaka Declaration' will be placed at the end of the two-day conference today.

Dr Md Mir Quashem of Bangladesh Rural Development Board and Dr Selina Choudhury were also present.