Millions of students all over the country have to be educated with the sense of enlightened and responsible citizenship, said Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelley, chairman, Centre for Development Research, Bangladesh (CDRB).

In the context of present volatile situation, it is necessary to strengthen and enhance the sense of enlightened and responsible citizenry, he added.

CDRB and the Centre for Civic Education (CCE), USA, jointly organised the workshop on 'Showcase Presentation of Portfolios: Project Citizen' at Biam auditorium in the city.

The CDRB and the CCE in association with the education ministry have been implementing the 'Project Citizen' since October 2005, involving 20 secondary schools in Dhaka and Savar.

Under the one-year pilot project, the students have promoted competent and responsible participation in policy-making process and actively engaged in monitoring and influencing public policy.

At the workshop, the students showcased their portfolios identifying a problem in the public policy, evaluating information, selecting or developing a proposed public policy and developing an action plan.

The teachers under the project were also imparted training to conduct the programme.

Speaking at the workshop, Adviser to the caretaker government M Azizul Haque said the government would provide allout support for the success of the project.

Biam Director General Shahidul Alam urged the US to extend assistance in strengthening and expanding the term of the project.

Additional Secretary to education ministry Abdul Matin Chowdhury stressed the need for initiating such programmes in remote areas.

Jonathan Cebra, press & cultural attaché of the US embassy and director of American Centre, cited examples from his own country where the kindergarten children have to involve themselves in community service.

The 'Project Citizen' has provided a unique opportunity for students to take active community responsibility, he said and lauded the Bangladesh schoolchildren who have chosen issues like waste management, water treatment, traffic and political turmoil.

Education secretary Momtazul Islam, Dr (capt.) Maswoodur Rahman, member, board of directors, CDRB, and Mohammad Enayet Karim, executive director of CDRB, also spoke.