Feature

Celebrating Mondialogo Finalist

Subrata Kumar Das

On 23 November Birshrestha Munshi Abdur Rouf Rifles College celebrated its inclusion in the finalist of Mondialogo School Contest 2005-2006 in the college compound of Peelkhana, Dhaka. Md. Mahmudul Hasan PhD, Secretary of Bangladesh National Commission for UNESCO (BNCU), Principal Mia Md. Moniruzzaman, Vice-Principal Musarrat Naima, the present writer i.e. the team Leader-Teacher, ASP.net teachers Sultan Farid, Abu Darda, and Mostaq Ahmed were present among many others.

Herewith it is worth mentioning that UNESCO and DaimlerChrysler initiated the Mondialogo School Contest for the first time in 2003. To eradicate all possibilities of discrimination through intercultural dialogue among the youth, this contest has been arranged for the second time this year. The programme is open for all students aged from 14-18 years. This year about 2600 teams from across the world participated in the competition. The competition started in January and ended in June 2006. After six month's project, the International Jury Board selected 50 teams from 37 countries as finalists. 'We Love Bangladesh' team is the only team that has got the recognition to be included in the finalists.

The whole institution took a colourful shade to celebrate the recognition. As a part of the celebration programme, Principal Mia Md Moniruzzaman inaugurated an attractive News Corner on Mondialogo in the school field at 11 in the morning. The BNCU Secretary expressed his satisfaction on the success of a Bangladeshi team. On behalf of the authority Principal Mia Md. Moniruzzaman and Vice-Principal Musarrat Naima told in their speech to extend all possible cooperation for the activities of future Mondialogo Contests and UNESCO related programmes. Mahmudul Hasan Munna a participant of the team described his experience during the project.

Afterwards, in the computer laboratory, the whole idea of the project was exhibited through projector production presented by the team leader. A good number of guardians, students and teachers enjoyed the project ideas on the screen.

The day-long programme ended with a discussion meeting. The discussants included ASPnet teachers Abu Darda and Mostaq Hossain.From the students side Shafiqur Rahman Shishir and Lazina Hossain talked on the different aspects of the contest. Lecturer Kamal Hossain and Abdul Awal Mosolly expressed their positive reactions on the activities of 'We Love Bangladesh' team. The session was presided by the Principal.

It is noteworthy that as the leader of the finalist team the writer and a student Lazina Hossain attended the Rome Symposium held in Italy from 4-7 November. This year 22 teams enrolled from Bangladesh.