Udayankur Seba Sangstha (USS) a Nilphamari based NGO started its journey in 1997 with an awareness raising program on poverty, health, education and gender equity. USS is working in the northern part of Bangladesh and encourages the poor to change their socio-economic condition on their own.
The organisation has a vision of a society that is economically prosperous, culturally vibrant, socially just and democratically governed. A society based on the principles of equality, cooperation and freedom. A society in which citizens have human rights and are able to live with peace and dignity.
The mission of USS is creating social transformation through promoting, assisting and encouraging deprived and marginalized people to build institutions in order to reach prosperity, sustainability and democratic self governance.
USS's primary role is as facilitator, it supports people to critically analyze the situation, identify the causes, define the solutions, formulate the alternative vision, plan for action and strategies to achieve desired results. Facilitation of an emancipation process that enhances their capacity and strengthens peoples institutions and solidarity to address their urgent crisis as well as building alternative systems.
Strategic objectives:
- To ensure food and livelihood security
- To promote quality education for all
- To protect environment sustainability
- To secure gender and social justice
- To establish democratic self governance
- To promote people's culture
- To access to entitlement rights and services
- To promote peaceful societies
The strategic concern for USS is to address two types of issue; the urgent and immediate crisis as well as the policy and actions of remote forces that maintain structural deprivation. Abject poverty, a cycle of monga, violence against women, illiteracy, disease and truancy are commonplace and a result of exploitation by market mechanism and neo-liberal policies. Due to this multiple strategy options are required.
During general strikes in Nilphamari, protesters have, in the past, cut down trees and laid them across roads to impede police response. Cutting off access to law enforcement can aggravate the problem for those affected by the hartal. Drawing attention to this destructive activity USS regularly organized a symbolic tree planting at the Nilphamari Bar Association. Senior Advocates shared the platform with the next generation of advocates to pledge and commit to developing a non violent future for Nilphamari.
From 23-25 January, 2016, USS organized training on ‘Conflict Transformation’. The aim of the training was actively envision, include, respect and promote the human and cultural resources from within a given setting. 20 key participants received the training including government representative, political leaders, religious, student, journalist, CSOs, development activists and lawyers.
Nilphamari Zilla Parishad Administrator said, ‘this is something we were feeling for something highly necessary for our people. This country has taken her birth with the concept of maintaining religious freedom. But the situation has changed now. It should be handled carefully’.
A debate competition on “Women’s role is vital for development of family and society” was organized by USS, Nilphamari and supported by Diakonia Bangladesh on August 28, 2016 in Tapurdhangha high school premises. Students of two schools participated in this debate competition. Tapurdhangha high school participated in favour of the topic. All the participants participated lively with strong argument. Finally, Tapurdhangha high school owned 1st position. After debate competition, a prize distribution ceremony was held which was presided over Babu Charindhrow nath Roy, head teacher of Tapurdgangha high school. Md. Badhuzzaman Prodhan, Chairman, Khokshabari Union, Nilphamari was the chief guest in the event. Mrs. Humayra Begum, Assistant teacher, Ramkalla girls high school, Md. Khalilur Rhaman, President, School management committee, Tapurdgangha high school and Md. Golam Nabi, President, School management committee, Ramkalla Shailbari S.R. high school were present as special guests in the event. Alauddin Ali, ED, USS was present at the event. 600 students from two schools and teachers enjoyed the debate competition.
A drama show 'Jago Bangali’ has been presented by Polashbari Randhanu drama team to stop child marriage and promote gender equality supported by USS, Nilphamari and Diakonia Bangladesh on May 08, 2016 in the field of khokshabari sannashitala govt. primary school at 4pm. 1200 people observed the drama and enjoyed the event. All the actors of drama team are members of local adolescent forum. After the show, local elites including UP Chairman, teachers, Ganogabeshona group members gave their opinion to arrange more drama show for other part of the union.
