Bangladesh Institute of Peace & Security Studies
Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) [1] is a non-party, non-profit organization and independent think tank devoted to studying peace and security issues related South and Southeast Asia. The institute seeks to bridge the gap between academic research and policy analysis within the context of Bangladesh and other countries of South and Southeast Asia. Strategic thinkers, academicians, former members of the Civil Services, Foreign Services, Armed Forces and media persons are associated with the institute.
BIPSS has launched a specialized front named Bangladesh Center for Terrorism Research (BCTR) focusing in depth research to curb extremism and militancy in Bangladesh and in South-Asia.
BIPSS is headed by Major General A N M Muniruzzaman.[2]
Background
Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS) is the first institution of its kind in Bangladesh for analysis on all aspects of security, peace and security studies in the region as well as of the global. It will serve as a forum for research, training, exchanges and dialogue between practitioners, academics and activists at all levels.
About
BIPSS seeks to bridge the gap between the academic and policy worlds, leading to the development of strategies and policies for enhancing international peace and security.
The institute is headed by the president, Major General Muniruzzaman. He directs and coordinates all research and administrative activities of the institute. The research activities of the institute are supported by the Research Faculty consisting of a team of full-time researchers with social science backgrounds.
Aims
- To assist the evolution and consolidation of stable, secure and accountable governments;
- To produce analyses of the security and human rights situation in the South Asian region, which will be useful to people working to deepen democracy and prevent conflict in the region and beyond;
- To assist the defense and security sector review process globally with a particular focus on South Asian countries;
- To encourage a dialogue between South Asian civil society, governments, and the security forces on security sector reform and conflict prevention;
- To encourage the interest of younger scholars in human security and prepare them for careers in various fields of policy/governance;
- To help peace building and peace consolidation in the region as well as globally;
BCTR
The institute, headed by the President of BIPSS, Major General Muniruzzaman, ndc, psc, (Retd.) has launched Bangladesh Centre for Terrorism Research (BCTR), a centre dedicated to study, data management and research on terrorism, radicalization and extremism. BCTR, a research centre dedicated to the study and research of terrorism, aims at reducing the threat of terrorism and minimizing its impact on society.
BCTR objectives
- To advocate policy reforms to combat the threats of terrorism and radicalization.
- To foster partnerships with regional and international research organizations and think tanks with a view to creating a platform for the study of terrorism, extremism and radicalism.
- To highlight the policies adopted by the government in countering radicalization, extremism and terrorism.
- To work as depository for research papers, literature and information related to extremism/radicalization/terrorism.
- To become a link to terrorism research centres on the world.
- To understanding the evolution of terrorism in the region and beyond.
- To set up Confidence Building Measures (CBM) among the South Asian countries.
- To tie together experts, think tanks and scholars for regional counter terror strategy.
BIPSS Climate Change Cell
The issue of climate change is becoming a concern for Bangladesh. If the expert opinions proves to be true, Bangladesh will face serious consequences due to this phenomenon. Bangladesh is among the most vulnerable states in the world to climate change and the level of its vulnerability poses security threats to the state.
Following this, BIPSS has established a Climate Change Cell in the institute to formulate policy recommendations for the government agencies, policy makers and foreign development partners. BIPSS studies the human security dimensions of climate change.
SARRF
SAARC charter by design does not provide room to discuss bilateral security issues. This is a stumbling block that hinders the advancement of regionalism in a multi-national platform. Unlike ASEAN, SAARC does not provide an alternative window (e.g. ASEAN Regional Forum) to bring security issues into discussions. There is a long felt need to establish a platform for discussion and informed debate on issues related to security and strategy in the region, as well as the exchange of research papers or data on peace and security matters.
One of the major security concerns of the region is the scenario of radicalization and extremism. So BIPSS has launched a network of leading South Asian think tanks to address issues related to peace, strategy, security etc. at track Two Level.
The network is named South Asian Regional Research Forum (SARRF). SARRF will serve as a platform for research and analysis of issues involving peace, strategy and security. It will also focus on regional conflicts and unresolved security issues. Initially all SARRC member countries are coming to the forum. It is composed of one Think Tank from each member countries.
BIPSS is undertaking a regional research project in the field of Counter Terrorism Strategy (CTS). The purpose of the project is to find avenues to deal with growing terrorism in the region. Given the geographical contiguity, close ethnic and cultural ties, there is much to be gained from shared experience and best practices from the members of the region in finding effective CTS. BIPSS therefore organize a regional conference titled “Counter Terrorism Strategy: In Search of South Asian Cooperation”, in February 2009, where presentation of the research findings on South Asian terrorism will be made by respective member institutions. The concept meeting for the conference was held in Dhaka from 24–26 October 2008.
SARRF will address issues related to peace, strategy and security in the region of South Asian. It will foster partnerships with regional and international research organizations and think tanks with a view to creating a platform for the study of peace and security issues. The SARRF platform will advocate policy reforms to deal with security and strategic challenges in South Asia. The network will be a depository for research paper, literature and information. SARRF will initiate the process of understanding the evolution of terrorism in the region and beyond.
Membership in SARRF is by invitation. Members of the network are Pakistan Institute for Peace Studies (PIPS), Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies (IPCS, India), South Asian Foundation (SAF, Nepal), Kabul Center for Strategic Studies (KCSS), Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI) and host initiator institution Bangladesh Institute of Peace and Security Studies (BIPSS).