Journal of International Relation Committee, Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka (DUIR) has organized the first event of a webinar series during the pandemic situation on 29 September 2020. The first webinar called “IR Discourse-1: Bangladesh Foreign Policy”. The keynote speakers were Professor Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed and Professor Dr. Delwar Hossain from Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka. Professor Dr. Amena Mohsin was the honorable Moderator of the Webinar. Chair of the Department of International Relations, University of Dhaka, Professor Muhammad Ruhul Amin also attended the webinar.
Civilizational Foundations on Bangladesh's Foreign Policy
Dr. Imtiaz Ahmed pointed out what civilization is and how it is deeply rooted in Bangladesh. Then he talked about the history from the British empire to the post liberation war period briefly. He discussed briefly about the 4 major challenges that he think should be noted mainly which were- not thinking differently about a state from the stereotypical modern state, the fallout of globalization, the 4th industrial revolution and our mindset lacking the ‘Bangladesh dream’. Dr. Amena Mohsin added that- all the imperial nations used this issue of ‘civilizing the colonies’ in order to dominate them. So maybe that is why many people think of it as an elitist concept.
Theoretical Debates on Global Powers and Bangladesh
Dr. Delwar Hossain pointed out how we talk about the term ‘global power’ so casually but still there is no definition to it. He gave his point of view on it and also addressed the definitions of global power given by Kenneth Waltz and Bear F. Braumoeller. He then talked about how our international sphere is constantly changing and so our options to choose from and relations with others are also changing with it. He emphasized on the concept of rivalry and how the rivalry among the great powers are growing. He also mentioned some additional challenges with the ones Dr. Imtiaz pointed out and tried to explain these in the light of theoretical aspects such as realism, liberalism, constructivism and other critical theories. He said Bangladesh works in a liberal way but he is particularly fascinated with the constructivist approach and explained the reason. Then he briefly talked about the options that Bangladesh can work with.Dr. Hossain conclued that we need more discussion and debate over and over as there is no perfect option and we need to focus on the ideas coming from the different parts of the world.
Dr. Imtiaz and Dr. Delwar's speech were followed by a question answer session where the speakers responded to questions from different diplomats and foreign policy practitioners.
The event was covered by Syeda Mubassir Mahjabin Nahian, a student at the Department of International Relations at the University of Dhaka and an Intern at the Dhaka University Law and Politics Review.
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