STRATEGIC RETREAT SUMMARY REPORT
Centre For Peace and Justice Brac University
22-24 September 2019
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Background
The Objectives of the Retreat
Summary of the Presentations and Discussions The Broader Context of Brac University
Developing a Strategy Review of CPJ Key Activities
Introducing a Master’s in Peace and Justice SWOT Analysis of Training and Education at CPJ Advocacy and Visibility
Annex A: List of Attendees
Annex B: Retreat Programme
As CPJ embarks on its third year, it was �mely to review and update the first strategic plan for the year 2018-2022. The strategic retreat was an opportunity to obtain a common understanding of the changing context and discourse in the field of Peace and Jus�ce, reflect on the research partnerships and outputs,training and courses imparted, event organised, projects implemented and outreach ac�vi�es undertaken so far, and iden�fy key strategic direc�ons for the next three years (2020-22). For this purpose, CPJ organized a 2 ½ day Strategic Retreat on 22-24 September 2019 atBRAC CDM, Savar, involving 19 persons including staff and affiliates, some joining on skype due to logis�cal constraints.
The retreat used a mixed approach of formal and informal presenta�ons, prepared prior to the retreat, plenary discussions, small group discussions and debriefs. The list of a�endees (both on site and remotely) is included in Annexe A. This document synthesises the discussions held during the retreat, to retain ins�tu�onal memory and share with par�cipants who could not a�end the retreat .
We thank our colleagues namely Kawsher, Mercy, Aisha, Nahida, Riedwan, and Taufiq for note taking to capture the essence of the discussions. We are thankful to Liton for administra�ve and logis�c arrangement. We acknowledge the support of Wahid for taking photos to capture retret moments.
BACKGROUND
THE OBJECTIVES OF THE RETREAT WERE
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENTATIONS AND DISCUSSIONS
1. To individually reflect on the ac�vi�es completed, ongoing and planned related to research, educa�on, training, events, outreach and visibility
2. To discuss in small groups and in a plenary about the lessons gathered over the last few years and planning ahead
3. To clarify the strategic goals for CPJ in the areas of research, educa�on, training, events, outreach and visibility
4. To increase bonding, get to know each other, both within the CPJ team and within Brac U
The ini�al retreat programme is included in Annex B but allowed for some flexibility in terms of topics covered, based on the interests of the par�cipants and to ensure depth during the discussions, rather than breadth. The retreat was facilitated by Dr Caroline Brassard, M. Badiuzzaman, Dr Faus�na Pereira and Dr Samia Huq, with presenta�ons from CPJ’s Execu�ve Director Manzoor Hasan, Jonathan Cartmell (Vice President of Brac University), Dr M Mahboob Rahman (AVP & Chief of Staff, Dean , Brac Business School, and Mr Pial Islam (Director of Pi Strategy).
The retreat kicked off with an introductory speech by Mr Manzoor Hasan, Execu�ve Director of CPJ, who shared about the historical development of the Centre, and the challenges ahead, towards becoming a fully-fledged Ins�tute in the near future. A�er an ice-breaking exercise where the par�cipants got to know more about their colleagues’ background and interests, the first strategic plan was presented to the group, se�ng the stage for the development of the next strategic plan.
Mr Jonathan Cartmell (Vice-president BracU) gave a broader ins�tu�onal context, presen�ng on BRAC University’s vision as a global ins�tu�on: Upholding human values, Promo�ng sustainable development, and Fostering crea�on of knowledge. He then described in detail, the key areas for ins�tu�onal development at Brac University:
- Interna�onaliza�on - Student Experience - Impact
He described efforts to achieve ccomprehensive learning through the exchange of interna�onal students, faculty experiences, and how current partnerships can be tapped into for more devel- opment in knowledge, in par�cular BRAC NGO, and impact through quality research. For the la�er, he explained how Brac University’s strategic vision was �ghtly linked to obtaining interna�onal funding for research, as well as se�ng up cross-funding avenue. Other ini�a�ves related to the introduc�on of execu�ve and graduate educa�on.
The broader context of Brac University
Then, Mr. Pial Islam gave a presenta�on reminding us ‘What is not strategy’. He highlighted 4 main mistakes that ins�tu�ons and people tend to make:
1. Priori�zing the urgent over important
2. Making a detailed plan, a series of steps like an ac�on plan, which is overly rigid 3. Not thinking beyond 3 to 5 years and the big picture
4. Focusing on op�mizing current resources rather rethinking what needs to be op�mized
In his view, strategies are explicit choices and decisions that involve trade-offs, including what to do, and what not to do, based upon theory (not anecdotal) and its importance, and not ‘copying’ what others do, and have a nuanced understanding of what the users/customers need; user-centred design. He concluded on the three stages of organiza�onal development: Intent- strategy- execu�on.
The par�cipants discussed ins�tu�onal aspects that worked well in previous organiza�ons including:
Young leadership, Human face of the organiza�on, Opportunity for self- growth of individual employees, Systema�za�on of organiza�onal processes, Reflec�on of the values of the organiza�ons into its prac�ces and Sustainability.
Developing a Strategy
Review of CPJ key activities
Badiuzzaman and Samia made a thorough presenta�on on the key ac�vi�es undertaken at CPJ.
Ac�vi�es under implement�on and planned are also shared with the par�cipants for their cri�cal review and sugge�ons.
The par�cipants shared that CPJ should focus on policy-oriented ac�on research, on non-commis- sioned research than commissioned research, on innova�on in Research Method, for example peace research method, producing case studies as an output from research work, develop research cluster based on exper�se of exis�ng human resources (and iden�fy gaps to be filled with new hires, address the need to improve sta�s�cs capacity of CPJ (sampling; quan�ta�ve data analysis), develop concept note for academic grant applica�on, nurture networks for research and advocacy, conduct research on statelessness from economic/legal/anthropology, and develop Flagship report based on research clus- ters.
Samia highlighted the following points interms of moving CPJ’s research agenda forward.
- Three primary activities; Educa�on and Training, Research and Advocacy
- Three themes- Peace and Fragility, Social Jus�ce and Open Society
- Basic module on paralegal training
- Women entrepreneurship training module - Module on community-based peace and civic learning
- Rohingya women and Global compact on refugee
- Rohingya mobility and hardship - Rohingya iden�ty
- Child protec�on
- Situa�on of Rohingya and host community in rela�on to Social cohesion, resilience and peace - Faith and development
- Intangible concepts translated to tangibles - Selec�on of issues and partnerships
- Rights not just as a poli�cal tool but as a social construct
- Cri�cal legal empowerment - Cri�quing the law
- Climate jus�ce and environmental peace
CPJ’s works at a glance Research project
- Human centric approach to the discourse on natural sciences i.e. climate and displacement, environmental degrada�on and jus�ce
- Social media or popular media
- Mainstream/ trends in peace and jus�ce discourses
- Theore�cal understanding - Analy�cal framework
- Speaking for the Global South - contextualise - Connect our dots
- What we will not do - be clear on our boundaries - Where do we posi�on ourselves on the scale from the global to the local?
- How to measure impact, increase visibility?
- What kind of impact at the different levels of governance?
- Iden�fying CPJ’s core values as an ins�tu�on - Analyzing current prac�ces/global trends - Clarify our goals
- Impact in terms of research, students, outreach - What impact do we have and what impact can we poten�ally have?
- Theory behind our work
- Knowledge product, academic output, advocacy output
- Urgency vs importance
- Cultural and context specific - and being opportunis�c
- Mapping and understanding compe�tors Benchmarking
Faus�na gave a presenta�on as part of our reflec�on on our Educa�on and Training Agenda in the last 2 years. She suggested to conceptualise legal empowerment at CPJ along the following lines:
Legal Empowerment Discourse (Scholarship): Knowledge produc�on and discourse shaping to reimagine jus�ce (e.g., through high quality research). Actors (Collabora�on): Co-crea�on and co-produc�on with knowledge and prac�ce partners; keeping at the centre - the faces and the voices of stakeholders. Finally, Innova�ons (Prac�ce): catalysis and catalysts.
In the context of revisi�ng CPJ’s vision, it was felt that we needed to be�er understand CPJ’s audience/stakeholders/customers for our research outputs, including the following:
- Human centric approach to the discourse on natural sciences i.e. climate and displacement, environmental degrada�on and jus�ce
- Impact in terms of research, students, outreach - What impact do we have and what impact can we poten�ally have?
- Theory behind our work
- Knowledge product, academic output, advocacy output
- Urgency vs importance
- Cultural and context specific - and being opportunis�c
- Mapping and understanding compe�tors Benchmarking
Faus�na analysed the role of CPJ with head/brain of a human body where head/brain is doing planning, crea�ng knowledge and thinking of future. She highlighted the following issues:
• Legal empowerment is a tool to achieve SDG 16
• New avenue to explore like climate jus�ce and gender
• Inequality vs Development from the regional perspec�ve
• Linking academic ac�vi�es with other ac�vi�es; advocacy and training
• Ins�tu�onalised the legal aspects in CPJ research
• Focus on rule of law
• Engaging mul�-disciplinary approach to legal research
• Reassessing the BRAC legal service from the peace and jus�ce perspec�ve
• Paralegalism in Asia from compara�ve perspec�ve
• Develop a curriculum with school of law of Brac University
• CPJ as home for SALEN (South Asian Legal Empowerment Network)
Introducing a Master’s in Peace and Justice
We concluded the day on a discussion about introducing a Master’s in Peace and Jus�ce. First, we discussed who would be our poten�al students: Interna�onal students/ local students with interna�onal educa�on background, Local and regional students, Service providers in Civil Society organiza�ons, NGOs, INGOs, IOs, Human rights/ Environmental/ Poli�cal ac�vists, Government officials from varies ministries and agencies : Law, women and children, health, finance, police, youth, home affairs, interna�onal affairs, trade, social welfare, defence, Fresh graduates of legal stud- ies and social sciences, Mid-level professionals, UNPKO/Military officers, Security sector profession- als, Teachers and Madrasah teachers, Doctors, Ethnographers/ Anthropologists and Corporate professionals.
Then, the discussion covered the main components of the course and learning objec�ves:
• Innova�ve tools and methods of learning
• Interna�onal student exchange for global learning
• Discussion based classroom pla�orm
• Diversified learning environment using art, music, court visit, religious place visits
• Experien�al learning by visi�ng refugee in Cox’s Bazar camps
• Ac�vi�es such as peace club, organizing events such as Peace Day
• Guest lectures by prac��oners and academics
• Internships/ prac�cum component
• Research assistantship
• Interpersonal skills: communica�on, media�on and ADR
• Professional development prior to prac�cum: grooming, building resume, etc
• Quan�ta�ve and Qualita�ve Research
• First-hand research experience
• Climate jus�ce and water poli�cs
• Regional focus
• Nexus between peace and jus�ce: To what extent are we ready to sacrifice peace for jus�ce and vice versa?
Skills development/ Professional development Knowledge development
Critical thinking
Strengths:
1. Peace learning for Women) 2. Affilia�on of Brac University
3. Experience of short course facilita�on 4. Exper�se of training on theore�c area 5. Prac�cal field experience
6. Developed curriculum of Master’s course
7. Partnership with two public universi�es in Bangladesh
Have 4 training module (Paralegal, Civic Learning, Peace Learning, Entrepreneurship and
SWOT Analysis of Training and Educa�on at CPJ
The group then conducted a SWOT analysis of training and educa�on at CPJ and concluded on the following:
“Finally, we discussed broader aspects to consider when planning for the Master’s programme. What is our compara�ve/ compe��ve advantage? This included the Loca�on: Bangladesh, the presence of devel-opment organiza�on and NGOs , Cox’s Bazar holding the largest refugee camp in the world, urbaniza�on and rural development and popula�on displacements. We also discussed the massive overall develop-ment and yet crises such as economic disparity, climate change, humanitarian crises Interdisciplinary and mul�disciplinary approach to teaching, BRAC associa�on and synergy and Interna�onal connec- �ons. Faculty members, Interna�onal qualifica�ons with specializa�ons, Co-development of programmes with other ins�tutes and centres within BracU.
Ideas were put forth in terms of poten�ally tapping into Online educa�on for refugees, building on Free online courses, Distance learning opportu ni�es and learning from successful examples such as BracU’s School of Public Health.”
Weaknesses:
1. Shortage of training pool 2. Human resource limita�on
3. Limita�on of office space and training room 4. Lack of financial solvency
5. Legal accredita�on for cer�ficate course 6. Project dependency and sustainability of staff Opportunities:
1. Use of technology for educa�on 2. Leveraging of BRAC framework
3. Open canvas to chart our own path forward
4. Networking with various na�onal and interna�onal organiza�ons 5. Possibility to become an ins�tute
6. Working for labor, tax, business issues and others Threats:
1.2.
3.
Approval from University Grants Commission to introduce a new programme Donor dependency
Fractured civic space
Advocacy and Visibility
The final day began with a presenta�on by Caroline on communica�on and stakeholder management, for the purpose of policy advocacy. She su mmarised the steps in stakeholder iden�fica�on, mapping, and types/classifica�on. The group discussed the types of advocacy tools and audiences to be targeted by CPJ’s research, as well as the channels of push and pull communica�on. We should consider CPJ’s key achivement in last 4 years;
1. Building capacity of Rohingya youth 2. Legal empowerment
3.4. Jus�ce for Rohingyas 5. Response to refugee crisis
The par�cipants discussed the need to ensure the following:
v vv v v v
v v
v v vv v v v v vv v v v v vv v
Coherent ins�tu�onal voice Educa�on for peace
Drawing on empirical evidence
Experience on what works/what doesn’t (lessons learned) Establish our focus
v Iden�fy key issues
Review exi�ng policies and policy research
Where do we want to “Pitch ourselves” who do we work with in our advocacy work and send a clear signal
Consider CPJ as a producer of evidence to influence policy or be used by policy makers as opposed to being directly involved in policy chan ge because of sensi�vi�es
Be selec�ve/priori�se explicitly
Partnership with University e .g. peace pla�orms Bring interna�onal players together
Educa�on towards advocacy Partnership with governments
Advocacy is not a linear process from A-B Join forces with likeminded actors
Advocacy at 3 levels: 1. Policy change, 2. Prac�ce change, 3. Behavioral change (long te rm) Inform our stakeholders about CPJ’s work proac� vely
Seek opportuni�es to raise the visibility of the refugee i ssue
Levels of influence: Global, Regional, Na�onal, Ins�tu�onal, Social, Individual Climate change (peace and jus�ce angle, climate jus�ce)
BracU Centre on climate change. How not to overlap Rohingya & environmental crisis
Drawing on business and the corporate sector Changing space of civil society
Role of social media in peace and jus�ce What we generate vs. what we resp ond to
Annex A: LIST OF ATTENDEES
Md. Wahidul Islam Mofaq Kharul Taufiq Nilufa Sultana Sheta Jessica Olney
Faus�na Pereira Rezaun Nahid Mercy M Mahboob Rahman Aisha Binte Abdur Rob Liton Kumar Roy Zia Uddin
Kawsher Ahamed Monira Ahsan Nahida Akter
Riedwan Habibur Rahman Muhammad Badiuzzaman Caroline Brassard
Jonathan Cartmell
Manzoor Hasan
Samia Huq
Pial Islam
Session 4 Reflec�ons 15:45-17:00
Small Group Discussions: Implica�ons for Educa�on & Training (group 1), and Research, Partnerships, Advocacy (group 2)
Brief presenta�ons by each group Note-takers: Taufiq and Kawsher
Session 5 Research 8:45-10:30
Re-cap of Day 1 – Caroline (10 mins)
Reflec�ng on our Research Agenda in the last two years - Short presenta�ons by Samia and Badiuzzaman.
15:30-15:45 Tea Break
IDENTIFYING OUTCOMES – RESEARCH, EDUCATION, TRAINING, ADVOCACY DAY 2
Session 1 Welcome 9:00-10:30
Welcome – Manzoor Hasan; 10 mins
Introduc�ons & Ge�ng to know you - Ice Breaker 30-45 mins Retreat Objec�ve & Programme Overview – Caroline (10 mins)
Background to the First strategic plan (2018-2022) & Process for the Second strategic plan (2020-2022) – Manzoor & Caroline
Note-taker: Mercy
10:30-10:45 Tea Break
Session 2 Strategic Planning 10:45-12:00
“What’s Not A Strategy” - Mr Pial Islam, Managing Partner, Pi Strategy, Presenta�on on Strategic Planning (20-25 mins + Q&A)
Presenta�on on CPJ’s key ac�vi�es M. Badiuzzaman; 20 minutes
Plenary Discussion: Broad context in the field of Peace and Jus�ce and Implica�ons for the Second Strategic Plan
Note-taker: Riedwan
Session 3 Broad Context 13:30-15:30
“BRACU Context and Strategic Goals” - Mr. Jonathan Cartmell, Vice President Brac University (15-20 mins + Q&A)
Plenary Discussion: Implica�ons on the role of Higher Educa�on related to Open Society, Peace and Fragility, and Social Jus�ce and on our Strategic Plan Note-taker: Nahida
UNDERSTANDING THE BROADER CONTEXT - THE FIELD OF PEACE & JUSTICE DAY 1
Photo Session & Lunch 12:00-13:30
Annex B: RETREAT PROGRAMME
Plenary Discussion: Desired Outcome for Our Research Agenda in the next 3 years
Note-taker: Riedwan
10:30-10:45
Session 6 Educa�on &
Training
10:45-12:00
Reflec�ng on our Educa�on & Training Agenda in the last 2 years - Short presenta�ons by Faus�na and Sheta
Small Group Discussions: Desired Outcome for Our Educa�on & Training Agenda in the next three years - Two Small Group Discussions
Note-takers: Taufiq and Kawsher
Session 7 Partnerships
& Advocacy
13:30-15:30
Plenary: Short presenta�ons on Session 6 by the two groups, Q&A
Reflec�ng on our Partnership and Advocacy Agenda in the last 2 years - Short presenta�ons by Samia and Badiuzzaman.
Small Group Discussions: Desired Outcome for Our Partnership and Advocacy Agenda in the next 3 years - Two Small Group Discussions
Note-takers: Nahida and Mercy
Session 8 Synthesis
15:45-17:00
Plenary: Short presenta�on on Session 7 by the two groups, Q&A Synthesis and Consolida�on and Synthesis of Discussions from Day 2 Note-taker: Riedwan
Session 9 Strategy
8:45-10:30
Re-cap of Day 2 – Caroline (15 mins)
Plenary Discussions: Rethinking our Strategic Plan – What are our big rocks?
Note-taker: Taufiq
Tea Break
Lunch 12:00-13:30
Tea Break 15:30-15:45
RETHINKING CPJ’S STRATEGY FOR 2020-2022 DAY 3
Session 10 Conclusions
10:45-12:30
Final Reflec�ons - Each Par�cipant Conclusions & Closing - Manzoor Note-taker: Kawsher
12:30-14:00 Lunch
Tea Break 10:30-10:45
End of Retreat
Centre for Peace and Justice
www.cpj.bracu.ac.bd /cpj.bracu
@cpj_bracu Brac University, (UB 07, Level 9,
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