Meghna Knowledge Forum 2021 (Virtual Event) CALL FOR SIDE EVENT PROPOSALS Share technical solutions and community-based strategies to address key water governance issues in the Basin

IUCN invites institutions working on water governance and natural resource management issues in the Meghna River Basin to submit side event proposals highlighting their work. The side events will be held during the Meghna Knowledge Forum (22 to 24 June 2021). More than 500 participants are expected to join the event virtually.

Note: Meghna River Basin include 29 transboundary rivers originating from and flowing into . Some examples are Feni, Khowai, Gumti, Manu and Muhuri Rivers originating from ; Myntdu (Shari) and Umgot Rivers originating from plateau, and Barak River and its tributaries originating in .

Map 1: Meghna Basin – Administrative Districts

About the Forum IUCN Asia is facilitating the Meghna Knowledge Forum (MKF) 2021, an online scientific symposium, which aims to provide a learning exchange platform on shared water governance issues in the Meghna Basin linked to Natural Resource Management (NRM) and community inclusion. For more information please visit the MKF 2021 objectives and latest information, please visit the forum webpage here.

Criteria for proposal submission: 1. Must be related to at least one of the three themes of the MKF 2021, 1) Geophysical and Ecological Diversity of the Meghna Basin; 2) Cultural and Socio-economics of the Meghna Basin; and, 3) Inclusive Basin Governance in the Meghna Basin. 2. Side Event designs must be super interactive with a focus on engaging the audience in the discussion leading to the identification of 3-4 key actions that can be taken forward after the event; 3. Includes organisations from both Bangladesh and India and/or speakers from at least three different organisations, representing both Bangladesh and India; 4. Highlight issues related to gender and indigenous people; 5. Demonstrates technical solutions and community-based strategies to address key water governance issues in the Meghna Basin; and, 6. Facilitates engagement with youth (aged 15-24) and young professionals (35 years of age and under)

A Selection Committee, with representatives from the Meghna Advisory Group1, will review all the side events proposals and select the best ones for the MKF.

Timeline - 20 May 2021 – Last date for the submission of side event proposals - 30 May 2021 – Notification of accepted side even proposals - 22-24 June 2021 – Facilitate side event at the Meghna Knowledge Forum

Please submit your proposal at this email ID –[email protected]

Subject of email: (name of organisation)_MKF2021_Side Event title.

1 A multi-disciplinary, informal group with the representatives from government, academic and civil society organisations, facilitated by IUCN to advice and guide the development of a multi- level benefit sharing strategy for the Meghna Basin.

Annex 1: Side Event Proposal Format

1. Contact Information Please provide the details of the primary focal point for this proposal, for further communications from the MKF team.

Name: Title: Organisation (lead): Country: Email: Tel: Mobile: Target audience: Why attend

your side event?

Name of Partners:

2. Title of Side Event Please provide a title (maximum 15 words).

Title:

3. Programme Relevance Please select the thematic areas below, which related to your side event (you may select multiple): ☐Geophysical and Ecological Diversity of the Meghna Basin ☐Cultural and Socio-economics of the Meghna Basin ☐ Inclusive Basin Governance in the Meghna Basin

Short description of your side event, including its main objective, outcomes, and relevance to the Meghna Knowledge Forum Main objectives, outcomes (100 words)

Relevance to the Meghna Knowledge Forum (100 words)

Describe the ways in which your session will highlight gender and indigenous issues. To what extent will your session contribute to mainstreaming gender issues (100 words)

How will your session strengthen engagement with youth (aged 15-24) and young professionals (35 years of age and under) (100 words)

4. Design and format of your side event (max. 100 words).

Description of how you plan to use the 60 mins, including the speaker’s role and the facilitation plan and engagement with the audience.

5. Partner’s Involvement Which other organizations will be involved in the design/delivery of the side event? Note: Includes organisation from both Bangladesh and India and/or Includes speakers from at least three different organisations, representing both Bangladesh and India

Name and specific roles or relationship with the lead organisation