Project ShaPla 2019 Friends of Bangladesh PROJECT SHAPLA 2019 DELEGATION CONTENTS Anne Main MP Guy Opperman MP Paul Scully MP 3 Welcome Bob Blackman MP Muquim Ahmed 4 Message from Prime Minister, Mehfuz Ahmed Abdus Hamid The Rt Hon Boris Johnson Ms Parveen Hassan Naz Islam 5 Message from Rt. Hon James Cleverly MP Cllr Shamsul Islam Shelim Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP Ms Amy Selman Ms Dina Black, Director, Conservative Friends of International Development (CFiD) Muquim Ahmed Rafat Khan Alaur Rahman, Sponsor 7 2011 Project Maja Jom Jom Rashid, Sponsor Abdul Kadir, Sponsor 11 2012 Project Shapla Robert Tinley, CFiD Jennie Ekbord, CFiD 15 2015 Project Shapla John Higginson, CFiD Ryan Loveridge, CFiD 18 Social Action - Project Shapla 2017 Ross Ewing, Chief of Staff to Anne Main MP Shahin Choudhury 20 Rohingya Refugee Camp Visit 2017 Abdul Mubin Ms Isabella WALLERSTEINER, Parliamentary Assistant to Anne Main MP Matthew McPherson, Chief of Staff to Guy Opperman MP 2017 Welcome We are looking forward to visiting Bangladesh We plan to visit health, education and sport- We would like to take this opportunity to again, it will be our fifth Project Shapla trip to ing projects during the week. We will also pay thank our generous sponsors for their the country with the Conservative Friends of a visit to the LEEDO peace home which has support, their help has been vital and has Bangladesh (CFoB) since the group’s given a home to over 2,000 street children in made this trip possible. We would also like to formation in 2006. Dhaka over the last four years. thank the Bangladesh High Commissioner in London and the Bangladesh Prime Minister’s CFoB was established to build new Some of the children from that home came to office and Foreign Ministry for their help in relationships with Bangladeshis, both in the visit us in Parliament in May of this year so it organising this trip. United Kingdom and in Bangladesh, and we will be great to see them again. strive to further ties between the two We are certain it will be one of our best countries for our mutual interest. We also plan on helping with a local river visits yet! clean-up project in Sylhet. uring our trip, we will be visiting incredibly important projects of BRAC, Oxfam and The visit will end with a Global Britain theme London Tigers which are improving the lives meeting senior members of the Bangladesh Anne Main MP Mehfuz Ahmed of the people living in Dhaka and Sylhet. Government and Business Leaders. President Chairman Our aim is to promote the culture, successes and values of British Bangladeshis and advocate closer relations between the Conservative Party, the British Bangladeshi community and Bangladesh. 3 the rt hon Boris johnson MP Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservative Party I am delighted to send my best wishes to everyone supporting Project Shapla this year, along with my thanks to Conservative Friends of Bangladesh for organising this fantastic initiative. CFoB do a great job in linking Conservative parliamentarians, candidates and activists with Bangladesh. In doing so you are helping to strengthen the enduring relationship between the UK and Bangladesh – a relationship that is rooted in our historic ties, shared values and common goals. As Prime Minister, I want the UK to renew our friendships with our allies around the world. Bangladesh is an important trading partner and I hope we can build an even stronger relationship following our departure from the EU. The CFoB volunteers taking part in Project Shapla are exemplifying the outward-looking spirit that has always been a hallmark of our country. That spirit was seen in the generosity of the British public’s response to the humanitarian crisis facing the Rohingya community, and I am proud of the extensive work that the UK Government has done to deliver vital assistance to refugees in Bangladesh, including the considerable amount of aid we have provided. Thank you again to CFoB – and best wishes to everyone involved in this excellent project. 4 rt hon Nicky Morgan MP I want to wish everyone taking part of the Conservative Friends of in the 2019 Project Shapla the very Bangladesh team. best of luck. I believe you will have a fabulous time completing important I loved taking part in Project Maja in social action projects which make a 2011 and I look forward to hearing real positive difference to the about your experiences. communities involved, and also seeing the wonderful country of Bangladesh. Patron, Conservative Friends of Bangladesh & Secretary of The links between the UK and State for Digital, Culture, rt. hon james cleverly MP Bangladesh run deep and are Media and Sport Conservative Party Chairman enhanced by the dedicated work I am delighted that the Conservative Friends of Bangladesh are undertaking their 5th Social Action project in Bangladesh. In 2017 I was proud to see Project Shapla as the first visit Muquim ahmed of British Parliamentarians to the Rohingya refugee camps Honorary Patron, CFoB - they moved the dial in bringing more support. That those MPs were Conservative was testament to the compassion In this turmoil of Brexit impasse Project Shapla is that is at the heart of our Party, but also the passion of trying to sought the tranquillity and equilibrium in a Conservative Friends of Bangladesh to do good - notably small way by balancing the continuity of helping the the donors behind the trip and the group’s Chairman needy through this worthwhile project. Project Shalpa Mehfuz Ahmed - who has shown fine dedication. has come a long way from year 2011 till to date with initiative. It will not be out of context to acknowledge the help of the Parliamentarians, the donors and the that British Parliamentarian, especially the Member of I give all my best wishes that Project Shapla will be a great CFOB official to carry on with this standalone social Parliament who visited Cox’s Bazar played a huge role example of how a Party link group can also contribute to project from our International Development in drawing the attention of the world to the cataclysm conversations on aid and trade. Whilst you are visiting a Initiative - for eradication of extreme poverty, that befall the Rohingans of Burma. great trading partner of the UK and one of the fastest tackling the global challenges of modern times growing economies in the world, you are also visiting a and leaving a lasting legacy. This journey to Bangladesh will encompass our com- place of great people in great need. mitment that we will stand by and continue even Our mission is complementary to those of the though we have so much uncertainty and For the last 13 years, Conservative Friends of Bangladesh International Development initiative limited to political upheaval at home. have set a fine of example reflecting the values of the Bangladesh and focused to improve the subjects’ Conservative Party and the British Bangladeshi diaspora. quality of life through education, awareness, health Wishing CFOB, the chairman Mehfuz Ahmed and vice As such it is an honour that your group is serving the Party and hygiene, sports and activities. We are grateful to chairman Abdus Hamid and officials for their hard and both the UK and Bangladesh with Project Shapla. the Parliamentarians specifically to our President Anne work to continue their effort in implementing the Main who has relentlessly persuaded this social continuity of this initiative. 4 5 Anthea McIntyre MEP Working for you “While Britain is still in the EU I will continue to represent the West Midlands in Brussels and work for the people, the businesses and the many organisations in our Region.” Anthea McIntyre MEP The Chapel, Wythall Estate, Walford, Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire HR9 5SD Telephone: 01989 769544 Email: [email protected] www.antheamcintyre.com 2011 Project Maja 7 Friends of Bangladesh 2011 9 Page 1 ACCIDENT!! TrustedTrusted forfor overover Save this number on your phone, 2020 years...years... it could be you next! WWW.BDGL.COM.BD 020 8555 1212 We can provide all the help you need! Car Hire, Repairs, Recovery. 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