BRAC University opens Peace Café, community library at Rohingya camp
BRAC University's Centre for Peace and Justice (CPJ) opened a Peace Café and community library at Rohingya Camp 4 in Cox's Bazar on 15 September 2026 to support learning, dialogue, and social cohesion. The launch also marked the start of a wider set of initiatives in the camp.
On the same day, the university signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Office of the Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner (RRRC) to establish a Rohingya History and Knowledge Centre (RHKC), according to a press release.
Peace Cafés are a CPJ initiative that supports and mentors female students in civic engagement and social entrepreneurship activities that promote peace and social cohesion. Since 2018, with support from UN Women, four Peace Cafés have been established at universities in Dhaka, Mymensingh and Rangpur.
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Through its Refugee Studies Unit, CPJ seeks to understand the local context in the Rohingya camps, promote peace and social cohesion, and build trust with refugee and host communities through education, research, capacity building and advocacy.
The Peace Café Centre and Community Library at Camp 4 will provide access to books and a welcoming space where community members, particularly young people, can participate in dialogue, expand their knowledge and envision a better future.
BRAC University Treasurer Ariful Islam, CPJ Executive Director Shahariar Sadat, and Associate Director Md Mofaq Kharul Islam Taufiq attended the launch, held at Rohingya Camp 4 in Cox's Bazar.
Ariful Islam signed the MoU with Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Mohammed Mizanur Rahman at the RRRC office in Cox's Bazar. The agreement will support establishing the RHKC within the camp. Shahariar Sadat and Md Mofaq Kharul Islam Taufiq were also present at the signing.
The Office of the RRRC has provided a designated facility for the permanent, community-based centre. The RHKC will preserve Rohingya history, identity and culture while supporting learning, research and community engagement for future generations.
Additional Refugee Relief and Repatriation Commissioner Nazmul Islam Bhuiyan, Office of the RRRC Senior Assistant Secretary Md Aftabuzzaman Al Imran, and CPJ Institutional Advisor Manzoor Hasan, OBE, also attended the signing ceremony.
BRAC University said the initiatives support its efforts to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 10 on reduced inequalities and SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions.
