Bangladesh literacy alliance hosts first international teachers conference
The Bangladesh Literacy Alliance (BLA), an initiative of the Global Centre for Innovation and Learning (GCFIL), is hosting its inaugural International The Bangladesh Literacy Alliance (BLA), an initiative of the Global Center for Innovation & Learning (GCFIL), is hosting its first International Teachers Conference on "Creating a Reading Culture for Quality Education."
The two-day event, taking place on June 27–28, 2025, will be held at the Bishwa Sahitya Kendra Auditorium in Dhaka to promote reading habits and enhance educational quality in Bangladesh.
The conference brings together around 200 participants, including teachers, students, educators, pedagogical experts, and key stakeholders. Organised in partnership with Childhood Education International and supported by global and local partners, the event highlights strategies for building a holistic and inclusive reading culture.
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The opening day began with a welcome address by Shakil Malik, CEO and Co-Founder of GCFIL. Dr Jennifer Adams of Johns Hopkins University and Diane Whitehead, CEO of Childhood Education International USA, delivered keynote speeches. Their talks focused on "Creating a Holistic and Inclusive Reading Culture."
Dr Kanak Monirul Islam, Founder of Open Access Bangladesh, spoke on "Integrating Technology: Shaping the Future of Reading Practices." Two-panel discussions followed: one on "Literacy as a Tool for Inclusion," moderated by Talat Mahmud of SESAME, and the second on technology's role in literacy, moderated by Kazi Sameeo Sheesh of Dhaka University. Both sessions included open discussions with diverse panellists from academia, development organisations, and the public sector.
Other highlights on Day 1 included a presentation on "Promoting Learning through Climate Clubs" by Radia Tamim, Advisor at GCFIL Bangladesh, and a speech by Shyamal Kanti Ghosh, Chair of BLA.
On Day 2, Mosharraf Tansen, PhD researcher and former Malala Fund representative, delivered the keynote address on "Beyond Textbooks: How Teachers Can Create a Learning Environment in Schools." The afternoon featured two workshops: "Action Research" and "Rebuilding Classroom Ecosystems in the Age of AI," conducted by Shakil Malik, Kazi Sameeo Sheesh and Md Zillur Rahman Siddiqui, Early Grade Literacy Expert.
The conference concluded with a "Future Action Plan" presented by Shakil Malik, followed by the distribution of certificates and closing remarks by Md Shahidul Islam, GCFIL Bangladesh Country Representative.
Partners include Johns Hopkins University, the Global Book Alliance, International Teaching, ExECUDEMY, and local partners Cholpori, Librarians' Voice, and Parua.
