Life and legacy of Bangabandhu and PM Gough Whitlam celebrated

Life and legacy of two contemporary political giants--Bangabandhu Shiekh Mujibur Rahman and former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam--were celebrated at a unique seminar in Sydney on Wednesday (December 8).

Bangladesh High Commission, Canberra and the Consulate General of Bangladesh in Sydney in association with the Whitlam Institute, Western Sydney University organized this at Parramatta South Campus Chancellery, Western Sydney University (WSU), said a press release on Thursday.  

Lives and achievements of Bangabandhu and Whitlam, their political philosophy on emancipation and empowerment of people, multiculturalism, self-determination, and their commitment to regional and global peace were recollected in the seminar, chaired by Professor Peter Shergold, Chancellor of the WSU.

Foreign Minister, Dr A K Abdul Momen virtually addressed the seminar as Chief Guest, while the former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans delivered opening remarks from the Australia side. Vice Chancellor Professor Glover moderated the panel discussion, the release said.

Foreign Minister Momen, underscored Bangabandhu’s ardent quest for peace and stability that led the foundation-laying of an inclusive, secular Bangladesh and peace-centric foreign policy.

It added that Bangabandhu’s messages of humanism, friendship, and peaceful coexistence have solutions to major conflicts of the contemporary times, he added. The Foreign Minister expressed hope that the joint celebration would create better understanding between people of these two countries, appreciation of Bangladesh’s culture and tradition, values and principles that bind Australia-Bangladesh as natural partners.

Referring to the friendship and understanding between Bangabandhu and Whitlam, Australian former Foreign Minister Gareth Evans discerned secularism and parliamentary democracy as strong base for Australia-Bangladesh bilateral relationship.

He hoped that the shared experience and commitments of these two leaders in the past would forge more engagements not only in the areas of development and trade but also geopolitical issues and security in the future.

Dr Imtiaz Ahmed, Professor from the University of Dhaka and Emeritus Professor Jennifer Hocking from Monash University discussed, as keynote speakers, Bangabandhu’s political ideology and the contemporary world and Whitlam's legacy in the transformation of Australia and its friendship with the developing world respectively.

They referred to the shared visions of these two leaders about the peaceful Indian Ocean region and strengthening of relations with the neighbouring countries. Australian speakers reminisced how Prime Minister Whitlam valued Bangabandhu for his sacrifices and his creating a new nation and how that took Prime Minister Whitlam to visit Bangladesh in 1975.

Bangladesh High Commissioner Mohammad Sufiur Rahman and Vice Chancellor of Western Sydney University, Prof Barney Glover also spoke in the seminar. Recalling both leaders’ dreams, common aspects of their visions, and their sincere efforts to reform the socio-political landscape of their respective countries, High Commissioner Rahman underscored the necessity of further study on these two towering personalities and relevance of their views in the present-day societies.

In the panel discussion, panellists lauded ideas, vision and passion of these two leaders. They underscored the power of free minds of these two global leaders that emboldened their unwavering support for the rights of people and encouraged them to adopt wide range of policies at social sectors such as education, health, women empowerment etc.

The seminar echoed their thoughts that prosperity, peace and wellbeing depends on nations working together in the spirit of mutual respect and benefit. Consul General Masudul Alam offered vote of thanks.

Due to the Covid-19 related social restrictions, the seminar was held in mixed mode where more than 180 joined. A photo and documentary exhibition on the Bangabandhu and Prime Minister Whitlam was followed by the seminar. The Photo exhibition would continue for a month to inspire and enlighten the visitors about Bangabandhu and Whitlam, the two visionary leaders.

This event was a special tribute to mark the birth centenary of Bangabandhu and the Golden Jubilee of Independence of Bangladesh in Australia.