The Constitution of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh guarantees the conservation of cultural traditionand heritage of the people and calls for measures that will foster and improve the national language,literature and the arts. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs, through its different organizations, is focused onenriching the intellectual status of the nation through preservation, research and development of culture,history, heritage, arts and literature. Under the 7th Five Year Plan (FYP), various activities will be undertaken that will promote the healthy growth of cultural activities throughout the country. Programmes for development ofBengali language and literature and reference books for higher education will be continued with greateremphasis. Within the framework of national unity, steps will be taken to preserve and promote language,arts and culture of ethnic communities through cultural centres in tribal areas. To restore and preserve many of the intangible cultural heritages that are on the verge of extinction, digitization efforts will beimplemented. The Ministry will also reiterate the importance of archaeological sites by conducting nationalsurveys and programmes for further development. The Antiquities Act will be amended to strengthen protection of archaeological sites and historical monuments. Programmes will also be undertaken to developmuseums and folk art. To enhance appreciate of fine arts, various subjects will be introduced in primary andsecondary level as per education policy. The Ministry of Cultural Affairs envisages for a culturally and intellectually developed nation where theintellectual status of the nation will be enriched through preservation, research and development of culture, history, heritage, arts and literature. The history, civilization, national character and identity of a nation arereflected by its culture. In line with the course of cultural progress in the universal context, Ministry of Cultural Affairs is delivering relentless effort for development, preservation, promotion and extension ofthe cultural elements of Bangladesh through its different organizations. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy isengaged for preserving, developing, promoting and encouraging national culture through fine arts, drama,music etc. Bangla Academy, Public Library, National Book Centre, National Archives and National Libraryare responsible for education, research, publishing of books & journals and give support to all categories ofreaders. Department of Archaeology preserves historical sites and exhibits the antiques. National Museumpreserves and exhibits the cultural heritage of Bangladesh. Folk Art and Crafts Foundation is working forpreservation and development of folk art & crafts. The Copyright Office is serving to protect intellectualproperty rights of creative works from piracy. Besides seven cultural centres for small ethnic groups arealso playing vital role in order to enhance their cultural activities. Objectives of 7th FYP for Cultural Development The Seventh Five Year Plan will aim to promote healthy growth of cultural activities throughout the country.In addition to promotion of literature and fine and performing arts, attention will be given to create andpromote a culture attuned work, towards perseverance, confidence and creativity. The major objectives inthis field are to: • Develop Bengali language and literature and create facilities to develop Bengali as the medium instruction; • Help and promote production and publication of quality books and make them available to themasses at reasonable prices; • Undertake programmes for implementation of the national book policy; • Carry out research on the lives and works of great men and women of our nation; • Flourish the perception of ‘Amar Ekushey’; • Establish and develop a library network system from the national to the rural level and introducemodern technology to this end; • Promote and foster cultural activities and citizen participation throughout the country reflectingvalues, hopes and aspirations of the people; • Develop infrastructural facilities for fine and performing arts including drama and theatre andexplore private and voluntary involvement in this area; • Preserve and present national history, culture and heritage; • Promote good citizenship through sensitization of rights, duties and responsibilities; • Preserve and promote language arts and culture of small ethnic group communities within theframework of national unity; • Protect copy rights of intellectual property. Strategies under the 7th FYP • Programmes for development of Bengali language and literature and reference books for higher education will be continued with greater emphasis; • Programmes will be undertaken for book development and development of reading habits; • Research programmes on lives and works of great people will be undertaken and memorial librariesand institutions will be established in respective areas; • Programmes will be undertaken to develop library network, infrastructural facilities and servicesfrom national to the rural levels in order to meet the education, recreational, cultural and informationneed of people at all walks of life; • Regional and tribal cultures will be promoted and preserved through various programmes viz.erection of more tribal cultural and language centres within the tribal areas; • National survey on archaeological sites will be carried out and physical facilities for the departmentof archaeology will be developed for enhancing archaeological tourism; • Programmes for further development of archaeological sites, museums and ethnological museumwill be undertaken and historical monuments will be identified and preserved; • Private sector as well as the local government bodies will be encouraged to contribute theirresources and efforts for cultural development; • Amendment to the Antiquities Act will be undertaken to strengthen protection of archaeologicalsites and historical monuments; • Fine arts like music, painting, arts & crafts, recitation, acting; dancing, theatrical performanceswould be introduced at primary & secondary level as per education policy. Current & Future Challenges for the Sub Sector To preserve and develop our tangible and intangible cultural heritage needs involvement of people at thegrassroots level to ensure participatory planning. Many of the intangible cultural heritages like languageliteratures, arts, performing arts, music and other areas are at the verge of extinction. Careful attention needsto be given for their restoration, preservation and digitization. Institutional establishment as well as humanresources development for such delicate works needs to be made carefully.The Archaeological sites are invaluable properties to our history. Most of the sites are yet to be explored,preserved and restored. Due to shortage of skill, human resources, funds and communities involvement it isgreatly impaired. Proper perspective, short, medium and long-term plan needs to be carried out. As per neweducation policy school curriculum included subjects like art, music, dance theatre etc. as an optionalsubject. Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy should be equipped to produce a huge numbers of subject orientedtexts and teachers for matching with national needs.

In Bangladeshi public universities, theatrehas been taught at graduate and masters levels since the mid1980s. Music programmes began in the early 1990s in Dhaka University. Education on film started in the mid2000s. Only recently photography is included in the list. A Bachelor of Social Science (B. S. S.) in Photography was introduced by Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, Dhaka, Bangladesh with an affiliation of Dhaka University in 2018. This is a unique achievement – the course accepts both local and international students. The course details are as follows: • B.S.S. in Photography (Duration: 4 Years, 8 Semesters, 128 credits) • The Degree is provided by the University of Dhaka • The four years graduation programme covers both theoretical and practical aspects • Pathshala South Asian Media Institute is the first school in Bangladesh to start a four-year-long graduation programme • The courses covered in B.S.S. in Photography include History of Photography, Techniques of Photography, Darkroom, Digital Darkroom, Creative Writing, Documentary Photography, Communication, Media law & Humanities, Researching the visuals, Gender Studies, New Media Studies, Visual Anthropology, Art History, Economics, Media & Cultural theory, Photojournalism, Curatorial Practice, Design, Publishing, and Alternative Printing. In the continuation of capacity building activities of photographers, UNESCO had organized a master class in 2019.

Goal 1: No poverty Clause: 1.3. Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable Lead Ministries/ Divisions: Lead: CD (leading the NSSS); Co-Lead: GED (as NPFP) Associate Ministries/ Divisions: BFID; (BB), FD; ICTD; LGD; MoA; MoF; MoEWOE; MoCHTA; MoCA; MoDMR; MoE; MoFL; MoHFW; MoLE; MoLWA; MoPME; MoSW; ; SID MoWCA; MoYS; RDCD List of Existing Policy Instrument (Acts/ Policies/Strategies etc.): • National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) of Bangladesh, 2015 • National School Meal Policy (Under Preparation) Actions to achieve the SDG targets within 7th FYP (2016-2020): • Spending on Social Protection as a share of GDP to be increased from 2.02% of GDP in FYI5 to 2.3% of GDP by FY20 • Child grant for children of poor and vulnerable family • School stipend for all primary and secondary school going children belonging to the poor and vulnerable households • Strengthening education and training programmes to motivate the adolescent and youth • Supporting workfare programme for the unemployed poor • Programme of financial support to vulnerable women (widows, divorced, destitute, single mother, and unemployed single women) • Old Age Allowance for senior citizens who are aged 60 years and above and belong to the poor and vulnerable population • Disability benefit for children suffering from disability • Disability benefit for working age population suffering from disability • Exploring possibilities to establish a National Social Insurance Scheme (NSIS) • Supporting grants to Micro-savings for the poor & vulnerable groups. Goal 4: Quality education Clause: 4.7. By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development Lead Ministries/ Divisions: MoE Associate Ministries/ Divisions: MoE; MoI; LGD; MoR; RTHD; MoEF; MoCHTA; BFID (BB); SID List of Existing Policy Instrument (Acts/ Policies/Strategies etc.): National Skill Development Policy 2011; Actions to achieve the SDG targets within 7th FYP (2016-2020): building e-learning infrastructure, i.e., one school, one computer lab, smart class room with e-learning facilities • ICT education • ICT-based education • vocational ICT training facilities for the youth. • creation of smart/multimedia classrooms • training teachers to create digital contents for their use in classrooms • Various subjects enhancing appreciate of fine arts should be introduced in primary and secondary level as per education policy. • Develop Bengali language and literature and create facilities to develop Bengali as the medium of instruction; Goal 8: Good jobs and economic growth Clause: 8.9. By 2030, devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products Lead Ministries/ Divisions: Lead: MoCAT; Co-Lead: MoCA Associate Ministries/ Divisions: MoE; MoI; LGD; MoR; RTHD; MoEF; MoCHTA; BFID (BB); SID List of Existing Policy Instrument (Acts/ Policies/Strategies etc.): • Bangladesh Tourism Protection Area and Special Tourism Region Act 2010; • Bangladesh Tourism Board Act 2010; • The Tourism Policy 2010; • The Antiquities Act Bangladesh Tourism Board Act and the Tourism Policy 2010 Actions to achieve the SDG targets within 7th FYP (2016-2020): • Ecotourism and communitybased tourism to be encouraged as a means of income generation for the local people • Introduce measures to address issues pertaining to the supply and quality of workforce in the tourism industry • Substantial investments in education and tourism infrastructure • Adopt a proper strategy and policies to address inadequacy of domestic air connectivity combined with heavily congested land transport to boost growth of the tourism industry • Preparation of short Term, Mid-Term and Long-Term Tourism Master Plan for the country for guiding development activities for tourism Goal 10: Reduced inequalities Clause: 10.1 By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population at a rate higher than the national average Lead Ministries/ Divisions: GED Associate Ministries/ Divisions: FD; LGD; MoA; MoCHTA; MoCA; MoFL; MoHFW; MoLE; MoEWOE; MoLWA; MoSW: MoWCA; Prog. Div. List of Existing Policy Instrument (Acts/ Policies/Strategies etc.): • Vagabonds and Homeless Persons (Rehabilitation) Act 2011; • National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) of Bangladesh, 2015 Actions to achieve the SDG targets within 7th FYP (2016-2020): • Adoption of long-term income inequality reduction strategy in order to reduce the initial gap of income inequality • Lagging region would get priority while setting up special economic zones. • Implementation of human development strategy with emphasis on alleviating the access gap for the poor • Facilitation of asset accumulation through better access to credit for the poor for reducing income inequality • Operationalization of strategy for social inclusion by eliminating physical and social barriers • Increased public spending on social sectors • Manufacturing activity needs to be promoted in the lagging districts. Clause: 10.2. By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status Lead Ministries/ Divisions: GED Associate Ministries/ Divisions: FD; LGD; MoA; MoCHTA; MoCA; MoFL; MoHFW; MoLE; MoLWA; MoPA; MoRA; MoSW; MoWCA; Prog. Div.; SID; MoInd (BITAC); MoFA; List of Existing Policy Instrument (Acts/ Policies/Strategies etc.): Disabled Persons Rights and Protection Act 2013; Actions to achieve the SDG targets within 7th FYP (2016-2020): • Adoption of long-term income inequality reduction strategy in order to reduce the initial gap of income inequality • Implementation of human development strategy with emphasis on alleviating the access gap for the poor • Facilitation of asset accumulation through better access to credit for the poor for reducing income inequality • Operationalization of strategy for social inclusion by eliminating physical and social barriers • Increased public spending on social sectors Goal 11: Sustainable cities and communities Clause 11.4. Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage Lead Ministries/ Divisions: MoCA Associate Ministries/ Divisions: MoE; MoPME; MoRA; MoYS; MoFA; MoCAT List of Existing Policy Instrument (Acts/ Policies/Strategies etc.): • National cultural policies, 2006 • The Antiquities Act, 1968 • Disclosure of Information Policy, 2015 • GI Act 2013 • Trademarks Act • Trade Marks Act, 1963 • PATENTS AND DESIGNS ACT, 1911 • Patents & Designs Rules 1933 • THE CONTRACT ACT, 1872 • THE PARTNERSHIP ACT, 1932 • The Companies Act (Bangladesh), 1994 • Bangla Academy Act, 2013 Actions to achieve the SDG targets within 7th FYP (2016-2020): Enriching the intellectual status of the nation through preservation, research and development of culture, history, heritage, arts and literature • Preserve and promote language, arts and culture of ethnic communities through cultural centres in tribal areas. • Restore and preserve many of the intangible cultural heritages that are on the verge of extinction, digitization efforts should be implemented. • Reiterate the importance of archaeological sites by conducting national surveys and programmes for further development. • The Antiquities Act should be amended to strengthen protection of archaeological sites and historical monuments. • Programmes should be undertaken to develop museums and folk art. • Preserve and present national history, culture and heritage; • Protect copy rights of intellectual property. Goal 12: Responsible consumption Clause 12.b. Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products Lead Ministries/ Divisions: MoCAT Associate Ministries/ Divisions: MoCA; MoEFCC; MoCHTA List of Existing Policy Instrument (Acts/ Policies/Strategies etc.): • National Tourism Policy-2010 • National cultural policies, 2006 Actions to achieve the SDG targets within 7th FYP (2016-2020): Promoting and revitalize tourism industries, an integrated land use and transport planning for all the potential water front sites viz. Cox’s Bazar, Jaflong, Kuakata etc. should be adopted in an urgent basis. *** BFID: Bangladesh Financial Institutions Division BB: Bangladesh Bank FD: Finance Division GED: General Economics Division ICTD: Information and Communication Technology Division LGD: Local Government Division MoA: Ministry of Agriculture MoF: Ministry of Finance MoEWOE: Ministry of Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment MoCHTA: Ministry of Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs MoCA: Ministry of Cultural Affairs MoDMR: Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief MoE: Ministry of Education MoFL: Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock MoHFW: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare MoLE: Ministry of Labour and Employment MoLWA: Ministry of Liberation War Affairs MoPME: Ministry of Primary and Mass Education MoSW: Ministry of Social Welfare SID: Statistics and Informatics Division MoWCA: Ministry of Women and Children Affairs MoYS: Ministry of Youth and Sports RDCD: Rural Development and Cooperatives Division MoCAT: Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism MoI; Ministry of Information LGD: Local Government Division MoR: Ministry of Railways RTHD: Road Transport and Highways Division MoInd (BITAC); Ministry of Industries (Bangladesh Industrial and Technical Assistance Center) MoFA: Ministry of Foreign Affairs MoRA: Ministry of Religious Affairs MoEFCC: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change