Bangladesh’s political environment is marked by a combative and often violent relationship between the ruling coalition and the opposition. Political parties have difficulty in communicating with each other and rational, constructive debate is rare inside and outside parliament. Even people in communities are unwilling to discuss or to initiate dialogue on the issues that affect their day to day lives. Only minimal civic education is offered in the school system, and even fewer facilities and programs are available for adult education. As a result, the process of social and political decision-making in Bangladesh has a tendency to be hierarchical and unreceptive to citizen input. To build a viable democratic culture and sound democratic processes in Bangladesh, citizens must understand their rights and responsibilities, and there must be channels for the public, including minorities and marginalized populations, to express their views to policy makers. Citizens have very limited opportunities to air their views on matters that affect their lives. Considering these factors, NDI’s interest is to introduce a method by which citizens can express their views and discuss and participate in decision making processes. The Study Circle model is considered to be an excellent method for citizens to be involved in the decision making process.

NDI has an excellent rapport and mutual cooperative relations with SIDA. In February 2001, the Swedish Embassy in Dhaka arranged a meeting for representatives of local NGOs and Mr. James Oliver, NDI’s Resident Representative in Bangladesh, met with visiting officials of Swedish Institute. NDI and local NGOs expressed an interest in the Study Circle method, pioneered and used by Sweden for the past 100 years. The Swedish Institute’s Director, Dr. Thomas Lunden, and Area Manager, Ms. Kerstin Pearsson, encouraged further communication and indicated they would entertain a request for technical assistance to aid NDI in introducing the method in Bangladesh. The Swedish Institute subsequently committed Mr. Bosse Bergnehr, an international expert on study circles, to visit Bangladesh to direct workshops and discussions on the study circle model. The Swedish Institute also sponsored a four member Bangladesh Mission to Sweden to see the practical aspect of the model. NDI staff in Bangladesh held a series of exploratory meetings with SIDA officials and Dr. Anders Granlund, Counselor at the Swedish Embassy in Bangladesh. A plan was developed by NDI to test the Swedish Study Circle model, partnering with local NGOs. The project was initiated in 2003 with SIDA providing financial support to test the project.