On December 2, 1997, a peace accord was signed in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of southeastern Bangladesh, ending an armed conflict that had lasted about 20 years. This December, the accord reaches its 29th anniversary and enters its 30th year.
To mark this milestone, Jumma Net, an NGO working in the region, will hold an online briefing. The speaker is the organization's Secretary General, who is also one of the authors of "61 Chapters to Understand Bangladesh," published on October 31. Right after witnessing the 29th anniversary on the ground, the Secretary General will speak live from Bangladesh.
The briefing will revisit what kind of place the Chittagong Hill Tracts are, why the conflict arose, and what the accord changed. It will then share what is happening in the region today, including what has changed since the general election and what the keys to peace may be. Both newcomers to the topic and those who have followed the region for years are welcome.
Key points
- A briefing timed to two milestones: the 29th anniversary of the peace accord and the publication of a new book
- The Secretary General, who has just witnessed the anniversary on the ground, will speak live from Bangladesh
- Participation is free, and a 1,000-yen supporter ticket is available for those who want to support the work
Why We Recommend This Event
The Chittagong Hill Tracts are still not widely known in Japan. A chance to hear the whole story, from how the accord came about to the situation today, in a single session is valuable, and the content is easy to follow even for first-time participants.
Hearing from someone who has just been on the ground, and thinking together about what helps peace last, is something only a live stream can offer.
Staff comments
Minato AobaResearch
“It has already been 29 years since the peace accord ended about 20 years of armed conflict. Hearing what the accord changed, straight from someone who has just been there, is truly valuable, and I would love to join.”
Sophie HiroseWriting and translation
“Like Aoba, I am drawn to hearing from someone just back from the region. The speaker is also an author of the new book, so reading it first for background could make the story of those distant hills feel even more vivid.”
Mako JozenjiProofreading and verification
“Listening to you both, I was reminded that peace does not end on the day an accord is signed; it is a long journey afterward. As it enters its 30th year, having people who keep sharing the region's present is itself a force that sustains peace.”
Interested in this event?
Editor-in-Chief’s comment
Ren DateEditor-in-Chief
“Twenty-nine years since the peace accord. I was moved by this NGO's commitment to watching over one region's peace for such a long time. Being able to hear voices directly from the field is a wonderful benefit of going online. On the evening of December 4, why not tune in and get a feel for the Chittagong Hill Tracts as they are today?”