To commemorate the one-year anniversary of the July Revolution that restored democracy in Bangladesh, Farhana Sultana, professor of geography and the environment, co-organized a congressional briefing in Washington, D.C.

The gathering, titled " The Journey towards Justice, Reform, and Democracy – Bangladesh Today, One Year After the July Revolution," was held on July 15 and attracted a wide-ranging audience of policymakers, staffers, academics, journalists and members of the Bangladeshi diaspora community.

The event was held at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center and began with remarks by Sultana outlining the event's purpose and reflecting on the revolution’s ongoing impact for democracy, governance and geopolitics. 

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas delivered the keynote address, calling for support of democratic progress in South Asia. Fellow Congressman Jim McGovern of Massachusetts also spoke to the audience, focusing on the importance of U.S. foreign policy on international human rights issues.

The event provided a platform for dialogue, Sultana said, and included two panel discussions. It was co-organized and hosted by the Bangladesh America Alliance; Right to Freedom; and Bangladesh Research, Analysis and Information Network (BRAIN)

In an op-ed reflecting on the Capitol Hill gathering, Sultana subsequently wrote, “What emerged across opening speeches, the panels, and subsequent discussions was a sober yet hopeful vision: that the revolution opened a political horizon that must not be foreclosed.” She added, “Yet, as many panelists noted, reform is not inevitable. It requires vigilance, organization, and meaningful support, especially from the international community."

Sultana is a senior research associate for the Program for the Advancement of Research on Conflict and Collaboration (PARCC) and the South Asia Center. She is also the research director for environmental conflict and collaboration research area in PARCC. She specializes in political ecology, water governance, climate justice, international development and sustainability.

By Cort Ruddy