The first Paurashava orientation cum Network Workshop of Institutionalization of Horizontal Learning Program (HLP) in Bangladesh held successfully today, the 30^th of September 2021 at National Institute of Local Government (NILG) seminar room. Mr. Borhan Uddin Bhuiyan, Project Director of HLP and Joint Secretary presided over the inaugural session of the workshop. Ms. Jana Rothlisberger, representative of Switzerland Embassy and Mr. Kiohey Yamamoto Mamun, Advisor, JICA, Bangladesh present in the inaugural session of the workshop as special guests. Representatives from Twelve Paurashava, i.e., Mayor, Secretary, one Councilor and one reserve seat Councilor from Nachol, Puthia, Komolgonj, Betagi, Barelekha, Chougachasa, Singair, Monohordi, Hosenpur, Islampur, Basail, and Kalihati Paurashava respectively joined the workshop as workshop participants. The workshop was facilitated by Mr. Santanu Lahiri, HLP expert and consultant of JICA, Bangladesh. Assistant Project Director of HLP Mr. Imranur Rahman, Project Manager of HLP and all HLP PMU Officials also participated in the Network Workshop.

The workshop was started with welcome address and presentation of Network Workshop objectives by Ms. Manika Mitra, Deputy Project Director of HLP. HLP expert Mr Santanu Lahiri presented briefly about concept and principles of Horizontal Learning Program (HLP) along with detail discussion on process of HLP implementation. In the workshop detail discussion were held about identification process of good practices, formulating fact sheet and developing indicators of good practices. It was agreed in principle to identify and develop fact sheets of good practices by the participating twelve Paurashavas after return to their work place. In the evening session Director General of NILG Mr. Saleh Ahmed Mujaffor joined the workshop as chief guest and provided valuable direction in future implementation of HLP Paurashava Network Workshop and institutionalization of HLP in Bangladesh. In the concluding session one Mayor of Paurashava opined that the workshop was very much successful and it will help to enhance Paurashava activities through adoption of HLP activities. Lastly Project Director of HLP Mr. Borhan Uddin Bhuiyan thanked all the participants of the workshop for their keen interest and support in successful implementation of the workshop and concluded the workshop.