ARC South Asia Convening, 2025
From April 18 to 20, 2025, ECDO participated in the ARC South Asia Convening, a regional gathering organized by Global Fund for Children (GFC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. This dynamic and inspiring event brought together partners from across South Asia including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, and Thailand as well as representatives from the United States and Mexico.
The convening served as a collaborative platform to reflect on and celebrate community-led changes, foster cross-regional learning, and chart a path forward for transformative community engagement through Addressing Root Causes (ARC) initiatives. Key attendees from GFC included Ms. Indrani Chakraborty, Regional Co-director, South Asia, Ms. Rituu B. Nanda, Participatory Programme Advisor, Mr. Md. Shanawaz, Program Specialist, Bangladesh. Participants from across the GFC global network attended with great enthusiasm, contributing to the vibrant and joyful atmosphere of the convening.
The convening opened with cultural welcomes and introductions, followed by deep dive sessions into personal, organizational, and community change. Sessions like “Story of Life” and “World Café” encouraged participants to share journeys of transformation.
A standout moment for ECDO was their storytelling session, where they highlighted the impactful changes within the organization resulting from the application of the SALT-CLCP approach. This session illuminated how the approach had nurtured a culture of inclusivity and ownership at ECDO leading to visible positive shifts in both operations and community relationships.
At the 2nd day Participants engaged directly with local communities, attending a Knowledge Fair that showcased grassroots innovations and practices. This immersive experience deepened participants’ understanding of local contexts and fostered mutual learning.
The final day focused on reflections, visioning, and planning for future collaboration. ECDO joined sessions on the GFC 5-Year Dream, organizational self-assessment, and discussions on strengthening regional cohort support. Themes of masculinity and gender inclusivity were also explored in depth.
The summary of the reflections are- power of participatory storytelling to inspire action and deepen organizational learning and Community engagement is most impactful when rooted in mutual respect and locally driven values. Another one is that SALT-CLCP approach continues to prove effective in building sustainable, community-led change.
ECDO’s participation in the ARC South Asia Convening 2025 reaffirmed its commitment to community-driven development. The convening served not just as a moment of reflection, but as a springboard for deeper regional collaboration and innovation. ECDO looks forward to integrating the insights gained and continuing its journey alongside other partners in the ARC community.
