Yearly Activity Report of 2021

Diocese Visit

Consisting a team of three members from the Executive Committee, Mr. Patrick Drishya Purification (President), Mr. Tonmoy Mark D’Costa (Treasurer), and Mr. Joyonto Victor Biswas (Organizing Secretary) had been in Rajshahi from 19th to 20th February to enlighten the members, share their thoughts and ideas about BCSM. At first, they along with the Diocesan Representatives of Rajshahi Diocese participated in a discussion at Borni Mission. In that meeting, Unit Representatives from Mothurapur, Bonpara, Bhobanipur, and Borni joined with enthusiasm. On the next day, Andharkotha and Cathedral Unit were being visited by that team and discussed managing units and their members.

1^st Central Cabinet Meeting of 2021

The first Central Cabinet meeting of this year happened on 26th February, 2021 virtually on Google Meet. Seven Diocesan Representatives, six members of the Executive Committee, and our respected Chaplain Bro. Ujjal Placid Pereira, CSC were present there. Brother Ujjal shared his thoughts and admired the activities of those units who have continued their activities in various ways in this epidemic; acknowledged them for their integrity and courage. Moving to other agendas of that meeting, the annual plans of the Executive Committee and the Diocesan BCSM Representatives were being presented and discussed. Lastly, the National Executive Committee had announced the resignation of Mr. Oli Xavier Minj and proposed the replacement of his position as Executive Member with Mr. Swopnil Louis Cruze from Dhaka Archdiocese.

Co – Opted Member

In the presence of our Chaplain, Bro. Ujjal Placid Pereira and the members of Executive Committee, Mr. Swopnil Louis Cruze was co-opted as Executive Member to fulfill the vacant position, to lead the movement achieving its goals and targets and was announced on 6^th March, 2021.

Photosynthesis 2.0 and Environment Awareness Campaign

For the second time, a photography competition “Photosynthesis 2.0” was organized by Bangladesh Catholic Students’ Movement collaborating with IMCS- Asia Pacific on 5 June, 2021, World Environment Day to flourish the creativity of the members and to raise awareness of protecting our environment. The contents of “Photosynthesis were determined- Environment Protection, Daily life, Issues related to the environment. A total of 181 photos were being submitted from all over Bangladesh Out of these, the top 10 photos were declared as the winners based on the numbers given by the judges and the audience response from the social media platforms. For this effort, each participant was given a tree for tree plantation initiative and a certificate of appreciation.

Calling action for the environment awareness campaign, BCSM executive got responses from 15 units from all over Bangladesh. Members from these units planted trees, posters, wall-magazine, and other sorts of awareness programs with passion and creativity which was appreciable.

22^nd National Assembly – 2021

Bangladesh Catholic Students’ Movement had organized 22nd National Assembly from 19^th and 20^th October 2021 at Caritas Development Institute (CDI) auditorium. On that assembly Mr. Theophil Nokrek, Director, CDI; Sr. Reba Veronica Costa, Former Provincial, RNDM Sisters; Mr. Patrick Drishya Purification, Former President, BCSM; Executive team of BCSM and 22 representatives from 7 dioceses were present. The program began with the prayers of Mrs. Gloria Tonni Roy and the greetings of the guests. Then, Mr. Ravi Tisera, President, IMCS Pax Romana discussed IMCS, its goals, and objectives through video conference. Mr. William Nokrek, IMCS Asia Pacific Coordinator, highlighted various activities, Strategic plans and discussed various commissions. Mr. Shoshi Sylvester Peris, Former General Secretary, shared about BCSM on the afternoon session. He stated that a member should know the history of BCSM, be responsible and lead accordingly. Respected Sr. Reba added that unity is needed to work for a common goal. After the tea break, Mr. Patrick Drishya Purification spoke to the members of BCSM about various problems and study sessions. Finally, the day was concluded with Cross adoration.

The 2nd day started with a morning prayer. After having breakfast, the National Executive Council (2019-2021) presented its activity report and financial statements. Then, the representatives of all dioceses presented their reports on their diocesan activities. The discussion of the bylaws began after lunch. Later, Bro. Ujjal Placid Pereira, the former National Chaplain, BCSM, announced the dissolution of the BCSM’s National Executive team and led to forming a new National Executive team among the nominated representatives. In a special way, 7 dioceses had participated in the election and 7 people were elected.

Newly formed National Executive Committee members of BCSM are:

President                                          : Swopnil Louis Cruze

General Secretary                            : Victor Jayanta Biswas

Organizing Secretary                       : Adrian Arpon Gomes

Treasurer                                         : Pauline Shrabani Baroi

Publication and Media Secretary   : Flevian D’Costa

EC Member                                      : Sourav Saha

EC Member                                      : Francis Punno Rozario

The newly elected council will serve as the National Executive team of BCSM from 2021 to 2023. The two days gathering came to a happy ending with the offering of holy mass to all by Rev. Fr. Tushar James Gomes.

Christian Leadership and Capacity Building Training – 2021

The “Christian Leadership and Capacity Building Training – 2021” was organized by Bangladesh Catholic Students Movement (BCSM) and in collaboration with Caritas Development Institute (CDI) with a total of 30 members from units in 6 dioceses of Bangladesh. The training was held on 19^th and 20^th November, 2021 at Caritas Development Institute (CDI), Dhaka, Malibagh. The inaugural ceremony was attended by Mr. Swopnil Louis Cruze, President of BCSM;  Mrs. Samiron Orpa Kujur, Training Coordinator, CDI and Bro. Ujjal Placid Pereira CSC, previous National Chaplain. Expert trainers from CDI had provided training the two-day long training. Mr. Chayon Hubert Rebeiro, Adviser, BCSM EC, gave two sessions on “Leadership Concepts and Importance” and “Leadership Behavior, Innovative Thinking Motivation and Ability Skills”. Mrs. Samiron Orpa Kujur gave a session on “Planning and Report Writing Skills Development”. Mrs. Prova Lucy Rozario delivered sessions on “Women Leadership” and “Advanced Communication and Team Building”. Mr. Swopnil Louis Cruze discussed the role of BCSM, strategies of youth-leadership and barriers of a youth leader. Mr. Patrick Drishya Purification, Former President, BCSM discussed the Methodology of BCSM. We had expressed our full gratitude to our Former National Chaplain, Bro. Ujjal Placid Pereira, CSC for the services, and welcomed the newly appointed National Chaplain, Rev. Bikash James Rebeiro, CSC to the BCSM family. The “Christian Leadership and Capacity Building Training-2021” concluded with the evaluation and certifications of the participants.

Executive Committee Training – 2021

BCSM organized the training held on 6^th to 7^th November at CBCB for the New Executive Committee for their capacity building. The training was attended by 10 people including the new EC team. On the first day of the two-day training, Mr. Shoshi Sylvester Peris, Former General Secretary of BCSM discussed the Methodology of BCSM, Communication Skills, and Strategies and Bro. Ujjal Placid Pereira CSC, Former National Chaplain of BCSM, discussed the theme selection method and various issues. The next day, Fr. Bikash James Rebeiro CSC, National Chaplain, BCSM discussed expectations from the new EC team and shared on “Laudato si” and “Fratelli tutti” and Mr. Willam Nokrek, Coordinator, IMCS Asia Pacific, discussed IMCS and its Strategic Planning. At the end of the day, Mr. Patrick Drishya Purification, Former President, BCSM, discussed the Challenges, Opportunities, Strengths and Weakness of BCSM and Duty of EC Members.

Miscellaneous

1. Executive Committee of BCSM had published an annual calendar for 2022.
2. Five participants (Four from EC team and National Chaplain Rev. Bikash James Rebeiro) participated Chaplains and Animators Formation and Exchange 2020 (CAFÉ 2020) organized by IMCS Asia Pacific.
3. Central Cabinet of BCSM (Two representatives from each diocese) had been formed for the development of BCSM and following up the annual activities of 2022 as planned.