Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP)

📢 Webinar Reminder | Tomorrow, August 25, 2026

CIRDAP, in collaboration with GLAD, Myanmar, invites you to join CIRDAP Knowledge Series 62, a collaborative webinar on Climate Informed Seasonal Flood Forecasting for Strengthening Rural Livelihood Resilience in Bangladesh.

🎙️ Esteemed Speaker
Dr. Rashed Chowdhury
Applications Scientist and Independent Consultant, Water, Climate, & Society
Adjunct Faculty, Arizona State University, USA

📅 Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
🕚 Time: 11:00 AM Bangladesh Time
💻 Platform: Zoom
🔗 Join the Webinar:
https://zoom.us/j/98216039450...
Meeting ID: 982 1603 9450
Passcode: 977412

The session will explore how seasonal flood forecasting can strengthen rural resilience, support informed decision making and help reduce climate related losses in Bangladesh.
We look forward to your participation.



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CIRDAP Launches New Publication on Artificial Intelligence for Rural Development

CIRDAP is pleased to announce the launch of its new joint publication with the CAIES Foundation, Artificial Intelligence for Rural Development: Transforming Technology into Reality for Rural Welfare.

The handbook highlights the potential of AI in areas such as agriculture, healthcare, education, water management, food security, disaster preparedness and rural development planning. It also examines important issues including data privacy, algorithmic bias, digital infrastructure and community trust.

Authored by Dr Sushant K. Singh, Dr Robert W. Taylor, Dr Venkatamallu Thadaboina and Dr P Chandra Shekhara, this publication explores how Artificial Intelligence can be translated into practical solutions to address pressing challenges in rural communities.

Designed for policymakers, agricultural scientists, rural development professionals, NGOs and technology practitioners, the publication aims to bridge the digital gap and promote inclusive, sustainable and people centered rural development through responsible use of AI.

📖 Read the full publication here:
https://cirdap.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/CIRDAP-CAIES-Handbook-on-AI-for-Rural-Development-Final-20-Aug-2026.pdf



CAIES Foundation

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AGCASS: A Community-Driven Model for Sustainable Rural Development and Climate-Resilient Agriculture in India

On the occasion of the 2nd World Rural Development Day 2026, CIRDAP shares a special message from Dr. R. Udaya Kumar, Vice President of the Agricultural Graduates Consultancy and Service Society (AGCASS), Erode, Tamil Nadu, India, and Member of the CIRDAP Expert Panel.

In this message, Dr. Kumar presents AGCASS as a community driven model for sustainable rural development and climate resilient agriculture in India. Established in 1997, AGCASS brings together over 350 agricultural and horticultural graduates who work directly with rural communities to bridge scientific knowledge and grassroots implementation.

Through science, community participation, and environmental stewardship, AGCASS offers a replicable model for climate resilient and inclusive rural development.

🔗 Read the full message here:

https://cirdap.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Dr.-R.-Udaya-Kumar-Ph.D.-Vice-President-Agricultural-Graduates-Consultancy-and-Service-Society-AGCASS.pdf



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2nd World Rural Development Day 2026 | Special Edition Message

On the occasion of the 2nd World Rural Development Day 2026, CIRDAP shares a special message from Ranjan Kumar Guha, Former Director of the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development and Member of the CIRDAP Expert Panel.

In his message, Mr. Guha explores how community leadership must evolve to meet the demands of the “New Rural,” a rural landscape shaped by economic diversification, digital connectivity, and growing climate vulnerability.
The message calls for reimagining these frameworks for today’s challenges through digital hubs, climate resilient cooperatives, and skill development for resource poor households, with women’s leadership placed at the center of change.

🔗 Read the full message here:
https://cirdap.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/CIRDAP_Expert_Ranjan-Kumar-Guha.pdf



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2nd World Rural Development Day 2026 | Special Message

On this World Rural Development Day, CIRDAP proudly shares insights from Mr. Manish Saxena, CIRDAP Expert in IT, on how technology is transforming the way knowledge on rural development reaches the world.

Since November 2024, CIRDAP has been using a smart, in house built bulk email system to share its flagship publications, including the monthly newsletter Voice of CIRDAP, with over 120,000 experts and stakeholders across 15 member countries and beyond. What was once a slow, manpower heavy manual process is now fast, efficient, and completely free of cost to CIRDAP.

📊 Some quick facts:
✅ Around 200,000 emails sent every month
✅ Nearly 3 million emails delivered globally since launch
✅ Zero licensing cost, built on open source technology
✅ Developed and maintained voluntarily by Mr. Manish Saxena

This initiative reflects the vision of His Excellency Dr. P Chandra Shekara, Director General of CIRDAP, to make rural development knowledge more accessible, timely, and inclusive for communities across Asia and the Pacific and around the world.

Read the full message here 👇
🔗https://cirdap.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/CIRDAP-WRDD-26-BulkEmail.pdf



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CIRDAP and PIDF, Fiji, Launch International Online Training on Artificial Intelligence for Rural Development

The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP), in collaboration with the Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF), Fiji, launched a three day International Online Training Programme on Artificial Intelligence for Rural Development on 18 August 2026.

The programme was inaugurated by H.E. Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General of CIRDAP, with Mr.Henry Galuvakadua representing the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Development Forum. During the inauguration, a new CIRDAP publication, the Handbook on Artificial Intelligence for Rural Development, was officially unveiled.

The training is led by Dr. Venkatamallu Thadaboina, Programme Officer (Learning), CIRDAP, alongside Dr.Sushant Kumar Singh of CAIES Foundation, Patna, Bihar, India, who served as key resource person, leading sessions on Foundations of Artificial Intelligence for Rural Development and Data Readiness, Governance and Predictive Planning.

A total of 192 participants from various countries, including policymakers, researchers, academicians, and development practitioners, are taking part in the training.

Key themes being covered include:
🔹 Foundations of Artificial Intelligence and global policy trends
🔹 Rural data readiness and predictive planning
🔹 Artificial Intelligence applications in agriculture, climate, healthcare, and education
🔹 Deployment architectures for low connectivity environments
🔹 Responsible Artificial Intelligence, ethical governance, and community engagement
🔹 Actionable capstone exercise for field level ex*****on

Pacific Islands Development Forum



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🌾 2nd World Rural Development Day 2026 | Special Edition Message

On the occasion of the 2nd World Rural Development Day 2026, CIRDAP shares a special message from Dr. Amir Mohammad Nasrullah, Professor of Public Administration, University of Chittagong and Member of the CIRDAP Expert.

The message highlights how rural development education directly accelerates the Sustainable Development Goals, connecting global targets to grassroots capabilities through poverty alleviation, gender equality, clean water access, decent work, climate resilience and the protection of life on land.

Since 1994, the Department of Public Administration at the University of Chittagong has offered a dedicated course on rural development for its third year Bachelor students. A distinctive feature of the course is its annual field attachment program with the Bangladesh Academy of Rural Development in Cumilla, where students spend nearly a week gaining hands on experience through village level data collection on topics such as agriculture, women empowerment, financial inclusion and local governance.

📖 Read the full message here:
https://cirdap.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/RD-Education-at-the-University-of-Chittagong.pdf



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🇮🇩 Happy Independence Day, Indonesia!

On the occasion of the 81th Independence Day of Indonesia, the Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) extends its warmest greetings and best wishes to the Government and people of Indonesia.

CIRDAP looks forward to strengthening continued collaboration with Indonesia in advancing sustainable rural development, knowledge exchange, and inclusive growth, contributing to improved livelihoods and well-being of rural communities across the Asia-Pacific region.

Indonesian Embassy Dhaka
Tito Karnavian



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CIRDAP Signs MoU with PRDIS India, to Strengthen Rural Development Cooperation

The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific (CIRDAP) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Participatory Rural Development Initiatives Society (PRDIS), India, on 13 August 2026.

The MoU reflects a shared commitment to strengthening knowledge exchange, capacity building, technological innovation and collaborative initiatives for sustainable rural and community development across the Asia Pacific region. A key initiative under the partnership is the establishment of a CIRDAP We Library in a selected village to promote access to knowledge and learning opportunities at the grassroots level.

The MoU was signed on behalf of CIRDAP by Mr. FAM Zakirul Huq, Head of Administration, and on behalf of PRDIS by Prof. Sarvareddy Venku Reddy, President and Executive Director.

The signing ceremony was honoured by the presence of H.E. Dr. P. Chandra Shekara, Director General of CIRDAP, along with representatives from both organisations.

This partnership marks an important step towards advancing institutional cooperation, promoting innovative solutions and facilitating knowledge sharing for the benefit of rural communities, farmers, entrepreneurs and development stakeholders across Asia and the Pacific.



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Happy 80th Independence Day, India! 🇮🇳

On this 15th August, CIRDAP proudly extends heartfelt greetings and warm wishes to all citizens of India as the nation marks its 80th Independence Day.

As a valued member country of CIRDAP, India has long been a partner in advancing integrated rural development and improving the lives of rural communities across the Asia Pacific region.

CIRDAP reaffirms its commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and working together towards a more inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable future for all. 🌏🤝

India in Bangladesh (High Commission of India, Dhaka)
Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India
NIRDPR-National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj



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