Curriculum Vitae

Mr. Philip Gain
Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD)
Green Valley, 147/1 Green Road (2nd Floor)
Flat No. 2A, Dhaka-1215
Bangladesh
T: +8801715009123
E: philip.gain@gmail.com

Current occupation

Director. 1993—

Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD), a non-profit organization engaged in action-oriented research, capacity building, education and awareness raising on environment, human rights, ethnic issues, social exclusion, and development.

Responsibilities involve initiating and conducting research and fact-finding missions; writing, editing and publishing  reports, books, magazines, and monographs; producing and documentary films; organizing training, workshops and seminars; and networking with local and international organizations that deal with excluded and marginalized communities, indigenous peoples, human rights, forestry, multilateral development bank (MDB) issues, environment, etc.

Experiences

Director. April 1988 to April 1992. Coordinating Council for Human Rights in Bangladesh (CCHRB), a national body to coordinate human rights organizations and activities.

Contributor. 1988-1995.  Dhaka Courier, a Dhaka-based weekly news magazine.
Visiting reporter and editor (science and environment). July to December 1993. Rocky Mountain News (a daily newspaper in Denver, Colorado, USA).

Yale World Fellow, Yale University (USA), 2002.

Education

Dhaka University. M.A. received in 1987. Mass Communication and Journalism.
Notre Dame College, Dhaka. Bachelor of Arts. received in 1982.
Notre Dame College, Dhaka. Higher Secondary Certificate received in 1980.
St. Joseph’s High School, Khulna. Secondary School Certificate received in 1978.

Authored

  1. Landless and Social Protection in the Southwest of Bangladesh (English, PBK, 76 pages). Published by Uttaran, 2022.
  2. Cha Bagane Narir Surakshay Jibon Dakshata Sahayka (Life skills guide for protection of women in the tea gardens) (Bangla, PBK, 96 pages). 2021.
  3. Modhupur: The Vanishing Forest and Her People in Agony (English, PBK, 158 pages). 2019.
  4. On the Margins: Images of Tea Workers and Ethnic Communities (English, PBK 232 pages), 2016.
  5. Brattyajan (The Lower Depths), book of images on the marginalized communities of Bangladesh (Bangla 106 pages). 2019.
  6. Excluded Groups and Democratization (English, PBK 80 pages). 2016.
  7. Stolen Forests (English, 216 pages). 2006.
  8. Banladesher Biponno Bon (Endangered Forests of Bangladesh) (Bangla 276 pages). 2005.
  9. The Last Forests of Bangladesh (English 2nd Edition, 224 pages). 2000.
  10. Bangladeshe Poshak Shilpe Nari Sramik [Women Workers in Bangladesh Garment Industry] (Bangla, 139 pages, 1990).
  11. Investigative Report on Use of Pesticides in Bangladesh (English, 47 pages, 1993)

Co-authored and edited

  1. Mayer Sushasthya, Mayer Shuraksha: Cha Bagane Jouna O Prajanan Shasthya Adhikar ebong Paribar Parikalpana, Shachetana Shahayika (Awarness Guide on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Family Planning (Book, Bangla, 40 pages). 2019.
  2. Cha Sramiker Sangskritik Jibon: Monograph O Dirctory (Cultural Life of the Tea Workers: Monograph and Directory) (Bangla, PBK 202 pages).
  3. Khudra Jatishatta O Prantik Janagoshthir Pashe: Chintar Shachhata O Acharanbidhi (On the side of the smaller ethnic communities and marginalized groups: intellectual clarity) (Bangla, PBK 140 pages).
  4. State of the Excluded and Marginalized Communities (English, PBK, 244 pages). 2019.
  5. Lower Depths: Little-Known Ethnic Communities of Bangladesh (English, PBK 220 pages). 2016.
  6. Slaves In These Times: Tea Communities of Bangladesh (English, PBK 396 pages). 2016.
  7. Kaiputra: A Pig Rearing Community (English, PBK, 80 pages). 2019.
  8. Bangladesher Jounapalli and Jounakarmi: Halnagat Chitra 2018 (Brothels and Sex Workers of Bangladesh: An Update 2018) (Bangla, PBK, 104 pages). 2019.
  9. Bede: A Nomadic Existence (English, PBK 64 pages). 2019
  10. Koch of Modhupur: A Demographic and Socioeconomic Survey of a Marginalized Ethnic Community (English, PBK 56 pages). 2016.
  11. Bangladesh: Land Forest and Forest People (3rd Edition, English 284 pages). 2016.
  12. Prashikkhon Upakaran O Sohayika: Prantik Jangoshthi Niye  Karmaroto Karmi O Pratishthaner Sakkhamota O Dakkhata Bridhi (Training Manual and Guide: Scaling Up Capacity of Human Rights Defenders Attending the Marginalized and Excluded Communities) (Bengali, PBK, 208 pages). 2019.
  13. Mayer Shushasthya, Mayer Suraksha: Cha Bagane Jouna O Prajanan Shasthya Adhikar Ebong Paribar Parikalpana, Shachetanata Shahayika (an awareness guide on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in the tea gardens. (Bangla, 40 pages). 2019.
  14. The Story of Tea Workers in Bangladesh (English, PBK 320 pages). 2009.
  15. Cha Sramiker Katha (Bangla, PBK 344 pages). 2009.
  16. Reporting Guide (Bangla 3rd edition, 329 pages). 2016.
  17. Investigative Reports: Environment and Human Rights (English, PBK 432 pages). 2009.
  18. Anushandhani Reports: Paribesh O Manobadhikar (Bangla, PBK 432 pages). 2008.
  19. The Chittagong Hill Tracts: Man-Nature Nexus Torn (English, PBK 368 pages). 2013.
  20. Energy Challenges and Phulbari Crisis (English, PBK 242 pages). 2013.
  21. Handbook on Election Reporting (English and Bangla, first edition 1996; second edition 2001; third edition 380 pages) 2006.
  22. A Guide to NGO-Business Partnerships (English and Bangla PBK 66 pages) 2002.
  23. Critiques of Policies and Practices: The Case of Forests, Ethnic Communities and Tea Workers of Bangladesh. (English, PBK 108 pages). 2005.
  24. Critique: The Forest (Amendment) Act, 2000 and the (draft) Social Forestry Rules, 2000 (English, PBK 80 pages). 2001.
  25. The CCHRB Election Observation Report: The Eighth Parliamentary Elections 2001. (English, PBK 202 pages). 2002.
  26. The Chittagong Hill Tracts: Life and Nature at Risk (English, HBK 127 pages). 2000.
  27. Forests and Indigenous Peoples of Asia (English 32 pages). Minority Rights Group (London) publication. 1999.
  28. Shores of Tear (English, PBK 144 pages). 2013.
  29. The Chaks: Life on the Fringe (English, PBK 96 pages). 2011.
  30. Chak: Pranter Jibon edited by Philip Gain (Bangla, PBK 88 pages). 2011
  31. Bangladesh Environment: Facing the 21st Century (English, first edition in 1998 and the second and updated edition in 2002, HBK 351 pages).
  32. Bangladesher Khudra Jatishyattar Sangskriti (Culture of small ethnic communities of Bangladesh) (Bangla 158 pages). 2007.
  33. Culture of Adivasis in Bangladesh (English, PBK 156 pages). 2008.
  34. Khumi: Pranter Adivasi (Khumi: Adivasi of the Fringe, a socioeconomic survey of a small ethnic community of the Chittagong Hill Tracts) (Bangla, PBK 79 pages). 2017.
  35. Water and Food Security in Bangladesh: Local Contexts, Strategies, and Actions (English, PBK 66 pages). 2010.
  36. Discrepancies in Census and Socio-economic Status of Ethnic Communities (a survey of the ethnic communities in five sub-districts in Northern, Northeastern and North-central regions of Bangladesh, English 73 pages). 2000.
  37. Survival on the Fringe: Adivasis of Bangladesh (English, HBK 644 pages). 2011.
  38. Leather Industry: Environmental Pollution and Mitigation Measures (English and Bangla 68 pages). 1998.
  39. Bon O Boner Adhibashi (Forest and Forest People. PBK, Bangla 76 pages). 1997.
  40. Indigenous Peoples of Bangladesh (74 pages monograph published to commemorate the year of the indigenous people, 1993).
  41. Commercial Fuelwood Plantation in Modhupur Forest (Survey Report, English 45 Pages). 1994.
  42. Discrepancies in Census and Socio-economic Status of Ethnic Communities in five thanas in Mymensingh, Sherpur, Maulvi Bazar, Rajshahi and Dinajpur (Survey report, English, 73 pages). 2000.
  43. Shrimp Fry Collection and Its Trade A survey on shrimp fry collectors in Cox’s Bazar, Bhola, Khulna, Bagerhat and Satkhira of Bangladesh (Survey report, English, 57 pages). 2005.
  44. The Khasis of Bangladesh (A socio-economic survey of the Khasi People). (Survey report, English 60 pages). 2007.
  45. Election Observation Report, Election to the Fifth Parliament, 1991 (English, 106 pages and Bangla, 110 pages), 1991.
  46. Bangladesh: State of Human Rights, 1991 (English, 95 pages), 1992.
  47. Manobadhikar Unnayan O Sangrakkhane Police O Sangbadiker Bhumika [The Role of the Police and Journalists in the protection and promotion of Human Rights] (Bangla, 96 pages), 1987.
  48. A publication on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the country (German, 104 pages), 1992.
  49. Anusandhani Sangbadikota O Manobadhikar [Investigative Journalism and Human Rights] (Bangla 126 pages). 1990.
  50. Upazila Election 1990 Observation (English, 45 pages), 1990.
  51. Land Rights, Land Use and Ethnic Minorities of Bangladesh (70 pages in English); 1994.
  52. Rohingya Refugee Issue (monograph) (English, 32 pages, 1992)

Magazines and newsletters edited

  1. Earth Touch (English) & Dharitri (Bangla)—Two magazines publishing primarily investigative reports on varied issues in the areas of environment, human rights, social exclusion, ethnic issues [so far 16 issues of Earth Touch and 14 issues have been published; each issue of the magazine is 60 pages on average).
  2. Prantajan (Newsletter, Bangla and English, 6 issues; each issue is 20 pages on average)
  3. Jibon (Newsletter, Bangla and English, 2 issues).
  4. Brattyajan (Newsletter, Bangla and English, 1 issue).

Coordinated publication

The Adivasis of Bangladesh (English, 32 pages), an international report on the state of the ethnic minorities of Bangladesh, published jointly by the Minority Rights Group (MRG) based in London and the Coordinating Council for Human Rights in Bangladesh (CCHRB) based in Dhaka, 1991.

Documentary films produced and directed

  1. Cha Sramiker Jibon O Shanskriti (Bangla)—12-minute documentary film on life culture of the tea workers. Life and Cultrue of Tea Workers (English version).
  2. The Story of Tea Workers—44-minute documentary film on life, struggle and deprivation of the tea workers. Cha Sramiker Katha (Bangla version of The Story of Tea Workers).
  3. Sylvan Tears—39-minute documentary film on the destruction of Modhupur Sal Forest and sufferings of the forest villagers (English). 2019. Aranyer Artonad (Bangla version of Sylvan Tears).
  4. Pothe Pothe—32-minute documentary film on the life, struggle and transition of the Bede or gypsy (Bengali). 2019.
  5. Bagan Mayer Shushasthya, Bagan Mayer Suraksha—13-minute documentary film on sexual and reproductive health and rights in the tea gardens of Bangladesh (Bangla). 2019.
  6. Matir Maya—30-minute documentary film on soil and blood in Northwestern districts of Bangladesh (Bangla). 2016. Elegy on Land (English version of Matir Maya).
  7. Chokoria Sundarban: Je Bone Gachh Nei (Chokoria Sundarban: A Forest without Trees)—30-minute documentary film on the destruction of Chokoria Sundarban in Cox’s Bazar District. 2001.
  8. Shores of Tear—27-minute documentary film on effects commercial prawn aquaculture, embankments and natural disasters in the southwest coast of Bangladesh (English). 2013. Upakuler Kanna (Bangla version of Shores of Tear).
  9. Mandi—28-minute documentary film on the destruction of a forest in the north-central region of Bangladesh (Modhupur forest) and the plights of the ethnic people who live in that forest. 1994.
  10. Stolen Forest—45-minute documentary film on deforestation, effects of commercial plantation and sufferings of the forest villagers. 2005. Biponno Bon (Bangla Version of Stolen Forest).
  11. Phulbari—40-minute documentary film about grassroots revolt in Phulbari [in the northwest of Bangladesh] against open-pit mining. 2007.
  12. Respect for Creation—16-minute documentary film on response to disasters and climate change in the coasts of Bangladesh (English). 2009.

Commissioned consultancies

  1. National consultant for General Economics Division (GED), Planning Commission, Government of People’s Republic of Bangladesh for writing a Background paper on excluded and marginalized communities of Bangladesh for preparation of the 8th Five Year Plan, 2020-2025.
  2. Consultant for Uttaran, a Satkhira-based NGO for study of Landless and Social Protection in the Southwest of Bangladesh. 2022.
  3. Consultant for UNDP for writing paper, “Excluded Groups and Democratization,” 2014.
  4. National consultant for UNDP (Dhaka) (two months) for the development of a community empowerment project for the plains land ethnic communities. 1997.
  5. National consultant (with three international consultants) for the Royal Norwegian Embassy for the development of “Context for a Strategy”, “NORAD’s Current Approach” and “Towards a Strategy” in the field of human rights, 2000.
  6. One of two evaluators of an “External Evaluation of Modhupur Community Development Project (MCDP)” [in Tangail District] of Church of Bangladesh, evaluation report prepared for the World, Germany, 2006.
  7. Consultant for exploring, “Ways and Means of Capacity Building of Local Organizations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT)” (A study for Novib, a Dutch donor agency), 1999.
  8. Consultant for preparation of “Human rights issues and approaches: suggestions for the non-Governmental organizations of Bangladesh (commissioned by Novib, a Dutch donor agency), March 1992.
  9. External Impact Assessment of “Women’s Right Training and Counseling Project” (a project of Bangladesh Development Partnership Center-BDPC funded by MISEREOR, a German donor).

Major experience during the last one decade

  1. Ran two EU-funded projects (as program director) under European Instruments for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) for 6.5 years (from 2013). The beneficiaries of both projects were tea workers, ethnic communities of the plains land, Harijans, Bede (water gypsy), Jaladas (seafaring fishing community in Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram), sex workers, Rishi, Kaiputra (pig rearing community) and Biharis. Played leading role in writing these two projects for the European Union that won in bidding.
  2. Ran an action with funding support from UNFPA on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and family planning in the tea gardens. The action has resulted in useful outputs—an awareness guide, a documentary film, a four-fold flyer and a poster—on SRHR in the tea gardens.
  3. Ran a number of research, advocacy and capacity building initiatives in the field of environment that have resulted in outputs (books, documentary films, reports, monographs, photography exhibitions, etc.) that are useful tools for CBOs, CSOs, human rights defenders and the media.
  4. As a consultant of UNDP, has written a paper, “Excluded Groups and Democratization,” which however was published in India and then by Society for Environment and Human Development (SEHD). The paper is useful for discussion on exclusion challenges in Bangladesh.
  5. Has authored, co-authored and edited 26 books and monographs and directed six documentary films on Adibashis, Dalits, other marginalized groups and environment.
  6. Extensively photographed and filmed tea workers and other excluded and marginalized communities and designed three exhibition catalogues, 12 posters, three leaflets, and four special brochures.
  7. Organized three photography exhibitions on tea workers, ethnic communities, Bede, Harijan, Jaladas, Rishi, sex workers, Kaiputra (a pig rearing community) and Biharis.
  8. Facilitated around 30 skill sharing and capacity building workshops and four conventions on tea workers, ethnic communities and other excluded groups.
  9. Organized and facilitated four conventions and at least 35 skill sharing and capacity building workshops awareness raising sessions with tea workers, ethnic communities and other excluded groups.
  10. Published at least 20 investigative reports in national newspapers and magazines (The Daily Star, Dhaka Tribune and Dhaka Courier in particular).
  11. Supervised surveys in all tea gardens that resulted in two books, many reports and images that are widely used.

International Fellowships/Awards

  1. Elected World Fellow of the Yale University (USA) in 2002. Spent a semester at Yale engaging in research and participating in a series of seminars, lectures and taking a number of course of interests including development and underdevelopment.
  2. Awarded Alfred Friendly Press Fellowship (US) in 1993. Completed a six-month working fellowship as a visiting reporter and editor in the USA from June to November 1993. During the fellowship in the USA worked as a full-time reporter with The Rocky Mountain News, a daily newspaper in Denver, Colorado, USA.
  3. Awarded Ashoka fellowship in 1989 for three years for special contribution in promoting investigative reporting on human rights and environmental issues.

Organization of Training, Conference and Campaign

Participated in training, consultation, campaign and conference in Bangladesh and abroad on human rights, environment, European understanding, land, multilateral development banks (MDBs), ethnic communities, tea workers and other socially excluded communities, development, etc.

Organized and facilitated large quantities of trainings, workshops, conventions, photography exhibitions, campaign on human rights, ethnic communities, tea workers and other marginalized communities, effects of investments of the multilateral development banks (MDBs), globalization of capital, etc. for more than three decades.

Personal Information

Son of Mr. John Gain (late) and Mrs. Teresa Gain (Late)
Permanent Address: Vill. Baniarchar, P.O. Jalirpar, Dist. Gopalgonj, Bangladesh.
Born on December 17, 1962.
Married.
Bangladeshi by birth.