Overview

To commemorate the 1st Anniversary of the July Revolution-2024, the Department of Political Science at the University of Dhaka, Research & Integrated Thought (RIT), the Department of Political Science at Jagannath University, the University of Regina, Canada, the School of Social Sciences at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, the School of Peace & Conflict Studies at Kent State University, USA, the International Institute of Law and Diplomacy, the Bangladesh 2.0 Initiative, UK, Socchar, USA, Insaf, Dhaka and Center for Policy and Social Research (CPSR), Türkiye, Centre for Policy Analysis and Advocacy (CPAA) and Jagoron, UK are hosting the "1st International Conference on the July Revolution (ICJR-I)" on Sunday, 27 July, 2025. The conference will also feature collaboration with several justice organizations and community-based non-profit organizations.

The Background

The July Revolution in Bangladesh is a significant political upheaval marked by mass protests, violent state repression, and a national outcry over authoritarian governance. Sparked by longstanding grievances related to rampant corruption, electoral manipulation, and human rights violations, the revolution saw thousands of citizens—especially youth and civil society actors—demanding democratic reforms. On August 5, 2024, a student-led protest movement led to the fall of Bangladesh’s 15-year authoritarian regime under the Awami League. The uprising was met with brutal state violence, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,581 individuals and over 8,296 serious injuries. This historic revolution has marked a critical turning point in the country’s political trajectory, ushering in new conversations around governance, judicial reform, public policy, and socio-political transformation.

The Conference

On Sunday, July 27th, 2025, we will host community members, government agencies, students, and members of the public in a conference on July Revolution. The purpose of this conference is to promote awareness and foster conversation and intellectual discourses on July Revolution and future of Bangladesh’s democracy. The proposed conference will provide a platform for learning and discussion between community members, practitioners, academics, policy makers, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

Objectives

• To promote awareness of the impact of July Revolution.
• To foster scholarly engagements and policy discussions on issues relevant to July Revolution.
• To celebrate the 1st Anniversary of the July Revolution.

Significance of the Conference

The conference on July Revolution is significant for several reasons. First, the conference will provide a platform for community members, academics, and community members to interact with and learn from each other. Second, this conference will intellectually stimulate conference participants about July revolutions. Finally, it will set the stage for future collaboration between different universities, government agencies, and civil society organizations.

Special Features

July Exhibition & Drama

We will be inviting our partners, especially student & civil society organizations, to display their work during the conference. A drama will be produced to celebrate July Revolution by cultural organizations.

Poster Presentation on July Revolution

We invite participants to share their reflections, and creative expressions on the July Revolution in Bangladesh through poster presentations. This is an opportunity to explore the historical roots, political context, and the enduring impact of the July uprising. Submissions may focus on lived experiences, archival research, visual storytelling, or critical perspectives on state violence, resistance, and pathways to justice. Let your poster be a voice for memory, resistance, healing and transformation.

Publication & Conference Proceedings

We will publish the presented articles, keynote address and a number of invited scholarly works as conference proceeding. Publishing the selected papers in high impact factors journal is also a top priority.

About the Research & Integrated Thought (RIT)

Research & Integrated Thought (RIT) is a leading social organization that addresses key societal issues through rigorous research, policy advocacy, community engagement, supporting young researchers, and innovative solutions. Our work focuses on critical areas such as socio-political development, education reform, and sustainable development. We collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including government, NGOs, academic institutions, and communities, to generate insights that drive meaningful change. We are looking for a dynamic and experienced Research Director to lead our research team and shape RIT’s research strategy.