This initiative works to develop and provide access to simple, cost-effective, and replicable ICT systems as a means of addressing a perceived lack of information sharing among advocates of sustainable development at the local and national level; this lack is understood as exacerbating poverty and hampering efforts to contribute to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). SDNPBD is based on the premise that promoting awareness and advocacy on sustainable development issues can be facilitated by enabling easy access to information and knowledge, especially by prioritising the connectivity of civil society organisations. To implement this strategy, the SDNPBD draws on the internet, relational databases, and other communication tools - as well as face-to-face exchanges - to introduce and connect public, private and non-government sector agencies to local and international sources of information on sustainable development. One key means of facilitating this interaction is the SDNPBD website, which also details all of the organisation's projects, services, publications, and commitments.

To enhance delivery of education, health care, environmental awareness and livelihood programmes of government agencies, multilateral organisations, and other institutions, SDNBD provides training in the use of ICT and supplies internet connectivity to rural communities. The organisation has offered technical assistance and conducted workshops in information management and computer-mediated communication with the objective of securing access to information on sustainable development. SDNPBD has offered training to Law Commission, UNFPA, UN, government and NGO officials, and other interested groups on subjects varying from simple (basic computer and internet use) to complicated topics (like server maintenance and security issues).

Furthermore, there are up to 40 local SDNBD activities running, including: CD-ROM publications (e.g., one focused on the MDGs, in the local language, Bangla), cyber system implementations (e.g., a total of 120 PCs connected through a Local Area Network (LAN) at BIDS), school programmes (e.g., through collaboration with World Computer Exchange), website development for a number of organisations, and connection of universities (often using open source software). The most recent activities include e-government, e-learning, and telemedicine initiatives, as well as an internet ex-change (IX) infrastructure which is designed to save foreign currency expenditure and improve internet traffic quality. All of the organisation's core activities are aligned with the National ICT Policy; SDNPBD is implementing some of the elements of the National ICT Policy as pilot initiatives.

SDNBD facilitates access to resources on development issues by collaborating with other information providers to establish electronic community access points (Public Internet Access Centres) in several locations around Dhaka and across the country. For instance, a cyber café with 6 PCs has been set up at BIDS to enable school and college students to browse the internet; the café has also been opened to children from nearby slum areas. Community members are using these centres to send and receive emails, ask questions to the expert panel, search the databases, and browse the internet for relevant information.

SDNPBD also uses conventional communication tools such as radio, television and the print medium to reach a greater number of stakeholders who do not have access to computers and the internet. Features, news, and briefs on events and activities of SDNPBD are disseminated through these media to inform the public. The organisation has engaged in various radio link set-ups.

Technology, Sustainable Development.

At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio 1992 (the "Earth Summit") a global plan of action for sustainable development was endorsed by over 179 countries. This action programme, known as Agenda 21, underlines the importance of environmentally sound technologies, education, public awareness, and training in achieving the goals of sustainable development.

According to Danida, through the work of SDNPBD "more agencies, universities, organisations, and students have the possibility to access information regarding sustainable development. Subscribers to the network have been given access to standard Internet/Portal services as well as to a distributed database (under continuous update). Community people in different cyber centres/village information centre are taking this opportunity to search the databases from the distributed servers of SDN[P]BD. Efforts are there to localise the search, so that users under for example the Khulna server do not need to search Dhaka server for information and data of Khulna region. Furthermore, they are directly benefited from the email enquiry service for health, agriculture, and education. Access to non-profit Internet service and networking is now possible through facilities at BIDS in the capital of Dhaka as well as at five/six regional nodes (units/locations), which have been established in the towns of Mymensingh, Chittagong, Khulna, Barisal, Sylhet, and Rajshahi."

As UNDP funding will end in December 2006, the project is transforming to a not-for-profit, independent entity beginning in January 2007 - similar to several other countries where SDNP started as a project.