The Oak Institute for the Study of International Human Rights at Colby College is proud to welcome 2008 Oak Fellow Afsan Chowdhury of Bangladesh.

Afsan Chowdhury is known as a journalist, an environmental advocate, a filmmaker, and much more.  His work has spanned multiple topics including; sex education, sexual abuse, AIDS/STD awareness, policy advisory, children's rights, refugee rights, minority identity, media rights and, most recently, environmental rights. 

From 1986-1994, Afsan was on the staff of UNICEF where he worked on program communication and information activities.  During his time with UNICEF he contributed greatly to the policy documents on AIDS in the media in India and Nepal.  He was also named an Ashoka fellow for his work in sexual education.

Recently, Afsan has carried out many independent assignments on developmental media and management issues for multiple international organizations including UNDP and OXFAM.  He has also worked as the Regional Director for the South Asia Panos Institute as a supervisor, and for BRAC, the world's largest NGO, as a director of advocacy and human rights. 

He has written multiple books on health and environmental issues, refugees, and issues of Human Rights and Identity for minorities.  Additionally, Afsan has extensive experience in the print and broadcast media. He has been on the editorial staff or acted as a contributor to leading newspapers and journals in Bangladesh for more than 20 years, and has contributed frequently to the BBC World Service, and the BBC South Asian Service.  He has also produced multiple video documentaries on social, political and developmental issues in Bangladesh.