The Edward M. Kennedy Center ( EMK Center) was established in 2012 by a partnership between the Liberation War Museum and the American Center of the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka. From 2018 the space was managed by the University of Liberal Arts Bangladesh(ULAB) until 2022 (September).
The EMK Center is a non-partisan platform committed to open dialogue, informed action, individual and artistic expression, and personal and professional development. We define public service as service on behalf of the people – by anyone, anywhere, anytime.
The EMK Center honors the legacy of public servants worldwide, exemplified by the men and women who fought for Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 and by U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, who was moved to take action then and throughout his life in support of his convictions. In February 1972, Senator Kennedy planted a banyan tree on Dhaka University’s campus as a living tribute to friendship, resilience, and hope, and it stands today.
The JAAGO Foundation has been associated with the EMK Center as its managing partner and the American Center of the Embassy of the United States of America in Bangladesh.
The mission of the EMK Center is to engage, inspire, connect and empower citizens of all ages, races and socioeconomic backgrounds to better themselves, their communities and the world through our seven core pillars: Inclusive Entrepreneurship, Promotion of Arts and Culture, Connect, Advancing STEM through MakerLab, EducationUSA, Youth Share & Upsquill.
At the EMK Center, we firmly believe that even one person has the power to bring on positive change through public service. Be it through volunteerism, through oneu2019s career or through fostering entrepreneurship. Public service has tremendous potential to transform our societies. We extend support to any organization or individual who is willing to dedicate time and effort to impact lives through the engagement of youth. The Centers objective is to connect individuals and organizations to each other, support them and to create a synergy that is compatible with Bangladesh's both short and long run vision.
''The real foreign policy of America is citizen to citizen, friend to friend, people to people, foreign bonds of brotherhood that no tyranny can diminish''
U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy delivered the following remarks at at Dhaka University on February 14, 1972 when he visited the war-torn Bangladesh.