Beyond Exposure: Our Journey Through the AGO–UNDP Internship Programme

How the AGO–UNDP Internship Programme Shaped a New Generation of Public-Interest Lawyers in Bangladesh

February 19, 2026

Group photo of people in formal attire standing together in an outdoor courtyard. — Interns of the AGO–UNDP Internship Programme during their Cox’s Bazar study visit, January 2026.

©UNDP Bangladesh

In 2025, we began our journey as parts of the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) Internship Programme, a pioneering initiative of the Office of the Attorney General for Bangladesh in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). For 25 young law graduates from across the country, this programme became far more than an internship. As our journey concludes in February 2026, we reflect on an experience that has fundamentally reshaped how we understand law and justice.

As the first initiative of its kind in Bangladesh, the internship offered opportunities that most young law graduates in our country rarely receive. It allowed us to move beyond academic area and observe how legal reasoning operates in real-world contexts. We were introduced to the realities of public legal service, where law intersects with people’s lives, struggles, and aspirations. Through close mentorship from the learned Additional Attorney General and Deputy Attorneys General, we developed not only our research and drafting skills but also a deeper understanding of professional responsibility and integrity.

A defining feature of the programme was UNDP’s emphasis on practical exposure. Marisha Rahman from Rajshahi University, one of the 25 interns, said, “With UNDP’s support, our learning extended beyond office desks and case files. We participated in seminars, workshops, field visits, and policy discussions that broadened our perspective on how law intersects with development, governance, and human rights.”

One of the early highlights was visiting the UNDP Bangladesh Office in November 2025 during the global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence campaign. Reflecting on our role as emerging legal professionals, we began to appreciate the intersection of law, advocacy, and communication. Our conversations with Ms. Sonali Dayaratne, Deputy Resident Representative at UNDP Bangladesh, and the session led by Mr. Abdul Qayyum, Head of Communications, deepened our understanding of how public narratives shape access to justice. It reminded us that legal work does not exist in isolation, it speaks to society.

Our visit to Chattogram in December to attend a seminar on Operationalising Commercial Courts in Bangladesh offered further insight into systemic reform. We observed judges, policymakers, and development partners collaborating to strengthen the justice sector. The discussions highlighted how commercial courts not only ensure timely dispute resolution but also support economic growth, enhance business confidence, and attract foreign investment, demonstrating how strong legal institutions underpin national development.

Group of people wearing masks in front of a blue arched gate marked Office of the Camp-in-Charge. — ©UNDP Bangladesh

Another transformative experience was the study visit on International Criminal Law (ICL) and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in Cox’s Bazar in January 2026. Combining rigorous academic discussions with field visits to the Rohingya camps, the retreat reshaped our understanding of international law. In Camp-18, we witnessed legal aid delivery under extraordinary constraints. With limited resources and UN’s support, organisations such as BLAST and BRAC resolve hundreds of cases each month through mediation, preserving dignity and stability in fragile settings. Engaging with landmark cases- including The Gambia v. Myanmar, the Akayesu judgment, and the legacy of International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR), helped us see that international law is not abstract doctrine. It is a living framework shaped by human suffering and resilience. Justice may be imperfect, but it remains indispensable.

BRAC University’s Kaoshik Dey Badhan mentioned, “Joining the Rohingya camp field visit and the two-day workshop helped me connect legal principles to real humanitarian challenges while strengthening my understanding of protection, governance dynamics, and accountability mechanisms, highlighting the issues faced by displaced communities.”

Back in Dhaka, another defining moment awaited us at the Supreme Court. During the hearing of the historic Thirteenth Amendment case, we observed research we had contributed to being presented before the court. When the then Hon’ble Chief Justice acknowledged our contribution through the learned Attorney General, the moment felt surreal. We realised that even diligent, behind-the-scenes work can contribute to constitutional history.

As members of the first cohort of this internship, we were not only learners but also participants in building a foundation for future young lawyers in Bangladesh. This programme taught us that law is not merely about winning arguments. It is about safeguarding dignity, preventing harm, and standing beside those whose voices often go unheard.

We entered this programme with ambition. We leave it with purpose. For that, we remain profoundly grateful to the Office of the Attorney General and UNDP Bangladesh for the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute.