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Interaction Program
The Role of Youths in Developing
a Culture of Peace and Non-Violent Society
Idea Action, ‘Voice for the Voiceless’
Bibur, Nuwakot
25rd Kartik, 2062/11 November 2005
Background
Idea Action is a youth-led and youth-focused human rights
organization in
Nepal.
The main objective of Idea Action is to develop a culture of peace
and non-violence. We
believe a permanent end to the ongoing conflict can only be
achieved if fundamental changes take place, including:
1.
Increased political participation among the majority of Nepalis
who are disengaged.
2.
Greater value placed on the importance of education.
3.
Widespread and institutional respect for human rights.
4.
Freedom of expression without censorship or government influence.
Idea Action believes that in order to develop this culture
of peace and non-violence, we must begin from the ground up of
Nepali society. Therefore, Idea Action specifically targets
youths in rural areas who tend to be disconnected from their
community and country. By organizing educational and social
activities, Idea Action works to develop peace in the short-term
as well as cultivate a long-term culture of non-violence. First,
by organizing youth forums and projects, we provide an alternative
to youths who might otherwise join the internal conflict or engage
in other illicit activities. Idea Action works to inform youths
of the reality of the conflict and discourage them from
participating in the violence. Second, Idea Action programs work
to develop future leaders who respect human rights and will work
to build a peaceful democratic
Nepal.
Future conflicts and political instability can only be prevented
if today’s youth play an active role in the peace process.
Introduction
For the past 10 years, the conflict between the
Government and the Maoists has resulted in a failed state in
Nepal. Development has stalled as public works projects ceased
and physical infrastructure was destroyed. The fighting in the
countryside is estimated to have killed 12,500 people, wounding
and disabling thousands more. Many villagers have been forced to
flee their homes, living displaced lives in temporary locations.
Once vibrant communities are now deserted as festivals are not
celebrated and there is no longer any sense of brotherhood between
the villagers. Nepal and especially the villagers of Nepal are in
grief.
Despite being involved in the conflict or directly
affected by it, Nepali youths have thus far been marginalized from
the peace process. One of the main objectives of Idea Action, an
organization established by youths for youths, is to collect the
voices of the voiceless, these disengaged youths of Nepal. On 11
November 2005, Idea Action organized a one-day Interaction Program
in Bidur of Newakot district to provide these youths an
opportunity to speak directly to political leaders, NGOs, and
other representatives of Nepali society. Youths from rural areas
where the conflict is taking place addressed the major factors
that contributed to the violence as well as discussed how youths
could become involved in building long-term peace. Over 100
people participated in the Interaction Program.
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Informal
discussion among the participants |
Idea Action:
staffs, members and volunteers |
Objectives of the Program
1. To
understand the impact of violence on Nuwakot district.
2. To
understand the impact of the conflict when youths are involved in
the violence.
3. To
raise unity for peace.
4. To
pressure the government through a signed rally to move forward
with the peace process, since the Maoists declared a ceasefire
from 18th Bhadra 2056.
5. To
organize creative works as a means to reduce violence among the
youths.
6. To
encourage youths to raise their concerns and work through the
political process rather than engage in violence.
7. To
share the experiences from youth activities conducted in Karaputar
in Lamjung.
8. To
spread the message that a peace society is necessary for the
development of Nepal.
Details of the Program
The program started began at 11:30 a.m. This program focused on
the Newakot district and addressed conflict issues affecting all
rural areas in Nepal. The local partner of this program was
Nirangana, a local organization that works for the youths. Mr.
Bhum Raj Tiwari who is officer of Idea Action initiated the
program. The main guests were then introduced.
Program Guests:
·
The chairman: Mr. Shakti Shali Ghimere, President of Idea Action.
·
Chief Guest: Chandra Prakash Devkota, Chief District officer,
Newakot.
·
Guest: District Judge
·
Guest: Dhan Raj Khadga, President R.P.P, Newakot.
·
Guest: Dhurba Kumar Rawal, Secretary Nepal Journalist Society Union, Newakot.
·
Guest: Purna Lal Shrestha, President of District Cooperative Union.
·
Guest: Deepak Kahdga,
Community
Eye
Hospital,
Newakot.
·
Guest: Hari Sharan Bhattarai, Member District Development Community, Newakot.
Inauguration of the Program
The Program was inaugurated by the chief guest Mr. Chandra Prakash
Devkota, the Chief District officer of Newakot.
Welcome Speech
The President of Ninasa, Mr. Bhola Prasad Bogati, delivered the
welcome address. Mr. Bogati said that as youths are affected by
the conflict, this type of program should be regularly organized
in the villages. It brings enthusiasm and team sprit among the
youths.
Presenting the concept paper
The chairman of the program Mr. Shakti Shali Ghimire explained the
objectives of the program and presented the concept paper.
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President Ghimire presenting
a concept paper |
Chief Guest,
Chief District officer
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Participants
form different sectors |
Comments from Program Participants
1. Mr. Dhurba Kumar Rawal, Secretary of Nepal Journalist
Union, Newakot.
·
Youth must create policies for themselves.
·
Youth must be in engaged policy creation at the local, national
and international level.
·
Violence has had a deep impact on youths who should be involved in
sports activities, cultural programs and entertainment.
·
Programs should also target young students.
·
The program was really good and thanked the organizing committee
for conducting a fruitful program like this.
2. Mr. Dhan Raj Khadga, President R.P.P., Newakot.
·
Informal Human Rights training should be provided for political
and community leaders
·
Political parties should conduct activities and provide forums
that involve youths.
·
A
peace and non-violence society is the means of culture
development.
·
Violence ascertainment should be through peace talks.
3. Mr. Purna Lal Shrestha, President of District Cooperation
Union, Newakot.
·
When youths remain idle, there is greater opportunity for them to
become involved in negative activities. Hence youths should be
involved in creative work.
·
Income generating programs by the organizing committee should be
started.
·
The organizers tend to hold these types of programs only once and
do not conduct follow-ups and grade the program. Thus, the
program does not influence the target group.
·
Thanked the organizers for holding this kind of program.
4. Mr. Hari Sharan Bhattaria, Member, District Development Community, Newakot.
·
Youths are lacking education hence we should first develop the
education sector.
·
Due to violence many youths are migrating to foreign countries and
many people are displaced. So there is a need for good security
in the villages.
·
When violence is controlled, only then will the culture will
develop.
·
Media plays an important role to bring peace.
5. Mr. Chandra Prakash Devkota, Chief District Official, Newakot.
·
Peace is the concern of all.
·
Informal Human Rights training should be provided to all people
including police and the military.
·
The youths can solve the problem
of the youths.
·
The participants from the different villages should spread the
message of peace.
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Idea Action's
President, Shakti Shali Ghimire |
Mr. Hari Sharan Bhattaria |
Mr. Dhurba Kumar Rawal |
Open Discussion
After these different views were expressed, the chairman of the
program, Mr. Shakti Shali Ghimire, distributed the concept paper
which discusses the role of youth in building a peace society.
The discussion was then opened.
1. Shankar Thapalliya, class 12 student of Tribhuwan Trishuli
School
·
Youths are facing various different problems such as security and
empowerment, but no one listens to youths.
·
Human Rights education should be included in the school syllabus
·
To attain peace, youths must be educated.
·
Democracy is in danger.
·
This type of program should reach each and every village.
2. Gokarna Raj Tiwari, Member of the Asal Shasan Radio Liste ners
Club
·
Informal human rights training for youth community
·
People should stop killing people.
·
Due to increasing corruption the conflict is also rising.
·
Corruption should also be stopped.
·
Poverty, illiteracy and unemployment should be removed.
3. Dewaki Pandey, Youth women leader, Newakot.
·
Women’s role is very important to bring peace.
·
Women’s should also be engaged in income generating program.
·
Women should be encouraged to become involved in the agricultural
sector, including animal husbandry and other activities at local
levels.
·
Everyone should unite for peace.
4. Ram Chandra Gajurel, Teacher in Kalika Primary School, Newakot.
·
Human rights training must be provided for teachers.
·
Human rights education should be developed in the school and
campus course.
·
Equal opportunities society should be built.
·
The main reason for youths to get involved in conflict is because
of unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy. So activities that
address these problems should be organized.
·
We need to increase awareness of these issues.
5. Kiran Adhakari, Journilist, New RupRekha Weekly, Newakot.
·
The ruling party has neglected the youths.
·
Since the youths are compelled to carry weapons they are unable to
think of peace.
·
If there is no awareness of these issues, there could be a rise in
violence.
·
Change needs to occur in all sectors: culture, economy and
society.
·
Everyone should be one for peace.
6 Deepak Phuyal, Chairman of Asare Club, Nuwakot.
·
There should be new opportunities like job secure for the youths.
·
The government should respect the youths instead of neglecting
them.
·
The voice of the women should also be heard and peace should be
brought in the country.
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Ms. Dewaki Pandey |
Gokarna Raj Tiwari |
Ram Chandra Gajurel, |
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Discussion
among participants |
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Conclusion of the Program
Answering the questions of the representatives of all the sectors,
Mr. Shakti Shali Ghimere said that everyone has the desire for
peace and he thanked the participants for their passionate
contributions. The conclusions of the program are as follows,
· We
must reach out to rural villages.
· We
should pressure the authorized persons for peace.
· Peace
society leads to culture development.
· But
due to poverty, illiteracy, unemployment and unequally there is no
peace and culture has not developed.
· Change
should come from one’s self.
· We
should follow the example of Kanputar of Lamjung district which
have organized different activities for develop a culture of peace
and non violent society such as a peace rally for human rights
awareness, youth leadership development training for youth
empowerment, quiz contests, music for peace and sports activities,
etc. They have regularly organized these programs and prevented
idle and negative behavior.
The program
ended at
1:30. Representatives from all sectors of Nepali society
participated including leaders of political parties, government
officials, businessmen, journalists, teachers, social workers and
students.
Recommendations:
· The
representatives of those involved in the conflict should also have
been invited.
· This
type of program should be conducted to spread awareness.
· There
must be plenty of publicity of the program.
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