Report of
Signature campaign for peace
Introduction
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.
Idea Action at Work
Karaputar, Lamjung District
11 October 2005
To develop a culture of peace and non-violence, Idea Action
collaborates with local organizations in rural communities of
Nepal.
In Karaputar, Lamjung District (Ishaneshowar VDC, Ward 9), Idea
Action has formed a partnership with Gomati Youth Club. Working
together to understand and develop strategies to address the
present conflict situation, Idea Action and Gomati Youth Club
organized various activities to involve youths in working towards
peace in their own communities.
Idea Action specifically chose to conduct its
programs in Karaputar on Vijaya Dashami on 11 October
2005. Not only is Vijaya Dashami the most widely attended
Hindu festival which would ensure our programs reached the widest
number of community members, but it also the most important Hindu
festival. Holding the programs on this day reinforces Idea
Action’s commitment to uphold Nepali cultural traditions while
simultaneously developing a culture of peace and non-violence.
The activities included a peace rally, elocution, drama, dance
show, a signature campaign, exchange of greetings and an
interaction program on the roles and responsibilities of youths
for develop a culture of peace and non violent society.
After the program, Idea Action collected feedback
from the participants. Their responses that the programs
were informative encouraged us to organize similar programs in
other rural areas.
Signature
campaign
 A signature campaign is a documentation of villager's
commitment to
develop a culture of peace and non-violence society. Idea
Action has made a policy to collect the signatures of the villagers
on the end of the programme where our project will be launched.
In the white cloth, titled 'for human rights and long
lasting peace' villagers jot down their signature as an agreement to
the title. We believe that this project will help the villagers to
implement and amend the commitment for human rights and peace issues
towards achieving and developing the culture of peace and non
violence society.
Similarly, our another objective to collect signature is to
deal with government and other international community to make a
policy for long lasting peace and to give priority to the youth
agendas also which is the most important factor for peace dialogue
as well as national development.
Idea Action in cooperation with its local partner
organization Gomati Youth Club had organized signature campaign on
11th
Oct 2005. The main objective of the programme was to make civilians
aware of human rights issues and involve as an active participant to
develop a culture of peace and non violent society.
In this program the chairman and vice-chairman of
Ishaneshwor, Bhorletar VDC, the leading citizens of Hunsapur VDC and
many villagers from surrounding villages, social workers,
businessmen, teachers, students, and children were actively involved
in the signature campaign. There were around 500 participants in the
programme. This huge and active participation shows the interest of
the rural people for the augmentation of peace in the country.
Similarly, in
11th
Nov 2005, Idea Action had organized signature collection campaign
for long lasting peace dialogue.
The End |
