Reevaluating our work

"Nepal-political". Map in a school in Bardiya. Photo: Anders Thormann.

NEPAL is a country in deep crisis. The conflict between the government and maoist insurgents worsened during 2004; on February 1, 2005, the King dismissed the government and seized power himself. Basic rights such as freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are thereby being challenged.

MS, the Danish Association for International Cooperation, in Nepal (MS Nepal) has never before been in a situation in which it is so difficult to promote popular participation and influence. Hence, our program in Nepal will have to be adjusted. We will increase our focus on human rights, and prepare our partners for lobbying work.

The work on rights is strengthened

In order to strengthen the work on rights and advocacy, MS Nepal has forged 4 new partnerships:

The organization HURON works on human rights through information, documentation, and lobbying; HimRights lends support to victims of human rights violations and is involved in advocacy efforts; DHRC works to support the rights of the disabled; SAWTEE works on trade issues and peasants’ rights.

Through other partners, MS-Nepal also works to improve conditions for ethnic minorities, women, outcastes, and the disabled. 2 radio stations, several media and journalist organizations, and 2 public fishbreeding centers are also on the list of MS partners. The crosscutting issues in the existing partnerships are poverty eradication, and intercultural cooperation.

Former debt slaves attend school

In a separate program financed by Operation Day’s Work 2002, MS partner BASE Bardiy supports the building of schools and teaching of children of former bonded labourers, outcastes, and families with no land. Teachers, parents, and members of school boards take part in courses and meetings where they, for instance, learn how to administer a project locally.

Some of the initiatives, which are inspired by listeners of Radio Lumbini and Community Radio Madanpokhara are: Getting a dentist out to the villages, and focusing on the far too extravagant weddings among poor outcastes.

The groups evaluate the radio programs, and discuss ideas and themes for the coming ones. This ensures that focus is on the listeners’ need for communication.

The Operation Day's Work project ensures schooling for children of outcastes and former bonded labourers. Photo: Anders Thormann.

Outcastes are still discriminated against

For the outcastes of Nepal, discrimination is still an everyday issue. In October 2004, MS Nepal held a seminar on caste discrimination and lobbyism. In 2005, an advisor from India, a country with vast experience of campaigning for the rights of outcastes, will be posted.

Danish development aid to Nepal was moved to the top of the agenda in November 2004, in connection with a conference in Copenhagen. MS Nepal helped make preparations for the conference and organize a seminar in which people from civil society organizations across the country could discuss initiatives to promote democracy and peace.