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University of San Diego Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice

 

 

 

Nepal Project

 

 

In 2008, the IPJ began its seventh year of work with Nepali civil and political groups. In 2007 the IPJ team traveled to Nepal twice support the fragile peace process and conduct conflict assessments. During 2005 to 2006, the IPJ deepened its work in-country through the project, "Building Constituencies for Peace and Democratic Development in Nepal," funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development* (USAID). The fifteen-month project expanded upon the IPJ’s work with political party leadership and policymakers and women representing political parties, civil society, marginalized groups, and victims, to include two additional Nepali constituencies: young adults entering politics and civil society service, and disenfranchised or isolated conflict-affected communities. The project was intended to prepare all four of these constituencies for greater participation in peacebuilding and democratic processes. It encouraged greater collaboration and understanding among these groups. The IPJ remains committed to working with all parties in Nepal and plans to continue the Nepal Project in the future as new funding is secured.

For further information on this project contact: Dee Aker, Ph.D., IPJ Interim Executive Director (daker@sandiego.edu).



Timeline of Activities

 

 

2008 Activities

Oct. 15, 2008 - Washington, D.C. / IPJ

  • Alliance for Peacebuiding (AfP) Collaboration Connections on Nepal. Dee Aker, interim executive director, and Laura Taylor, former senior program officer, share the IPJ Nepal Project with a coalition of diverse organizations working together to build sustainable peace and security worldwide.

 

October-November 2008 – Kathmandu, Nepal

  • Today’s Youth Asia Magazine: “If Not Now, When?” Dee Aker

 

July 16, 2008 – United Nations, New York

  • 2008 Biennial Meeting of States – "Civil Society and the Geneva Declaration Process" was delivered by Shobha Shrestha, SAP-Nepal in coordination with the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA), during the review progress on the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms.

  • Presentation

  • Press Release

  • IANSA

June 26, 2008 – IPJ

  • IPJ Special Event - "Peace Works: IPJ Nepal Project and Partnerships." Details.

June 2, 2008

  • Inside USD: "IPJ Recognized for Years of Peace Work in Nepal." Denise T. Ward. Article.

June 2008 - Kathmandu, Nepal

  • Today’s Youth Asia Magazine: "Electing Peace: Polls Mark Progress in Nepal." Laura Taylor. Article.

May 19 - 31, 2008 - Kathmandu and Western Development Region, Nepal

  • "Uniting for a Democratic Peace" - IPJ team Dee Aker, Interim Executive Director, and Laura Taylor, Senior Program Officer, return to Nepal. Final Report.

  • IPJ Nepal team blog

  • Participatory Seminar - Women, Politics and Peace, Working for a Just Society IX "Gender Power: Activating a Common Agenda" for women leaders in politics facilitated by Dee Aker, IPJ Interim Director, Laura Taylor, IPJ Senior Program Officer.

  • Participatory Seminar – "The Power of Negotiation: Constructive Communication Techniques" for political leaders and policymakers in the newly elected Constituent Assembly facilitated by Dee Aker, IPJ Interim Director, Laura Taylor, IPJ Senior Program Officer.

  • Everest Summit Award – IPJ received distinguished honor.

  • Community Dialogues in Puranchour VDC, Lamachour VDC, Bharatpokhari VDC on how to continue to engage in CA process post-elections.

  • Roundtable –"Reaching Stable Peace: Roundtable on Reconciliation" for security sector, political parties and civil society facilitated by Laura Taylor, IPJ Senior Program Officer.

  • Youth Forum – "Transitions and Transformation: Linking Justice with Peace in Nepal" with Today’s Youth Asia facilitated by Laura Taylor, IPJ Senior Program Officer.

  • Consultations with Nepali political party and civil society leaders, U.S. Ambassador, and international NGO representatives in Nepal to assess potential windows of opportunities and remaining challenges following Republic Day.

April 24, 2008 - Rancho Bernardo, California

  • World Affairs Council – North County Chapter: "Nepal at the Crossroads" IPJ Interim Executive Director Dee Aker and Program Officer Laura Taylor reported on history of the conflict in Nepal and the recent constituent assembly elections. University of San Diego Masters of Peace & Justice Studies student Shobha Shrestha of Nepal joined the IPJ team during the interactive dialogue to contextualize the cultural challenges that face the newly elected body.

April 3-14, 2008 – Kathmandu, Nepal

  • Elections Observation: IPJ Interim Executive Director Dee Aker will join The Carter Center elections observation mission to support "political efforts to create an environment that is conducive to conduct an electoral process, to include the voices of Nepal's diverse communities, and to deliver constituent assembly election results that enjoy credibility in the eyes of the Nepali people." View Elections Observation Scrapbook.

March 20, 2008 - USD

  • Bridges Academy Lecture: "Forging Peace and Justice at Home and Abroad: The IPJ Nepal Project" IPJ Interim Executive Director Dee Aker and Program Officer Laura Taylor reported on the dynamic nature of their work in Nepal – sharing best practices in global peacebuilding with the university students and the San Diego community to advance the IPJ’s work of educating for social and political change.