Nepal Peacebuilding Initiative

The Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice (IPJ) has been privileged to participate in peacebuilding activities in Nepal for the past 10 years. Through the Nepal Peacebuilding Initiative, members of the IPJ have made 20 trips to Nepal and have, on occasion, convened meetings of or held presentations by Nepali leaders at the IPJ in San Diego.

Over the last decade, the IPJ has employed a “whole community” approach to its peacebuilding efforts in Nepal. By linking civil society, political and government leadership, and defense and security actors, the intent is to facilitate and encourage greater collaboration and understanding among these groups, allowing them to identify common interests. While the daily practical roles of these groups may differ, they all share a common stakeholder – the citizens of Nepal – and their cooperation is essential for the creation of a more sustainable and just peace.

Nepal Peacebuilding Initiative trainings have focused on communication, negotiation and conflict resolution skills. Participants in the workshops have included political leaders, security officials, civil society members, women activists and youth leaders from across the country. From villages in Humla and Surkhet in the west of the country, to Parsa and Dhanusa in the southern Terai region along the border with India, the IPJ remains committed to reaching rural and historically isolated constituents outside of Kathmandu.

The IPJ plans to continue implementing this whole community approach in Kathmandu, Pokhara, the Terai and other rural areas as new funding is secured. For more information on the Nepal Peacebuilding Initiative, please contact Dee Aker, IPJ Deputy Director, or Chris Groth, IPJ Interim Program Officer.