|
|
![]() |
|
|
![]() |
Your are in ..On-going
Programs |
|
|
On-going programs..
|
|
|
1.
Ensuring Inclusion of Minority Rights Provision in New Nepali
Constitution.
2.
Communities for Peace and Reconciliation in Dhanusha district.
1. Ensuring Inclusion of Minority Rights Provision in Nepali
Constitution
Background
Nepal has formally recognised a number of minority communities
or groups, such as 22 Dalits (so-called untouchable)
groups, Madheshi, (a regional ethnic minority group
consisting of more than 57 ethnic/caste groups), and 92 linguistic
groups. Muslims and Christians
among religious minorities are among the 11 religious groups
identified by 2001 census.
As Nepal is debating its new Constitution, we face a crucial
opportunity to set the fundamentals of a sustainable, peaceful
and fair society. When minorities are not able to make their
voice heard in a peaceful way, it is more likely that violent
factions obtain support.
Promoting the participation of minorities in the process of
drafting the new Constitution, this action aims at obtaining the
incorporation of minority rights provisions in both the
Constitution and laws that will follow. A more participatory and
inclusive political system is the best hope for a long and
healthy democracy, where civil society is able to have a say and
hold institutions accountable.
For
minority civil society
to be able to play an active role in a modern democracy, civil
society organizations need to have a deep knowledge of the
international human rights framework, of the national legal
system, and of the best strategies to interact with authorities
and decision makers. This is even more true as concerns
communities which so far have been excluded from political
participation, such as minorities people.
The intervention will provide
minority representatives with specific skills, contacts and
support information that will make their action more effective.
Equally will the intervention help minority civil society
organizations to obtain the visibility and media coverage they
need to make their voices heard.
Objective/s
The project aim to strengthen the
capacity of minority civil society to democratically influence
the drafting of the new Nepali constitution, in order to include
provisions for minority rights that will allow improving
participation, representation, and anti-discrimination.
Activities
-
Preparation of research/analytical paper on minority’s status at
present.
-
Training to minority rights activists on minority rights and
advocacy.
-
Formation and operation/mobilization of regional networks to
create pressure groups and initiate advocacy campaigns.
-
Identification of minority issues/agendas through community
discussion and disseminate the discussion by radio programs.
-
Organization of a national workshop focusing on discussing on
common agendas of minority groups and submission to the CA.
-
Preparation of Action Plan on Inclusion of Common Minority
Issues in Nepal to be incorporated in new Nepali Constitution.
Period
Feb 2009- Jan 2010
Project Districts
Morang, Siraha, Dhanusha,
Parsa,Kapilvastu, Banke and Kailali.
Funding agency;
Embassy of Denmark in Nepal
Back to top
|
2. Communities for Peace & Reintegration in Dhanusha district
Background
The end of royal direct rule and
major armed conflict led by the CPN-M has produced an opening
where some of the complex challenges of rights abuse, displacement
and return can begin to be addressed. The recent signing of an
agreement between the interim government and the CPN-M – leading to
their disarmament, demobilization and inclusion in the interim
government itself – marks another step forward in the ‘road map’.
This represents a critical juncture in the unfolding peace and
democratization process, at which the international assistance
community can put in place projects that will strengthen local
capacities for achieving durable peace and stability while
addressing more immediate humanitarian needs.
Within this context, SUPPORT works with local peace committee and
community-based organizations to respond effectively to their
post-conflict development needs and strengthen capacity for peace
and stability. SUPPORT places the practical protection and promotion
of rights at the heart of our work. We express this through an
integrated program model that works alongside conflict-affected
communities and local institutions to ensure people are informed
about basic rights and services and empowered to access them. This
includes helping establish advice services, improving the quality of
public healthcare, boosting potential for sustainable livelihoods,
and enabling communities to better deal with the challenge of return
and reintegration of conflict victims, especially the children and
youth through fostering ‘healing classrooms’ approach.
In order to achieve the durable solution of sustainable return,
reintegration and development, SUPPORT will incorporate into the
programme as deeply as possible a grassroots level exchange of
information, expertise and experience among communities, local
partners and stakeholders. SUPPORT will act as the catalyst to
empower local peace committee and the communities to have a
significant voice on what interventions are most appropriate to
address their priority needs. Through this approach these key
stakeholders can promote learning, strengthen capacity, and create
an institutional memory that will benefit conflict-affected
communities over the long-term.
Objective/s
To improve quality of life for approximately 7020 conflict-affected
persons in 10 VDCs of Dhanusha district, featuring local
institutions better able to address the challenges of reintegration
and post-conflict development and deliver stronger health, education
and protection services.
Activities
-
Formation of
community based peace/action groups.
-
Identification of local priority needs by peace/action groups.
-
Ten
micro-projects design and implementation by the peace/action
groups.
-
Establishment
of community based peace centers and operation in ten VDCs.
-
Material
assistance to hundred conflict victims that helps improve their
livelihood alternatives.
-
Training on
child-friendly teaching approach to 30 teachers from project
VDCs. Development of psycho-social services and materials.
-
Material
assistance (e.g. uniform, books) to conflict affected children,
esp the girl children.
-
Development
and implementation of School Improvement Plan (SIP) by concerned
schools.
-
Development
of preventive health-focused materials.
-
Capacity
building of local health staffs, development and implementation
of Health Post Improvement Plan (HPIP).
Period
Aug 08- July 09
Project District
Dhanusha
Funding agency;
Embassy of Finland in Nepal
Back to top |