CECI Nepal's Newsletter
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE: CECI Nepal AGM 1 Celebration of Open Data Day 4 National Advocacy Campaign 6 Creating Jobs 7 Uniterra Towards Fostering 12 CECI Nepal’s Partnership Partner Organization Workshop 13 Newsletter Volunteer’s Blog: Status of 14 Women in Nepal SUSASAN in Media 15 January-April 2019 1 VOLUME , ISSUE 2 VOLUME , ISSUE Dear Friends, MESSAGE Welcome to the CECI Nepal’s Newsletter “REFLECT”! I am delighted to present you the latest edition of CECI Nepal’s newslet- ter “REFLECT”. In this edition, you will get a glimpse of our major activi- FROM THE ties carried out between January to April, 2019. In this quarter, we are almost at the end of Livelihood Promotion for Earthquake aected Population in Nepal (PUNARNIRMAN) project and COUNTRY wrapping up its activities. The most exciting part of PUNARNIRMAN project is the local government has shown their willingness to support further and beneciaries are linked to the local institutions. At the same DIRECTOR time, we are looking forward to the year ahead as we build on our com- mitment to capacity building of CSOs for good governance, gender equal- ity and social inclusion. I would like to thank all our partners, including government agencies, Australian Government Department of Foreign Aairs and Trade (DFAT), Global Aairs Canada (GAC), INGOs and civil society organizations for their continued cooperation and invaluable work with us. Everyday, I see the team moving forward with their full commitment in achieving CECI’s mission and I would like to oer my sincere thanks to the CECI Nepal team and volunteers for their support and dedication. Enjoy reading! Sita Ram Bhatta Country Director CECI Nepal 1 1 VOLUME , ISSUE CECI NEPAL AGM: FOR REFLECTION AND TOGETHERNESS ECI Nepal conducted its Annual Gen- Ceral Meeting (AGM) from 28 February to 01 March, 2019 at the Pataleban Vine- yard Resort. This year’s AGM theme was “Gender Equality and Social Inclusion and Youth”. The objective of the AGM was to reect and learn from achievements and lessons of the past year and share future actions to accomplish CECI’s goals. The AGM also provided a platform for CECI sta (Nepal and Canada), National Volun- teers and Canadian Volunteers to share learnings and reection and an opportu- nity to understand the diversity within cultures. In addition to this, a guest speak- er, Mr. Anil Pant, was invited to present 2 1 VOLUME , ISSUE a paper entitled “Current political Trans- formation and Civil Society Environment in Nepal” to provide an overview of the current political transformation the inter- national scenario and new government policies followed by a discussion on the civil society space in the current context and way forward for CECI. Sita Ram Bhatta, Country Director Dilip Chinnakonda, Asia Regional CECI Nepal Director Guest speaker Anil Pant Hiking: a team-building exercise Volunteers work presentation Nepali Cultural performance 3 VOLUME , ISSUE pen Data Day (ODD) is an annual cel- Oebration of open data all over the world marked on the rst Saturday of Open Data March. This year, 26 Rural/Municipalities of Nepal marked the day with various awareness raising and interactive activi- Day: ties among which 12 events were jointly celebrated by the local governments and CECI/SUSASAN project. Since 2009 AD, Rally in Dhangadhi Sub-Metropolitan City ODD calls for countries to be open, ac- CELEBRATION countable and transparent towards the his year, the local governments proac- citizens and Nepal started to celebrate this Ttively initiated the events and all the FOR event from 2018. project partners, local leaders and women and people from marginalized groups par- TRANSPARENCY he practice of Open Data ensures the ticipated in the events with great enthu- Taccess, use and re-use of data of the siasm in Konjyosom Rural Municipality of AND public institutions, which promotes citizen Lalitpur District, Dhangadhi Sub-Metropoli- state engagement to maintain accountabil- tan City of Kailali District, Barhabise Munici- ACCOUNTABILITY ity, transparency and responsiveness. pality of Sindhupalchowk and Amargadhi Municipality of Dadeldhura District. ECI Nepal has been promoting the cul- Cture of practicing Open Data, Budget elebrating the events, Mayors and Dep- Transparency, Citizen Cuty Mayors of the respective govern- Reporting and Griev- ments showed their commitment to be ance Reporting since transparent and accountable in public 2017 through its service delivery. Moreover, they commit- SUSASAN: Sustainable ted towards ensuring optimum openness in use of Technology for their service delivery. They also encouraged Public Sector Account- citizens to engage with them in the decision ability in Nepal project making process of local governance. which is funded by Global Aairs Canada r. Karna Bahadur Kathayat, the Chair- (GAC). SUSASAN proj- Mperson of Masta Rural Municipality ect provides the local was enthusiastic in celebrating the Interna- governments online tional ODD for the rst time. On the day, and o¥ine platform to he also made commitments to the public share information. to make information easily accessible using both electronic and print medium. 4 Mobile set distribution to Women Health Volunteers in Bajhang VOLUME , ISSUE naugurating an Information Techno-Hub on IODD, Gopilal Singtan, Chairperson of Kon- jyosom Rural Municipality, said the openness of data and information of the local govern- ment is a key to improve public service deliv- ery. Vice-Chair Ms. Mingma Lama said, “I am very happy to be a part of this International ODD celebration. We commit to maximum utilization of the Tech-Hub. Data and infor- mation will be made accessible to all through both electronic and printed mediums. Fur- ther, she requested everyone to be curious on the performance of the Municipality and provide feedback for further improvement. SUSASAN project Team Leader Hem Tembe addressing the mass in Konjyosom Rural Municipality, Lalitpur Street drama played on the occasion of ODD in Lalitpur 5 VOLUME , ISSUE NATIONAL LGBTIQ+ Sensitization ADVOCACY Workshop CAMPAIGN o amplify voice for better participation Tof Women and Marginalized Groups (WMGs) in the decision-making process and systems with the use of integrated CECI Nepal Country Director Sita Ram Bhatta technology in the local government, CECI/ Speaking at the workshop SUSASAN project’s National partner Free- dom Forum organized a National Advocacy hree themes were primarily opened Campaign on February 18, 2019. The event Tup for discussion that were: roles and CECI Nepal organized LGBTIQ+ sentitiza- brought together a total of 49 people, responsibilities of elected representa- including members of Parliament (member tion workshop on 30 April, 2019 in coordi- tives from WMGs in local government; nation with Blue Dimond Society (BDS) to of state aairs and good governance com- meaningful participation of WMGs in the mittee), public policy-makers and shapers, broaden the knowledge of its sta mem- local government’s plan, budget imple- bers on LGBTIQ+ concepts; heteronorma- experts, media professionals, participants mentation and monitoring process; and from project districts, representatives of tive practices; and issues. The main topics eective engagement of WMGs in dier- for discussions included at the workshop SUSASAN project partners and sta and ent service delivery in the local govern- practitioners whose role will be impera- were: a brief introduction to the contem- ment. Participants took active participa- porary LGBTIQ+ issues that are tied with tive to position WMGs in decision-making tion and the policy makers committed systems. multiple identities and variations within towards ensuring WMGs signicant role the LGBTIQ+ community; its history; a in all levels of activities. solid foundation on why and how gender is not binary; how social norms and cultural practices, social biases, social structure and institutional forces marginalize this community; challenges; and achievements made through the campaign in Nepal. The workshop was able to build understanding and capacity of CECI sta to think on the issues independently, explore the topics on their own and engender inclusive practices at work and home. 6 Workshop participants VOLUMEVOLUME , , ISSUE ISSUE CREATING VOICE OF THE TRAINING PARTICIPANTS Anita Basnet of Barabise Sindhupalchowk successfully com- pleted a three month basic training of beautician provided by the PUNARNIRMAN project. She states, “ In order to sus- jobs tain life, only having a formal or academic certi cate is not enough in this era, we need vocational skills as well, so I took THROUGH SKILLS this training for my future career in the beautician profession. This training is very important and e ective. The trainer made DEVELOPMENT us focus not only on the training courses but also provided knowledge of cosmetics and practical skills of customer dealing. Further, I’m planning TRAINING to take advanced courses and run a beauty parlour. This is my dream”. The Livelihood Promotion for Earthquake A¡ ected Population in Sushila Yonjan, a Montessori trainee from Bethanchowk Kavrepalanchowk, says “After completing nal exam of class Nepal (PUNARNIRMAN) project twelve, I was wondering about utilizing leisure time of wait- funded by Global A¡ airs Canada ing for the results to invest in some productive cause. So, I trained 75 youth in various voca- was learning tailoring locally, however, my great interest was tional skills under the Skill De- in Montessori Training. I wanted to teach in a primary school velopment / Vocational Training in my village and earn for the family. One day I got an infor- component of the project in Sindh- mation that CECI/PUNARNIRMAN project is providing basic upalchowk, Kavrepalanchowk and level Montessori Training. Fortunately, I got the opportunity and joined the training. This training provided me both the theoretical and practical Lalitpur Districts. The main pur- knowledge on child centered teaching/learning techniques. I’m indebted to the proj- pose of the training is to produce ect. This training will de nitely help me get a job in my place, with which I can con- technical workforce to address the tinue my education and nancially support my family.