Annual Report

YAN

Annual Report

2017

Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN) Anamnagar, Kathmandu Phone: +977-9849006100 Email: [email protected] ; [email protected] Please Visit Us @ Website: www.yan.org.np & Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/Youth Advocacy Nepal

Message from the Chairperson

First of all, I would like to express my pleasure on the publication of annual report encompassing activities, achievements, challenges and learning within of the year 2017 by Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN). I hope this process goes better in the coming days.

In which context was YAN established? Why was it established? What are its working fields and values? I would like to express my views in order to clarify aforementioned questions. I along with Sanjay Khadka, Mina Majhakoti, Gita Chaudhari, Rama Bhattarai, Nisha Bhujel and Ganesh Dhami who are in the current executive committee, were actively involved as volunteers in Collective Campaign for Peace (COCAP) for several years. We learned many things during our active volunteerism in COCAP. Due to long time volunteerism in the field of human rights, we were fascinated towards the realm of human rights, accountability and social justice. Though there are many human rights based organization in Nepal but youth working for the protection and promotion of human rights is not often. This strikes our mind and we committed to establish an innovative youth-led organization objectively focusing to protect, promote and ensure all human rights for all. We went through several talks and meetings, which led to the establishment of Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN).

We have conducted pressurizing programs by organizing sit-in and rallies in order to put pressure to concerned authorities and stakeholders. With the view to empower youth through dialogue and discussion, YAN has conducted more than a dozen of discussion programs in different contemporary issues. On the other hand, it has conducted regional and central level consultative workshops in order to mainstream issues of marginalized and vulnerable youth. In a short span of time of two year of its establishment, YAN has become popular among youth and civil society, which can be regarded as great achievement.

Finally, I would like to thanks to all those who have actively participated and supported all programs conducted by YAN. I am very grateful to all members of YAN. I am very grateful to Action Aid International Nepal (AAIN) for their generous support. Without their support YAN would not have been succeed. I am hopeful that YAN will be receiving supports from all sectors and it will be contributing for protection and promotion of human rights and democracy through youth initiation in collaboration with civil society.

Thank you. Narendra Khatiwada

2 ABOUT YAN Introduction Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN) is a movement based youth organization dedicated to protect and promote youth rights through advocacy and campaigns and capacity development programs. With an initiation of energetic and vibrant youth, it is registered in District Administration Office, Kathmandu and affiliated with Social Welfare Council (SWC) in 2013. It is one of the leading advocacy organizations working in the field of youth development, education, disaster risk reduction and climate change, employment and entrepreneurship and gender equality and social inclusion. Vision YAN envisions just, democratic and prosperous Nepal where all youth realize their fundamental human rights and freedoms. Mission YAN protect and promote youths through advocacy and campaigns and capacity development programs. Objectives 1. To increase full and effective participation and leadership of youth civic and political affairs 2. To ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for youth. 3. To promote gender equality and Social inclusion 4. To promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all youth. 5. To mainstream the Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and take action to combat climate change and its impacts. Working Areas 1. Youth Development 2. Education 3. Disaster risk reduction and climate change 4. Employment and entrepreneurship 5. Gender equity and Social inclusion Values 1. Accountability and Transparency 2. Social Justice 3. Collaboration 4. Nonviolence 5. Mutual respect for all

1. Institutional strengthening 2. Advocacy and campaigning 3. Youth capacity building 4. Networking, coordination and collaboration 5. Research, documentation and publication Department 1. Administration and Finance Department 2. Program Department

3 3. Volunteer Department

How Can You Contribute 1. Being YAN Member: YAN is an open platform to all interested youth. In order to become a YAN member, one should fill up its prescribed membership form with fee charge of NRs. 200.00 (In words: two hundred rupees only). However, the Executive Board of YAN reserves full rights to provide membership based on its organizational statute. 2. Being Volunteer: YAN believes in volunteerism as it can significantly contribute for the sustainable development and peace. Therefore, YAN has organizationally provisioned a Volunteer Program to promote volunteerism in Nepal through the active mobilization of national and international volunteers through which skills will be shared for lasting change. Interested individual either national or international and having specific skills, knowledge and expertise in any one of the aforementioned working areas can join YAN to contribute for its mission in Nepal. The volunteers will only be provided working spaces at appropriate areas without any kind of financial reimbursement. 3. Being Intern YAN provides unpaid internship opportunity particularly for newly graduated youth who wish to have practical experience on organizational matters. The interested eligible candidate should apply for this opportunity with a personal statement along with newly updated resume stating why s/he is interested.

ORGANIZATION CHART

ACTIVITIES AND ACHIEVEMENTS A. HARNESSING YOUTH POWER AND PROMOTING YOUTH 1. Social Media and Geo-politics

Youth dialogue on Social Media and Nepal's geopolitics" on 30 September 2016 at YAN's office. Resource person of the program was Mr. Yuvaraj Acharya, senior Journalist. There was the participation of 20 youth.

Resource person Mr. Acharya explained that Nepal has been traditionally a buffer zone between the two big neighbours- India and China. According to him, Hulaki Highway (Postman Highway) is one of the concepts of India. Which start from east link points of Chriyobhanjyang of Sikkim to Jhulaghat of Baitadi. He further informed that America proposed to make road to Tibet observing Hulaki Highway. Resource person Mr. Yuvraj Acharya further argued that geopolitics is based on heartland theory and rim land theory. These geopolitical theories argued that political power depend on geography. Mr. Acharya again informed that none of the politics, academia, bureaucracy or the media can control the concept of geopolitics. He said that media is a mental model and can control the mass And power exerciser are trying to control Nepal’s geopolitics.

2. Dialogue on Social Movement An interaction program on “Social Movement”. The interaction program was held on 4 December 2016 at Youth Advocacy Nepal’s office premises. The resource person for the program was Mr. Bimal Kumar Phunyal, Country Director of Action Aid Nepal. The program was facilitated by Mr. Narendra Khatiwada, President of YAN. The interaction program was followed by general introduction of the participants and the resource person Mr. Phunyal continued the program with the interaction with the conceptual understanding on Social Movement. The main objective of the interaction program was to make youth understand the term Social Movement in different way.

Bimal Kumar Phunyal, Country Director of Action aid said that Case study should perform in international level. Political parties are to manage the state and social movements should bridge the gap and provide different views on social movement. Moreover he focused that social movements should not be done only for protest, in this case he concerns on research to change the surroundings with resources and alternatives. Further he said that social movements are required for social transformation.

3. Dialogue on Migration: Problems and Perspectives To enhance the knowledge of youth in the issue of Migration and its current problem, Youth Advocacy Nepal invited Dr. Prakash Bhattarai; president of Centre for Social Change to share and interact on Migration: Problem and Perspective at Youth Advocacy Nepal’s office premises on 9 September 2016. The program was facilitated by Basanta Raj Padhya; board member of YAN.

Dr. Bhattarai first questioned that why Migration is extremely important in Nepal? Further he informed that there are very less initiative to work with the issue of migration. President of Centre for Social Change Dr. Prakash Bhattarai explained different dimension of migration. According to him, most of the people in Nepal, Migrate to different places without anyone’s force are voluntary migration and after the devastating earthquake and other natural calamities people are forced to migrate to the safer places. He told that development induced migration is also type of forced migration. This type of migration is caused by development activities and people are forced to leave their usual place of residence.

Dr. Bhattarai argued that there are many challenges in the issue. Firstly, there is no proper orientation for migrant workers and no favorable working environment. Re-integration is one of the challenges and remigration is in high rate. Undocumented migration is in increasing number. Dr. Prakash Bhattarai suggested that cost benefit analysis on migration should be done and youth should start writing thesis and make project on the issue of migration. Furthermore he suggested that migration policy should be created as a national issue of discourse and advocacy for the issue of migration for the establishment of National Migration Commission.

4. Causes and Effects of Untouchability and Role of Youths in Eradicating Untouchability

Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN) in coordination of Bachelor in Social Work Trainee from Thames College organized a dialogue on the topic Causes and Effects of Untouchability and Role of Youths in Eradicating Untouchability on 13 January 2017. The resource person for the dialogue program was Dr. Yam Bahadur Kisan. The program was facilitated by Ms. Sudiksha Shrestha; Social Work Trainee of from Thames College.

At the first resource person Dr. Kisan asked the participants what they want to know. Following the program Dr. Kisan gave brief details about the Caste based untouchability. He also stated that there are four major castes, and hundreds of minor castes. Each caste has specific duties and privileges. The major castes are: Brahmin, Chhetri, Vaishya and Sudra. Resource person Dr. Kisan explained that Dalits are very low in the social hierarchy that they are outside of the caste system and considered "outcastes." Dalits are the manual scavengers, the removers of human waste and dead animals, leather workers, street sweepers and cobblers.

Speaking at the program Dr. Kisan said that the mere touch of a Dalit was considered "polluting" to a caste member. Thus, the concept of "untouchability" was born.

According to Dr Kisan different measures and activities can be organized in systematic manner to end the problem of caste based discrimination. Some of the measures to solve the problem can be like A person who finds that someone has committed or is going to commit an offence as referred to caste based discrimination or untouchability he\she may lodge a complaint in nearby policy office and raising awareness programs on the issue of untouchability should be conducted and at different places and make people change their traditional perception.

5. Youth Civil Society Consultation on “National Youth Council, its disputes and ways forward” Youth Advocacy Nepal is committed to work for rights of youths. Concerning on the issues of youth rights, Youth Advocacy Nepal has been organizing various program. Youth Advocacy Nepal organized a Youth Civil Society consultation on "National Youth council, its disputes and ways forward" on 6th December 2016 at Union House, Anamnagar Kathmandu. Mr. Narendra Khatiwada president of YAN facilitated the program. Youth Advocacy Nepal along with Joint Youth Civil Society jointly struggling for the reformation of National Youth Council. In Previous days joint youth civil society have already informed minister of Youth and Sports about the issue and handed the memorandum and further had dialogue with National Youth Council.

National Youth Council is the common platform of youth to solve youth’s problem with solidarity. National Youth Council is not the place for politics but we can see political influence in present youth council.

Later Mr. Khatiwada, president of Youth Advocacy Nepal invited participants to give their views to go forward. Most of the participants shared their views that they should go in pressurizing manner. One of the participants of the program told that protest should not be of politics but the procedure of doing politics. National Youth Council has become the platform to provide employment to political worker. Mr. Narendra Khatiwada, president of Youth Advocacy Nepal wrap-up the program thanking all the participants for their valuable plan and active participation.

6. Madheshi Women and Role of Youth

A youth dialogue on the issue of Madhesi Women and State Response on 27th January 2017. The dialogue program was organized by the social work trainee from Premier College. The resource person of the program was Ms. Rita Shah who has been writing in the issue of Madhesi people especially madhesi women and their rights.

The main objective of the program was to empower youth with knowledge, ideas and experiences in relation to subject matters. Madhesi are referred to the people living in Terai region of Nepal and are also the indigenous ethnic group. Resource person Ms. Rita Shah told that there are various problems in Terai region. The main problems of Madhesh are citizenship and gender discrimination. Speaking at the program resource person Ms. Shah told that a Naturalized Madhesi person holds Nepali citizenship by naturalization upon marrying Madhesi man or those who became Nepali citizen in 2007 according to the controversial citizenship act of Nepal which allowed many Indian origin people inhabiting Madhesh to acquire Nepalese citizenship and Madhesi identity by naturalization. Though the constitution of Nepal has the provision of taking citizenship in the name of mother, most of the women are not able provide citizenship to their children's. The provision of citizenship has created discrimination in terms of gender and discrimination among the females. This has aparted them from marital naturalized citizenship and also make them apart from higher rank like decision making levels. Furthermore Later the program was followed by queries from the participants. The participants from different background asked the questions and their views related to dowry system, education, marriage system.

7. Social Work in Nepal

Youth Dialogue on “Social Work in Nepal” on 3 March 2017. The resource person of the program was Mr. Saroj Giri, lecturer of social work. The program was mostly in question answer model so resource person Mr. Giri insisted the participants to ask their queries as most of the participants were social work trainee. Social work trainee at YAN asked the question does the social work get affected by political instability so in response to the question he responded political instability is itself is not a problem it is a cause but social work can take it as an opportunity. So when we talk about opportunity there we can find challenges and social work is studied to face those challenges. In response to the question by the participants, resource person answered that Social work is not a problem solving technique but it helps to minimize the problem. Social work is the professional healer to fulfill the gap between government and public. So it is the role of social worker to recognize the priority and get the governments know. The dialogue program was more associated in answering the question by the participants. So it was more interactive in nature. At the end of the program Mr. Narendra Khatiwada; President of Youth Advocacy Nepal thanked resource person for valuable input and also thanked all the participants for their interactive presence.

8 8. Youth Action on Disaster Risk Reduction Youth Advocacy Nepal along with National Youth Alliance for Reconstruction (NYAR) organized a youth dialogue on the topic “Youth Action on Disaster Risk Reduction” at YAN’s office premises on 24 March 2017. Two IRDR young scientists Dr. Basanta Raj Adhikari of Tribhuvan University and Mr. Ranit Chatterjee of Kyoto University jointly conducted an awareness generation program with the local youth group in Kathmandu, Nepal. The event addressed present DRR needs in Nepal and shared experiences of youth participation in DRR activities in Japan. IRDR’s Young Scientist Programme provided them a common platform to discuss, exchange ideas and collaborate for a common goal of creating DRR awareness among community especially Youth.

Realizing that the youth in Nepal has been actively engaged in response, reconstruction and overall recovery after the 2015 Nepal earthquake, this event was conducted to exchange ideas in order to explore new avenues and strengthen the youth participation in DRR activities in future. The event was supported by National Youth Alliance for Reconstruction which is a youth group working on strengthening youth leadership and promotes community led reconstruction process in 14 earthquake affected districts of Nepal. As a part of the event titled “Youth Action in Disaster Risk Management”, Dr. Adhikari and Mr. Chatterjee made respective presentations and engaged the participants in active discussion to engage students in disaster management activities. Following the presentations, a group discussion was initiated to understand what would be possible avenues of engaging the youth in Nepal.

9. Youth Action on Ensuring Rights of Person with Disabilities Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN) organized a youth dialogue on 31 March 2017. The program was facilitated by social work trainee from SV Academy. The program started with general introduction and resource person Mr. Mahendra Thapa, president of NDYN and all the participants with a welcome speech.

Resource person Mr. Thapa started the session with what is disability, its types and classification and laws and policies in Nepal. He said that disability is deformities in any organ or body parts. He further said it can be both physical and mental where people cannot go work normally like other normal people. He said that physical disability, intellectual disability, slow hearing disability, verbal disability, visibly

9 impaired disability, multiple disability and verbal disability are seven types of disability. He said government has the provision to provide free facilities in education and health services and has the provision of reservation in government services. Different laws and bylaws have been formed for the benefit of disable people. UNCRPD has put forth different provision on behalf of disable people which has been ratified also by government of Nepal. He said that disable people cannot stay beyond politics, they can also be leader they only need is opportunity but there not single people in politics. According to census of Nepal 2011 there are 1.94 percent disable people in Nepal. Disability is often said as a curse or impact of previous year. At the concluding point he said that disability is an accident and disable people are also part of the society. Youth are the future world so it’s the responsibility of youths to maintain harmony including all the groups of people. Youth can help disable people in different ways instead of giving them money.

10. Youth Discourse on Climate Change and Sustainable Development A youth discourse on the topic “Sustainable Development and Climate Change” in order to celebrate World Environment Week on 9 June 2017. The main objective of the program was to enhance the knowledge of youths on the issue of Sustainable Development and the contemporary issue of the world; Climate Change. The resource person of the program was Mr. Manjeet Dhakal. The program was moderated by the social work trainee from NIMS college. The youth discourse on Sustainable Development and Climate Change started with introduction of the participants. After which resource person Mr. Dhakal initiated the program with the concept of Climate Change.

During the presentation resource person Mr. Dhakal explained how climate change is taken in planning of Nepal and also in the the budget framework. He said Nepal don’t have strategical planning which could not be achieved according to the plan. Nepal has planned to promote forest resources by 40% and also planned to promote alternative sources like solar energy, wind energy and hydroelectricity.

11. Youth Discourse on “SDG and rights of person with disabilities”

Youth Advocacy Nepal in coordination with National Disabled Youth Network ( NDYN) organized a youth discourse on “SDGs and rights of person with disabilities” on 19 June 2017 at the office premises of National Disable Federation; Bhrikutimandap. The resource person of the program was Mr. Narendra Khatiwada; President of Youth Advocacy Nepal.

The program started with informal introduction session and then the facilitator Mr. Khatiwada shared on the topic SDGs and rights of person with person with disabilities. In the presentation he described the concept of Sustainable Development. He said that sustainable development is that development technique which meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs concerning social, environmental and economic aspect in balance way. Mr. Khatiwada next explained about the elements of sustainable development and discusses about the evolution of SGDs. Again in the presentation he described about the principles of SDGs. According to him Universality, Leaving no one behind, Integration, Reaching furthest first, Engagement are the five major principles of SDGs. Then he discussed about the issues and challenges of SDGs. After the presentation the floor was opened for the participants for their queries, comment and suggestions. At the end of the program, program moderator Mr. Mahendra Thapa President of National Disable Youth Network (NDYN) thanked the resource person for the remarkable information and also thanked all the participants for effective participation.

12. Youth in Discourse: Social Movement and Sustainable Development a youth discourse on the topic Social Movement and Sustainable Development Goal on 7 July 2017 at Sungabha Foodland, Baluwatar. The resource person of the program was Mr. Kalyan Bhakta Mathema. The objective of the program was to enhance the knowledge of youths in the issue of Social Movement in relation to Sustainable Development. The program was facilitated by Mr. Narendra Khatiwada, President of Youth Advocacy Nepal. After the short introduction of the participants the program started with the paper presentation by the resource person of the program Mr. Kalyan Bhakta Mathema.

During the presentation he firstly described about sustainable development goals. He said in 2015, the government from different countries around the globe came together for United Nations summit on sustainable development goals. He again said that SDGs have allowed more space and greater role for the private sector than the MDGs and the human rights aspect of development and reduction of poverty. During the presentation he also discussed how the poverty is caused by neoliberalism. After the presentation by the resource person Mr. Mahendra Thapa, President of National Disable Youth Network (NDYN) shared his understanding on the issue. Dr. Uddhab Pyakurel in the program commented on the paper presented by the resource person Mr. Mathema. He

11 appreciated his in depth information but discussed the presentation was less likely concern about the relation of social movement and SDG. After the comments and suggestions by Dr. Pyakurel floor was opened for the participants for their queries, comments and suggestions.

13. Youth in Discourse: Eastern Philosophy a youth discourse on the topic Eastern Philosophy on 14 July 2017 at Anamnagar, Kathmandu. The resource person of the program was Mr. Tika Uchhai Thakuri. The program was facilitated by Ms. Sunita Bisunkhi. The program started with informal introduction of the participants. Mr. Tika Uchhai Thakuri at first defined what eastern philosophy is. He said Eastern philosophy is a diverse body approaches of life and philosophizing, particularly centered on understanding the process of the universe and the endless “becoming”. He said that Western culture, the term Eastern Philosophy refers very broadly to the various philosophies of the east. He again said that eastern thought developed independently of Western and Islamic thought, but has greatly influenced both in Modern times.

Next he described Philosophical and Religious traditions among which he described Hinduism and sanatan dharma. Sanatan dharma is generally considered to be the oldest major world religion. Hinduism is characterized by a diverse array of belief systems, practices. The most common to all Hindus is belief in Dharma, Reincarnation, Karma and Moksha of every soul through a variety of moral, action-based and meditative yogas. Resource person Mr. Thakuri further explained different other philosophy related to eastern philosophy. He also explained about the perception of God and God’s relationship to the universe and also the role and Nature of Individual. After the completion of the presentation on the topic by resource person Mr. Tika Uchhai Thakuri the floor was opened for the participants for their comments, queries and suggestions on the topic.

B. INTERNATIONAL ANTI-STREET HARASSMENT WEEK-2017 Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN) has celebrated International Anti-street Harassment week organizing different programs. This year the week was celebrated from April 2 to April 8 with various programs like social media campaigning, photo action and youth demonstration program. Anti- street harassment is celebrated every year with an objective to demoralize the immoral activities that happen in public spaces. Youth Advocacy Nepal has been celebrating International Anti-street Harassment week since 2014. Anti- street harassment week started with the meeting in order to decide possible programs to celebrate this global week.

1. Photo Action: Youth Advocacy Nepal organized a photo action in order to celebrate anti-street harassment week. Social Work trainee at YAN prepared slogans written in the paper after that photo were

12 clicked holding those slogans and posted in social media. The photo action was organized in order to aware people regarding anti-street harassment.

2. Youth Demonstration against Street Harassment: To celebrate this international week successfully; YAN organized various events like previous year. At the end of the week YAN organized a Youth demonstration program against the harassment against women, children, differently abled people, elderly people, third gendered at Maitighar Mandala, Kathmandu. The program started with holding placards with the slogans against street harassment. Speaking at the program Youth Activist Mr. Bikash K.C. said this type of campaign should not occupy only the streets of urban area but also should reach villages and remote places. Mr. Narayan Kadariya; another youth activist said that women friendly city can be only imagined if we treat other the same way we expect to be treated. Speaking at the program the president of NDYF Mr. Mahendra Thapa shared that disable people are treated very badly in public places so state should take this critical issue seriously. Human Right Activist Laxmi Khatiwada stated that until and unless the Nepalese society gets free from male dominated thinking women friendly society cannot be established. At the end of the program President of YAN Mr. Narendra Khatiwada said that this kind of social campaign is required to organize nation-widely not only harassment against women but against all forms of harassment.

C. COMMEMORATION OF SAFE CITY CAMPAIGN 1. Youth March for Safe City Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN) organized a rally on 20th May 2017 from Maitighar Mandala to Shantibatika, Kathmandu demanding safe city and women friendly public spaces. Cities are the platform of opportunities but our cities are not safe enough for women to grab those opportunities. In this regard, a mass of youth marched in the city of Kathmandu voicing the demand for separate policy to stop violence and harassment in public space against women and girls, appropriate number of gender sensitive public toilet

ensuring all facilities and many other appropriate demands.

The rally turned over to a corner meeting at Shantibatika. Addressing the corner meeting Mr. Mahendra Thapa, President of National Disable youth Network-NDYN said that the concept of safe city should go on action rather than in words. He further said that this type of campaign should not stick only in cities but they should reach in village areas too then only it can contribute to make safe city.

Speaking at the program, Ms. Renu Shrestha, a representative from Action Aid cities will be women and disable friendly only when we make specific laws against harassment in the streets

13 and public places. A representative from Mahila Ekta Samaj, Ms. Dhana Shrestha said unless there is the guarantee of safe city youth should collectively raise voice on the issue.

A student Pabitra Lama shared her personal experience of harassment in order to aware all that ever women should retort on the harassment in public spaces.

At the end of the program Mr. Narendra Khatiwada; President of Youth Advocacy Nepal said that this program was organized in order to aware against harassment at public spaces to women, disable, LGBTI and elderly people.

2. Dialogue on Role of Local Government in formation of Safe City

Youth Advocacy Nepal in partnership with Safe cities for Women, ActionAid, Mahila Ekta Samaj, Homenet, Mahila Adhikar Manch organized a workshop on 28 May 2017 in the topic “Role of Local Government in the Formation of Safe City” at Hardik Hotel, Bagbazar in order to celebrate "Safe City Week". The workshop was organized with an objective to create awareness to the youths and sensitize concerned stakeholders on gender based harassment in public spaces.

In context of Nepal, women, girls and LGBTI, each day, experience sexual violence and harassment in public places. The problem has been complicated more in cities and towns comparing to rural areas. To address these problems, government of Nepal has enacted some laws and policies. However, the level of implementation of these laws and policies is not promising. In fact, the issues have been neglected to some extent.

Hon. Ranju Kumari Jha, President of Women, Children, Elderly Citizen and Social Welfare Committee was the chief guest in the program. In the initial part of the program Mr. Narendra Khatiwada; President of Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN) highlighted key objective of the program whereas advocate Sunita Regmi was the paper presenter of the program. During the presentation she said discussed about the the concept of safe city and also discussed about the criteria of Safe city.

Speaking at the program the chief guest of the program Hon. Ranju Kumari Jha, President of Women, Children, Elderly Citizen and Social Welfare Committee she said program are there in ministries but no one know about those program so these information should be disseminated to the people and agrees on the campaign led by the youth and committed to work in the issue of youth. At the end of the program, Mr. Narendra Khatiwada President of Youth Advocacy Nepal thanked all respected guest, paper presenter and all the participants for their effective participation.

E. INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY 2016 1. Youth Friendly Football Tournament

Joint Youth Civil Society Forum, network of 36 youth led organizations including Youth Advocacy Nepal organized youth friendly football on 10 August 2016 at Chyasal ground, Lalitpur. There were eight teams to play this game. The team of the artist won the game. Dal Jit Sherpali, Minister of Youth and Sports was the chief guest of the program.

2. Youth March for Sustainable Development

A joint youth civil society forum, network of 36 youth organizations including youth Advocacy Nepal organized "Youth March for Sustainable Development" on 12 August 2016 from Bhrikutimadap to Shantibatika. There was the participation of more than 1 thousand young people from various backgrounds.

3. National Youth Conference

Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN) in partnership with ActionAid Nepal organized a National Youth conference on SDGs on 18 August 2016 at Hotel Indreni, New Baneshor. There was the participation of 31 districts. In the program, four papers had been presented in the parall way.

F. STRENGTHENING AND MOBILIZING YOUTH LEADERSHIP FOR RECONSTRUCTION

1. Formation of Youth Alliance Youth have demanded their meaningful participation in the recovery and reconstruction process in the program entitled “The role of youth in Reconstruction” organized by National Youth Alliance for Reconstruction in partnership with Visionary Youth Initiative Foundation Nepal. Speaking in the program, Raj Kumar Upreti, youth activist, emphasized to pay attention sustainable Development goals in reconstruction process. Similarly, the houses and cultural heritages cannot be reconstructed in Bhaktapur leaving 3 foot from the road, said by Ankur Neupane, right activist and journalist. Further, he requested youth to raise the issues in large scale. Speaking in the program, the capacity of youth should be enhanced on policy, program and plan adopted by National Reconstruction Authority (NRA) as youth have very limited knowledge on it, said by Prashain Man Bijukchhe, coordinator of Leo club of Kailash, Bhaktapur. Likewise, Chet Narayan Rasaili, president of Dalit Youth Alliance emphasized to understand reconstruction not only from physical point of view but also from social, economic and cultural point of view. In the program, Narendra Khatiwada had presented about reconstruction process and activities of NYAR. Participants had raised so many questions toward the presentation of Khatiwada which were addressed by him gradually. At the end of the program, with the view to contributing in recovery and reconstruction, five members Youth Alliance for Reconstruction, Byansi was formed in the leadership of Bindu Suwal.

DEMONSTRATION AND OTHER CELEBRATIONS 1. Memorandum Handover Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN) in partnership with 33 youth organizations provided the memorandum of Understanding regarding National youth council to Daljit Serpali, minister of Youth and Sports on 31 August 2016 at Singhadarbar, Kathmandu, Nepal. The objective behind providing memorandum to minister was to make National Youth council inclusive, effective and strong. The following points were highlighted in the memorandum: 1. According to essence of National Youth council Act, youths working in youth NGOs should be incorporated in the central structure of NYC. 2. Minimum 50 percent female youth should be appointed in the district youth committee. 3. Minimum 2 person with disabilities in the center and one person with disabilities should be appointed in the district youth committee. 4. Minimum a third gender youth should be appointed in the center. 5. Minimum 10 percent reservation should be allocated for youth NGOs. After handing over the memorandum, minister committed to address the issues raised by youth civil society. 2. Dialogue with Ministry of Youth and Sports

After calling the dialogue regarding National Youth council by Ministry of Youth and Sports, the dialogue between Ministry of Youth and Sports, National Youth council, joint youth civil society forum and Inter party youth alliance was held on 21 September 2016 at Singhadarbar. Joint Youth Civil Society includes the representation of 36 Youth NGOs. A consultative meeting was organized with joint youth civil society along with inter-party youth alliance. The consultative meeting was organized to prepare for the meeting with National Youth Council. The main agenda of the meeting was to reform National Youth Council. After a consultative meeting the team headed towards Ministry of Youth and Sports. The dialogue meeting was organized by National Youth Council in response to the memorandum submitted by Joint Youth Civil Society and Inter- Party Youth Alliance to the Honorable Youth and Sports Minister Daljit Shreepali. The meeting with National Youth Council started with the views of participants from Inter-party Youth Alliance, and other Youth organization. President of Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN) put the agenda forward. In the meeting Vice-chairperson of National Youth Council Mr. Madhav Dhungel told that reformation of National Youth Council is not the solution of every problem. He further explained that youth council should address problem of youth. In the dialogue program, all the members associated with inter party youth alliance and Joint youth civil society forum expressed their views regarding structure of the National youth council followed by response from vice president of National Youth council and Daljit shreepali,

16 minister of Youth and sports.Honorable Minister assured that this problem will be addressed as the problem is above him.

3. Demonstration demanding Schools as Peace Zone

Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN) participated in demonstration to protest against bomb explosion at school on 22 September 2016 at Maitighar Mandala. More than 200 people from various organization made their solidarity in the campaign.The demonstration program was organized to appeal the government to take action against the perpetrators who exploded the bomb in the school in the date 20 September 2016. Furthermore, the campaign aimed to demand concrete solutions to ensure children and education is safe. Participants from various sectors were involved in the protest program showing the plea-cards demanding punishments to the culprit. Children are the future of the nation and the bombing in the school proves that the schools and children are also not safe. Krishna Subedi, President of Child Nepal said that schools are the peace zone and to make it as a peace zone government should take necessary against the culprit.

4. Demonstration Program for the Approval of Impeachment on Lokman Singh Karki Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN) along with joint youth civil society forum jointly organized a demonstration program on 24 October 2016 at New Baneshwor, Kathmandu. The program was initiated as a demonstration program holding the plea cards with the slogan demanding parliament to approve impeachment on Lokman Singh Karki Chief Commissioner on CIAA. The program was followed by mimicry by the artist Arjun Sapkota. The was also supported by R.C. Sharma, President of YCL, Rameshwor Phuyal of CPN-UML and Ramhari Khatiwada, Member of Parliament from Nepali Congress. Addressing the demonstration program president of YCL Mr. R.C. Sharma said that no one is above law and constitution and the on-going activities are straight challenge to the citizen which is not acceptable. He also appealed the political parties not to step backward. Member of Parliament Rameshwor Phuyal of CPN-UML said that they have never wished for this day and the parliament will not fade away the movement. He told that Lokman Singh Karki’s property detail should be disclosed publicly. Again urged that the Lokman trend will be farewell forever and assured that citizen will win this movement. Addressing the program, Member of Parliament Ram Hari Khatiwada of Nepali Congress said that CPN-UML and UCPN-Maoist registered impeachment. He also assured that decision will be in the favor of citizen for that strong voice will be raised in the hall of parliament to approve impeachment. He again told that this is the right time to save Nepal and the Constitution. In the program social activists Chet Narayan Rasaily, Saroj Baniya, Saroj Dilu Vishwakarma, Mahendra Thapa, Bhim Lama also expressed their views.

5. Youth Pressurizing Program Youth Advocacy Nepal along with Youth Civil Society Forum jointly organized a youth pressuring program on date 19 February 2017 in New Baneshwor, Kathmandu. The pressurizing program was organized in order to pressure government to announce the date of local election. More than 25 youths from different background and youth-led organizations were involved in the program holding the slogans demanding local election. The slogans were specially focused on the need of local election. Different youth activists Chet Narayan Rasaili, Sanjog Thakuri, Kamal Subedi, Mahendra Thapa stressed that voting rights as the key element in democratic system and local election should be held on time. Nepal has been practicing the concept of decentralization since so long but it has been working without local representative. So, the pressuring program was organized to sensitize the government about the need of local election and announce the date of election.

6. March for Women’s Rights International Women’s Day is worldwide event that celebrate women’s achievements from the political to the social- while calling for gender equality. Since the early 1900s it has been observed and recognized each year on March 8. The original aim to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) is to achieve full gender equality for women the world has still not been realized. A gender pay gap persists across the globe and women are still not present in equal numbers in business or politics. In comparison to men, women’s education, health and violence towards women is still worse. On IWD, women across the world comes together to force the world to recognize these inequality whilst celebrating the achievements of women who have overcome these barriers. Youth Advocacy Nepal along with other like minded organizations jointly organized a March in order to celebrate Women's Day on 8 March 2017. The march was organized with the theme "March for Women's Right". It started from Samakhushi and ended at Machhapokhari of Kathmandu and turned into corner meeting.

7. Men’s March 4.0 Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN) along with other like minded organization organized Men's March on 8 March 2017 in regard to celebrate International Women's Day. The march started from Jawalakhel and ended at Mangalbazar. The main aim of the Men's march was to aware the people that men has equal role to minimize violence against women. The march was welcomed by female groups thanking them with orange colour balloon and then turned to corner meeting at Mangalbazar, Lalitpur.

8. Election Vigilance Program

Youth Advocacy Nepal organized Election Vigilance Program on 21 April 2017 at Shanti Batika, Kathmandu. The election vigilance program was organized with the theme “We for Fair Election”. The program started with holding plea cards along with the appeal to implement code of conduct literally and to implement voter education program effectively.

Speaking at the program president of INSEC Mr. Subodh Raj Pyakurel said local election that going to held on 14 May 2017 is the election that brings the era for youth and stressed to vote those youth who have dream, plan and efficiency. In the program he also wished to see youth leadership in next five years and appealed youth to be ready to take leadership. Speaking at the program president of National Disable Youth Federation (NDYF) Mr. Mahendra Thapa said every citizen should be aware to make the election fair and end all the activities that affect election. He also focused that election should not only be fair but it should be inclusive along with ownership.

Youth activist Mr. Pradip Pokhrel said we don’t have to regret till five years if we select right, capable candidate and to stop this regret voter education program should be implemented effectively. At the end of the program; President of Youth Advocacy Nepal Mr. Narendra Khatiwada said that election should be free, fair in the way of consent and for this purpose youth need to organize these types of warning programs constantly.

WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS 1. Presentation Skills Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN) organized a training on" Presentation skills" on 28 Septmber 2016 at YAN's office. The objective of the program was to empower you on how to speak well. The resource person for the program was Ramesh Subhechchu. A total of 20 youth were educated on presentation skills and knowledge.

The program was organized in coordination with Youth Advocacy Nepal and Positive Development Communication Centre (PDCC). The resource person of the program was Ramesh Shubechchu. The training on presentation skill was facilitated by Bhim Lama, President of PDCC. The program started with general introduction and then resource person Mr. Ramesh Shubechchu continued the program. According to him presentation ability is the power and a way to get opportunities. He further told that

19 most of the company especially automobile company hire psychologist to deal with customer so that they could counsel with their problem regarding the product and convince to buy. So, according to Mr. Shubechchu it’s the presentation skill that they were able to tackle with the situation.

Mr. Shubechchu told that Anchoring is a technical work and the art to make the program successful. Where, what program and who are the guest should be well known before anchoring and anchor should be well known about the issue. Resource person further enlightened that the main credit goes to anchoring in making any program successful or unsuccessful.

The training on Presentation Skill was followed by the practice on presentation among the participants. At the end of the program resource person told that presentation is not the great thing but presentation by knowing the context is necessary.

2. An Orientation on Writing Concept Paper In order to empower "Interns" working at Youth Advocacy Nepal (YAN) in developing the concept paper on various social issues, YAN organized a workshop inviting Mr. Chet Narayan Rasaili and Dipak Soni as resource persons as YAN's office, Anamnagar on 17 February 2017.

3. Youth Democracy Camp

Youth Democracy Camp (YDC) is a five days long residential training course for youth at Kot Danda of Lalitpur district. The core objective of the camp was to enhance the knowledge, ideas and experience of youth on democratic models, its cultures and role of youth to strengthen the democratic practices in Nepal. The Youth Democracy Camp was organized from the date 21st to 25th November 2016.

The participants were from different community with different educational background. The camp lasted for five days in order to educate youths about theories and practices of democracy as well as their roles in promoting and strengthening democratic practice in the country share ideas on the issue of democracy and other interrelated topics.

The Last day of the Youth Democracy Camp was started with small hiking around Kot Danda and next session was facilitated by Bimal Kumari Phnuyal on Participatory Democracy. The session was followed by group work. The democracy camp was concluded with certificate distribution to the participants. More than 20 participants from different background participated the camp.

Organizational Activities

1. Board Members

20 There are seven members in the executive board member. Narendra Khatiwada- President Sanjay Khadka- General Secretary Meena Majhakoti- Secretary Geeta Chaudhari- Treasurer Rama Bhattarai- Member Nisha Bhujel- Member Ganesh Dhami- Member

2. Board Meetings Within the year 2073/74, YAN Executive Committee held the meeting for 14 times.

3. Publications YAN published a youth dialogue book entitled “Yuwa Sambad 3” which comprises various articles regarding dialogue program organized by Youth Advocacy Nepal. YAN also published a book entitled “Nepal Youth Journal” which is the compilation academic journals related to Youth and Education.