OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 OTHE rganisation Vol. 8 Issue 1 JANUARY - MARCH 2005

EDITORIAL

Organisation Development Centre (ODC) s it a form of population control? Or is it Mother Nature wreaking havoc on already G.P.O.Box 8975 EPC 2637 I impoverished and devastated countries? This time it was a Tsunami. This region has Kathmandu, Nepal been tormented by conflict, epidemics and poverty throughout history. The most recent calamity Ph: 5554067, 5554063, 5551979 has been the Tsunami which killed over 155,000 people in South and Southeast Asia and Africa. E-mail: [email protected] How can countries that are repeatedly affected by such disasters deal with such unreal destruction? The mass graves, destroyed infrastructure, stolen lives, and unimaginable damage are almost www.odcincorp.com unreal.

This issue of Organisation THE is about involving a new generation in leadership and nation building. Acting Editor Collectively the youth have immense social, economic and political power, but they are continuously JENNY O’CONNOR confronted by social, political, economic and environmental challenges added to many external challenges of which they have no control over. Graphic Designer With high unemployment, few opportunities, and the deteriorating conflict situation, youth today SANJOJ MAHARJAN are facing more difficulties than past generations. Youth are seen as future leaders, some replacing the leaders and decision-makers of today. But they remain sidelined, with little or no Operational Support involvement in policy making. As the conflict situation in the country worsens, the youth, instead NIMESH DHUNGANA of being actively involved in bringing about the peace process, are increasingly beginning to search for opportunities abroad, away from the stress and danger posed by the conflict. The country faces increased migration because people cannot find opportunities in Nepal and are Illustration looking to other countries that offer alternative educational and professional prospects. Also, BASU KSHITIZ urban migration has become a trend—youth are leaving their rural homes due to a lack of jobs, good education, and opportunities, and as a result of the conflict which has hit rural Nepal hard. Cover Design This is also a population group that does not have a focused collective and representative voice. VISUAL COMMUNICATORS Student activists continue to be heard, but often, they are talking more about partisan issues rather than issues affecting the voiceless in their lot. In a country where people are fighting Printer against poverty on a daily basis, the added stress of the conflict has multiplied the hardships. DOT PRINTS

This issue of Organisation THE addresses the youth of Nepal and some of the issues and challenges they are facing and are addressing in their own ways. Mr. Bhagirath Yogi argues about the need Publisher ODC INC. to integrate youth into the media effort in order to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. Another piece, by Mr. Binod Bhattarai, discusses how the media can influence and help the achievement of the millennium goals. Two other articles by Mr. Arun Rana and Mr. Sumit Sharma write about the power of youth and their integral role in nation building.

OrganisationTHE is published four times a year. It is a magazine dealing with management and organisational issues of the This issue also creates a forum of discussion with young people—entrepreneurs, rural youth, service and development sectors. The contents of this community volunteers, and media. In light of the recent catastrophe that struck South and publication may not be reproduced in any form without prior Southeast Asia and Africa, this issue addresses the Tsunami disaster in the context of Nepal’s consent of the publisher. Opinions expressed in this magazine own disaster preparedness. A special cover story by Dr. Ken Afful deals with the Tsunami are that of the authors’, and do not necessarily reflect that of phenomenon and lessons to be learned from such an unprecedented disaster. A special pullout the publisher. is also included on Management Practices in Supra-Normal Conditions: Outcomes of a Roundtable Discussion and Seminar that took place during 2004 on how to deal with the twin phenomena Editorial inquiries and submissions can be forwarded to the of natural disasters and armed conflict in Nepal. Editorial Team at [email protected], or at the address mentioned above. We thank all of our contributors for their continued support. They have created energy and

passion in this issue of Organisation THE . We always welcome your comments or suggestions, on the basis of which we constantly strive to improve our magazine. The ODC Inc. family grieves with all of the families that have been affected by the earthquake Forthcoming Theme: in Southeast Asia and the aftermath which has affected millions. May the New Year help us cope The Social and Political with the disaster and encourage us to collectively strive to make the world a safer place. Integration of Women: New Roles and Identities EDITOR DELSEY ad. OTHE rganisation Vol. 8 Issue 1 JANUARY - MARCH 2005

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4 CONTENTS 10

COVER ESSAY EMERGING CONCEPT 4 Saying Good Bye to 2004 38 The Power of Positive Deviance – Ken Afful – Prucia Buscell PERSPECTIVE DISCUSSION 10 Millennium Development Goals: A Role for the Youth – Bhagirath Yogi 28 Lessons from the Devastation – Mohan Das Manandhar 15 Role of the media in promoting youth participation for achieving the MDGs 43 Challenges and Opportunities of Asian Youth – Binod Bhattarai – Pralhad Giri

RURAL PERSPECTIVE INTERVIEWS 21 Youth in the Periphery – An interview with Dinesh Pathak and Raksha Ojha 46 David O’Connor 49 Vishnu Agarwal OPINION 24 Genuine Leadership and Public Advocacy: LEISURE A New Thought For The Emerging Generation of Nepal 52 La’soon Restaurant & Vinotheque – Arun Rana BUSINESS 29 The Way Forward: Institutionalised Youth Movement 54 Business Advantage in Nepal interview with Deependra Tandon and Subu Shrestha – Sumit Sharma ‘Sameer’ PROFILE PULLOUT 33 Talking to Youth: Sathi Sanga Man Ka Kura Process Report - Anniversary Seminar: Management 36 Junior Red Cross (JRC) Practices in Supra-Normal Conditions cover essay SAYING GOOD BYE TO 2004

BY KEN AFFUL*

“Gruesome scenes met emergency teams in the worst hit countries of Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia and Thailand, while the death tolls ticked up even in the less affected areas of Malaysia, the Maldives and Myanmar. As survivors were evacuated from stricken areas tales of the full horror of carnage wrought by the tidal waves emerged: babies torn from their parents' hands, children and the elderly hurled out to sea from their homes, entire villages swept away ” Asian News Website December 26, 2004.

As I began to write this article, untapped energies for the good of the world. Christmas. It was the first time in my life I attempting to review the year 2004 and My questions can wait. What I would like heard the word ‘Tsunami.’ Within days I had focusing on youth in development, little did to ask now, especially to governments and learned enough about the natural I know that events would take such a the people in the South, is what can we do phenomenon’s power to kill and destroy. dramatic and disastrous turn. I was also to mitigate the untold suffering caused by The Tsunami remains the most shocking unaware that the killings and destruction of death and destruction all of us witnessed as event of 2004. People in 12 countries in 2004 had not yet come to an end. In my we entered 2005? South, South East Asia and Africa, were article I had intended to focus on the A disaster of gargantuan proportions going about their normal duties; Christians enthusiasm, creativity and the innovativeness struck Asia on December 26th when much were perhaps at church and were continuing of youth and ask how we intend to use their of the Christian world was still celebrating with the celebrations; thousands of fishermen

* Dr. Afful is the Senior Advisor at ODC Inc.

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and women were out at sea as they region. “Although waves swamped had been doing for centuries; tourists parts of the Sumatran coast and on holiday were relaxing on the nearby islands within minutes, there beaches or in their hotels. A year to would have been time to alert more the day after a quake in the Iranian distant communities if the Indian city of Bam killed over 30,000 people, Ocean had a warning network like on the morning of the 26th, in a that in the Pacific,” said Dr. Tad Murty, matter of minutes, their world, and an expert on the region's tsunamis. ours, changed forever. Unexpected Dr Murty is affiliated with the seismic sea waves rose 10 metres high, University of Manitoba in Winnipeg. caused by a powerful undersea earthquake agencies warned that the victims would Much more could have been done to measuring 9.0 on the Richter Scale. It was require long-term aid and psychological provide early warning to prevent the said to be the world’s strongest earthquake support as the region struggles with recovery. mayhem. Warnings systems are already in in 40 years with its epicentre under the ocean They added that children would need extra place in the US. The seismic and satellite near Sumatra. The Tsunami swept through care as they come to terms with the trauma warning systems have been installed to the ocean and across countries bringing resulting from the loss of families. In this provide early warning to states bordering suffering, death and destruction. The review I have decided to raise some questions the Pacific Ocean, where smaller scale coastlines of South Asia lie strewn with for which I have no answers. We, as tsunamis are recorded each year. The bodies and millions of livelihoods that were development practitioners in the South, question that most of us are asking is how swept away in an instant and without should make it our priority to find answers. is it that such a warning system has not warning. The dead includes a large number been installed to warn the countries that are of children. Thousands are left orphaned Could something have been now victims of the most devastating Tsunami and homeless. done to prevent this? in recent times? “Is this the fate that we had planned As if the world has not had enough With enormously high population for? My darling, you were the only hope for killing and destruction in 2004, this densities in many parts of coastal southern me," a young man cried for one of the train phenomenon will leave us asking why now, Asia, the region should have started setting victims, his university sweetheart, as Buddhist when we have mastered technology to such up such a network long ago, said Dr. Murty. monks prayed nearby.” (ABC News an extent in terms of detecting the earth’s Other scientists have voiced similar concerns. 28/12/004). movements and predicting natural disasters? At the June 2004 meeting of the Seven days after the Tsunami Could the experts not have forewarned Intergovernmental Oceanographic phenomenon, the UN estimated that about people of this devastating act of nature? Commission, a United Nations body, experts 150,000 people were dead, several Were geologists not aware of the seismic concluded that the "Indian Ocean has a thousands missing and property worth events before the waves struck land? If they significant threat from both local and distant billions of dollars destroyed. About 5 million were, was there any attempt to communicate tsunamis" and should have a warning people were without food, water and shelter; to potentially vulnerable countries? Experts network. But Dr. Murty said India, Thailand, 1.8 million needed emergency food suggest that the movement was detected Malaysia and other countries in the region assistance and it is likely that the casualties and some attempts were made to "see this as a Pacific problem." will rise. About a quarter of the victims are communicate to some of the countries. They At local levels it appears that there were said to be children. UN Secretary General also suggest that the lack of a Tsunami no plans to evacuate people from the coast, Kofi Annan called it “an unprecedented warning system in the Indian Ocean and hotels were oblivious of the impending global catastrophe” that called for “an essentially guaranteed the devastation that doom. Although in Thailand and Malaysia unprecedented global response.” Aid swept across coastal communities in the some individual attempts were made to warn

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people, they were too little, too late. According 50 million pounds pledged by the British I believe that these countries have the to Professor Stott, Emeritus Professor of government. Nepal’s one hundred thousand know-how and the capacities to re-build Biogeography at the University of London, if dollar donation to Sri-Lanka is commendable. their countries. Support will continue to be even the most rudimentary structures had Artists, sportsmen and sportswomen, actors, required in many areas for a long time. The been in place for alerting and evacuating musicians and many others have made compassion shown by the citizens of the people a short distance from the beaches contributions. Some renowned musicians world should continue if victims, especially and bays, thousands of lives might have been are planning to organise LiveAid, similar to the children who make up 25 % of them, saved. Unfortunately, such measures require an event organised 10 years ago during the are to be helped to rebuild their lives. effective regional and local government, Ethiopian famine. something absent in many parts of South Coping with natural disasters Asia. In the province of Aceh in northern Fulfilling pledges: Will the real Natural disasters are unavoidable but victims benefit? Sumatra, where the Indonesian government their impacts can be minimised. Humanity The world has often responded to is waging a long-term war on rebel separatists, has devised systems and technologies to the local government has broken down. disasters with immense generosity. In recent mitigate the impact of the destruction. This disasters in Bam, Haiti and now in the year alone we have had devastating storms National and international Tsunami-affected countries, support has been and floods in Florida, Haiti, in several parts response tremendous. The question I ask is: What of China that caused significant damages. Hundreds of rescue teams from all over happens when media attention is diverted to Torrential rainfall from Hurricane Jeanne the world are already in the affected areas other global trouble spots? Will the victims produced floods that claimed nearly 3,000 to rescue people and to assist in the recovery be forgotten as has happened in the past? process. The international and humanitarian And what about actually fulfilling pledges? lives in Haiti in September. The disaster came aid agencies and local organisations are at It is known that it takes time for a pledge to after floods and landslides in Haiti and the work providing assistance to these victims. actually filter through to the recipients. As Dominican Republic in late May killed more Some 40 countries have pledged a total of Sue Arnold wrote in the Cape Times than 2,000 people and left several thousand two billion dollars to assist the tsunami (December 2004) “A year after Bam, President others homeless. Hurricane damage in the victims rebuild their lives. The UN and other Mohammad Khatami is claiming that only United States and the Caribbean was humanitarian aid agencies are at the £17 million of the £1 billion worth of estimated at $43 billion. forefront. In Britain alone, ordinary people international aid promised has been delivered; In some of these countries technology dug deep into their pockets to send a 16 years after the Armenian quake, only 50 has made it possible for warnings to be phenomenal 60 million pounds (70.5 million of the 256 houses destroyed in the village of given in advance so that people can get out euros, 96 million dollars), far exceeding the Saramej have been rebuilt. Families there are of harms way. Japan, an earthquake prone still living in railway country, has elaborate systems and plans to carriages and container ensure that as many people as possible are truck. With so many not affected by quakes. The disasters have foreign tourists among also prompted countries to improve physical the casualties, December infrastructure and the speed and quality of 26th’s tsunami victims response in order to ensure that structural can expect masses of damages are minimised. In December 2003, international aid, but a massive quake rocked Iran killing some how much of it will filter through to tiny rural 30,000 Iranians prompting the revision of communities?” building strategies. The hurricanes that battered the Caribbean and typhoons and

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levelled portions of Japan during the past to obtain. The question is thus not so much The state of poverty of these countries year inspired planners to devise better one of scientific expertise and cost but of often makes it difficult for the affected evacuation systems. the international political will to share existing populations to be adequately prepared for Scientists are constantly making efforts scientific expertise worldwide. Three things disasters. Politics also play an important part to improve disaster responses, and to devise should follow immediately from this tragedy, in a country’s ability to effectively prepare mechanisms to mitigate the impacts. These suggests Prof. Philip Stott. First, international citizens to cope with disasters. Putting measures also aim to ensure that the loss of and regional networks must be set up for technology in place is a step in the right lives and destruction of property are all ocean areas to gather and share direction, but it must be appropriate. Putting minimised. Despite all these efforts, natural information on major seismic events. The warning instruments in vulnerable locations disasters will continue to underscore the argument of national security must not be is not good enough if these fail to detect susceptibility of our lives especially in the most allowed to prevent this from happening. warnings due to a lack of maintenance or vulnerable geographical locations on earth. Secondly, and even more importantly, ocean inappropriateness to the environment. People According to Professor Philip Stott, regions have to establish quick and effective must be trained to monitor and inform warning system or no warning system, this mechanisms for issuing two to three-hour potentially affected areas when warning signs was always going to be a massive disaster warnings of imminent threats. Finally, each are detected. Warning systems only work if for two reasons, one unavoidable, the second state must have systems in place for the authorities national and local can use the avoidable. First, the geological location of communicating warnings to coastal information and devise simple plans for short- the earthquake was particularly unfortunate. authorities and to hotels, which in turn term defensive action. The problem often is Generated from beneath the Indian Ocean should have their own local plans of that the appropriate information is not shared along the great plate boundary and fault evacuation. between the different institutions dealing line that exists between the Indo-Australian with disasters. Often one government Ministry and the European earth plates, the The poor and the vulnerable will not share vital information with another. earthquake meant that ocean wave The painful truth is that disasters After there was a massive loss of lives development—the creation of those deadly (natural or man-made) affect poorer and property in the affected areas, there is tsunamis—could take place unhindered in countries and poorer communities the talk of laying down the groundwork for a all directions, with every state of the Indian hardest. Earthquakes, floods, landslides life-saving Indian Ocean tsunami alert system. Ocean exposed to the impact. and wars, famines, environmental “Talks about setting up a warning system Moreover, throughout the Indian Ocean, degradation, epidemics and others affect similar to the one in the Pacific Ocean will millions of poor people inhabit vulnerable the poor more than the rich. Writing in take place at the UN-sponsored World low-lying coasts and islands, eking out a the Cape Times, (online 28-12-2004) Sue Conference on Disaster Reduction in Kobe, living from fishing, from the mangrove Arnold lamented that natural disasters Japan,” said Dr Laura Kong, director of the swamps, and from tourism. Unsurprisingly, always seem to dump on the poorest International Tsunami Warning Centre in the 500-mile-long Andaman and Nicobar communities of the Third World. “Every Hawaii. Governments in the affected areas Islands were badly hit. year thousands of Bangladeshis, whose of the South Asian Region are making The second reason that this was going average income is less than a dollar a preparations to rebuild their countries. Long- to be a major disaster is political. The excuses week, are swamped by typhoons and tidal term recovery was the focus of an emergency for not having urgent warning measures in waves. To make their homes flood-proof, summit of donors in Jakarta. place for the Indian Ocean are that tsunamis by erecting low walls made of concrete are rarer there than in the Pacific and the blocks containing a specially designed Nepal’s readiness to respond to system would not justify the costs. Yet, the reinforcing agent, would cost less than natural disasters geological and satellite information is already $10 a family, but the government simply Nepal is a disaster prone country, due being generated and should not be expensive can't afford it”. to its remote topography and fragile geology.

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Nepal is especially earthquake prone as it Nepal is partly attributed to the lack of a action, enhanced community participation, falls under a seismically active zone and has comprehensive disaster risk management risk management, and vulnerability reduction experienced major and minor earthquakes policy and an adequate institutional in development planning. PDMP also focuses in the past; experts are warning of a possible framework, which prevent effective on strengthening the capacities of local and major earthquake in the near future. Nepal interventions. Additionally, there is no community institutions to manage and also continues to experience incessant centralised information sharing network on reduce risk, information exchange, flooding, mudslides and landslides during disaster reduction initiatives. The most knowledge networking, and awareness- the annual monsoons. Disasters like vulnerable are the poor rural communities. raising educational activities.” Several other hailstorms and lightening forest/bush fires Major efforts have been made by the initiatives have been taken by other are also seasonal occurrences. It has also government and international organisations organisations to help prepare vulnerable been forecasted that it may not be long to develop approaches and systems for communities to deal with natural disasters. before Nepal may face a major glacial lake managing natural disasters and reducing But as the Tsunami disaster has shown, it outburst flood (GLOF) and avalanche, which vulnerability in high-risk communities. takes concerted and coordinated efforts by if preventative measures are not taken, could BCPR/UNDP, together with national and governments, international and national cause serious damage to life and property. international development organisations organisations and communities to ensure According to the Department of Narcotics such as the National Red Cross Society, the that effective disaster management strategies and Disaster Management and other studies, National Society for Earthquake Technology, and programmes are in place at national, of the 75 districts in the country, 49 are USAID/OFDA, JICA/JAPAN, DFID-UK, have district and village levels. prone to floods/landslides, 23 are prone to formulated a "Participatory Disaster fire (forest/bush) and one is prone to Management Programme" (PDMP). The Managing under supra-normal windstorms. A total of 64 out of 75 districts PDMP also involves local authorities, women, conditions in the country are prone to disasters ethnic and other groups. The programme The Organisation Development Centre (Department of Narcotics and Disaster document “highlights national review of Incorporated (ODC Inc.), in a series of studies, Management, MOHA, PDMP-UNDP policy, coordinated and efficient government has developed a concept of managing under 1998/99). supra-normal conditions. This is a condition that accounts for natural disasters and civil Disaster prevention efforts conflicts. ODC Inc. suggests that there is As already stated, natural disasters an urgent need for strategies to be cannot be stopped, but measures can be formulated, programmes be developed, taken to prevent major destruction and loss implemented and coordinated by the of lives. Preventative measures including government, development agencies, civil mass education to create awareness are of society organisations and communities the utmost importance. The effects of working together to prevent, manage and natural disasters have shown the necessity monitor disasters and conflicts and their to intensify international cooperation for impacts. disaster mitigation to protect the lives and magazine in 2003, I wrote about livelihoods of people. The frequency and management strategies applicable for severity of natural disasters have increased managing conflicts and natural disasters. in recent years, and those trends are I defined a supra-normal condition as a expected to continue well into future. situation that exceeds the normal but in According to a BCPR/UNDP study (2002) a critical (negative) context. In situations the heavy toll resulting from disasters in where conditions become critically

8 OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 cover essay

abnormal due to influences outside the and evenings, is here and is already whatever they had. Nepal can be proud to environment of the community, the producing casualties in the poorer be one of the first countries in the South community is adversely affected. And communities in the Terai. Spring will come to provide support. The good news is that although such conditions are not permanent and bring its storms, lightening and many of us in the South have not lost our they often have long-term negative impacts hailstorms. Then it will be monsoon season sense of giving even in the chaotic socio- on the communities that are affected. Given and there will be floods, landslides and economic environment that we live in. We the situation, there is uncertainty and related health hazards. Should the conflict continue to give both as our religious and unpredictability in communities on continue, it is likely that disaster prevention social duties. We should continue to give responding to the supra-normal conditions. or response will suffer because of diversion even more as it is our moral obligation to Although the conditions that cause armed of resources and attention or both. help those who are less fortunate than conflicts and those that result in natural ourselves. disasters are different, the impacts on Response It is important to note that the world communities are the same in terms of the Will we learn from the lessons from today, with its information technologies, is devastation. natural disasters especially the tsunami By changing the focus and looking at phenomenon? With the country in conflict a global village, which enables events to natural disasters in light of the current and the economy almost at a standstill, the be transmitted even to the remotest villages. conflict situation in Nepal, we can see that situation does not bode well for peace and It is, therefore, impossible for people not the natural disasters can only compound economic growth. International and civil affected by disasters to ignore those that the downward spiralling scenario created society organisations, however, continue have been affected. It is imperative that by the conflict. Separately the two are highly efforts to encourage the resolution of the those of us not physically affected empathise disruptive and devastating, but together conflict. Perhaps we should listen to the and help. We should not only send they create an abnormal amount of stress words of Gene Hoffman, "If I go into the condolences and moral support, we should on affected communities and the country world to win, to control, to make peace also share our resources, including money as a whole (The Organisation, Volume 6 through coercion, or to prove the and expertise, with the victims of nature’s issue 4, October – December 2003). (The righteousness of my position—there is no violence. outcome from a seminar on managing way I can come to reconciliation. For “You are living in the period of time under supra-normal conditions is published reconciliation to occur, I need to have a that will produce more change for humanity in this magazine). respect for the divine in the opposition and than any previous era in history. It is a time Even in these early days of 2005 the enough humility to know that I don't have of extraordinary importance that will conflict shows no sign of abating. Attempts all truth on my side." fundamentally reshape almost every aspect at initiating peace talks have not been The world’s citizens have woken up to successful. The signs are that the killings the challenges of the Tsunami disaster. of your life during the next two decades. and destruction will continue until a long- Citizens of many countries have not only Wholesale change is taking place in almost term settlement is reached. Meanwhile expressed sorrow but have also given every segment of your reality—and the pace seasonal natural disasters will not wait. The generously to support the victims. The rich will only increase in the coming years.” winter season, with its very cold mornings gave generously while the poor shared John Peterson: The Road to 2015 n

REFERENCES 3. Revkin Andrew C. -“With No Alert System, Indian Ocean Nations Were Vulnerable,” 1. Afful Ken -“Managing Under Supra-Normal Conditions,” The Organisation, Vol. 6 The New York Times (On-line), 27th December 2004. Issue 4, October – December 2003. 2. Arnold Sue - “Natural Disasters and The Poor In The Third World,” Cape Times 4. Stott Phillip - “It is man-made failings that allow natural disasters to wreak havoc,” (On-line), 28th December 2004. Times (On-line), 29th December 2004.

OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 9 Perspective

MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS: A Role for the Youth1

BY BHAGIRATH YOGI*

Introduction of the ministers’ official residence in take up assignments in remote districts l Thousands of youth take to the streets Pulchowk on September 30. They were of the Mid-western region. There they chanting slogans against the protesting against the recent increases will engage in development activities, government and Islamic militants. They in the price of petroleum products. especially in the areas of health and burn tyres, vandalise offices of over The protesters’ burn clashed with the education. They are committed to serve 200 manpower agencies, attack police. Police detained some two-dozen the people in remote areas and gather mosques and offices of General Sales activists who were later released. practical life experiences in the process. Agent of foreign airlines and media l Some two-dozen students, most of companies on September 1, 2004. them young women, were taking part The aforesaid examples speak volumes Reason: To protest the killing of 12 in an orientation programme organised about the situation of the Nepali youth. Nepalis in Iraq. by the National Development Volunteer And if morning shows the day, the examples l Dozens of youth supporting the Service (NDVS) in Baluwatar in point towards the future young men and opposition parties protested in front September. After the training, they will women of Nepal—today’s youth.

* A Kathmandu-based journalist, Mr. Yogi was with the BBC Nepali Service in London until recently. 1 This paper was presented at a workshop for journalists organised by the Nepal Press Institute

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Youth is not only a formative period, Maoist guerrillas are below the age of 16. According to the report Nepal has but also one of the must productive phases The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) made satisfactory progress in the areas of of one’s life. The Greek philosopher, refutes such reports but say a growing social and human development over the Aristotle, considered people between 7 to number of students have been attracted past ten years but poverty still remains a It is estimated that Nepali youth will constitute towards their revolution. major challenge. Let us now look at how Reporters visiting the areas Nepal fared in each of the goals. nearly 30 percent of the total population by that are considered as Maoist According to officials, if the security the year 2011. strongholds say they have situation does not deteriorate further, Nepal 45 years of age as youth. Hindu scriptures seen young children working as messengers would be able to attain only four out of divide life into four ‘ashrams’ and designate for the rebels and some even carrying socket the eight MDGs by 2015. That is Nepal the period between 6 to 25 years as bombs. Hundreds of youth continue to flee would be able to attain the goals such as ‘brahmacharyashrama’ or a period of the country every day. In villages where the halving poverty and hunger; achieving celibacy. This is also a period when the conflict is most intense, mainly women and universal primary education; reducing child young generally study and also when they the elderly look after acquire life skills. their homes and Reporters visiting the areas that are considered Western societies refer to people agriculture because as Maoist strongholds say they have seen between 14–17 years as adolescents and most of the youth have young children working as messengers for those between 18 to 26 years as young migrated in search of the rebels and some even carrying socket adults. In a report submitted to Nepal’s work and safety or both. bombs. Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture in 1996, the High-Level Task Force on Youth The MDGs mortality by two-thirds; and reducing the Activities recommended that people in the Nepal endorsed the Millennium proportion of people without sustainable age group of 15–29 years be considered Declaration at the United Nations General access to safe drinking water by half. as youth in Nepal. Assembly in September 2000. The Other MDGs including, eliminating the Out of Nepal’s total population of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are gender disparity in primary and secondary 23.15 million (July 2003), those in the 15 centred around eight major goals: education; reducing by three quarters the to 29 age bracket number 6.13 million l Eradicate poverty and hunger; maternal mortality ratio; halting and (Central Bureau of Statistics). Of these l Achieve universal primary education; reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria people, women constitute 51.8% and men l Promote gender equality and empower and other diseases; as well as the goal of 48.17%. women; developing an integrated global partnership Based on the population size and l Reduce child mortality; for development are unlikely to be achieved. growth rate of children below 14 years of l Improve maternal health, To achieve Goal 1, Nepal needs to bring age, it is estimated that Nepali youth will l Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other down the level of poverty (people who have constitute nearly 30 percent of the total diseases; an income of less than US$ 1 a day) to less population by the year 2011. l Ensure environmental sustainability; and than 21% of the total population by 2015— l Develop a global partnership for from the 42% in 1990. Impact of conflict development. The mid-term review by the Nepali youth are among the population In 2002, the government, together government in 2000 showed that the group that is most affected by the nine- with the United Nations country team, poverty level had decreased to 38%. year old Maoist insurgency. Those that are prepared the first progress report on the Preliminary reports of the most recent in the battlefield are mainly young men and status of attainment of the Millennium Nepal Living Standard Survey (NLSS) women. Reports say up to one-third of the Development Goals (MDGs). conducted by the Central Bureau of

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Statistics (CBS) is expected to show that 2001. The quality of drinking water will service. In districts like Achham, in Nepal’s there has been a significant drop in the have to be improved while expanding it to Far Western region, for example, there are poverty level, to probably as low as 30 80 percent of the population by 2015. two male doctors for a population of about percent. This, officials say, has resulted The Tenth Five Year Plan (2002–07) 200,000, more than 50 percent of whom mainly due to the high remittances sent aims to address gender and ethnic/caste- are women. by Nepalis working abroad which has related disparities and to [The Tenth FiveYear Plan] does not specifically injected cash into the rural economy. The facilitate social inclusion. remittance has increased, on an annual The plan identifies what it address the problems being faced by the average, by as much as 30 percent over describes as hard-core poor, country’s youth or the issue of harnessing assetless, disadvantaged the last seven years. According to their potential for nation building. estimates, Nepal gets as much as US$ 1.25 groups, indigenous billion in remittances every year. communities, people living in remote areas, Furthermore, the goal of halting and Regarding the target of achieving female-headed households and women, reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS, malaria universal primary education, the latest but it does not specifically address the and other diseases is also least likely to be statistics show that as much as 82% of problems being faced by the country’s youth attained. In fact, the Progress Report states children (between the age of 6 to 10 years) or the issue of harnessing their potential that the HIV prevalence rate among adults go to school but only 67% of them for nation building. (15–49 years old) in Nepal would increase complete primary education. The from 0.29% of total population in 2000 to government is now implementing the Miles to go 2% in 2015. The malaria incidence also “Education For All by 2015” campaign, Nepal lags behind in terms of achieving remains high. In 2000, 29 of 100,000 which is aimed at meeting the MDG goals. one of the most critical goals which is to people were diagnosed with malaria. The reduction of child mortality by provide universal primary education to girls. The eighth goal related to global two-thirds is another goal. “There has been At present, the percentage of girls to boys development integration will depend largely a considerable reduction in under-5 in primary education (gross enrolment) is on how much developed countries open up mortality within the last three decades. 78 (compared to 56 in 1990); in secondary their markets to developing countries, including From the very high rate of more than 200 education (grade 6–10) it is 71; and in higher the least developed ones such as Nepal. per 1000 live births in 1972 (and 161.6 in secondary (grade 11–12) it is 65. “Given the Nepal is preparing to bring out a second 1990), child mortality was reduced to 91 trend, it is likely that the girls to boys gross Progress Report on MDGs this year (in 2005) in 2000. This substantial reduction was, to enrolment ratio will reach somewhere close but there are fears that the escalating conflict a large extent, made possible through the to the 90 percent mark (by 2015),” according is likely to wipe out most of the progress control of malaria, smallpox, cholera and to the Progress Report. made in the country so far. other highly communicable diseases,” says Similarly, the Maternal Mortality Rate the Progress Report on MDGs published (MMR) in Nepal stands at 539 per 100,000 Youths and the MDGs two years ago. Nepal needs to bring down live births—one of the highest in the world. Achieving the MDGs needs active the child mortality to 54 by 2015. The goal of reducing this to 213 (per participation from all sections of society. Officials hope that the goal of halving 100,000 live births) by 2015 is going to be The future of the Nepali youth will be the proportion of people without an uphill task. shaped to a great extent by the success or sustainable access to safe drinking water With the The average population per failure in achieving the goals. Moreover, may be attained if the conflict situation physician in Nepal stands at 23,038 and the gender disparity, rural urban gap, direct does not deteriorate further. In 1996, 61% with most doctors practicing in big cities, involvement of youth in the conflict and of the population had access to safe a large rural population does not have shrinking educational and job opportunities drinking water, which increased to 72% in access to quality and affordable medical all pose formidable obstacles.

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In the education sector, there is a huge growth. And it is obvious that if national The survey found that a higher gap in the performance of students studying plans and policies fail to come up with proportion of females are exposed to in private schools compared to those who plans to provide skills and employment to television than males on a daily basis, but study at government schools. According to this critical mass, it could turn into a recipe females have much less exposure to radio studies, the pass percentage of students in for danger. and the print media. the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) The survey also found the mass media examinations from private schools is over Impact of mass media to be effective in informing urban youth 80 percent while that of students from The Nepal Adolescents and Young about various social and health issues, such public schools is less than 30 percent. Adults (NAYA) Survey conducted in 2001–02 as drug addiction, HIV/AIDS, family Nepal’s adult literacy rate is 58% but among unmarried and married youths in planning, domestic violence, and girl the literacy of women remains at 25%. the 14–22 years age bracket showed that trafficking. Television, followed by radio, is Unless this gap is reduced significantly, about three quarters of urban youth watch the most common source of information there would be very little contribution the television, slightly more than one-third listen about contraceptive methods and HIV/AIDS youth could make to national development. to the radio, and about one-fourth read a among urban youth. In the health sector, life expectancy at newspaper or magazine daily. Nepali youth, also face problems of birth for Nepal was 59.7 years in early marriage. They also indulge the year 2001. But there exists a Experts say television could be used to educate in risk-taking behaviour due to the large disparity between people urban youth against risk–taking behaviours. lack of proper education. Nepal living in urban areas and those At the same time, there always will be a risk has one of the highest male- living in remote areas. The average female ratios of smoking that television, as a powerful medium, could life expectancy of people living in prevalence among 15–19 year districts like Kathmandu and provoke young people when they see video olds. This ratio is 3:1 for Nepal Morang is 70 years while that of clips such as the gruesome murder of 12 compared to 38:1 for Indonesia, people in Mugu district is 37 years. Nepalis killed in Iraq in late August 2004. 17:1 for Thailand and 9:1 for Employment is another Philippines. The mobilization of sector of concern to Nepali youth. Some The NAYA Survey on Mass Media media to steer the young adolescents away 300,000 youth enter the country’s job Exposure among Urban Youth in Nepal from risk behaviours could be a way of market every year but there are few jobs conducted by Dr. Shyam Thapa and Vinod tackling this problem. for all of them. The 17,000 applicants that Mishra indicated that four out of five youths applied for the 300 positions advertised by in urban Nepal are exposed to at least one The road ahead the Kathmandu Metropolitan City in of these three media sources on a daily The Human Rights Yearbook 2002, September is an example of the high basis. The Internet is much less commonly published by the Informal Sector Service demand for jobs. used—only about one-fifth of urban youth Centre (INSEC), chronicles how Nepali youth People in the age group 15–29 years have ever used this technology. have been subjected to violence. According represent over 36% of the economically Experts say television could be used to to INSEC, in the year 2001, out of the total active population in the country. Studies educate urban youth against risk–taking 10,132 incidents of human rights abuse say that up to 63% of youth in rural areas behaviours. At the same time, there always (including deaths, injuries and other forms and up to 44% of youths in urban areas will be a risk that television, as a powerful of abuses), 510 were against people below are unemployed or only partially employed. medium, could provoke young people when the age of 15 and 8,734 against people Over the last two years, the labour force they see video clips such as the gruesome between the age of 15 and 45. The largest increased by around 12%, which is much murder of 12 Nepalis killed in Iraq in late number of perpetrators also belonged to higher than the country’s economic August 2004. the same age groups.

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The INSEC numbers clearly point to process in a constructive manner. The be pressurized to stop ‘abducting’ how deeply the youth have been affected youth need to be involved in such teachers and students for whatever by the conflict in Nepal. Instead of playing positive transformation rather than reason. a role to lead society and the country allowing them to be misused by 8. Efforts should be made to promote towards peace and prosperity, the youth interest groups. the culture of peace among the youth. of Nepal are caught in a deadly trap of 3. As youth have been directly affected They should be taught about the violence and counter-violence. by the conflict, they should be involved importance of Nepali culture, family Youth are the driving force of any in conflict-transformation and also in systems and values like tolerance and nation; they are the harbingers of change the rehabilitation and reconstruction respect to various faiths and and engines of growth. They have immense efforts. The rebels should immediately communities. If trained and mobilised potential, which, however, remains largely stop the practice of recruiting children properly, the youth can be a formidable untapped. If the youth are marginalized as guerrillas and both sides in the force for development and prosperity. and kept out of the national mainstream, conflict should take extra care not to 9. Quality and affordable health services it could give rise to frustration and anger, harm civilians including women, should be made available to all citizens. which can then take a violent turn, which children and youth. This is critical for reducing the high we have seen happen in the country more 4. The youth living in areas that are highly maternal mortality and high birth rates. than once. The following policy environment affected by the Maoist insurgency Health programmes should include and strategies could be crucial towards should be given alternative career specialized services to address the mobilising youth participation in nation choices, by providing them incentives needs of young adults. building and development: for education and training if needed. 10. The government needs to introduce 1. Peace is a pre-requisite for any society 5. The government should take concrete youth-specific employment policies and to move forward. There is a need to steps to provide quality and affordable programmes and come up with self- resolve the nine-year-old conflict education to the country’s youth. While employment schemes in rural areas. through peaceful means if we want to encouraging private sector participation 11. Community-based and non- protect our independence and save in education, the government also governmental organisations should be the country from disintegration. Youth needs to take concrete steps to involved and encouraged to impart should be integrated and mobilised enhance the quality of teaching and for peace building under a broader learning at public schools using basic technical and vocational skills to civil society initiative. community youth as volunteer the youth. 2. When constitutional and political teachers. Primary education should be 12. The government should come up with processes are disrupted, it is likely made universal and compulsory. a national youth policy to address the for the youth to tend to vent their 6. The education system should be re- present needs and challenges faced by anger and frustration through violent oriented in a manner that can help to the youth. The government should means as we saw on September 1, resolve the problems faced by educated reconstitute the youth, sports and 2004 in Kathmandu. There is a need youth. culture ministry and should formulate to re-activate constitutional and 7. Both the security forces and Maoists specific strategies to involve young political process as soon as possible should declare educational institutions men and women of Nepal in national and integrate youth in the political as zones of peace. The rebels should development. n

REFERENCES 3. Role of Youth in Peace: Article by Sanjay Dhakal, (April, 2002) 1. Progress Report 2002: Millennium Development Goals, HMG/Nepal, United Nations 4. Statistical Year Book of Nepal, 2003; Central Bureau of Statistics (2003) Country Team 5. Summary of the Tenth Five Year Plan, National Planning Commission, (2002) 2. Report of the high-level Task Force on Youth Activities, (1996) 6. “The Costs of War in Nepal, ”Study conducted by National Peace Campaign, (2004)

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Role of the Media in PROMOTING YOUTH PARTICIPATION for Achieving the MDGs1

BY BINOD BHATTARAI*

Background There is now a global agreement on content with less of everything—of access, The Millennium Declaration signed by what can and should be done to improve opportunity and justice. The set of 189 countries in September 2000 gave new the lives of people living in conditions that development goals are also about bringing momentum to global development. The are difficult for many to even imagine. The massive change to the base or foundation, declaration resulted in a number of goals MDGs seek to change the lives of those by providing basic education and health to and targets—the MDGs. The Millennium individuals and families who go to bed all. What, therefore, is undisputed is that Development Goals or MDGs aim to address hungry every evening, wake up the next the set of development goals, agreed upon the one challenge that has always outwitted morning and head to work again to earn by the global community early this century, development agents: Poverty. The MDGs their midday meal. The goals are also about provide humankind the best chance to suggest ways to improve the lives of the changing the lives of thousands who were improve the living standards of all people in poor by alleviating poverty in the broadest forced to acknowledge their perceived the world, and especially those in developing possible sense. “inferiority” from birth, and learn to be countries.

* Mr. Bhattarai is a journalist. 1 This was a paper presented at a workshop for journalists organised by the Nepal Press Institute.

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There are eight main Millennium GOAL 7: Ensure environmental coordinated actions at all levels of Development Goals and 18 time-bound sustainability. government and the general population, targets to be achieved within 25 years l Ensure sustainable development in including civil society and its different (1990–2015). These goals are based on policies and programmes and reverse constituents. fundamental values such as freedom, the loss of environmental resources. This write up focuses on why the youth equality, solidarity, tolerance, respect for l Halve the number of people without should be concerned and how they can, nature and shared responsibility. sustainable access to safe drinking water. along with the media, help towards the Development advocated by the MDGs rests l Achieve by 2020 a significant achievement of the MDGs. The starting point on four pillars—democracy, rule of law, improvement in the lives of at least 100 for Nepal, however, is not very encouraging human rights and peace and security. The million slum dwellers. because we have only 11 years to achieve eight MDGs are indivisible and come with GOAL 8: Develop a global partnership for the goals while the challenge remains specific indicators to measure progress. development. enormous, (see Table) not only in terms of l Develop further an open, rule-based, achieving the necessary target, but also in The MDGs and the 18 targets to be predictable and non-discriminatory terms of making sure that we have the achieved by 2015 are: trading and financial system. correct mechanisms for monitoring progress GOAL 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and l Address the special needs of the least (in terms of data). According to the Nepal hunger. developed countries. MDG Report 2002, only the child mortality l Halve the number of people living below l Address the special needs of land-locked and drinking water targets are achievable. $1 a day and those that suffer from countries and small-island developing The table summarises where we, in Nepal, hunger. states. are in terms of MDG goals and targets, and GOAL 2: Achieve universal primary l Deal with debt problems of development what we are aiming to achieve by 2015. education. countries, nationally and internationally, l Ensure that all children, both boys and to make it sustainable over the long Nepal: The MDG goals and targets girls, complete full primary schooling. term. Let me now attempt to focus on youth GOAL 3: Promote gender equality and l In cooperation with developing and the media. During the International empower women. countries, develop and implement Year of the Youth many years ago anyone l End the gender disparity in primary and strategies for decent and productive up to 40 qualified as youth. Under that secondary education, preferably by work for youth. definition we are talking about nine million 2005, and at all levels no later than l In cooperation with pharmaceutical people or almost 39% of the population. 2015. companies, provide access to affordable According to the World Bank definition, GOAL 4: Reduce child mortality. essential drugs in developing countries. youth is a time in a person’s life between l Reduce the under five mortality rate by l In cooperation with the private sector, youth and adulthood which includes those two-thirds. make available the benefits of new people between 15–24 years of age. Using GOAL 5: Improve maternal health. technologies, especially information and the World Bank’s definition of youth, we l Reduce the maternal mortality ratio by communication technologies. are referring to about 19% of the three-quarters. population—almost 50 percent of the GOAL 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and The Challenge population of developing countries other diseases. Few would disagree with either the (http://youthink.worldbank.org). Whichever l Halt and reverse the spread of HIV/AIDS goals or the intentions. Therefore, the way we define youth, what is clear is that by 2015. challenge is implementation, or how to we are talking about a large population l Halt and reverse the incidence of malaria translate the goals into actions and outputs. group, without whose involvement, and other diseases. Effective implementation demands achieving the MDGs could be but wishful

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Indicators (%) 1990 2000 2015 G-1 Population with less than $1 incomes (PPP basis) per day 37.7 (1995) N/A 17 People below the national poverty line 42 (1996) 38 (2001) 21 Population deprived of minimum energy from food 49 (1992) 47 (1997) 24.5 Underweight children below age five years 57 (1990) 48.3 (2001) 28 G-2 Enrolment rate in primary schools 64 (1990) 72.1 (2001) 100 Completion of primary school (%) 38 (1994) 45 (1999) 100 G-3 Girls enrolment in primary level compared to boys (in total enrolment) 56 78 100 Girls enrolment in lower secondary level compared to boys (in total enrolment) 41 71 100 Girls enrolment in higher secondary level compared to boys (in total enrolment)N/a 65 100 G-4 Under five mortality of children (per 1000 live births) 161.6 91 (2001) 54 G-5 Maternal mortality rate (per 1000 live births) 850 (1988) / 515 (1991) 539 (1996) 216/ 129 Birth in presence of trained health workers 7.4 (1991) 10.8 (2001) 100 Condom use prevalence rate 24.1 (1991) 38.9 (2001) 100 G-6 HIV prevalence rate among adults (15-45 years) 0 0.29 (1999) 2 Availability of birth control measures 21.1 (1991) 39.3 (2001) 100 Prevalence of malaria per 100,000 people 115 (1992) 29 (1997) - Prevalence of TB per 100,000 people 92.3 (1995) 106 (1998) - G-7 Area under conservation for maintaining biodiversity 10.95 18.11 - Change in per sq. km in forest area 37.4 (1996) 29 (1995) - GPD (Rs 1000) from energy use per unit (total oil equivalent) 20.4 48 - People without access to drinking water supply 54.1 (1991) 20.1 21

Source: The United Nations team, February 2002 (Terminologies may vary because of the translation from Nepali into English) thinking. The other challenge is mobilising for making decisions. Therefore the ability of passion as it has done while reporting the this large population toward desired ends, youth to identify the aforesaid stakeholders conflict. According to Kul Chandra Gautam, which can only be possible by involving the and harness their potential for building Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, measles mass media. pressure needed to achieve the MDGs, and still remains a bigger killer than the conflict Defining youth as those between 15–24 for public opinion building, could be the key because it kills 5,000 Nepali children every years, in Nepal, we are referring to about 4.4 to our ability to achieve the millennium goals. year. The UN official made the statement at million people. This group, and everyone The nine years of the conflict in Nepal, a public lecture in Kathmandu in mid–2004. under the age of 39 years today, would be and the 10,000 deaths thus far, also Goal 4 of the MDGs seeks to reduce this high under the age of 50 in 2015. Many of the underscore the importance of the MDGs. number of child deaths. people in the larger group would be in Today there is a general agreement that many positions to make the next set of development factors fuelling the conflict are not ideological, Youth, Media and the MDGs decisions, or those needed to move on from but are rooted in the inequalities and Assuming there is broad agreement on the MDGs. deprivations that the MDGs attempt to why the MDGs need to be achieved, the next This large population, referred to above, change. Even though 10,000 people have set of questions the youth would face would comprises the main stakeholders because it had to die in the conflict—many for no fault be: “Why us?” or “But how?” There is little is in their interest that the MDGs are achieved. of their own—many times that number of need to get into the “Why us?” question Left unachieved, the goals would come back people are also dying every year, something because it is obvious that achieving the goals to haunt them when they become responsible the media has not discussed with the same would be in the interest of the youth more

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than anyone else. There are also no firm pressure to influence certain decisions, and preventing diarrhoea deaths was 13% answers regarding the “how” nor is there a for public monitoring of decisions and actions (Controls of Diarrhoeal Diseases survey) when mantra to change things over overnight. taken or not taken. There are also alternative the campaign was launched and it rose to However, there are ways by which today’s forums and intermediaries, such as civil society 86% at the end of the campaign. The present youth can contribute towards ensuring that interactions, development programmes, etc., day media offers many more opportunities the right decisions and actions are taken that can be mobilised for focused and approaches for communicating and for today, ultimately bringing the youth closer to communication purposes through workshops, influencing decisions to generate collective the desired long-term results. discussions and interactions. and sustained efforts for the achievement of Most of today’s youth are either still in The mass media offer the opportunity the MDGs. school or beginning their careers in entry- for youth to try to collectively build public It is difficult to measure the impact of level jobs and thus may feel powerless in opinion for influencing policy and decisions, opinion leadership on decisions because there influencing decisions for bringing desired not only for ensuring the achievement of the are many other influences that compete with change. There may be some reason for that MDGs but also for preparing the country to the opinion one may want to build or sense of helplessness, especially in the power- look beyond 2015. But we must also be influence. The media messages have to also realistic because even the media may not compete with many other messages. But worshipping, male-dominated and—for all have quick-fix solutions. Countless studies there are still enough examples of instances practical purposes—a still feudal society such have proven time and again that the influence when consistent efforts at opinion building as ours. But there are also means that can we seek to obtain though the media does and influencing decisions have produced allow us to collectively speak out in a powerful not come about easily. Or, the “silver bullet” change. For example, mass media advertising voice in order to continuously nudge those model of influence is something that is influences people on a daily basis in terms of in decision-making positions to act in ways discussed only in journalism classrooms, and making purchase decisions or selecting movies that would be in the interest of the youth there are no ‘action-reaction’ or ‘cause-effect’ they want to watch, music to listen to or and the nation. This is where the mass media types of changes. But there is hope because books to read, which are often based on appears in the frame. there are an equal number or more studies listings in the media. The media also conditions The Nepali mass media represents a that show that continuous, focused people to think in particular ways—after diverse spectrum, which in the 14 years since communication efforts in the mass media reading something in the newspaper or 1990 has made considerable leaps both in can help influence and build public opinion listening to the same on the radio or after terms of reach and influence. The range step-by-step, and can eventually help bring watching something on television. People includes everything from the traditional about the desired changes. dress and act in the ways television ‘tells’ media—the informal communication One example of what can be achieved them to and they are also influenced by what networks in the villages—to newspapers that through sustained communication and the opinion leaders say or do not say. Therefore reach most urban populations and sections; advocacy is the portrayal of women and one can expect similar responses to the MDG- fairly recent innovations, such as wall minorities in the media. Compared to, say, related messages disseminated through the newspapers and other alternative media the early 1990s, we now have more media. (bhajan mandalis, included) reach new- correctness in reporting and public debate, We may not know exactly how mass literates and rural populations; national radio not to talk about the right usage of communication and the media can be used and television, and the private, national and terminologies. This change did not occur to systematically build the kind of shared local radio and television. There are also films, overnight, but took sustained efforts by beliefs that are necessary for persuading music and other media forms. The media advocates using different mediums and people to take or support large scale collective diversity provides ample opportunity for forums to bring about the change. Another action, but we do know that media, journalism segmenting readers/audiences to focus example is the advocacy (in 1988–1989) on and mass communication provide us the tools messages related to the MDGs not only to the need to use home-made remedies for the to try and influence decisions and actions. meet the information and communications prevention of infant deaths from diarrhoea. And because, deepening the public debate needs, but also for the purpose of building The awareness of home-made remedies for on the MDGs today is perhaps the least we

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can do towards trying to influence decisions “negative” is considered to be news. MDGs, security—can provide the basis for and actions, we could begin by thinking how for example, are not new in themselves bringing the MDGs and related issues we as individuals, and as groups, can try to because they have been around for some closer to the people than they are bring about the desired changes. time and will remain around for many more presently—both in real and perceived years. But what could be “new” is new terms. MDGs on the Public Agenda information related to progress and Bernard Cohen (1963) wrote, “The press achievements, and even the failures. If the MDGs in the Context of the may not be successful much of the time in goal is keeping the MDGs in the public Conflict telling people what to think, but it is stunningly agenda, every opportunity must be used to The conflict in Nepal has emerged as a successful in telling its readers what to think get the message in the media, whether it is major development challenge, not just in about.” In other words, if the press frequently good or bad news. Similarly, if what is near terms of the ability to smoothly implement mentions the relevant MDG goals and targets makes news, we need to ‘domesticate’ the development programmes but also in terms while reporting different development issues, international goals and make them country of general confidence and optimism levels. we are already giving readers and audiences specific in terms of the statistics used to The conflict has not spared anyone, and it something to think about. For example, the explain situation status, the targets and the was evident in one extreme manifestation frequent mention of MDGs in the mass media goals. There is, therefore, a scope of in September, when there were media reports might provide people a reason to start thinking domestication in terms of say, district goals, on the Maoists who had looted syringes and about and seeking information on the goals. village goals and community level goals. vaccines being transported for the This is where background information booklets The media pursues the negative, and immunisation campaign against measles. It produced by organisations working to therefore, communicators should not hesitate will be more difficult to insulate development promote and ensure achievement of MDGs to talk about what should have happened from the conflict, unless there is a political come into use. Target, access, reach, but did not because it can provide the basis resolution acceptable to all the parties. But readability, and distribution of such materials for making corrections. The general tendency the Maoist response after the loot of also matter, but discussing these issues is to sit over or even cover up the negative often immunisation supplies were reported, beyond the scope of this write–up. leads to situations where an accumulation of discussed and criticised by the media, also Individuals can participate in the negatives blow up in the face, making shows there are ways the media can help agenda–setting through responses to what damage control much more difficult than to rectify mistakes. After the media reported appears in the media, by writing articles on what could have been if the failures had been on the Maoist loot, rebel units in at least the achievements and failures in the context communicated as they occurred. two districts responded by saying they would of the MDGs and by organising ‘events’ on Monitoring media content, and not not attack or oppose the vaccination drive the goals, which would then give the media just the number of reports and the times but instead would support it. Increased reason to write about the goals. The desired development agencies are mentioned in changes and the effects of interventions in media scrutiny on how development is being the media, is important for controlling the media on decisions and desired actions impacted, with in-depth reports on how the quality of the information in the change over time; therefore, the need for that is also affecting the ability of Nepal to media. It is content and its depth and not continuous monitoring and re-focussing of achieve the MDGs is important. Such reports ‘who said what’ that can generate, build the interventions depending on what has would be in the interest of everyone because been achieved and what has not been is and sustain the public interest needed for they can lead to informed decisions. Such essential. building public opinion for influencing stories would have to be told again and The media also has its own sets of needs change. Continued analysis of content in again and again in order to be able to in terms of what is news and what is not terms of not just the technocratic goals influence those that make decisions. newsworthy. Looking at the general pattern and targets but also the basic pillars on The complexities that have resulted from of news coverage, one can conclude that which the MDGs rest—democracy, rule the conflict and the urgency for achieving anything that is “new”, “near” and of course of law, human rights and peace and the MDGs suggest the need for a focused

OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 19 Perspective

strategy to inform and involve the public for Conclusions and achievement of the goals. Such an assessment achieving the goals and also contribute to Recommendations could help to re-focus the communication the resolution of the conflict by doing so. Achieving the millennium goals and plan (if one exists) or to make one (if one does The conflict has already caused major targets for Nepal are difficult to achieve even not exist). Such a study can also help identify setbacks in development, in general, and in the best of times. The conflict and political communication initiatives being implemented more in the context of achieving the MDGs. instability only make the task much more by various institutions, which would be useful Many grassroots programmes and networks difficult. Not only has implementation in terms for prioritising actions and for avoiding are non-functional and agencies that of social mobilisation and monitoring become duplication and waste of resources. provided basic services to people—and which difficult but there is also the danger that Until such a plan is prepared—and are again important links in the context of increased spending on security could crowd because we donot have much time to sit back and wait for one—short-term training achieving MDGs—have been forced to out investments in areas related with the programmes should be conducted to build a relocate. Schools have remained closed for MDGs. The result can not only be low human cadre of journalists (reporting from the districts) weeks and even health care facilities have development but also low human empowerment. Given the odds that we are that are informed and aware of the MDGs not been spared. facing in the context of achieving the MDGs, and related issues. This group of reporters The communication approach the best that can be done to ensure that we need to be coached/mentored to produce recommended should include ways to get as close as possible to the goals is to selected reports (for publication) on key areas influence and generate media attention continuously remind ourselves of the of MDG implementation where urgent through increased background analyses to millennium goals and targets, and how the attention is needed. The activity should follow facilitate discussion of the MDGs and their goals can help change the face of development adequate exposure of trainers/coaches/mentors achievements. What is important is to create in Nepal. The latter is possible through on the MDGs and targets, the reporting and a situation to enable all to internalise and intensified public debate at all levels, and monitoring mechanisms, and media initiatives actually believe in the importance of the particularly through the mass media. being undertaken elsewhere in South Asia and MDGs in the context of development. This When we are talking about the MDGs, the Asia-Pacific Region. is necessary for encouraging people to act we are talking about the longer-term, and The recommendations above need to be in ways that would contribute towards the hence the need for long-term involvement of backed by a mechanism to continuously achievement of the goals. the media in the process of facilitating the monitor the coverage and content of reports The communication plan would need change process. The media could be involved on the MDGs in the media and to use the a long-term focus, and specific short-term in reminding people of the goals, public knowledge generated for planning short-term, strategies on going beyond the media monitoring of the achievements and quick impact interventions (such as re-focusing environment made up of contemporary disseminating vital development information communication at specific target groups). One forms like television, radio, Internet, as it happens. A planned, longer-term approach way to ensure continuous monitoring is to magazines, newspapers, books, billboards, to address the existing shortcomings in terms institute a mechanism to support, say, Master’s ads, labels, promotional materials, posters, of media involvement for bringing about level journalism students to do content analyses stickers, accessories, etc. In other words desired changes could include mechanisms to of MDG-related reports in the media. This there is also a need for creating space for assess the status of coverage of the MDGs in would be one more opportunity to directly involving traditional media and networks the mass media in terms of both quality and involve youth for building necessary support and creating new space for mobilising youth quantity, and based on the findings, to prepare mechanisms for achieving the MDG goals, and their institutions to build pressure for a strategic plan to mobilise the media for while setting up a system for continuously achieving the MDGs. building public opinion to support the monitoring quality of media coverage.n

REFERENCES 2. His Majesty’s Government of Nepal and the United Nations Team, February 2002 1. Lowery, Shearon, De Fleur, Melvin L., Milestones in Mass Communication research: 3. Several write-ups on (http://youthink.worldbank.org) Media Effects, Longman, New York, 1983

20 OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 Rural Perspective YOUTH IN THE PERIPHERY

As part of an experimental initiative to give a voice to youth in the districts, Organisation THE has created this new space in the magazine. We welcome opinions, comments and articles from youth in the districts who feel they have something to contribute to the national development debate. Dipesh Joshi interviewed two young adults, Raksha Ojha and Dinesh Pathak, during his visit to Dhangadhi during the Dasai holidays.

‘The conflict has created invisible boundaries’

DINESH PATHAK, 28, a resident of Dhangadhi Municipality has been retailing two-wheeler spares for about two years. He is also working for a B.BA. degree at the Kailali Multiple Campus. He has lived most of his life in Dhangadhi after spending a few years of higher secondary education in Kathmandu.

What is the role of youth in business I can contribute to the national What is your vision for Nepal? Nepal and where do you fit in? economy even though the contribution may Every one wants peace. Once peace is The most important thing is that the be small. established we need to strive for building Youth needs to be competent. They need a corruption-free nation. I believe that each to first build capacity and enhance skills What qualities would you look individual needs to contribute to this vision before seeking employment. They need to for in a youth leader? because every individual effort adds to the look at the positive aspects of life rather Clear vision. Leaders need to be overall effort. We should have faith and than fuss about nothing. I believe I fit in as articulate speakers, be firm in their beliefs, confidence in our deeds. The youth are not someone that can raise awareness of clear-cut, and straightforward. People do given much responsibility. People have not others because our society lacks awareness not like leaders who beat around the bush. realized what the youth are capable of. in many areas such as health, education Leaders must be open to criticism and or corruption. We have to make people feedback and make decisions based on a What opportunities have you aware and receptive to change; there is general consensus. They also need to be been given? also a need to make them conscious of capable of justifying their decisions. A clean I believe in exploring opportunities their rights and duties. Individually, by doing image is also important. on my own, instead of being given

OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 21 Rural Perspective

something by someone. I took the risk Where do you see yourself in of what might happen at any moment. There and started my business at a time ten years? have been many incidents of bombing and when the country was in a state of In 10 years, I hope to establish an shootouts here. conflict. There was very little monetary import-export business in vehicle spares. mobilization at the time, but today I When Kathmndu can act as the distributor Why do you think it is taking so can look back and say that I am for the entire nation why can’t Dhangadhi long to come to a resolution of the conflict? pleased that I took the risk. We should do the same? I am very optimistic. People First of all, there needs to be a strong seek opportunities even in risky may argue that I have not faced the competition faced in big cities, but tough desire to manage conflict, which we have situations. competition, can increase the turnover. I feel not seen in Nepal. We do not have leaders who have the desire or the capacity to What challenges have you that tough competition makes people more alert and resilient which is very important in actually manage the conflict. At the same personally faced? business. time, there are few options. We have to The conflict remains the biggest repeatedly select the same people who challenge. Business depends entirely How is your life affected by contest in elections over and over again. The upon the purchasing power of the conflict? youth have traditionally been denied their people and at this time very little money I am most affected by restricted mobility. place in politics. The prolonged conflict is is changing hands. The other difficulty I need to travel a lot and the current situation mainly due to the lack of a strong desire to is travel. I need to build personal has created many invisible boundaries and resolve the problem and also due to relationships but it has become very territories. There is also an increased feeling ineffectiveness of our leaders to deal with difficult to travel around, even in Kailali of insecurity. You cannot visit desired the problem. While addressing the root district, which has affected my locations or meet people because you are causes of the conflict, we first have to deal business. Who isn’t affected by the never sure of the consequences. This town with the leaders and start the process on a conflict? is highly affected by conflict. You are unaware positive note.n

“We need to be provided with opportunity”

RAKSHA OJHA, 23, a resident of Dhangadhi Municipality, recently completed her BBS from Kailali Multiple Campus. Having studied up to the BBS level in Dhangadhi, she now plans to move to Kathmandu for higher education and to try to avail the opportunities there are for joining the workforce.

What is the role of youth in capable of bringing change but they may potential and think of mobilising the Nepal and where do you fit in? not always be working to bring about potential of the youth for positive change. The youth represent an age group positive change. For example, the youth We need to be provided opportunity that is capable of bringing about change, are presently fighting on both sides of the and only then can we contribute to positive so we need to realize and determine how conflict we have in the country. It is change. The opportunities do not come easily they can be mobilised. The youth are important, therefore, to realise their these days for reasons we are all aware of.

22 OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 Rural Perspective

What qualities would you look industries or corporate houses. I have to to me is not about a lot of money, but one for in a youth leader? move to Kathmandu to create that space that would also bring much respect. A leader, first of all should have very for myself. However, I still need to groom I do not have the same type of exposure good communication skills. They should be and train myself further to be able to that you observe in students from the compete with those of similar academic able to understand the aspirations of those capital. I also feel that people do not expect they lead and also have the qualities needed backgrounds and those educated in much from someone from this region. They to motivate them. Leaders should have the Kathmandu. Where you are educated feel that we are inefficient and although it capabilities of recognising and rewarding matters. As long I remain in Dhangadhi, I might be true to an extent, the same hard workers, because a failure to do so will continue to feel confined and cut off understanding also deprives us of potential could result in opposition of the leadership. from the rest of Nepal. I have to move to opportunities to show our abilities. If this Sound decision-making is also another Kathmandu for greater opportunities, important quality I would look for in a resources, and a better life. continues, it may be hard for us to move leader. ahead. What challenges have you faced What is your vision for Nepal? personally? How is your life affected by I have a vision of peace and a society I have a good academic record and conflict? free of corruption. In order to achieve this this is where life starts. I have not come Though you may not be directly across many challenges on the academic vision, we need political stability, stable targeted or injured there remains a deep governments and sincere leaders. The front except for one instance. I applied for sense of insecurity and your movement is conflict we have has resulted partly from an MBA at Kathmandu University and was restricted. We cannot visit relatives in nearby the [poor] performance of previous invited for a group discussion where I villages, mobility after dusk is very limited, governments and leaders. found myself totally lost. Even though I and there have been many violent incidents had the same educational background as in the town itself. We may have had more What opportunities have you many other participants, I could not speak been given? up. I had grown up in an environment violence than many other districts. Dhangadhi is better than many places where discussions, interactions, or debate in the Far West but not so when compared did not take place. It was beyond my Why do you think it is taking so with Kathmandu. We need more exposure education in Dhangadhi. I had no exposure long to come to a resolution of if we are to develop our region’s personality. to such events. I am sure there will be the conflict?

Although I have a good academic more challenges I will have to face in the There are surely some justifiable causes background, I am not very optimistic about future because of the gaps in the for the conflict, such as discrimination, finding good opportunities in Dhangadhi. socialisation in the capital and that in the poverty, and corruption. But as far as a The social environment matters in the districts. solution is concerned, both sides must grooming of personalities. Here you live compromise on their demands and positions with family and are rarely given major Where do you see yourself in if they are serious about attaining peace. responsibilities. When you do not live with ten years? Both sides claim they are fighting for the your family, you tend to feel more It is very important to have an responsible and that can help you to develop opportunity because the situation today is sake of the people but have not given much your own skills. very uncertain. Even though the thought to what the people actually want, I do not see many career opportunities circumstances are not ideal, I see myself which is peace. Both sides lack a positive in Dhangadhi because we do not have big having a good job in ten years. A good job approach to resolve the conflict. n

OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 23 opinion Genuine Leadership and Public Advocacy A New Thought for the Emerging Generation of Nepal

BY ARUN RANA*

I n the preface of his much acclaimed structure of the nation. On the contrary, momentum in the following two years with book Fatalism and Development,1 Dor Nepal today faces a crisis that threatens to a growth of 3.1% in 2002/03 and 3.7% in Bahadur Bista wrote, "With the introduction destroy the very existence of a nation known 2003/04. However, this is still much lower of the liberal and democratic multi-party to the world as a peaceful and hospitable than the average growth of 7% for South political system possibilities have been abode in the Himalayas. Asia in 2003. Furthermore, the population opened up for the desired changes in the Economic growth in Nepal has been of Nepal crossed 23 million in 2001 and social structure." He continued, "We can be the lowest in South Asia in the last decade continues to grow at around 2.3% per optimistic about the future " but being an averaging 3.91% per annum and has slowed annum with more than 86% of the people insightful writer added these words of down further since 2000 as a result of the residing in rural areas and 82% of the caution, " but it is yet to be seen." And escalation of the Maoist insurgency. In economically active population engaged in indeed, 13 years later we have still not seen 2001/02 Nepal registered a negative growth agriculture, fisheries or forestry.2 The level the desired changes in the socioeconomic rate of -0.6% but the economy regained of poverty is one of the highest in the world

* Mr. Rana is a Naturalist and Social Activist. 1 Fatalism and Development; Dor Bahadur Bista; Orient Longman Ltd., Patna, India, 1991 2 Economic Survey (Fiscal Year 2003/ 2004), His Majesty’s Government of Nepal, Ministry of Finance, 2004.

24 OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 opinion

and the disparity between the rich and poor In this tug of war for power, more than a throughout the history of mankind. However, and between urban and rural areas is striking. decade has elapsed since the restoration of what has made the difference in developed Similarly, representation of ethnic minorities multi-party democracy in Nepal and since the nations has been the stringent legislations in the government and political parties is hope was felt by the people of Nepal, but and institutions that have evolved over the equally low. All these factors gave birth to sadly, we have only instigated a civil war that years as a result of the dedication by a the so called “People’s War” that initially threatens to destroy everything that we hold handful of prominent people who dedicated started in a few Mid-Western districts in dear. And even as we fight this war, corruption their lives to making the lives of others better. 1996 but which has now spread throughout does not seem to have ceased; on the contrary, One such personality is Ralph Nader. the rural areas of the country. However, the war itself seems to have become a major He has been called one of America's most despite the promises given to the rural source of corruption. effective social critics and his inspiration and population of a more just and equitable I have often thought about what went example have galvanized a whole population society the insurgency has so far claimed wrong and who is to blame. It is easy to of consumer advocates, citizen activists, and more than 10,000 lives and seems to have blame our politicians and our bureaucrats, public interest lawyers who in turn have degenerated into a rule by terror tactics.3 and those who are there to protect us and established their own organisations Public support that had been high when the those who are there to give us justice, but throughout the country. Since 1966, Nader movement started has declined dramatically if we probe deeper it becomes evident that has been responsible for at least eight major and the ‘People’s Army’ seem to have a hold it is the weakness in our institutions that has federal consumer protection laws such as in the rural areas due only to a fear factor. led to such blatant violations of human motor vehicle safety laws and the Safe Equally frustrating has been the tug of rights. Human rights activists, without Drinking Water Act; launching of federal war between political parties who do not hesitation, point their fingers at the army regulatory agencies such as the Occupational seem to be serious about the gravity of the and police and the ‘people’s army’ for killing Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), insurgency nor about uniting to resolve the people but I think a far greater abuse of Environment Protection Agency (EPA), and problem that is tearing the country apart. human rights has been done by those in Consumer Product Safety Administration; After all these years and despite the dissolution power, whose decisions determine the fate the recall of millions of defective motor of the House by the King in the wake of the of the entire population. I think a far greater vehicles; increasing access to the government rampant corruption and inefficiency of the abuse of human rights is done when the through the Freedom of Information Act of government, the political parties still do not USA imposes an economic blockade in Cuba 1974; and for saving many lives. Nader also seem to have changed their attitudes. They because of differences of ideology, when helped establish the PIRGs—Public Interest are still engrossed in a game of lies and politicians make promises to the poor simply Research Groups—the student-funded and slandering of opposition parties that has been to earn their votes knowing that what they controlled organisations which function on typical of the multi-party rule since democracy have promised cannot be delivered, when a college campuses in 23 states. Their impact was restored in 1991. Nepal has lost many court rules in favor of those who have bought alone has been tremendous. The groups opportunities to engage in productive activities them, when the media chooses to distort have published hundreds of ground-breaking that would have made significant the facts because they are on the payroll of reports and guides, lobbied for laws in their contributions in its quest for development politicians and generals, and many other state legislatures, and called the media's precisely because of this phenomenon. examples. Why can such human rights attention to environmental and energy Whenever a ruling government comes up violations continue? It is simple. It is because problems.4 with a good proposal, the opposition will there is no one monitoring them. One institution, the Forum for Protection predictably oppose the idea and go to Corruption, fraud, deceit and of Public Interest (Pro Public), founded in extremes to make certain that it does not propaganda are engrained in politics in every 1991 by a group of environmentalists, work, lest the government will gain popularity. country throughout the world and women's rights activists, consumer activists,

3 INSEC (2004) Human Rights Violation Data available online at http://www.inseconline.org/ 4 Ralph Nader: Biographical Information, The Nader Page; available at http://www.nader.org/enbio.html

OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 25 opinion

lawyers, journalists, engineers, and The past 13 years of multi–party democratic I urge the youth of our nation to look economists, is one organisation that stands rule only saw a change in the figures of at the ways people like Ralph Nader out in the quest for a just and equitable power, not in values. contributed in building a nation like America, Nepal. The organisation's stated mission is To guarantee genuine change and at the contributions Gandhi made to liberate 'to help Nepalese people seek and obtain achieve the goals of an equitable and just India from English imperialism, at the social, economic, environmental, and political society, we need leaders with the vision and contributions Malcolm X and Martin Luther justice'. It has thus far worked in the fields dedication such as that of Ralph Nader, King Jr. made against racism in America, at of good governance, equality of women, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., the contributions Mother Teresa made to environment and justice, and economic Malcolm X and others who lived and the lives of the poor entrenched in the slums justice and consumer protection and strives dedicated their entire lives to make the lives of Calcutta and become inspired by such to achieve its goal through research, of others better. We need leaders whose people. And once inspired, I implore them advocacy, capacity building, litigation, and desires have surpassed all material desires to take action before the fire dies. networking.5 A few commendable and self righteous power. We need Technology in the world today has achievements of the organisation are its reincarnate Gods. advanced so far that we can virtually access advocacy on good governance through a The older generation of politicians almost any information we need and can regular radio broadcast on Radio Nepal,6 a would be quick to claim that they too have share all our views with everyone. All we significant number of court litigations against dedicated their lives for democracy and for need is a computer and internet connection government agencies and individuals, and the nation and its people, that they have which has become affordable to almost all. awareness raising activities to educate and spent years in jail or exile and have been I have heard many of our younger generation empower grassroots organisations and tortured and beaten. But the fact remains express their frustration against the way people. that when they attained the power that they things are running in this country. The time Despite the move in the right direction, fought for so long for, every one of them has now come to channel those frustrations however, it is sad to see that after a decade betrayed the people of Nepal by turning into action. We do not need to develop the organisation has not been able to expand precisely into those (if not worse) that they political parties to fight political parties and its vision beyond the pioneering of the opposed for so long. Those who fought their ideologies. The World Wide Web is institution. Particularly, it is sad to see that against feudalism for so long themselves there for all to see and for all to come its vision has not proliferated our academic became the aristocrats once in together. Let us unite through this medium institutions and the student unions that they power–material greed and self righteousness and build a coalition of the young. Let us house. Student unions are still very much won the battle over ideology. unite and fight the ineffective and obsolete affiliated to the political parties of Nepal, The future of our nation lies in strong values of the old generation. Let us organize thereby trapped within the political and dedicated leaders and our ability to mass rallies and protests through such a hegemony and its ideologies. As the pillars develop stronger laws and institutions that forum and influence the decisions taken by of tomorrow, if we are to bring genuine monitor the activities of large business our government and politicians. It is us who change to the nation, it is imperative that houses, multinational corporations, and will have to suffer from their shortcomings students detach themselves from the political of course, the government and the or enjoy the benefits of our actions. Young bodies and launch their independent voices. politicians. hearts unite online and build our Nepal! n

5 Pro Public; available at http://environmentnepal.com/webpages/ppublic.htm 6 Each Sunday, Morning 7:20 - 7:40 am from Radio Nepal AM frequency REFERENCES 4. INSEC (2004) Human Rights Violation Data available online at 1. Bista, Dor Bahadur. Fatalism and Development. Orient Longman Ltd., Patna, India, http://www.inseconline.org/ 1991 5. Pro Public; available at http://environmentnepal.com/webpages/ppublic.htm 2. Economic Survey (Fiscal Year 2003/ 2004), His Majesty’s Government of Nepal, Ministry of Finance, 2004. 6. Ralph Nader: Biographical Information, The Nader Page; available at 3. Each Sunday, Morning 7:20 - 7:40 am from Radio Nepal AM frequency http://www.nader.org/enbio.html

26 OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 INSTITUTE OF DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT STUDIES, an ODC Inc. organisation, specialising in research and professional delivery of knowledge and skills IS NOW introducing

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OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 discussion Lessons from the DEVASTATION

BY MOHAN DAS MANANDHAR*

“ ... I started looking for my family but I could only see bodies, mostly women and children, lying all around, still and contorted. I saw dazed men, shrieking women trying to walk away from the sea ” - Newsweek, January 10, 2005

M ore than 150,000 people confirmed dead; 500,000 injured; injured and sick, providing drinking water and food, building homes 5 million homeless. The causalities, suffering and destruction are and roads, and helping the victims to help themselves. Rebuilding beyond imagination. The Tsunami havoc in South and South East infrastructure is probably going to be easier than restoring the Asia poses fresh questions about our preparedness to face disasters. confidence of fishing populations and preparing them to return After the Tsunami destruction all we saw was desperation and to the sea. It is even more difficult to help build the confidence of hopelessness across the devastated lands. A region that has natural and hopes of women and children who have lost their dear ones. disasters such as floods, drought, and earthquakes every year was The victims are disorganised and traumatised; they need to be ill-prepared for facing destruction of this scale. The Tsunami has reorganised into self-help groups. Time will tell how successful we made us realize that the region and its communication systems will be in the efforts that have begun today. are inadequate. Now we can only speculate: thousands might have Managing in such supra-normal circumstances is complex but been saved if the monitoring and information systems were in essential. The people managing humanitarian aid and reconstruction place and functional. That is the main lesson from the devastation. programmes in supra-normal situations face immense challenges. In order to prepare ourselves for the future, we have to invest in Post-disaster and conflict situations demand complex solutions technology and on mechanisms for forecasting, and informing the that have to be simplified in ways they can be internalised and people of such disasters. adopted by the victims. The integration of preparedness and disaster It is even more unfortunate that the most seriously affected mitigation also has to be a crucial part of development planning areas of Sumatra and Sri Lanka are the same places where people and policy-making. Only comprehensive planning and thorough have faced protracted conflicts and the resultant sufferings. Civil preparedness to face calamities can lower the devastation similar conflicts and now disasters, have affected the lives of millions, phenomena may bring about in the future. mostly the vulnerable: girls and boys, poor women and men and the elderly. We are now faced with the huge task of helping support The ODC Inc. family dedicates this issue of our magazine and the survivors of the disaster. The trauma and devastation of the a humble financial contribution to the victims of the Tsunami. Our survivors is immense: people are hurt both physically and mentally, Search Initiative, a seminar series seeking answers for managing lives have been lost, homes and boats have been destroyed, and development in supra-normal situations, is on-going. This issue of many have lost the very basis of living—hope. We need to support The Organisation includes a Seminar Report on “Management them through our hearts, minds and pockets to help rebuild faith Practices in Supra-Normal Condition”, which we think is relevant in life and humanity. The tasks ahead are almost unlimited— to continue the discussion—we all want answers, which we do providing behavioural and psychological support, treating the not have today. n

* Mr. Manandhar is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at ODC Inc.

28 OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 opinion

The Way Forward: Institutionalised Youth Movement in Nepal

BY SUMIT SHARMA ‘SAMEER’*

Introduction collected during the transition. The youth Youth knows no stagnation. Young Each succeeding generation manifests represent change agents—more fit to men and women are full of zeal and the accumulated culture of generations invent, than to judge; more fit for enthusiasm, which if not tapped and that have preceded them while also execution, than for counsel; and more fit properly directed, could be counter- embodying the attributes resulting from for new projects, than for existing business. productive. The potential of youth in Third its own interaction with the natural, social, No wonder troubled nations and societies World countries, including Nepal, remains political, cultural, scientific and religious have put their faith on the youth again largely untapped and the population group world. Each generation gives continuity to and again. For example, in the case of is left in the lurch amidst a complex world change as it carries past culture and India, it was largely the youth who led the of insecurity, illusion, wars and few choices. experiences blended with new ideas independence movement. Many young men and women, thus, also

* Mr. Sharma is a Young Professional at IDMS.

OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 29 opinion

resort to violence to vent their frustration governments led by the young are likely aforesaid factors and displacement and and anger. On the contrary, in developed to be less war prone and more oriented forceful recruitment. Many are being killed countries, youth are protected with welfare towards justice and opportunities for all. because they have decided to resist the and other safety nets and are, therefore, But the transition to political power has dictates of the two sides in conflict. The comparatively less vocal. to be institutional rather than the violent, internal conflict and unemployment have Young people visualize an as in the case of Zimbawe, Ghana, forced many other young men and women economically decent, politically and socially Botswana, and many others. Conflict is to find haven either under the umbrella participatory, naturally and religiously attached with human psychology and of the political parties or by migrating harmonious, spiritually and philosophically cannot be eliminated at the root. There is abroad in search of better opportunities. dignified and utopic life in their respective a difference between war and conflict and A study conducted by Bal Kumar K.C., societies. The majority of them are not the young are likely to understand it better. Bhim Prasad Subedi and Yogendra Bahadur violent by nature but become so when left Francis Bacon writes 'Of Youth and Age,' Gurung titled ‘Migration pattern in Nepal: with no choices. "Your Young men shall see visions, and Streams, Characteristics and Reasons’ Young people are like soft wet clay your old men shall dream dreams, inferreth showed that it was mainly young adults in the hands of a potter. Skillfully the that young men, are admitted nearer to that were heading abroad. About 55% of potter shapes the clay. It is evident that God than old, because vision, is a clearer the total migrants are aged between 15–39 family, society, state and international revelation, than a dream."2 years. politics either lack the skills for making Time has come for the youth of the Unlike most of the Third World better citizens of youth or want the young world to unite in redefining the identity countries, Nepali youth remain in perpetual ones to fit into their world-view. Young of youth and to claim a larger political crisis and some have even begun leaning people have a world of their own. Their space. The leaders of the 21st century are towards violence. The traditional peace world-view is based mostly on the utopian the young ones who are not only the future and tolerance is fading. “The incidents of philosophy of love and justice that they of tomorrow but the most important the last few months point to increasing continuously strive to achieve. Marx, partners of today. Today's youth stand at aggressiveness and anarchy, [which] may writing an essay on 'Reflections of a Young the crossroads of human civilization where become the source of great instability.” Man on the choice of profession at age they have to make a difference not because (Poudel, 2001) But the important issue is: 17,’ said, “History calls those men the they want to but because they are left with What can youth expect from a society that greatest who have ennobled themselves no other choice. has structured them to be either violent by working for the common good; or passive? experience acclaims as happiest the man Nepalese Youth This brings us to the most important who has made the greatest number of Nepalese youth, who have fought questions: What is the premise upon which people happy; religion itself teaches us against injustices during and after the the Nepali youth movement is based? What that the ideal being whom all strive to geographical unification of Nepal, today, is the vision? What are the different goals? copy sacrificed himself for the sake of remain locked within the space determined What are the means and strategies developed mankind, and who would dare to set at by the political parties or remain crushed to achieve the goals? How can the youth nought such judgements.”1 by the power elites, social structure, movement be institutionalised? And The spirit of young people wanders poverty, unemployment, ultimately what coping strategies have to everywhere. It knows no boundaries. underemployment, HIV/AIDS and restricted be adopted to ensure sustainability of the Mostly, the young are open and adaptive opportunities and choices. Their morale is movement with the change in time, context to different cultures and ideas. The low, resulting from a combination of the and issues? I have some suggestions.

1 http://www.marxist.org/archieve/marx/works/download/marx_young_Marx.pdf 2 www.worldwideschool.org/library/books/phil/modernwesternphilosophy/FrancisBacon/chap42.html

30 OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 opinion

Premise of the Nepali youth l To open up with family on immediate The attempts of these (non-political movement issues, internalising family values, and youth) organisations are scattered and, The youth movement can be based questioning those that are not therefore, need to find ways to be heard. on the premise of equal, natural, and convincing. The following may help in re-formulating political rights for everyone irrespective l To exercise regularly. their missions: of caste, class, sex, religion, region and l To enjoy leisure. n To create an umbrella organisation political privileges. We are the lifeblood l To develop a vision for life. representing all the non-political youth of the nation and the sweet smells of our l To organise and participate in community organisations operating in Nepal. hills, plains and mountains run through meetings, identify and address the issues n To envision a society where young our blood making us restless but creative. affecting your communities. people strive for peace, harmony, We uphold the responsibility of making l To foster community harmony by justice, equality, unity and abundance our nation a haven of peace, security and addressing conflicts through dialogue for all. abundance. We take up the responsibility and negotiation. of challenging questionable traditions l To bring the community’s youth To achieve this vision, the umbrella that have existed in Nepal since its together in order to address organisation can adopt the following goals: unification and we have the ability to immediate issues affecting them. l Identify, internalise and address pressing adopt change to suit the 21st century. l To build networks with the issues affecting the youth of Nepal; organisations and institutions that l Pressurise the government to involve Goals can help in addressing these issues. youth in policy-making and Movements are led by exceptional development; individuals who are not only gifted with Organisational goals l Create more political space for the leadership skills, but who have also developed There are many non-political youth youth; those qualities over time through organisations involved in the promotion l Expand the membership and internalisation, experience, hard work and of the youth movement in Nepal through network of different grass-roots level commitment. There are many leaders among skills development, addressing the youth organisations, colleges and us; what we need is to develop the qualities immediate issues and cross-cultural schools; to lead and take the lead. learning. l Expand and build solidarity with different grass-roots level, non-political Individual and community goals Individual youth organisations can: youth organisations through Individual youth can improve l Work on specific issues in which they participation and exchange of ideas themselves and their community by have expertise; and programme; adopting the following objectives: l Create a resource centre and libraries l Help in the capacity building of the l To maintain good grades in schools and for youth; grass-roots level youth organisations colleges. l Empower young people through skills through the organisation development l To maintain a good rapport with teachers development training; (OD) process; but question the unconvincing answers. l Propagate civic education among l Exchange ideas with the youth political l To be informed about history, value school and college students; organisations to seek agreement on system, norms and culture. l Organise visits by urban youth to help the broad agenda of the youth l To be informed about rights. them internalise and understand the movement; l To be informed about current events. rural context and vice-versa; and l Bring issues affecting Nepali youth to l To participate in extra-curricular l Support education outside the formal the attention of governments, regional activities. system. and international bodies;

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l Attract international and national l Policy and advocacy equal importance in today’s context.

media attention to issues facing the l Behaviour change communication Everywhere in the world, youth Nepali youth; l Youth friendly services movements have achieved success by l Instil a culture of learning, dialogue l Livelihood development programmes working together and consolidating. and skill development including a l Coordination and dissemination process of mentorship of young l Institutional capacity building The different forces operating in

change leaders; l Partnership Nepal do not presently reflect the l Have a common voice of Nepali youth l Youth participation aspirations of the common Nepali. They at international forums through l Sustainability either represent the voice of sections of consultations with different non- l Addresses sustainability issues the lower, middle and higher classes that political and political youth organisations; and Challenge have been reaping the socio-economic

l Support and endorse conventions and The greatest challenge facing the and political privileges throughout. It is, implement initiatives that will country’s youth movements today is the thus, the responsibility of youth empower young people in the world, task of instilling a passionate belief in the movements to represent the silent mass. such as UNESCO’s policies on youth importance of idea: ‘Yes, We can achieve.’ and culture, including the And that is only possible through the Swami Vivekananda said: “O International Decade for a Culture of unification of various youth organisations. fortunate youth, recognize your duty. Feel

Peace and Non-Violence for the With that achieved, the youth movement the wonderful privilege. Take up this Children of the World, the Convention will be sustainable and will continue to adventure. God watches you graciously, on the Rights of the Child, etc. enhance the quality of life in Nepal. ever ready to help and guide. I wish you

Strategies in achieving goals Conclusion to be great. The world has put its faith l Conduct awareness program on youth Cultural values that have existed for in you. Your elders keep their hopes in issues nationwide; many years cannot be eliminated you. Now youth means to place your firm l Lobby for employment of qualified overnight. It takes a process-oriented and confidence in yourself and exercise your youth to work in government, private institutionalised approach to change hopeful determination and resolution and and public sector; and cultural values, which would be possible l Provide educational scholarship programs through a unified approach of the willing good intentions in this beautiful

for qualified and talented youth. different stakeholders. task of self-culture. This will truly bring All individuals and organisations are supreme satisfaction and fulfilment not Programmes endowed with certain qualities being best only to you, but also to all concerned. The larger umbrella organisation can in some aspects and having no knowledge adopt different programmes based on the and skills in the other. The old proverb, The shaping of your life is indeed in your following areas: ‘United We Stand, Divided We Fall,’ holds own hands.” n

REFERENCES 5. http://www.divyajivan.org/articles/adhyatma/vivekananda_youth.htm 1. Bista D.B., Fatalism and Development, Orient Longman, India, 1994. 6. http://www.worldwideschool.org/library/books/phil/modernwesternphilosophy 2. Ghimire K.B., The Journal of Peasant Studies, Vol 30, No.1, pp. 31-72, October FrancisBacon/chap42.html 2002 3. http://www.fesnepal.org/events/fes_in_press.htm#wrong 7. http://www.marxist.org/archieve/marx/works/download/marx_young_Marx.pdf 4. http://www.newdeal.feri.org/students/ayc.htm 8. Poudel, The Spotlight: 2001: Vol 20, No. 45, May 25-31

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TALKING TO YOUTH Sathi Sanga Man Ka Kura

A survey conducted by UNICEF five years their likes and dislikes, sexual behaviours, As a result, UNICEF selected eight producers ago identified that teenagers were most etc. The youth were also asked about their and trained them on life skills and vulnerable to HIV infections. This prompted media preferences. As response, a radio dissemination techniques. During the the thinking that conducting awareness programme was considered to be a suitable training, new ideas were discussed and scripts measures to combat vulnerability could be medium to impart the necessary knowledge were developed for the radio programme. more effective than organising programmes to the youth, largely because it was accessible The first edition of Sathi Sanga Man Ka Kura to support those already infected by the to all. (Intimate chat with friends) was broadcast virus. It was also realized that a media Subsequently, UNICEF felt that if radio on Radio Nepal in April 2001. It is an programme targeting youth could be an was to be used as a medium to spread awareness programme seeking to sensitise knowledge among youth on life skills, the youth of challenges they face and it was also effective medium to initiate preventive people involved in conducting the designed to serve as a preventive measure measures against HIV. programme should have the necessary to make youth aware of the deadly In line with the same thinking, it was knowledge to make effective presentations. implications of HIV. also felt necessary for young people to develop life skills to prevent involving themselves in risky behaviours. The questions that arose were: How can the necessary knowledge be imparted to the youth? What kind of programmes would be effective? In order to address these questions, a CAP (WHAT IS THIS) survey was conducted in seven districts covering 1,500 young people of 13 to 18 years of age. The main goal was to identify knowledge, skills, behaviours and aspirations of the youth. The questionnaire covered various issues like priorities of youth, From left to right BINAYAK, BHASKAR, DEVENDRA, SANGITA, BINITA

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The programme began as a half-hour The men and women behind the radio show. interaction and remained so for the first three months. Eventually, and prodded by OrganisationTHE spoke with members of the Sathi Sanga Man Ka Kura team—Binita Shrestha, Team Leader/Producer; Devendra Lal Shrestha, Producer; Bhaskar Gyawali, Producer; the overwhelming response from the and Sangita Budhathoki, Producer. Binayak Aryal, Producer, was unavailable at the time audience in the form of letters and of interview. suggestions, it was extended to one hour. Following are excerpts of the conversation with the people that seem to have a The programme design has a discussion on suggestion for almost every type of problem encountered by the youth in Nepal: some important issue for the first half-hour and is followed up by another half-hour that What kind of changes has the addressing the problems faced by Nepali programme gone through since youth. The large number of responses we get is spent on responding to letters from its early days? from our audience itself is an indication that listeners. Devendra: The programme has gone the programme has a good scope. I think we Although the programme began as an through many changes. We are now in a can also use listener clubs as a medium to HIV/AIDS awareness-building initiative, it position to include broader issues pointed out make our efforts more fruitful in future. was evident from the CAP study that HIV by the large number of letters we get. I have Bhaskar: We are proud of what we have was not the only pressing issue. There were also gone through a lot of changes. I try to achieved, but we still feel there is a lot that other issues like family problems, social apply a lot of alternatives that we discuss in needs to be done. As a radio programme, pressure, educational problems, peer our programme in my personal life and that SSMK still lacks a personal touch, but with pressure, etc. that have a long-term influence has really helped me grow on a personal level. the identity we have been able to create for on the development of young people. Drug the programme, we can go to the field level abuse was a problem and was one that also How do you plan to make your and help young people develop life skills for contributed to HIV transmission. Therefore programme more effective? the betterment of society as a whole. We it was decided that the programme should have created a niche for our programme and Rupa: At present we have around 600- expand its scope and also focus on the reaching youth at the field level will be an 700 listeners clubs across the country. The various problems faced by youth. clubs were started by our listeners to freely extension of our current work. Over time it has become evident that listen to and discuss the issues we raise. The Sangita: I think we have been quite issues raised by listeners seem to be main reason for opening such clubs is that successful in covering a lot of issues and “seasonal”. For instance, during examinations young people, especially in rural areas cannot problems related to Nepali youth. But the They receive manu letters from students openly listen to our programme because we ongoing conflict remains an important area facing problem with studies and the pressures talk about very sensitive issues like safe sex that we need to concentrate on more in on them from parents. Similarly, in the and pregnancy which are subjects that the future. context of the ongoing conflict, now the elderly are not very comfortable with. Such programme gets a large number of letters clubs have made our task much easier as we What do you think is the main on problems of migration, uncertainty of can easily locate listeners and involve them challenge facing Nepali youth? in different types of educational interventions Rupa: The main challenge is the ongoing the future, etc. like peer education; we also mobilise them conflict and the affect it has on youth. We The programme receives an average of for different social activities. We are trying to should realise that the situation is not going 1,100–1,200 letters every month. All letters equip these young people with necessary to remain the same forever. It is a testing are read and scrutinized and those of a knowledge and skills and mobilise them in period for us and we, as youth, should be urgent nature are addressed as a priority. various community development activities. strong enough to bounce back when the Earlier the programme responded to only Devendra: I feel this programme has a situation becomes favourable. We have to 3–4 letters in each episode and left the rest good prospect. In fact we never thought a continue with our responsibilities and remain unattended, but this resulted in a large radio programme could be effective in hopeful for better days.n number of letters being left out. Now all

34 OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 profile

letters are read thoroughly and the FEEDBACK FROM LISTENER programme is planned in a manner so as to Pratibha Gurung address a major issuederived from the letters Pratibha Tamang is originally from Dharan but has been in Kathmandu for several years. received in the mail. The programme also A Japanese woman has sponsored her. She is presently studying in class 10 at Namuna has a mini-drama series based on issues Machindra School, Patan. Pratibha currently assists the SSMK team in reading letters identified from listener response. Letters of sent by the visually impaired listeners from different parts of the country. an urgent nature are immediately responded How long have you been listening to this programme? to. For example, if someone sends a letter I have been listening to this programme for the past three years. Initially it focused saying ‘I am 5 months pregnant and have on a few issues like HIV, love affairs, etc. but over time it has been able to cover lot of no idea of what to do’, the issue is taken issues and problems that we, as young people, face. up immediately. The programme also brings As a regular listener, how do you think this programme has helped you? in experts to discuss certain issues raised by The programme has helped me broaden my horizon on common issues and problems the listeners. faced by Nepali youth. In my personal life, this programme has been really helpful in The programme takes care not to confidence-building. Since I am partially disabled [Pratibha is blind] I used to feel really bad about my problem and I was not comfortable talking freely with people. After regularly mention the names of listeners and listening to this programme, I came to realise that there are so many people in the generalises the problem and the response. country who are more deprived than me, both physically and economically. The issues The letters that cannot be addressed on the raised and discussed in the programme have also helped me to comprehend and build programme are responded to through the confidence to do something for myself as well for others who are more deprived than periodic booklets published and distributed me. to the listeners. The issues are subdivided Are you satisfied with the current approach of the programme? What can be done into different categories like safe sex, conflict, to make it more influential? depression, pregnancy problems, family I think the programme has been able to cover a lot of issues related to youth, but problems, and career. The booklet is sent by there are still so many problems faced by Nepali youth and teenagers, especially in the rural areas, which need to be identified and brought into limelight. For this the programme mail to the listeners every month. should conduct field level studies and research. People like us living in the capital or Migration is one of the main problems major cities have good access to resources and facilities. We may not even be aware related to conflict and one that is raised by of the troubles that rural youth. I think we need to include more of such issues on the many listeners. This is a controversial issue, programme. as the programme cannot simply suggest Anita Bhandari that the people should go abroad to seek Anita has been listening to SSMK for the past three years. She came to Kathmandu better opportunities nor can it ask them to from Dolakha to pursue her higher studies. wait for better days to come—which remains How you started listening to this programme? an uncertainty. Such issues are challenging During my School Leaving Certificate examination, I received a lot pressure from to say the least. Similarly, the programme my parents with regard to my studies. A few of my friends suggested that listen to this does not broadcast any particular suggestion programme, which in due course helped me to a lot to fight back the pressures and to tackle a problem. Instead it provides them learned ways of taking examinations in a right manner. As a result, I became attached with alternatives and it is for them to analyse to this programme and have been a regular listener. and choose the one most suitable to the Has this programme helped you in other aspects also? specific context. In other words, the Yes, most of the things discussed in the programme are related to our day-to-day programme helps to prepare the youth for problems. I can relate to such problems to my personal life too; the alternatives suggested the future by providing them with by the programme are also helpful for coping in problems we encounter in our lives. alternatives.n

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Junior Red Cross (JRC)

What do you think is the most important area that Nepali youth should focus on? Youth today are being used by many agencies for their individual benefits. They Junior Red Cross: Early Start international friendship and understanding; are being used as a means to achieve vested The Junior/Youth Red Cross (JRC) was dissemination of Red Cross principles and interests. It is very important to change this formed in 1965 to enhance the Nepal Red International Humanitarian Law; and service trend. Youth should not be regarded as a Cross Society’s (NRCS) capacity in to the community. Each circle and district means to an end, but rather as leaders. We management and service delivery. The NRCS chapter sustains its own programmes and need to assess and consider the needs of felt the need to establish the junior group the activity agenda based on community youth and work not for them but rather to ensure its smooth functioning and to needs and local resources. The JRC work has with them. In Nepal, we unnecessarily reach the grassroots level. Junior Circles an HIV/AIDS prevention and reproductive pressure the youth. We do not give them comprise members from schools, while health programme; a drinking water and enough freedom to make their own choices. campuses and the general community make sanitation programme; and an organisation For instance, in The Netherlands, many and service programme. up the Youth Circles. All activities place an youth are engaged in premarital sex but the emphasis on gender awareness and the ratio of HIV-infected people is very low. This active encouragement for girls to participate. HIV/AIDS Prevention and is because their level of awareness is high. This has resulted in a substantially higher Reproductive Health Programme female to male membership ratio compared The HIV/AIDS Prevention and What kind of demands do JRC to the Nepal Red Cross Society’s adult Reproductive Health Programme covers 40 members usually make? membership. Junior/Youth Red Cross has an districts and has brought education and The majority ask for district level support organisational network of almost 3,500 awareness to over 500,000 people across programmes like leadership management, circles and close to 800,000 members Nepal. It targets adolescents and youth skills development, art competitions, throughout Nepal. The age of the members between ages 12 to 25 years, both at schools establishment of community centres, and range from 5 to 25 years. and in the community. The programmes are training of trainers. They also want training The Junior/Youth Red Cross department implemented on a priority basis in particularly programmes for those who cannot go to has four major fields of activity: protection vulnerable districts using the following school. We do not have enough resources of life and health; promotion of an criteria: high rate of migration; girl trafficking;

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movement to India; and an existing prevalence of STDs. Some of the ‘Work with Youth NOT For Youth’ programme’s activities are: dissemination of project information through indigenous skills such as traditional singing and street Before Mr. Aryal became the Director performances; youth orientation; training of of Junior Red Cross, he worked as a as peer educators; and a talk programmes. community development officer for the community development department. Organisation and Service He also worked as manager for over Programme nine years in his present department at The Organisation and Service Nepal Red Cross. PITAMBER ARYAL Programme provides services to youth and Director of Junior Red Cross the community through first aid training, capacity for immediate response during disasters, handicraft and community centres, to fulfil the demands of all, so we never sufficient to support the variety of activities and humanitarian awareness activities. Some provide full support. Instead, we provide the units undertake, but in many areas the of its activities include: reforestation and certain support and they generate the rest district chapters have been able to raise funds environmental activities, child literacy classes, themselves. We also have a system to reward and manage their activities. Money generally national competition in creative arts, and the best circle. This encourages the circles is not a big challenge. More important are youth leadership development. to come up with more innovative ideas and the commitment to serve. programmes. The main objective of the There is also a problem of continuity. Drinking Water and Sanitation Programme organisational development programme is In most circles, youth who did very well in to strengthen the activities of the JRC. Our The Drinking Water Programme has planning and implementing activities leave aim is to make the junior circles self-reliant. emerged as a leading activity of the Nepal the circles for better opportunities or for For this we organize workshops, junior camps Red Cross through the construction of further studies. It becomes very difficult to and conferences, and youth conferences. drinking water schemes and sanitary facilities find talented people to continue operations. in partnership with the Japanese Red Cross We have a very large network of members What are the main challenges Society. The programme has helped forty and circles. They often come up with plans JRC faces? districts and reached over 250,000 people. and demands, but we have very little We face many challenges, but we have School children, with appropriate resources resources to support the demands. been quite successful in coping with most of and empowerment, have become agents of them. Institutionalisation is perhaps our change within their families, thus mobilising How do people benefit from your biggest challenge. Once a junior circle is the community as a whole. Some of the programmes? established it has to continue its services. The programme activities include: basic health circle needs to have its own operational We try to teach life education. and sanitation, plumbers’ training, and calendar and work accordingly. In order to Enhancing decision-making abilities and monitoring and evaluation. admit someone they need to collect improving performance are some activities JRC’s coverage stretches across the membership fees from the potential member, we undertake. This type of education can country, reaching all 75 districts. Through but there is increasing pressure from the help the youth to become self-reliant. Junior the committed volunteer network, the JRC Maoists not to collect fees from the people. Red Cross provides young people with has been able to implement its programmes Due to this, the expansion has been affected. opportunities of leadership and personal quite successfully, despite the ongoing Revenue from membership is low and not development. n conflict. There are now plans to further expand the programme and the activities.n

OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 37 emerging concept

The Power of POSITIVE DE VIANCE

Positive Deviance. Haven't heard the term? You will. It is a powerfully simple process that has enabled results in the world's poorest communities. And it may be coming to a board room near you.

BY PRUCIA BUSCELL*

W hen Jerry and Monique Sternin faced a than other kids, and had daunting deadline to show improved identified positive deviant nutrition among impoverished children in factors. We thought if we Vietnam, desperation gave birth to could take this research innovation. tool, and turn it into an The Sternins were staffers with Save action tool—use it to the Children when they went to Vietnam discover, to create a in 1990 to help fight malnutrition in the program, a model—maybe country's villages. Typically, it takes a year we could show impact in to get a program started, Mr. Sternin says six months." now. But they weren't given the luxury of The idea was to find people who, despite poverty such leisure. The Vietnamese government Jerry demonstrating how little water is required to wash a child hands at a and meager resources, issued a tough order: produce results in six Positive Deviance Workshop focusing on hygiene and worm infestation in somehow managed to have Armenia. (Parent were concerned that it would be impossible to bring sufficient months or go home. water to school to enable kids to wash hands) well-nourished children. In the Chinese language, the term Their team, which included Vietnamese mothers of malnourished kids met every day "crisis" is represented by two characters— staffers, went to four villages and found and practiced hand washing, active feeding danger over opportunity, Mr. Sternin muses, that some families with well-nourished young and cooking, and feeding children the new and that "fortunate act of desperation" inspired a swift transformation from theory children were doing something different— foods. Mothers eager to see their children to action. feeding the children more often and thrive began to adopt the practices of their "We had been acquainted with 'positive supplementing their rice-based diet with successful neighbors, and within six months, deviance' as a research tool," he recalls. "The fresh water shrimp and crabs and the vitamin two thirds of the children gained weight. idea had been around since the 70s. People rich leaves of sweet potatoes. These foods After 24 months, 85% were adequately had looked at children who were were free and easy to get, but stigmatized nourished. A study done years later by the malnourished, children in hospitals, who as "poverty fare." The villagers and Save the Harvard School of Public Health showing bounced back from the malnutrition quicker Children staff designed a program where that successive generations of still-

* Mr. Prucia Buscell is the Editor of Plexus Institute’s ‘Emerging’ newsletter. 1 “The Power of Positive Deviance” was first published in Plexus Institute’s ‘Emerging’ newsletter; Aug/Sept/Oct 2004. Website: www.plexuxinstitute.org/NewsEvents/Emerging.cfm

38 OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 emerging concept

impoverished Vietnamese children in the Positive Deviance Defined and is no rejection by the 'social' immune program villages were still well nourished. Applied system defense response," Mr. Sternin In other words, the behavior was sustainable, Positive deviance is the behavioral says. "As a PD facilitator, I have the role and lives were being changed. difference that allows a person or group to of trying to help you discover the For more than a decade, Mr. Sternin overcome some adversity that harms people resource. But you have the answer. The has been refining the concept of positive with the same resources who behave in wisdom and the answers exist within deviance (PD) for application in diverse conventionally expected ways. your community. I've seen this work all settings all over the world. As a result Sociologists began debating the over the world. It generates more respect of their work in Vietnam, the Sternins concept of "positive deviance" decades ago. and wisdom than 'best practice' because met Tufts University Nutrition Professor Some scholars thought deviance is always it's not like having some expert come in Marian Zeitlin, a pioneer of the theory. negative, making the phrase an oxymoron. and tell you, hey dummies, look how Three years ago when the Sternins Others suggested deviance is a continuum much better someone over there is returned from work in Burma, they with evil on one end and sainthood on doing." the other. When experts try to impose externally The Sternins went to Vietnam to help fight The Sternins devised solutions, community resistance malnutrition in the country's village. Typically, it pioneered the use of the can be akin to bodily rejection of foreign concept as a model for tissue. In expanding the Vietnamese takes a year to get a program started. The social and behavioral children's nutrition effort, for instance, Vietnamese government issued a tough order: change. The phrase is mothers weren't simply told to add shrimp produce results in six months or go home. disconcerting to people and sweet potato greens to their children's who just don't like the diet. Mothers of well-nourished children word deviance, Mr. Sternin notes, but people helped neighbors in new program villages received a Ford Foundation grant to remember it because of its begin the Positive Deviance Initiative at inherent dissonance. Tufts, which asked them to be visiting When the Sternins are scholars. The objectives of the initiative working they like to let are to document current uses of PD, train others describe what they a new cadre of practitioners, and are trying to do. "In investigate new uses. Bangladesh they call it Enthusiasm for their work is spreading. keno parbo na—why Mr. Sternin and his wife have worked in not?" Mr. Sternin says. In 20 countries and other practitioners are Mali, people produced using PD in another 15 countries. another expression: "A far The Sternins have been consultants away stick can't kill the for the World Bank, CARE, UNICEF, USAID, snake." and have given workshops for Harvard, Women Share special Positive Deviant maternal and newborn care strategies Today people using at a "Healthy Baby Fair" in Pakistan. Princeton, Brandies and other institutions. PD are making inroads in seemingly discover for themselves the nutritional Governmental agencies and dozens of intractable social ills. In addition to value of previously under-used foods non-governmental organizations have sustainability, PD embodies the promises available in their own environments. In made the PD approach prevalent internationally, and it is gaining attention of practicality, self–discovery, and respect. one village, that might be sesame seeds in the U.S. in educational, medical and "It means the problems and the solutions and in another it could be dried fish or a corporate milieus. share the same DNA, and therefore there previously unnoticed crop of edible greens.

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Nutrition projects have reached the daughter is not immoral, she is millions of children in 41 countries virtuous and she has gotten married, around the world. The nutrition efforts that raises a question mark. Suddenly have reached 2.2 million people in there is a choice." Vietnamese communities alone, Girl trafficking is an ancient tragedy dramatically improving the lives of sustained by modern desperation. Poor countless children who would otherwise people sell their daughters into the sex not have reached their full physical and trade when they believe they have no intellectual capacity. The Sternins have other choice. "Yet through PD, villagers also used PD concepts as a powerful discover there are some people just like catalyst for helping communities change us who have the same tiny piece of land such ancient and culturally entrenched and the same number of kids and the practices as female genital mutilation same meager resources, and they're not and the sale of young girls into sexual sending their daughters out. That's social Monique and young friend during a Growth Monitoring session servitude. proof that it's possible to do something in West Irianjaya, Indonesia. Knowledge does not by itself different. Social proof is a very potent change behavior. The conventional act your way into a new way of thinking part of PD—someone just like me, someone expectation, Mr. Sternin explains, is that than to think your way into a new way of who isn't smarter, richer, or better knowledge will change attitudes, which acting.” educated, is able to do something will then change practice. But efforts that Visceral experiences people discover different." put knowledge first have been themselves and the social proofs they Mr. Sternin tells the story of Pak disappointing. Take smoking. Does anyone witness also promote behavior change, Darma, a poor Indonesian farmer who on the planet not know that smoking is Mr. Sternin suggests. For instance, he says, agreed to publicly address this taboo topic, detrimental to health? Yet smoking there has been 90 percent compliance for and who worked to protect his daughters. continues. The question has long 4,000 years on female circumcision in He planted cash crops that could be perplexed activists and theoreticians Egypt, even though modern science harvested in different seasons to earn dealing with obesity, contagion, and a acknowledges the practice is painful and money for their education, and he host of other conditions that involve harmful. While males are circumcised as monitored their activities. On child harmful habits among people who know infants for medical and religious reasons, rearing, he cites the Javanese proverb, "You better. girls and young women are genitally need to let go of the head but hold on to mutilated for social purpose—so that the tail." Positive Deviance vs. Female disinterest in sex will foster fidelity. Circumcision Persistent myth also instills the notion that The Myth of "Expertise" "With the positive deviance approach, circumcised girls will be more beautiful. PD isn't meant for every problem. Mr. the sequence is practice, attitude, then Exhortations from educated sheiks and Sternin explains that it is important to knowledge. The practice changes the doctors have tended to go unheeded. "If separate technical challenges from adaptive attitude, and then you internalize the you love your daughter, and want her to ones. If you're looking for the best way to knowledge. When people start practicing get married, this is something you do. repair an engine, people generally won't successful behavior, and see that it works, There is no choice," Mr. Sternin explains. resist advice from a mechanic who is very that's more effective than just knowing "But when you realize someone 'just like different. Diffusion of innovation and about it," Mr. Sternin says. "It's easier to me' hasn't circumcised her daughter, and knowledge may need experts who are

40 OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 emerging concept

different. But for adoption of practice, you are illiterate, who are not articulate, have makes the difference, and we can adopt need people like you, people who don't strategies we would never know about that strategy to our own situation. We have access to special economic, social or because we have different sets of have a tree—we can do it outside." educational resources that you lack. When intellectual and material resources, so there is no way we could know Positive Deviance in Health It's easier to act your way into a new way what they are doing." Care of thinking than to think your Way into a Jerry Sternin, who has a Applications for PD are very broad. Master's in Asian studies, and Some now underway include improved new way of acting Monique Sternin, who has a asthma management and greater adherence people need to change behavior or values, Master's in education, met in Cambridge to medication regimens for people with Mr. Sternin says, it helps if the solution where both earned degrees at Harvard. HIV/AIDS. Many people who use and the problem share the same DNA and They are veterans of the Peace Corps and maintenance medication don't comply with if both are working parts of the same worked for 16 years for Save the Children. the proper protocol who because of complex system. He notes that a Monique Sternin worked to halt Bangladeshi mother who has saved her female circumcision in Egypt and A Bangladeshi mother has saved her family family during a flood will be the world's improve neonatal health in during a flood will be the world’s finest Pakistan, and Jerry Sternin worked finest expert on surviving disaster. expert on surviving disaster. Sometimes professionals—the experts against girl trafficking. They worked from health ministries and clinics—resist together on nutrition projects and on inconvenience, forgetfulness, current adolescent and early education the idea that troubled communities hold discouragement or scarce supplies. Yet projects in the US and South America. their own solutions. "You recognize that among people facing the same barriers, In a project to reduce the student professionals have a contribution, but some succeed. A person who takes dropout rate in Argentina, Mr. Sternin and you are also trying to have people witness medication properly because a supportive colleagues discovered one school doing themselves—knowledge isn't convincing, partner helps administer it is not a positive much better than similar schools in but experience is," Mr. Sternin says, "There deviant, Mr. Sternin explains, because the retaining students. "That school had a big is often amazement on the part of helpful partner is a resource not available to party or picnic once a month for kids and professionals that the community really everyone. If people say compliance comes parents in the gym," he recalls. "Initially, does have the answer...that people who from faith and daily church community one of the participant attendance, further investigation may find teachers thought that was TBU PD. "You need to look closely at what is (information that is happening," Mr. Sternin says. If the person true but useless). Not gets a daily phone reminder from a church every school has a friend, it may be the call that is the key to gym that can success, and that strategy can be replicated accommodate a for others outside the church community. crowd. Someone else The possibilities of PD in medicine are said the gym is not just emerging. The Sternins and John Tobin, important, what president and CEO of Waterbury Hospital matters is that they Health Center in Waterbury, CT, are Monique and Jerry meet with Positive Deviant Volunteers advocating against Female are bringing people exploring the possibility of a project on genital cutting in Egypt. together. That's what hand washing.

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Sometimes that in the days of dictator Pol Pot, the conventional wisdom impoverished were idealized and masks details that intellectuals were exterminated. A hold solutions. Mr. successful program was established after Sternin recalls the historically loaded terminology was working on a changed. nutrition project in Monique and Jerry Sternin both are Bolivia where multi-lingual Mr. Sternin modestly says he everyone ate the says he can "get by" in English, French, same food—a broth Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Nepalese, made with pieces of and Bengali and can speak some Arabic. Primary School students Missions, Argentina: Participants in a PD Project to enhance potatoes, carrots, student retention in Grade schools in rural Argentina. Both can recall events from early childhood green vegetables and that enlivened far-reaching interests. When "Hand washing is a classic bits of meat. Common sense predicted no Jerry was about 5, he received a children's example," Mr. Sternin says. "How many positive deviance relating to food would book, Around the World with Bob and doctors don't know that it is important be found. Yet some young children were Betty, and remembers fascination with to wash hands? None. Yet according better nourished than their neighbors. pictures of Hong Kong and the Gate of to the literature, improper hand Everyone was feeding the kids from that India in Bombay. Monique, who was born washing on the part of doctors and same pot, Mr. Sternin says, but there was in France, remembers a gift her father hospital staff is a major issue in a difference: The common practice for kids brought from the US—a box of 50 Crayola infections." Mr. Sternin says doctor under 3 was to ladle out liquid. The PD Crayons. She said she wanted to live in a friends have admitted privately there moms were scooping the bottom of the country that had crayons of so many are times when they should have pot and serving their children nutritious different colors. washed their hands and did not, and solids. Now both find that the exciting Mr. Sternin found There is often amazement on the part of aspects of PD are its vitality and its promise that when commercial professional that the community really does have for uncovering life-changing secrets that sex workers tried to get lie in front of our eyes. "You walk into a the answer... that poor who are illiterate who are their clients to use new community with your local partner, not articulate, have strategies we would never condoms, phrasing of with a new problem you know nothing know about because we have different sets of the request mattered. Successful workers about, and really know that in a week, or intellectual and material resources. didn't mention their a month from today, these folks will start have also suggested that reminders own fears, but instead stressed that a to address that problem, because you wouldn't have worked because they condom could protect the client from know these folks have the answer," Mr. were rushed and busy. However, he disease. Sternin says. "The exciting thing is the says, they agreed that if they witnessed Ordinary language can have notion of enabling those communities to a ward with a very low infection rate, unexpected impact if cultural context is discover the wisdom that they already where 100 percent hand washing had overlooked. Monique Sternin was surprised have, watching them discover it and then been the key, their behavior would when Cambodian villagers seemed resistant act upon it." n probably change. Again, proof and self- to finding nutritional successes among the For more on the Sternins and their discovery are decisive. poor. A Cambodian facilitator explained work, see www.positivedeviance.org

42 OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 discussion

Challenges and Opportunities of ASIAN YOUTH1

BY PRALHAD GIRI*

Background as those in Kashmir and Sri Lanka are well Career The social, political and economic documented, while Nepal is receiving Today we are living in an ever-changing development of South Asia has been seriously minimal attention. world. The idea that a person chooses a career that has to last for thirty years is no longer hindered by internal and/or intra-state Trends & Environment true. Millions of adults caught in career shock conflicts. The region is one of the most One prevalent challenge faced by the youth and career collision are being forced to refocus, ethnically, culturally and linguistically diverse, is the challenge of choosing a career and another restructure, and change careers with little real as well as the most populous in the world. is related to the business environment, including insight, direction, information, or workable However, it is also a host to deeply but not limited to, economic freedom. These strategies. For many of these individuals, who entrenched ethnic hostility, communal challenges can be correlated. There is a direct were unhappy in their chosen career, the reality violence and numbers of wars, both intra- and substantial relationship between the career presents an opportunity to choose a career and intrastate. Some of these conflicts, such search and economic freedom. they will enjoy, provoking them to ask, “How

* Mr. Giri is the Producer/Host of the popular youth discussion show, Youth Forum, on Nepal Television and NTV Metro. 1 This was a presentation at the Asian Youth Conference.

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can I go about choosing a career that I will desired destination. The reason I am focussing Youth are needed to consolidate the like?” This forces them to plunge into the job on economic freedom is because it is directly further objectives in their career path and market. Frustration stems from the mentality related to youth. Today, there is the necessity economic freedom. In doing so, youth can be of the need to get a job at any cost. Now, it to increase the level of young entrepreneurs. problem–free, fully engaged, fully prepared is high time to create prospects of self- Economists know that the quality of political and self–motivated. employment. Can we develop and economic institutions have an large impact entrepreneurship? The world has been on the growth and prosperity of nations. In Youth Development nourished because of entrepreneurs rather general, we know that the greater the We are gathered at the Asian Youth than jobholders. Why can we not generate economic freedom, the greater the political Conference to generate our own thinking self-employment? freedom and the greater the prosperity for all about youth development. The term “youth We do not always get what we want. involved. development” has come into vogue over the Life reminds us of the fact that we are mere Economic freedom can be measured. To past decade. We are puzzled nowadays as to mortals, and that we cannot always guarantee achieve a high economic freedom rating, a what is known about the key processes, tasks success in our endeavours. We have to learn country must rely primarily on voluntary and expectations that occupy young people. to cope and live with the problems of exchange and markets rather than taxes and Now it is high time to ask: What is Youth uncertainty and failure. This should never lead government spending to allocate goods and Development? Youth development is but one to despair, but rather to a more dynamic resources. It must also follow stable monetary stage in the continuum of individual human approach and attitude on our part to deal policies, avoid regulations that limit entry into development. with it effectively. markets, and establish a legal regime that Most of the Nepalese youth do not exactly Young people these days find themselves provides for the even–handed enforcement of understand youth development in the broader unsatisfied with their career choices as many contracts and protection of property rights. context such as is known about human, social, have gone into a career path for the wrong The foundation of economic freedom includes community, institutional and economic reasons. Perhaps they were trying to please personal choice, voluntary exchange, and open development. In my opinion, first and foremost, their parents, or maybe money was their markets. As Adam Smith, Milton Friedman, youth development must be seen as the process motivation, but the outcome has meant that and Friedrich Hayek have stressed, freedom of in which all young people are engaged to they have regrets in their jobs. Money and exchange and market coordination provide meet their needs, build skills and find ways to family values may be a consideration when the fuel for economic progress. Without opportunities to make a difference in all of the choosing the right career. Not surprisingly, exchange and entrepreneurial activity areas of their lives—personal/cultural, many youth also go into a career field that is coordinated through markets, modern living social/emotional, moral/spiritual, vocational, not of their choice because of different standards would be impossible. That is why cognitive and civic. Early childhood years, circumstantial reasons. Perhaps they did not we need to make a drastic change by involving middle childhood, adolescence and young have the qualifications or were unable, for youth in building entrepreneurial development. adulthood (which we refer to collectively as whatever reason, to get into the field they may The crucial factors that affect and determine the youth years) are critical times for the have desired. These people, however, may economic freedom are: development of a range of attitudes, values, tend to think that they have to embrace the skills and relationships. They are also the years l Trade policy, career if not discard it. in which these attitudes, skills and relationships l Fiscal burden of government, are tested, strengthened and put to use in l Government intervention in the economy, Economic Freedom settings independent of the family. Psychologist, l Monetary policy, Achieving economic freedom is like Erik Erickson, identified three crucial struggles l Capital flows and foreign investment, building a car. Is the most important that young people face during these years: 1) l Banking and finance, component of the car the powerful engine, the task of industry-learning to be, productive, the transmission, the seats, the steering wheel, l Wages and prices, “learning to contribute; 2) the task of the brakes, or the tires? The question defies l Property rights, identity–learning who you are and where you an answer, because without any one of these l Regulation, and fit; and 3) the task of intimacy–learning how components, the car is unlikely to reach the l Informal market activity. to be with others, and finding a life partner.”

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Challenges of Asian Youth Nepalese society lacks a strong work fauna somehow design the future of a) Political: In South Asia, including Pakistan, culture, which has led to the emergence Nepal. If we know the real use of natural Afghanistan and Myanmar, the young of an economic downturn. and rare herbs, we will never have a d) Personal: On a personal level, youth tend generation’s right to access is incomplete. problem of income generation. Youth Due to the inter- and intra-state conflict, to suffer from different kinds of problems can also be the backbone for the nation’s youth in major parts of India, Sri Lanka, today. Youth of this age are ambiguous, sustainable tourism development. We Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh are having a lack of interest realization. Work know that every year our Nepalese involved in violence instead of building is being done without their interest. Not brothers are going abroad. They should their career. That is why the pressure of surprisingly, they are also blindly affected young and motivated youth is high in by the demonstration effect. They are become there own country’s tourism developed countries like Canada and the ready to do unnecessary work only ambassadors. It is time to ponder how USA. because of superficial attraction. Other we can bring our natural resources into b) Social: One major social challenge major challenges facing youth these days a marketable existence. concerning youth is sexual abuse by are depression, over-ambition, lack of d) A right initiation: Success can be achieved confidence, and practical perfection. conflicting parties of war, which is found through an important step. Youth have in South Asia. Due to the conflict, the the general habit to initiate work only agricultural workers, who consist of youth, Opportunities of Asian Youth when there is a suitable time. Why only are displaced in different secured places. While talking about opportunities, youth then? Every time is a favourable time. For They often feel a lack of social security fail to identify opportunities knocking at their example, girls who never thought they and inaccessibility of resources. door. On the contrary, they are found searching Consequently, those effected youth are in areas that are out of their reach. A Nepali would hold a gun are being recruited being marginalized. Another crucial proverb says, “Currency notes are spilled into the Royal Nepal's National Army. They problem that youth face is the lack of the everywhere; one has to know how to pick have clearly identified the opportunities. right guidance at the right time. Quite them up.” The following terms clearly indicate In similar situations, youth who are interestingly, youth are reluctant to gain prevalent opportunities for youth: participating in conflict must be seen a) Availability of Information & basic morality or receive guidance from through a positive lens. If we transform their respective seniors. Technology: Due to the pervasive the negative conflict into the positive, it c) Economic: From the economic aspect, development of information and can bring great opportunity to the entire poverty, unemployment and a low technology, the world has been turned youth’s prosperity. interest in entrepreneurship are major into a small village. Youth can have easy This is the age of youth globalisation. challenges of youth. A lack of productive access to international education in their education, identification of own country. An enthusiastic youth can Interactions and interventions with young people opportunities and adaptability in various prepare his university exam with the help need to be as continuous, consistent and as circumstances are also known major of the Internet. flexible as possible. And at every level, there has challenges of youth today. What is more, b) Qualified are always in demand: If you to be a balance between needs and resources. they fail to understand the rule of the have talent and, good capacity, you can Youth of this age need to identify the get a job of your choice. The difficulty of “Right Time–Right Exposure”. Financial opportunities. They should vow to take up any deprivation is another major setback in getting a job comes when you do not challenges come across in their career patch. developing youth’s careers and activities. possess knowledge and experience. And finally, I humbly request the Also, Nepalese youth tend to classify Therefore, youth need to take advantage participants gathered to create a new work according to their standard of of opportunities in order to connect with generation making youth fully prepared, living, even in their own respective good employers and to get much needed houses. They often classify work as the experience. engaged, and motivated in building work of scheduled caste and the work c) Idea of exploiting natural resources: It entrepreneurship to make an economically of high class. This clearly indicates that is quite obvious that its natural flora and free world.n

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“We very much want to continue our work here”

Interview with DAVID O’CONNOR

David O’Connor worked as the Country Director of Peace Corps Nepal for almost four years. His connection with Nepal is extensive— he served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Ilam from 1967-1969 and later also as a Peace Corps Trainer outside Pokhara. He worked at UNDP in Nepal from 1972-73. He was recently appointed Country Director in China to carry on work there with the Peace Corps.

What have Peace Corps most for NGOs, and soil conservation and this wonderful country and the warm, significant contributions been community forestry development. We have friendly people. in Nepal? worked our way out of some project areas, Peace Corps’ contribution in Nepal such as fisheries in which Peace Corps was How has the programme has been widespread. Our project focus a pioneer in Nepal. changed in the past 40 years? has been on sustainable economic Peace Corps has also contributed to The program has remained vibrant by development at the grassroots level, with the goodwill and understanding that exists adapting to the changing needs of Nepal. capacity building as a primary goal. For between Nepal and the United States. Our For instance, with the growth of larger instance, some of our most recent program links ordinary Americans with towns, there has been an increase in urban- endeavours have included training in ordinary Nepalis who develop extraordinary based projects in areas such as youth science lab instruction and English professional and personal bonds. Over development and water sanitation; we had language teaching skills for primary and 4,500 volunteers have served in Nepal in also begun new activities in NGO and small secondary school educators, curriculum the last 42 years and have touched the business development. NGOs have made development for nursing campuses, lives of many more Nepalis. The volunteers an important impact on development in organizational development and marketing have also helped educate Americans about Nepal and the Peace Corps has stepped in

46 OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 Interview

in recent years to support them with 21. Travel to rural areas became restricted. started, how to identify resources, how to projects in HIV/AIDS awareness and Government offices and some NGOs also map your community and how to prioritise prevention, women’s issues, and curtailed travel for volunteer counterparts, needs. This experiential training helped environmental education. More recently, which in turn affected their morale and volunteers integrate into their communities we reduced our presence in remote areas motivation as well. Morale was also and become productive more quickly. due to the security situation and focused affected when the terms of locally elected Volunteers developed questionnaires more in district centres and larger towns. officials expired and there were no for their counterparts and co-workers for HMG has provided exceptional support, replacements. Bandhs [general strikes] fieldwork, even though they were not able as have other partner organizations. caused lengthy closures of schools. Our to go out to some rural areas themselves. program staff and the volunteers had to They helped their co-workers analyse data What was most challenging be particularly creative to identify means and designed relevant programs based on about working with Peace to provide a positive impact on Nepal’s the findings. The volunteers also helped Corps in Nepal? socio-economic development. field staff obtain additional training at The rugged terrain of Nepal, though district centres on areas in which they a strong attraction for volunteers, is always How did you maintain lacked knowledge and experience. Soil a challenge in maintaining good productivity while working in conservation volunteers who could not communications. Transportation can also conflict–affected areas? travel to the field helped urban NGOs in be cumbersome. Most recently, the security We developed many approaches on the natural resources/environmental sector; situation forced us to step up monitoring this issue. For instance, we provided they taught environmental education at of volunteer safety and to put more increased training to volunteers and their local schools, and they established rigorous systems in place. Though always counterparts on basic skills in project design community libraries. A volunteer in the highest priority for the Peace Corps, and management. During the sessions, community forestry started a biogas project monitoring volunteer safety in Nepal began participants worked on specific projects in her community with private sector to take up 30–80 percent of staff time at their sites with the Peace Corps staff funding. before the suspension of the program in who helped with follow-up and monitoring In addition, we increased our emphasis September. after the workshops were completed. on cross-sectoral projects. For instance, We encouraged some volunteers to during off-hours, natural resource How did your organisation deal apply for small grants so they could work volunteers undertook projects to increase with the challenge of working with their communities on projects like HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention. We in a conflict–affected school and latrine construction that provided an introduction to cross-sectoral environment? supplemented their primary assignments. opportunities during pre-service training. The insurgency necessitated many We also invited counterparts and We also developed specific tools, such as adjustments in our program in order to supervisors to a site team conference at an HIV/AIDS education kit with easy continue to make meaningful contributions the end of the volunteers’ three-month instructions for volunteers. where volunteers were assigned while also initial training program. The team, Moving volunteers into larger towns minimizing their risk. Over time we including the volunteer assigned to the meant clustering them in groups with gradually pulled them into larger towns location, worked on common challenges complimentary skills. Health educators and districts where the security was and the development of initial six-month helped youth workers organize workshops tighter— with the exception of Mustang action plans. Also, during pre-service on health issues. Youth workers helped and Rasuwa. We reduced the number of training, we increased our emphasis on organize local libraries and day-care districts where we operated from 58 to community entry tools, i.e., how to get centres. Teachers taught sections on

OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 47 Interview

HIV/AIDS and the environment. An expertise. Two volunteers conducted a extremely positive associations and education and a health volunteer in Jhapa, needs assessment of a women’s human meaningful work because volunteers and later two natural resource volunteers, rights organization and then helped expand understand local conditions and the helped organize a local NGO to mitigate some of their activities. cultural context. In such an environment, the conflict between the people and wild Many of the lessons learned during they learn a lot about themselves, their elephants in the neighbourhood. Staff the conflict will be remembered and can strengths and their weaknesses. They also also became more flexible when partner be applied to non-conflict situations as develop unusually close ties which last a agencies fell short of expectation. While well to increase efficiency and to maximize maintaining a foothold with the partner, volunteer impact. lifetime. Volunteers are emotional when at times they sought additional they leave and many come back to visit opportunities at other community What does the suspension of their host families and communities. organizations for meaningful work. the programme mean for Nepalis also learn more about

Due to continuous bandhs we Nepal? Americans and their way of life. A encouraged education volunteers to Suspension means that the Peace wonderful aspect of their service here is become involved in activities that were not Corps expects to reopen the program once that families take volunteers in as a full school-based. The more they got involved the security situation improves. The Peace family member, with the good and the in such activities after school or when Corps has enjoyed a noteworthy history in bad that this implies. Volunteers are not schools were closed, the more effective Nepal and a remarkably positive they became. They organized girls’ clubs, relationship with HMG and the people. pampered. This openness, honesty, and trail construction, and English lessons for We very much want to continue our work warmth help them become full participants NGO personnel. One volunteer invited here. in the lives of their families. They refer to students to her home to develop puzzles The suspension of the program had their “bhais” and “bahinis”, their “aamas” to improve their conversational English an immediate impact on the communities and “baas”. It is truly a fantastic skills. They worked with local youth groups where the volunteers were working. We relationship. on computer and life skills development, regret any hardship this may have caused. organized community trash pick up days, What words of wisdom will you and assisted NGOs on proposal writing The volunteer/community leave behind? and strategic planning. relationship is of mutual We also assigned volunteers to the sharing and learning. What do The Peace Corps has touched many Kathmandu Valley—there had been none you think are the main lives in the past 42 years. There have been just a few years ago—even though they experiences/ideas that over 4,500 volunteers who have served preferred outlying areas. Valley volunteers volunteers take away from the during this period. We also have been were very productive, working to Peace Corps experience? fortunate to have had an amazingly strengthen NGOs, conducting training Peace Corps Volunteers live and work talented staff who are strongly dedicated sessions for doctors and nurses at hospitals, for two years in communities here to the development of Nepal and to the developing health and education curricula, alongside their Nepali colleagues. Their many volunteers who have served here. and working with rural, outlying lifestyles are modest, in keeping with their All of us are hopeful that the Peace Corps communities. A volunteer optometrist counterparts. They live with host families coordinated health activities at Maiti Nepal and become fluent in the Nepali language. will return to continue its vital work and and, based on needs assessments, recruited It is a programme of immersion and full to build on a significant record of others to assist in additional areas of integration in the community which fosters achievement.n

48 OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 Interview

“Respect and authority are two things that cannot be given, but rather have to be earned over time.”

Interview with VISHNU AGARWAL

Mr. Vishnu Agarwal, The Chief Executive Officer of Morang Auto Works, has been engaged in the automotive industry for over ten years. He is also the Managing Director of United Finance Ltd., a public limited company, and the Director-in-Charge at Nepal Trading Concern Pvt. Ltd., a distributor of tractors in Nepal.

He returned to Kathmandu to look after the family business after completing his higher secondary education in Rajasthan, India. He continued with business while completing his Bachelors of Commerce and his pre-MBA. Mr. Agarwal has been influencing change at Morang Auto Works since. The activities he has been part of include expansion to introducing incentives and opening up to advertising.

Was it difficult to balance your marketing. While doing my pre-MBA at Did you face challenges while studies and business? Kathmandu University I had more bringing about changes—new Although I was working while responsibility. I was also involved with United strategies and methods—to the completing my Bachelor’s degree, I did not Finance Ltd. as Director and had started to already established company? have concrete responsibilities so I could take full responsibilities at Morang Auto Entering into any organisation is difficult manage the workload. Work and education Works. I did not complete my MBA because because the existing system may resist you. were both value additions. I started in I am of the type of person who likes to put Even if you are part of the family, it does business by helping with marketing because 100% into whatever I do, so I decided to not matter, especially if you enter the business at the time no one else was involved in concentrate on business. at a young age, but with some authority.

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New forms of authority are a problem, but showroom we needed to make sure that How do you define success? if you start working at the base level, build purchased our motorcycle or product we How do you feel Morang Auto on your experience, and work hard, you will were marketing. Works has achieved success gain respect. Respect and authority are two There has been a complete change in and how do you feel you have things that cannot be given, but rather have the company, one that did not happen been a part of that? to be earned over time. immediately. When you are making changes Success for me is something which is When I started work in the business, you have to look at opportunities. Then you related to the feeling of achievement within. people thought that I did not know anything take advantage of the opportunity and For me achievement in the short term may and I had entered with undeserving make the change. be related to achievement of a target and authority. Sometimes I felt that had I been in the long term, development of an a little older then people would have initially How have you been able to institution which would be able to develop taken me seriously, but after talking with maintain the success of three with trained and competent manpower people, they become convinced. different companies? known for their integrity and their business I have created individual departments skills. I think there is a long way to reach What changes have come about with a clear vision of what that department there. since you began work with needs to do, a clear system of how it should Morang Auto Works has been Morang Auto Works? be done, and a clear annual objective of what successful. In Nepal, Yamaha is the number Morang Auto Works has its own you have to achieve. I have also introduced one or number two selling motorcycle. From brands and over 15 branches and outlets incentives. Being in the marketing department, that point of view, it is successful in terms across the country some of which I had incentives make sense. When the support of base volume and market share, but there created, some which existed before I systems, such as, administration, accounts, is still a lot to do. For example, we would came. When I started working with the and logistics management, run smoothly they like a customer database. For customer company, my first priority was to change can assist in the marketing. We need and have retention, I would like to bring our the outlets. If our staff travel outside the marketing people with clear objectives and a customers into the Yamaha family and make Kathmandu valley or Biratnagar, they have strong support system. If you create a good them feel like they are a part of us. There a difficult time because of a lack of local showroom infrastructure, a good system of are many areas where we can improve. contacts. In a marketing business, local maintaining stocks, you create a system that Success is a relative term. If you compare contacts are essential. Also, if I am in is hospitable to customers. Also, the sales 2004 to 2003, one can claim satisfaction. Kathmandu, I cannot take risks in other representatives need to be treated properly areas because I will not be able to handle and motivated. They want recognition of their How has the motorcycle/ those risks. A local person is in a better effort. If they achieve their target they need automobile industry changed position to take a risk. In addition, we to know what they get in response. They know since you started working? changed our control over our branches the additional incentives. In the last ten years, the industry has and gave control and responsibility to the In United Finance it might be a little changed tremendously both in technical sub-dealers. difficult, but the concept is the same. We advancements as well as larger choices. When I started working, it was a seller’s need to focus on marketing and sales and Every company used to have one product market, but today it has turned into a new activities. We need to look at behaviour with two or three colours, but now each buyer’s market. We were instrumental in patterns and how customers decide on a company has five or six models. It has that change. In the past, our representatives particular product. We also need to have become highly competitive. Earlier there sat in the office while customers visited the knowledge about our competitors. Once was no fragmentation–when you have only showroom, but we realized we needed to we are well–versed on those elements, we one product you do not have fragmentation. reach out. When a customer visited our need to look at customer service. Also, the level of service and customer

50 OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 Interview

importance was low and it has now we are able to take advantage of that become very important. Style has also growth. The number of motorcycles is changed over the years. In the past increasing, but the total market size is motorcycles were more boxy, but today shrinking because the middle class is they are more streamlined. People have not growing. The middle class citizens become more style conscious. Also, are the people who buy and own these pollution has also been curbed. Pollution kinds of products. That has been a has been an important issue both in the constraint, but even in a shrinking mind of the people and the government. market, we have been able to grow. We There has been strong backing by the can also certainly diversify horizontally. international community to introduce We would like to enhance our pollution policies. capacity so that in the future we are able to establish our presence in other How have you, as the countries as well. We also have many manager of the company, agencies and have relationships, been able to contribute to the experiences and we have a good team. capacity so that in the future we are able changes? to establish our presence in other countries We have been able to do well in Do you have any strategies in as well. In the next five years, I hope that adopting those changes—organisational spite of the stagnant middle our four divisions will be more independent changes, channel of sales, individual class to improve your company and capable to handle their responsibilities. motivation. Eight years ago, there were and the overall automotive Also, I would like to see better customer almost no advertisements. We were the first industry? association. We want customers to be able people to start advertisements. We have The position of country is unstable to look at Morang Auto Works as a taken a leadership role as well in introducing relating to peace. There are also problems company who is committed, fair, and financial schemes in Nepal. We were the related to the sentiments of the people in honest. We need to be fair and do what first people to introduce the exchange we say and ensure high product quality. If doing business, in bringing fresh concept in Nepal. We also initiated investments, and strategies relating to the newspaper advertisements. In the case of we can maintain those characteristics, we government on development projects. We motorcycles, a lot of firsts have been will have a customer base that will look to should be geared up to take advantage associated with Morang Auto Works. And us for all of the products that we deal with. whenever these situations occur. For in the case of engineering division, we have The environment of Nepal is very example, Sri Lanka and Nepal’s population been able to introduce new products that dynamic in terms of business. Today I may were previously only available in India. be selling a certain volume of the products is about the same. In Sri Lanka, the I deal in, but you never know what will motorcycle market is 100,000; in Nepal, In what direction is Morang Auto happen tomorrow. What you are hoping the market size is only 23,000. Also we sell Works heading and what is your for today might be entirely different about 20 JCBs in Nepal. In India, with the involvement in that? tomorrow. same population, in a similar market size, One cannot have a very far–sighted We would like to improve on our they would be selling 10 times that approach. We would like to enhance our services, so that whenever the market grows, amount.n

OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 51 Leisure

‘We work as a team @ La’soon’

is a restaurant owned by two dynamic women, a Nepali and a Ghanain. It offers simple, delectable food coupled with a pleasant, colourful atmosphere. La’Soon appeared on the roadside in Pulchowk three years ago—it started as a random idea by owners Maria Zimmerman and Pratibha Yakthumba. Zimmerman came to Nepal from Ghana 13 years ago with her Swiss husband, son and daughter. She has a background in hotel management, but was never involved in actually running a restaurant. Pratibha Yakthumba, a successful Nepali entrepreneur, also owns and runs Moksh at Jhamsikhel. The two women make a strong team and have created an already well-known and popular eatery in Patan. Both women bring in their own flare of delicacies to the restaurant, which offers a wide range of foods, including Nepali to Ghanain tastes.

52 OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 Leisure

Why La’Soon and not Have you seen a something else for a name? change in your We had a number of ideas. We played customer base around with words but the name over the past few “Lasoon” actually came about as a joke years? by Ms. Yaktumba’s husband. It is the We see customers Nepali word for garlic. We had been from all over. It is a mixed trying to come up with something catchy crowd, from Japanese to and clever. “Lasoon” was simple. We Nepalis. The customer then played around with the word and base has changed a lot in the last three years. its presentation and came up with what We see many more it is today, “La’Soon,” a word people Nepalis dining out these often think is French. have seen that restaurants are successful on days. Sometimes, the restaurant is filled with this side of town, so now there are many more Nepalis than foreigners. Why did open up at Pulchowk more options. Three years ago there were and in not, say, in a more What challenges did you face not many dining choices in Lalitpur. ‘happening’ place—Thamel? while starting this venture? We looked for space in Thamel but Where do you find the art Ms. Yaktumba is a strong woman and something was missing in the Thamel displayed in the restaurant? she made the process easy. She took on atmosphere. We also wanted to be more We wanted to help a group of young most of the responsibility of opening the accessible to people living in Lalitpur. Nepali women artists by selling their art to restaurant. She did everything. But, it has We moved to this new space recently our customers. There were some amazing been difficult to maintain the restaurant. because our landlord did not want to artists and the paintings and artwork added You really have to cater to your customers. rent the old building, which ended up a nice touch. But, people kept buying all of I used to come in early in the morning and more positive than we had initially our art and we did not have anything left stay until late in the evening. Now I come thought. The new space is wonderful to display, so now, we buy a few unique in a little later but I still have to be around pieces and keep them as permanent displays. and now we have a garden to offer to to make sure that everything is okay and We do not sell art anymore. customers. There is still a lot to do. We that the staff are doing what they should opened the “new” restaurant three be doing, our customers are enjoying the What is unique about La’Soon? months ago. food, and the service is as good as possible. Our main cook tells new staff that Customer service is our number one priority. La’Soon is different from other restaurants— What are the biggest changes We work as a team. everyone works and they work hard. My you have seen in the staff are all very enthusiastic and ready to restaurant business over the What do you feel is the best way learn, and I love to teach them. I love to past few years? to advertise your restaurant? experiment and work with my staff on There are so many more choices We advertise through word of mouth. recipes. The food is simple and we maintain today. People have really made an effort With the increase in competition we may the quality. I think that is what makes people to increase the quality of the space, initiate more formal advertising. There are come back. Now we have a garden that is service and food. There are some many restaurants in this area these days— a wonderful place to enjoy a meal. We fantastic restaurants in town; some can Japanese, Thai, Malaysian, and Roadhouse remain accessible to people who live in the even compete internationally. Café has opened a branch nearby. People Patan area. n

OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 53 business

Two young men carve a niche for themselves in advertising

BUSINESS ADVANTAGE An Interview

Deeprendra Tandon Subu Shrestha Director Executive Director

Deependra Tandon and Subu Shrestha, two young entrepreneurs, started Business Advantage, an advertising agency, five years ago. The two tried working at different jobs after completing obtaining MBA degrees from Kathmandu University and eventually settled with advertising. Business Advantage employs 16 people working in the creative, client servicing, media and events, and finance and administration departments. They work with a wide range of privately owned companies in Nepal.

How did it all begin? year. We get work on the basis of our at regular intervals to make sure we are Shrestha: Nothing was planned. We performance and we have to manage with heading in the right direction and are in both were doing well at our respective jobs the amount of resources we have. Everyday tune with the way the industry is moving. and were happy, but advertising was we are learning to manage the increasing something we used to talk about all the volume of work. We have enough clients, There seems to be continuous time. We used to discuss our careers and but having a huge client base is not enough. conflict between advertising talk about whether we wanted to continue We have to be able to manage the client agency, media and corporate with our jobs or do something new. One base by providing them quality service, good houses. What is your opinion on day we decided to quit our jobs to do suggestions, service, and, most importantly, this statement? something new, but we had no idea what executable ideas. It is also very difficult to Tandon: Because this is a service industry we wanted to do. We took up advertising find capable people because no school in some conflict among major stakeholders is because we loved the field. Initially we faced Nepal teaches advertising as a major subject. expected, which is needed for the industry difficulties. to grow. Slowly conflicts are being reduced Tandon: Advertising was one option How do you cope up with because the clients have started to recognize that we had always thought of, but at that competition and ensure client the importance of good, creative ads and time the advertising industry was very small satisfaction? advertising agencies. If we can provide clients and we knew it would not be very profitable. Tandon: Competition is very important with good service, price is not a constraint The initial years were very challenging. to strengthen professionalism in the industry. but that is limited to a few large clients and It helps the industry to grow. In the last five has not become the industry standard. What is the most challenging in to seven years the advertising industry has Previously, there were few print and electronic terms of maintaining the success seen tremendous growth in terms of media outlets; and they had huge bargaining you have so far? professionalism, volume of work and creative power but slowly more have joined the Shrestha: Managing growth. Managing inputs. It is a challenge for us to maintain business and competition and quality service growth is a challenge for any business. We professionalism in our operations. It also are also becoming apparent in the media are growing by almost 100 percent every gives us a reason to review our operations sector.

54 OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 business

How do you think you have aim is to reach the top. Our Major campaigns Business Advantage has undertaken include contributed to the growth of the entry into the advertising • Launch of Mayos instant noodles industry? business was not planned, • Shaka Laka Boom noodles: print, TV, radio and collaterals. Won the industry award “Crity Award” for Best Television Advertisement. Shrestha: We are probably the youngest but were have planned • Launch of Hyundai vehicles growth. In the early years people in the industry right now. Earlier a • Launch of BMW vehicles few people who had good contacts, rather we hired other agencies to • Launch of Cosmic Yingang motorcycles (the first and only release our ads. We then motorcycle assembled in Nepal) featuring top cine actor Rajesh networks with little or no emphasis on quality Hamal service ran the industry. From the very moved to the print media • Print campaigns for The Himalayan Times and Perspectives beginning we have put an emphasis on and now we have • Over 10 ‘mini’ campaigns for Ace Institute of Management • Over 30 ‘mini’ campaigns for Soaltee Crowne Plaza. quality service and creativity. We have tried successfully moved into the • IPO campaign for Laxmi Bank to give quality to our clients and now electronic media as well. creativity and quality service have become We have emerged as a total service provider. Shrestha: Go for it! The only thing you the industry standard. This has been our The advertising business, however, is not an need is confidence. If you think you have biggest contribution. We contributed in end for us. We are already looking into enough confidence and education to back raising the industry standard. setting up other ventures as well. you up, then do not hesitate. Money can Tandon: Unlike the earlier years when always be a problem/constraint but it is not work was usually assigned to advertising What kind of people make up necessarily a debilitating one. Start small, agencies on the basis of relationship or your team? make reasonable investments and you can contact with clients, we focused on getting Shrestha:We have different definitely succeed. If you have the required contracts through quality service. In those departments–the creative department, media commitment, you can make it to the top. days we were competing against the biggest department, client department and general advertising agencies in the business, but due administration department. We try to keep Are you satisfied with your to our sincerity and quality service, our work our office young. We look for young people achievements so far? was recognized. with potential. The average age of our Shrestha: Yes. We started from scratch. employees is 25 years. We believe that We had no resources, no infrastructure. We Who are your main clients now? because of the similar ages of our employees have come a long way in a short time, but Shrestha: We are working with the we have been able to build creativity. There we still want to do a lot more in advertising Khetan Group which includes Tuborg Beer, is better understanding among us and there and business. Shaka Laka Boom noodles, Lekali noodles is better cooperation as well. We have and Laxmi Bank, SOI Group which includes enthusiastic young people, who are now What is the biggest challenge Cosmic Air and Hyundai vehicles, and Soaltee attaining valuable experience. for youth of Nepal? Group which includes Hotel Soaltee Crowne Shrestha: The main problem with the Plaza and Amaravati International. Other What opportunities are there in youth is their reluctance to do something. clients include The Himalayan Times, the business sector for young There is a tendency to get frustrated easily. Annapurna Post, Ace Institute of people? Management, DASS International, Serving Tandon: The business sector is becoming The situation in the country is not going to Minds and SR Drugs. more open to young people. It is because remain the same forever. All of us have some the market also has more and more young skills, which we need to demonstrate. Salary How do you feel about the purchase decision–makers. should not be a major driving force. direction you are moving right Tandon: This is the difference between now? What suggestions would you the youth of Nepal and India. In India, for Tandon: We are among the top five have for young people trying to instance, people plan careers at very young advertising agencies in the industry and our start their own business? ages, but we, in Nepal, don’t do that.n

OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 55 PROCESS REPORT

ANNIVERSARY SEMINAR: Management Practices in Supra-Normal Conditions

October 1, 2004

H o r l d h e in g To ge t Together We Develop, Transform & Grow TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary...... i The Search Initiative...... i Objectives of the Programme ...... ii Programme Outline...... ii Opening, Ms. Amina Singh, IDMS ...... ii Overview of the Search Initiative, Mr. Mohan Das Manandhar, ODC Inc...... ii Summary of the Roundtable Discussion, Mr. Manaswee Raj Vaidya, IDMS...... ii Morning Session: Panel Presentations and Plenary Discussion ...... iii Remarks by Chairperson, Mr. Sanjay Shah, Director, IEM...... iii Panel Presentations...... iii Prof. Akal Bahadur Singh, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuwan University...... iii Mr. Sujeev Shakya, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Business Development, Soaltee Group Pvt. Ltd...... iv Mr. David O’Connor, Country Director, Peace Corps ...... iv Deepak Gyawali, Director, ISET/Nepal ...... v Plenary Discussion...... v Closing Remarks by Chairpersons, Mr. Sanjay Shah ...... vi Afternoon Session: Workgroup Discussions...... vii Presentation by Group – I ...... vii Presentation by Group – II ...... viii Concluding Remarks, Mr. Manaswee Raj Vaidya ...... ix Vote of Thanks and What Next, Ms. Basudha Gurung, ODC ...... ix

OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Anniversary Seminar took place at the Radisson Hotel on October 1, 2004 and the topic of discussion was “Management Practices in Supra-Normal Conditions.” Thirty-three participants took part in the day-long event which consisted of panel presentations, a plenary discussion, and workgroup discussions. Many common issues were brought up during the seminar while people shared their experiences and came up with ideas, strategies and approaches to managing in supra-normal conditions.

The four panel members, Prof. Akal Bahadur Singh, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuwan University; Mr. Sujeev Shakya, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Business Development; Mr. David O’Connor, Country Director, Peace Corps; and Mr. Dipak Gyawali, Director, ISET/Nepal discussed their own experience and offered ways of dealing with supra-normal conditions. Ideas and issues that came up in their presentations included: l the need to focus on long-term solutions, rather than just providing short-term support and relief; l the need to have strong networking whereby responsibilities can be divided among different sectors according to their capacity and expertise; l the need to find a middle ground amidst numerous opinions and ideas; l the need to design practical solutions keeping in mind the end-user, people/community affected by the supra-normal condition; l the need for the corporate sector to face what is happening and make a plan; l the idea that disaster creates an opportunity to make money; the belief that many of the strategies developed under supra- normal conditions can be used in normal conditions as well; l the need to be flexible and maintain effectiveness and productivity; and l the need to look back and ensure that the risk has not been isolated, but rather absorbed in a balanced effort.

The afternoon session of workgroups raised some additional ideas including: the gap in knowledge in terms of technical, managerial and emotional attachment in the disaster and conflict situation; the need to bring about a change in mindset in order to be more prepared, ensure local participation, and develop innovative ways to deal with the problems. The groups also identified areas that need to be addressed: lack of infrastructure, role and responsibility of the different players addressing the conflict, lack of coordination among them; and partnership—international alliances, experience sharing, involvement in the whole planning and supporting.

THE SEARCH INITIATIVE

ODC created The Search Initiative in 1998 by ODC to assist organisational leaders, practitioners and managers in the South to develop realistic and effective solutions to management and organisational problems facing their organisations. The initiative is an ongoing process of assisting development organisations to develop strategies, policies and processes to cope with the ever-changing socio-economic environments within which they operate. The main focus of The Search is the study of management and organisations of development sector institutions in Nepal, with a focus on policy issues, project and programme implementation, capacity development/institutional strengthening, and managing initiatives at community level.

A series of workshops, seminars, interactions, roundtable conferences, mini-research studies, and other learning processes have been conducted since the inception of The Search Initiative. Numerous books, booklets, and articles have been published on key issues raised as a result of the processes.

The seminar on “Management Practices in Supra-Normal Conditions” was a continuation of The Search Initiative and was organised to further discuss the issues raised during the Roundtable Discussion which took place on 10th Sept. 2004 and search for possibilities to perform effectively during supra-normal conditions. A supra-normal condition can be defined as a situation that exceeds the normal but in a critical (negative) context and has long term, adverse impacts though the situation itself is temporary.

OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 i Thirty-three individuals including representatives from development organisations, bilateral and multilateral organisations, as well as the corporate sector with varied experiences in managing conflict and natural disasters participated in the programme. Led by the Chairperson, Mr. Sanjay Shah, Director, IEM, four panel members presented their experience in working under supra-normal conditions and what kinds of measures their organisations took in response to the conditions. The four panel members included: Mr. Dipak Gyawali, Director, ISET-Nepal; Mr. David O’Connor, Country Director, Peace Corps; Mr. Sujeev Shakya, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Business Development, Soaltee Group Pvt. Ltd; and Professor Akal Bahadur Singh, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuwan University.

OBJECTIVE OF THE PROGRAMME

The main objective of the Anniversary Seminar was to continue a dialogue that would identify the key underlying issues in management practices under supra-normal conditions.

PROGRAMME OUTLINE

The seminar was divided into two sessions. The morning session consisted of the panel presentation followed by a plenary discussion. Workgroup discussions and presentations were part of the afternoon session.

OPENING, Ms. Amina Singh, IDMS

Ms. Amina Singh welcomed the participants to the Seminar and thanked them for joining the discussion. She also introduced the Chairperson, Mr. Sanjay Shah, Director of IEM. She then presented an overview of the day’s programme as well as the theme and objective of the programme.

OVERVIEW OF THE SEARCH INITIATIVE, Mr. Mohan Das Manandhar, ODC Inc.

Mr. Mohan Das Manandhar presented an overview of The Search Initiative, how it was started, the milestones, and its rationale and objectives.

Mr. Manandhar explained that The Search Initiative started in 1998, after realising the need to develop local approaches that addressed the many challenges faced by developing organisations in terms of organisation and managerial problems and other economic, cultural and social issues in the South. Initially, The Search Initiative focused on organisation development in order to bring institutions together and search for suitable solutions and strategies. However, activities have spread to areas such as: understanding how leading institutions in the development sector in Nepal want to bring about change in their work; understanding their vision in terms of desired changes; and analysing how development has actually happened and how it should have happened. Noting the increased challenge of conflict and natural disasters, ODC expanded its search to include “Management Practices in Supra-Normal Conditions.”

SUMMARY OF THE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION, Mr. Manaswee Raj Vaidya, IDMS

Mr. Manaswee Raj Vaidya explained that the day’s seminar carried forward the issues that were raised at the Roundtable Discussion which brought together experts, development practitioners, and corporate sector managers with varied experience in managing conflict and natural disasters. Dr. Mohan Man Sainju chaired the Roundtable Discussion.

He explained that the Roundtable Discussion was initiated with the circulation of a concept paper that provided a frame of reference to the discussion topic. He then gave a brief outline of the procedure and highlighted the issues raised in the Roundtable Discussion which included the need for capacity building, constant monitoring and evaluation to monitor the validity of assumptions and planning premises, network of partnership, documentation and dissemination. He stated that concern was raised about whether disaster and conflict could be placed together in such a discussion, but due to the similarity with regards to its management and its impact it was agreed that they can be dealt with together. He also presented extracts from the presentations by the two experts, Prof. Akal Bahadur Singh (IoE/TU) and Mr. Dipak Gyawali (ISET/Nepal).

ii OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 He explained that the participants of the Roundtable Discussion agreed that work should continue but there should be a focus on how it can be sustained through the development of a sensible approach. He elaborated on the discussion and brought up different strategies for managing, understanding that a single strategy might not be sufficient. Those multi-dimensional strategies included empowerment, decentralisation, strengthening local institutions, capacity building, and adopting flexibility in planning and managing in supra normal conditions, decentralisation of authority and resources, curbing corruption as well as documentation and dissemination of knowledge and experience. He added that it is also essential to build a network of partnerships within the nation’s system—through the private sector, civil society, people at large, and the government; as well as with foreign friends, institutions, and donor partners. There should be an introspective, progressive proactive strategy rather than reactive along with continuous monitoring and evaluation in order to constantly validate planning premises and implement plans.

MORNING SESSION: PANEL PRESENTATIONS AND PLENARY DISCUSSION

The Chairperson, Mr. Sanjay Shah, began the morning session with brief remarks. Four panel members shared their experience working in supra-normal conditions and elaborated on techniques and practices to best manage under those conditions. The four panel members were:

1. Prof. Akal Bahadur Singh – Institute of Engineering, Tribhuwan University 2. Mr. Sujeev Shakya – Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Business Development, Soaltee Group Pvt. Ltd. 3. Mr David O’Connor – Country Directory, Peace Corps Nepal 4. Mr. Dipak Gyawali – Director, Institute for Social and Environment Transition-Nepal

Remarks by Chairperson, Mr. Sanjay Shah, Director, IEM Mr. Sanjay Shah thanked the organisers for selecting a relevant and important theme for the seminar. He mentioned that change is inevitable while growth is optional. He added that there is an effort to change and bring about growth and development whether at the organisational level, government level or at the personal/people level. He also shared his observation that change which is usually heavily resisted is readily accepted during supra-normal conditions which is a positive aspect that should be kept in mind while managing in supra-normal conditions.

Panel Presentations Prof. Akal Bahadur Singh, Institute of Engineering, Tribhuwan University Prof. Singh explained that supra-normal conditions in Nepal incorporate two aspects – natural disasters and conflict. Natural disasters can be measured only in terms of degree while conflict can be measured both in terms of degree and quality and is more severe and adverse. He strongly argued that the condition is deteriorating in Nepal because of the inability of people to adopt changes. He proposed that this can be solved through technical inputs which address management problems such as the implementation of plans and the use of roadmaps provided by technical experts. He added that management under supra-normal conditions should focus on three phases: pre, during and post. But before doing so, he stated that it is necessary to look at probable results and the people who are and will be affected. He highlighted the procedures applied for analysing the risk of disaster and conflict. He said that assessments made at the initial phase might differ at the period of implementation, and therefore, assessments need to be augmented by continuous monitoring.

He stressed that organisations that are involved in post-event management, such as CDC, Red Cross, JICA, and UNDP should focus on finding the core issues, addressing the root causes of the problem and finding long-term solutions rather than providing short- term support and relief programmes. He added that it is critical to address the people who are affected by the processes. He suggested that in order to overcome the prevailing unsystematic situation and to cope with supra-normal conditions a new management system should be developed which includes government, civil society, funding agencies, etc. Also, a development package should be provided to set up a management system for skill development, awareness raising, people participation, etc. and agencies should reach out to affected people and communities. He further emphasised that inclusion is simply not enough; strong networking is essential by which different responsibilities can be divided among different sectors according to their capacity and expertise.

OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 iii Chairpersons Remarks After thanking Prof. Singh for giving context to managing in disaster situations and for highlighting the fact that at the end of the day it is the people who really have to act, Mr. Shah pointed out that the main challenge faced today is getting people/organisations to accept new ways of doing things. He suggested that it is our responsibility to develop innovative ways for managing in supra-normal conditions and designing practical solutions keeping in mind the end-user.

Mr. Sujeev Shakya, Vice President of Corporate Affairs and Business Development, Soaltee Group Pvt. Ltd. Mr. Shakya presented the corporate perspective on how thinking has changed in regards to the conflict. He talked about when the corporate world and specifically Soaltee Group was facing a supra-normal condition during August and September of 2004. He explained that for the first time in history Soaltee Group faced closure. He maintained that because the situation is still uncertain Soaltee Group has had to seriously focus on issues that were of little significance before. With respect to their preparedness and the preparedness of the larger corporate sector, Mr. Shakya mentioned that INGOs, bi-lateral, and the multi-lateral organisations are much more prepared and have started to discuss issues such as safety of employees, disaster mitigation plan, etc. He admitted that those discussions have provided an opportunity for the corporate world to learn.

Mr. Shakya expressed that disaster creates an opportunity to move from profit-making to profiteering. But, he added that the corporate world has only taken a reactive approach to disaster and is now in a situation where it is forced to decide what to do next. He stated that although disaster preparedness was never been a part of the business plan, companies are realising the need to talk about preparing for a major paradigm shift.

He admitted that in the current situation it is important to consider managing the costs involved in being prepared to deal with uncertainty, for example, increased insurance costs. He added that another issue is the safety of the employees, an issue that needs serious consideration. He stated that one can fortify its business establishment by increasing security measures around the premises, but he questioned how businesses can ensure the safety of their staff who have to travel long distances to get to and from work. He stressed that trainings need to be conducted and awareness built in order to help people understand the magnitude of what could happen and the effect it could have on businesses if the issues are not dealt with.

Mr. David O’Connor, Country Director, Peace Corps Mr. O’Connor explained that Peace Corps is a volunteer organisation that had as many as 110 volunteers working around the country during his tenure in Nepal. He added that due to the insurgency, Peace Corps adopted many practices to ensure staff/volunteer security, to continue its work while in a conflict situation, and to maintain volunteer effectiveness. He elaborated that the areas in which the volunteers worked decreased from 58 districts to 21 and volunteers were clustered in district centres or bazaar areas. Mr. O’Connor explained some of the measures Peace Corps took, which included:

l Trainings: The organisation increased basic training of the volunteers including project development training and cultural training to help volunteers adapt into their communities. Also, Mr. O’Connor explained that trainings were held to better equip staff and volunteers to handle the conflict situation. l Special guidance to the volunteers: Volunteers implemented their own informal curfews, were not allowed to live together, could stay could stay with host families but not with politically linked families, were strictly prohibited from living or staying near army, police or government buildings and offices, and were restricted from travelling to remote areas. l Support mechanisms: Sessions were held on reviews of the security situation, Peace Corps’ policies and support mechanisms, and safety and security responsibilities of volunteers, a review of their emergency plan, cultural norms and practices in relation to minimizing risk, and the protocol for reporting and responding to incidents. He stated that they created a district log book to keep track of the occurrence of incidences, conducted behavioural monitoring, and transportation monitoring. He added that peer support sessions were held among volunteers to help strengthen their coping and risk management skills. l Supplemental work: Peace Corps encouraged volunteers to apply for grants to work on projects in the community, or other opportunities at other community organisations to supplement their core task.

iv OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 He stated that different consolidation points in case of an emergency were set up for the safety of the volunteers. He explained that the Kathmandu staff communicated with volunteers through wardens who were issued mobile phones. He believes that many of the strategies that were developed in supra-normal conditions could be used in normal conditions as well.

He explained that there was an increased risk with increased numbers in bombings and shooting incidences at public locations, without regard for innocent bystanders. He added that two NGOs where Peace Corps volunteers were assigned were directly threatened. And, he explained that the bombing of the American Center changed the seemingly unwritten rule that foreigners would not be drawn into the conflict, despite the rhetoric. He concluded that with the escalation of violence the Peace Corps could no longer say with confidence that the volunteers were safe. He added that the Peace Corps programme in Nepal has been suspended, but will return when the situation improves.

Chairpersons Remarks Mr. Shah thanked Mr. O’Connor for giving a reminder of what a supra-normal condition can be and how it can be managed to the extent possible. He added a thanks for sharing the measures and management initiatives taken by the Peace Corps to work in the conflict situation and stated that the heightened productivity level that was achieved during the conflict situation should be highlighted.

Mr. Deepak Gyawali, Director, ISET/Nepal Mr. Gyawali focused on the issue of risk and flexibility in reference to institutional terms. He highlighted some success stories where extraordinary results were achieved even amidst the conflict situation and emphasized that risk is opportunity. He gave an example of a small-scale local hydro power project, Pilua Khola in the Arun Valley, whose transformer substation was bombed by Moaists. In order to rebuild, Mr. Gyawali stated that the builders did not have explosives for construction; instead they had to blast rock using 12th century technology. He explained that the project was completed using one third the total cost of another major hydropower construction like in Mysandi.

He stated that there are three basic forms of social solidarity that have different attitudes toward risk, differences that need to be internalised. He mentioned that these three social solidarities are like the three legs of tools which need to be equally balanced to make a stable system. The first type are risk averters, mainly among hierarchical bureaucracies who who approach the managing of risk through procedures. The second are the entrepreneurs and people in the corporate and business sectors, the risk takers, who see risk as an opportunity and capitalise on it, taking advantage of the most adverse of conditions. The third is the critical civil society or the social auditors who are risk sensitizing and who essentially try and avoid risk. He explained that the differences among these groups are based on time horizons—risk takers have a very short horizon in order to make a profit where as the risk sensitizing have a long-term approach. He stressed the importance of the manager understanding these extreme positions and coming up with a middle avenue solution.

He explained that the question of flexibility arises when risk managers, such as those in government institutions, tend to avoid risk instead of internalizing the risk proclivities of the risk takers and risk sensitizers. He stated that they become risk insulated, going to the extremes of proceduralism, whereby putting the risk of management itself at risk. He added that the procedures have been de- legitimised—they have been perceived as not being fair by a certain society who then reacts in anger which ultimately leads to conflict unless a middle ground is found. He admitted that unless those issues are tackles, there is no way to manage supra-normal conditions any better than before.

He ended the presentation with a reminder that a halt in the normal is a tremendous opportunity to reflect and redirect our efforts which means looking back at our procedures and ways of doing business to ensure that we have not tried to insulate risk but have internalised risk management, risk taking and risk avoiding proclivities in a balanced effort.

Plenary Discussion The Chairperson opened the floor for comments after the panel presentations. A number of issues were brought up, including: l Communities do not have the capacity to handle big projects without technical expertise. l There is a lack of coordination among agencies that may lead to the inefficiency of the projects. l Support is needed to improve service delivery mechanisms and the accountability of local governments. l Regarding vulnerability, social, historical, political, governmental and organisational questions come into play.

OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 v l Disaster is an opportunity of change, allowing us to change social relations to minimise the vulnerability. l It is necessary to help communities, families and individuals adapt to the situation and help build their capacity to achieve that. l There is a need to have social auditors that can work with local groups and community and help build their capacity. l Social auditors should have skills and capacity to challenge and even come up with alternative policies processes, as government framed policies might not match with reality. l Help communities to create livelihood opportunities. l Act as catalyst for a more proactive effort for disaster preparedness. l It is necessary to build flood adaptive infrastructure like schools, houses, refuge places to minimise the damages. l Nepal has a culture which does not change and hard to change and which is very dangerous in the present scenario. l Unified efforts of all the stakeholders need to be adopted in this sort of supra normal condition. l It is cecessary to assess in totality rather than assessing individual and looking only for the systematic way of performing the activities like book keeping, recording, etc. l Many organisations are performing better than under normal conditions due to cost effectiveness as corruption mechanism has been minimised due to Maoist check and balance system. l There is a need to address the problems identified by DAGs, ultra poor and dalits. l The social mobilisation approach can help in managing. l It is appropriate to focus on a whole community rather than breaking the targeted groups into DAGs, poor and ultra poor and allocating resources accordingly. l It is difficult to differentiate between poor and ultra poor in some districts. l There is a lack of flexibility of the organisation to cope up with the existing conflict situation. l The current situation is a new normal for Nepal. l Good practices for responding to natural disasters are mainly focus on reducing vulnerability through direct involvement of community so that the impact can be minimised. l Good practices for responding conflict are by assisting all victims regardless of political affiliation and helping in an impartial mutual fashion. l Even if corruption is reduced in supra-normal conditions, there is high risk of increasing extortion. l It is not good enough to manufacture a new empire, but rather explore the efforts made by other organisations and learn to handle or manage the supra-normal conditions. l The local rural people have been going through difficult situations for ages. It is necessary to bring about procedural changes through the perspective of the local people. l It is necessary to explore the opportunities of relationships between state agencies, private sectors, and the voluntary sectors. l Failing to bring accountability in the present prevailing situation might encourage to bring supra normal entrepreneurship within the bureaucracy. l Due to government bureaucracy, often groups or people that really need help are not reached. l There should not be supra-normal rules for supra-normal conditions. A handling mechanism may be appropriate, but rules are not required.

Closing Remarks by Chairpersons, Mr. Sanjay Shah Mr. Shah commented that culture is what we do when no one is looking, something that comes natural, so there is a need to bring about a cultural change with regards to accepting uncertainty and dealing with it. He also disagreed with the concept of having rules for supra-normal situations as countries cannot be governed during supra-normal situations. Finally, he commented that the future belongs to the unreasonable, so we have to let go of the comfort of certainty and status quo. We should develop a culture that can adopt the unknown and the uncertainty.

vi OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 AFTERNOON SESSION: WORKGROUP DISCUSSIONS

Four topics, derived from the morning session, were developed for the workgroup discussions. They were: l How can we manage twin effect of disaster and conflict? l What are the organisational implications in supra-normal conditions? l Do we have strategies for training people at policy, execution and implementation level on management under supra normal conditions? l What might be the opportunity of supra normal condition that will help us in long term?

However, because there were fewer participants in the afternoon session, the topics were merged and two workgroups were formed under the following topics: l How can we manage the twin effects of disaster and conflict? l Do we have strategies for training people at policy, execution and implementation level on management under supra normal conditions?

Presentation by Group – I The group originally felt that conflict and disaster were different issues and should be treated separately, but realised that the implications/effect could be long or short-term depending on the nature and results of the disaster or conflict. They concluded that both conditions need to be treated in the same fashion.

The group come up with issues and strategies to handle conflict and disaster separately listed below:

C O N F L I C T Issues Strategies

l Quality l Sectoral Support

l Norms (Gender, Power, discrimination, Decision Making) l Immediate Effect

l Know how; how to deal with the conflict l Long and short term Impact

l What is the impact l Transparency

l Responsibility and Accountability; just think on ultra poor l Mobilisation of local resource (local people are very but are in shadow vulnerable and they know the situation)

l Working “ in” or “on” conflict l HRD (individual and organisational level)

l Still following the same strategies without broadening it l Focused strategy to the excluded groups

Similarly, the group identified issues regarding disaster and mentioned strategies to minimise the effects:

D I S A S T E R Issues Strategies

l Awareness l Involve “Locals”

l Preparedness l Capacity building (individual and organisational)

l Overlap/ Duplication–providing trainings–lot of duplication l Awareness Programmes

l Traditional Attitude l Law enforcement in place

l “Politics, power and Interest” (even NGOs and INGOs l Roles and responsibilities

have their own interest) l Transparency

l Responsibility/Ownership (whose responsibilities and who owns it)

l Donor’s coordination (come with their own strategy)

OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 vii Presentation by Group – II Group II addressed and identified whether there are twin impacts/effects of conflict and disaster. Initially the group dealt separately with disaster and conflict. The outcomes are highlighted below:

Impacts of Disaster

A. Direct Impact Physical impact related to human beings: l landslides resulting to no food in Kathmandu l loss of life, properties, infrastructure, supplies l trauma

B. Indirect Impact l Displacement - Migration l Vulnerable group of people - Women/Children (most affected ) l Loose value base system - Looting/Theft l Economic Loss l Vulnerability l Cycle of nature – difficult to predict but nature has its own course

Impact of Conflict In discussing conflict, Group II included all types of conflict including armed conflict.

A. Direct Impact (Found almost similar types of impact with disaster) l Loss of Life, property l Fragmentation/Unity l Loss of identity l Human right violations

B. Opportunity: Positive Impact l Capacity building – negotiation skills (conflict resolution skill) l Accountability – how to communicate with community and with other groups l Increase in social inclusion

After identifying impacts of disaster and conflict, the group realised that there were some similarities between disaster and conflict regarding their implications. Hence, while dealing with management issues, the group did not separate disaster and conflict and hypothesised general management principles to deal with disaster and conflict at a time.

Management Issues The group tried to mange the issue in three phases: Pre-event, During and Post event

1. Pre - Event l Risk assessment (to mitigate, minimise the impact) l Capacity building l Awareness l Logistic/Resource allocation – they questioned whether there was enough awareness and they discussed whether Nepal is adequately equipped in terms of resources, capacity skills, and resources to deal with the impact

viii OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 2. During Event

l Provide assistance – immediate relief packages e.g. food, medication, shelter, security, etc

l Manage chaotic movement- prioritisation of people based upon victims, age, etc.

l Identify target group/victims

l Develop an emergency plan (this can be included in pre-event activities but other cases, an emergency plan might need to be developed at the time of the event)

3. Post Event Group II questioned how the movement of people can be managed. They stressed the need to provide assistance in a more organised way of supporting and managing the chaos – rehabilitation and reconstruction including identification of victims is important.

l Priority – Management of Chaotic moment

l Provide assistance-immediate relief/communication

l Rehabilitation-Reconstruction

l Identify target groups/Victim

Group II established that Nepal does not have a strategy to train people at policy, execution and implementation levels on management under supra-normal conditions. The group explained that even if there are strategies, they are fragmented—implementation of the existing policies and strategies are not formalised or systematic. They admitted that programmes and projects are weak in the execution and implementation phase. They stated that organisations working in the filed of disaster and conflict like Nepal Red Cross Society are not able to bring about changes that are required because of the current policies and strategies. The following were suggestions made by Group II:

l Need a global/national strategy to create a trickle down effect or to make available the services to the grass root level. Do we have a national policy including mandate for NGOs or INGOs to involve in conflict? l Develop a conflict sensitive approach to development. Some organisations have started to adopt the “Do no harm” kind of tool, however, it is not certain how much is known in terms of practicality, talking with people who do not know about plan and strategies. l Need for training on conflict resolution skills for different stakeholders and organisational staffs.

CONCLUDING REMARKS, Mr. Manaswee Raj Vaidya, IDMS Mr. Manaswee Raj Vaidya summarised the group presentations and highlighted important points raised during the discussion including: the gap in knowledge in terms of technical, managerial and emotional attachment in the disaster and conflict situation; the need to bring about a change in mindset in order to be more prepared, ensure local participation, and develop innovative ways to deal with the problems. He also mentioned the areas identified by the groups that need to be addressed: lack of infrastructure, role and responsibility of the different players addressing the conflict, lack of coordination among them; and partnership—international alliances, experience sharing, involvement in the whole planning and supporting.

VOTE OF THANKS AND WHAT NEXT, Ms. Basudha Gurung, ODC Ms. Basudha Gurung concluded the programmed with a vote of thanks to the participants and panel members for making the event a good learning experience. She also mentioned that ODC Inc. looks forward to extend the partnership further through valuable inputs from all the participants individually. n

OrganisationTHE | JANUARY - MARCH 2005 ix ORGANISATION DEVELOPMENT CENTRE INCORPORATED (ODC Inc.) Kupondole, Lalitpur GP O Box 8975 EPC 2637, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-01-5554067, 5554063, 5551979 Email: [email protected] URL: www.odcincorp.com Acknowledgements

OrganisationTHE would like to express its grateful thanks to each of our friends and well-wishers

who have so generously contributed towards the success of the last issue of OrganisationTHE . There is no doubt, that without your support, the magazine would not have been possible.

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