YOUTH MOCK LEGISLATIVE PARLIAMENT HimRights LEGISLATIVE PARLAIMENT OF NEPAL (Himalayan Human Rights Monitors) GPO Box 4690, Kathmandu Inar, Pulchowk, Lalitpur Tel: 977-1-5520054, 5520042 Fax: 977-1-5554880 Email: [email protected]; Website: www.himrights.org YOUTH MOCK LEGISLATIVE PARLIAMENT REPORT 2007/08 Prepared by: Subasha Shrestha Sushil Shrestha © HimRights With the assistance of Sara Isman Arjun Adhikari Rajan Maharjan Submitted by: HimRights Submitted to: MS Nepal Content Chapter-1 Background page No. • Youth Mock Parliament • History • Objectives • Logistic Framework • Methodology • Participants/ Selection process Chapter-2 Banke (Proceedings) Chapter-3 Bardiya (Proceedings) Chapter-4 Surkhet (Proceedings) Chapter-5 Doti (Proceedings) Proceedings • Orientation • Inaugural and Parliamentary Session • Parliamentary Session • Parliamentary Session • Concluding Session • Press Conference • Evaluation • Recommendation Annex • Youth Mock Parliament – Declaration • Human Trafficking Control Bill – 2064 • Youth Legislative Mock Parliament – Budget 2064/65 • Name of the Elected Youth Government Bodies • Name of the Elected Members of the Human Rights and Social Justice Committee • Name of the Youth Participants • List of the Guest, Organiser, Resource Person and Guardian Chapter - 1 YOUTH MOCK PARLIAMENT Background Democracy literally means "power of the people". Social democracy entails that all individuals should have equal rights and the opportunity to pursue a life of decency within a culturally appropriate context. The People's Movement in 1990 ended the autocratic Panchayat system. Thus establishing a political system based on parliamentary democracy, guaranteeing the fundamental rights of Nepali citizens. However, cast- based social structure negatively affected the capabilities and level of participation from marginalised groups in public roles. "The Government of Nepal (GoN) Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper identifies poor governance as one of four major poverty determinants, caused by non-representation, ineffective policy application, inequitable spending, centralization, corruption, and lack of accountability". Exclusion of the majority of diverse ethnic groups has been one been one of the major set backs in laws and policies. Marginalized people have been traditionally subjected to a state of social, cultural and economic subordination. The socially disadvantaged groups have been pushed away to the margin of society. They have been exploited beyond any measure. The women indigenous, dalits, differently able youth are marginalised in the governing body and at the policymaking level. The Integrated National Index of Governance – 2001, shows a clear picture of minimal participation of marginalized groups at the policymaking level. The most alarming fact is that almost all the leaders of political parties are Brahmins in Nepal. Although Table-1 is data from 2001, the situation has not changed much as the Maoist nominated their parliamentarians very inclusively. Maoist parliamentary team includes: 29 women representatives, 23 representatives of different nationalities, 19 Bhramin/Chhettri, 11 dalits, 20 madhesis, and 19 family members of martyrs and disabled people. Among the eight political parties, Nepal Sadbhaawna Party is the only party focused on the Madhesi Community and representation of Madhesis in this party is noticeable. However, this party consists only of elite Madhesis. Inclusion is not focus of any political parties. Youth mock legislative parliament Nepal’s Comprehensive Peace Agreement, brokered after ten years of internal conflict and has now converted to an eight party alliance with an interim constitution. Despite promises of peace - unequal power relations, social and gender-based exclusion, continues unabated. As a result, poor, marginalized groups are easily caught in the crossfire between political ideologies. The population of Nepal consists mainly of marginalized groups. However, their meaningful participation in governance continues to be minimal due to lack of their potential participation in the democratic processes. Given the increasing trend towards social inclusion and gender equity, it is clear that for realistic peace building, the government must integrate marginalised groups. Men above forty occupy most of the political positions such as ministers and party leaders. Even youth from Brahmin and Chhettri do not have the chance to contribute their ideas at the policy making level. Contribution of youth to parliament is almost negligible. The young generation do not have opportunities at policy level. The younger generation makes up the largest portion of Nepal. In analyzing the 2001 census, we find that population of youth aged from 20 to 30 is 3,742,242. Amongst this population, 1,974,670 are females and 1,767,752 are males. If they receive positive guidance and knowledge of good governance, they could lead this country for sustainable peace and development. A big cause of the age inequality might be the lack of awareness and knowledge of the discrepancy. As a result, the majority of youth do not have the self-confidence, experience, and knowledge and leadership capacity to be in elected posts. Considering the present situation of youth from marginalized groups HimRights is organised a Youth Mock Parliament in Banke. Youth from marginalized groups were given special preference so that in upcoming constituent assembly they will be able to show their presence and raise their voice. Table: 3 Total Population of Nepal: 2,31,51,423 Total Population of male: 1,15,63,921 Total Populationof female: 1,15,87,502 Population of male youth(age 20 to 30): 17,67,752 - 21.2% of economically active populatoion Population of female youth (age 20 to 30): 19,74,670 - 23.4% of economically active population. *Econoically active population means population of age group 10-60. Source: CBS Population Census 2001, The main objective of the Youth Mock Parliament is to raise awareness of the Youth's right to participate in governance. They will also learn what activities are done in the House of Representatives and how problems are dealt with in Parliament. HimRights practiced the Youth Mock Parliament is a useful tool for instruction on the democratic parliamentary procedures. The mock parliament will increase confidence and knowledge to encourage active participation in local and national governance. Facilitators will ensure that the mock parliament will be inclusive of women, indeginous, Dalits, Madhesis and other disenfranchised groups. By continuing to be inclusive of these groups, there will be no requirement of a quota system to maintain inclusivity,. These groups will be capable to stand on their own. Youth mock parliament participants will be empowered through enhanced leadership, public speaking, negotiation skills, and increased knowledge of key issues (including fundamental human rights, democratic principles, laws and policies, and government processes). Mock Parliament participants will take leading roles in all activities, including selection and election processes, parliamentary sessions, presentation of a final ‘Declaration’ to the GoN, and ongoing advocacy and lobbying. The main thrusts of the program activities are to raise awareness in local community and develop a program from direct interaction with local people. Locals are not only the best informed to tell outsiders what their needs and priorities are but also the best judges to decide which development course they want to pursue. Most of the participants selected from marginalised groups. The mock parliament will be inclusive of all classes, castes and ethnicities. Differently able youth will also participate within the parliament. The concerned institutions and relevant NGOs will be consulted for the identification and selection of the participants. Upon the arrival of participants, an introductory session was conducted where their issues and concerns can be prioritized in order to incorporate them during the main Parliamentary session. Mock Parliament is open for observers from the concerned government agencies and departments, law enforcement officials, media, NGOs and INGOs, Parliamentarian Secretariat, ex-parliamentarians from different political parties. HimRights will do a future impact study of the Youth Mock Parliament to evaluate the leadership capacity of the participants. Leadership capacity will be measured on initiation and leadership in the community, group activities, enhancement of self-confidence, and so forth. History HimRights had been conducting Mock Parliaments since 2004, focussing on children. They are based on actual parliamentary proceedings with guidance and support from Parliament joint secretaries. Issues raised include 1. Child marriage 2. Child labour 3. Access to health and education 4. Sexual exploitation 5. Child rights and identity 6. Child rights commission and child courts 7. Child representation on the Constituent Assembly 8. Child victims of conflict. HimRights has conducted 4 Child Mock Parliament. In May 2004 (Makwanpur District), April 2005 and May 2006 (Lalitpur District) in partnership with Plan Nepal, and in December 2006 (Morang District) with support of British Embassy. At the end of each program, there is a team evaluation incorporating the participant's feedback. Two lessons learned from the first Mock Child Parliament was that the voice of marginalized children must be stronger and in greater number; and the representation has to come from all geographical regions/districts.