12 April, 2017
Amnesty International Nepal (AI Nepal) organised its 11th National Youth Mela in Pokhara from 9 to 12 April. A total of 92 young activists affiliated to different Youth Networks of AI Nepal participated in the Mela. The theme of the Mela was ” Youth for Activism”.
The three-day Mela equipped the youth activists with conceptual understanding of human rights, the means and methods of undertaking campaigning activities for the protection and promotion of human rights so as to bring about a positive change in the lives of people, and the role of Amnesty International movement in the protection and promotion of human rights globally.
The Mela was jointly inaugurated by Bal Ram Dhakal, Local Development Officer of Kaski district and Rajan Prasad Kuikel, Chair of AI Nepal. In the Mela, while Sunita Danuwar, founder of Shakti Samuha spoke about her journey from being a survivor of human trafficking to an active actor and a change maker, Bipana Sharma, President of Child Club District Coordination Committee Nawalparasi, shared her activism and struggle as a “Child” for a child-right-friendly Nepal.
The youths participating in the Mela also took out a public rally in Pokhara demanding an end to the bloody war in Syria. They also performed a flash mob in Chipledhunga as part of the culmination of the three day’s learning platform to draw public attention towards ending violence against women.
AI Nepal has been organising the Youth Mela every year since 2007. Some 1,300 youths have participated in the various Youth Melas till date.