On September 3, Amnesty International Nepal (AI Nepal) organized the first phase of “Amnesty International Nepal Leaders’ Summit for Human Rights Education and Change” at Kutidanda of Rong Rural Municipality in Ilam district. The summit aimed to create a space for AI Nepal’s local leaders to come together for peer learning, exchange of ideas to advance the human rights education and campaigns, and to engage in critical discussions towards contributing to the organizational reform of AI Nepal in line with the global movement’s overall vision and mission.
Mani Kuman Syangbo, the Chair of Rong Rural Municipality graced the inagural session of the Summit which was chaired by AI Nepal Chair Bipin Budhathoki and attended by about 60 participants from Province 1, Madhesh Province, and Bagmati Province.
The presence of former Chair of AI Nepal Hem Kuman Khadka and former Vice-chair Shesh Kumar Niraula further added to the charm of the program.
Speaking at the inaugural, the former Chair, Khadka urged AI Nepal members to embrace the reform processes and strengthen the AI movement in Nepal, while Chair of Rong Rural Municipality Syangbo appreciated the work of Amnesty International in advancing freedom and democracy in Nepal and committed to supporting AI Nepal in advancing human rights in his jurisdiction. He also expressed gratitude towards AI Nepal for choosing Kutidanda of Rong Rural Municipality as the venue of the program.
The Campaigns Coordinator and the HRE Officer provided an overview of the Campaigns and HRE programs of AI Nepal and the participants brainstormed on the challenges the AI activists face while implementing the HRE and campaigns at the local level. Budget constraints, limited knowledge of the subject matter, and time management were cited as major challenges. The participants also discussed and suggested various ways to conduct campaigns and HRE differently and in innovative ways.
Nirajan Thapaliya, Director of AI Nepal presented the current strategic framework of AI, decisions made by the General Assembly 2022, and the current status of the governance reform process of AI Nepal. During the presentation, he highlighted issues that AI Nepal committed to change about through the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the International Secretariat. The Chair and Thapaliya both explained in detail the challenges faced by the Section in the last two years, the progress made so far, and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.
The program concluded with an exchange of ideas to advance human rights education and genuine commitments to strengthening the organization’s structure and functions. The second phase of the program is scheduled to be held on 18 September in Butwal.