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WACC partner in Nepal advocates for peace and the rights of marginalised minorities
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Nepal is facing ongoing tension and conflict following its transition to a secular democratic republic with a new Constitution-in-the-making. Tensions are rising mainly because of misinformation, communication gaps, intolerance, and the absence of balanced dialogue on contentious issues related to justice, rule of law, insecurity, impunity, human rights, secularism and federalism. In a society like Nepal, where illiteracy is high, dialogue is more important than ever in order to help avert and resolve conflicts. |
WACC is seeking funding to partner with Subaltern Forum to bring together stakeholders of peace, including local citizens, minority groups, civil society, political leaders, government officials (beneficiaries) by organizing interactive radio episodes to prepare the ground for regional-level dialogue, holding five regional-level dialogue sessions, broadcasting those dialogues on FM radio, and publicising the outcome to highlight the importance of dialogue and tolerance during this period of political and social transition.
Subaltern Forum was formed by a group of five journalists from remote areas of Far and Mid Western Nepal in November 2005 . The Forum, whose mission is to “speak out from the margin”, aims at advocating and raising awareness about development rights of the deprived subaltern community and building their capacity. It works in the areas of peace building and human rights, transparency and good governance, women and minority groups empowerment and subaltern rights.
The word Subaltern means the people on the periphery or margin who are away from central facilities and privileges. Subaltern Forum works with men and women in the remote Mid and Far Western Nepal; Dalits, ethnic minorities, conflict victims, and victims of other stigmas, superstitions and diseases such as HIV/AIDS.
Recently the Forum in collaboration with other partners in Nepal won an award from Social Inclusion Research Fund (SIRF) to launch a nationwide media advocacy (policy advocacy) program for research and publication on “social exclusion and inclusion in Nepal”. SIRF is one of the largest funds created to promote social inclusion in Nepal.
The program, which involves exclusive in-depth researches on different issues of social inclusion, Television (TV) Programs and other media programs, aims at facilitating the discourse in support of social inclusion vis-à-vis the ongoing historic process of state restructuring and constitution writing in Nepal.
“We are delighted to share the good news with you about winning the program”, said Kamal Raj Sigdel, Coordinator of the Subaltern Forum in a letter to WACC. “This is an advantage for us and our entire network as we will be able to further expand our presence and activities across the country and intensify media advocacy for inclusive democracy.”
For more information about the project contact:
Kamal Raj Sigdel:
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Coordinator Subaltern Forum
Or visit their website at: http://www.subalternforum.org.np/index.html |
