Local hosts:

Nepali Policy Institute with various Nepali and South Asian solidarity groups and initiatives.

Co-organisers:

International League of Peoples' Struggles (ILPS), International Association of Peoples' Lawyers (IAPL), Asia-Pacific Research Network (APRN), The Reality of Aid Asia-Pacific and others to join.

Objectives and tentative programmes:

1. Sharing with people of Nepal for their struggles for democracy and human rights
2.  ƒâ€š  Successes, challenges ahead and solidarity building
3. Adoption of a Kathmandu Declaration on how to support Nepal as neighbouring countries, friendly donors and international financial institutions

Suggested topics for discussion:

Political issues:

• Analysis of the reasons for the failure of 15 years of parliamentary democracy
• Overview of the Nepali democratic movement: both armed and unarmed
• Functioning of an interim government
• Peaceful dissolution of monarchical system

Economic issues:

• Cancellation of debts
• Alternatives to free-market economy, liberalistion and privatisation
• Donors' role in areas of providing conditions-free loans and grants, particularly during the peaceful transition and reconstruction phase
• Nepal-India relations in the context of disputes over water, trade and transit

Adoption of Kathmandu Declaration and Programme of Action

• For Nepal
• For South Asia
• For Asia-Pacific, and
• International as a whole

There will be series of briefing notes and papers to be presented at the conference. ƒâ€š  

There will be exposure trips to different parts of Nepal depending on the interests of participants from Maoist liberated regions to conflict-affected areas for documentary, journalistic research or meeting with the local people who joined or supported the Maoist insurgency and the April Revolution, suffered from repression, and fighting for post-peace justice and rehabilitation. Participants joining the exposure trips will have to cover their expenses for travel and accommodation when necessary.

Opening session

There will be a high-level participation of top political party leaders at the opening session. They will address the conference. with their experiences in the democratic struggles in Nepal and challenges ahead.

Details about participants

Although we cannot confirm the number of participation from other countries at the moment, which we think will be above 20 at a minimum, we are expecting about 30 participants from South Asia.

From Nepal, we will be inviting over150 participants representing various political parties and social movements.

 ƒâ€š  The conference will be open for all those who are engaged or interested in progressive, social and anti-imperialist movements around the world.

Logistics

The conference will be organised in a modest place and the cost of food and accommodation will be provided by the organizers. The participants will be put with local families or friends as far as it is possible or in a modest guest house.

The organisers have no financial resources available at the moment to provide travel support. We will be informing of you any progress we make to this regard.

Formal invitation letter will be sent upon request and confirmation of participation. There is upon arrival visa privilege for all participants coming from other countries.

Registration fees

There will be a registration fee of US $100 for participants coming from developed countries and US $50 to those coming from other countries.

Secretariat:

Nepali Policy Institute
GPO Box 2125
60 New Plaza Marga, Putalisadak
Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel: 0977-1-4429741 Fax: 0977-1-4419610 (attention: Ratan)
E-mail: nepalconference@gmail.com
Mobile: 0977-9851090905 (Chintan)

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