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Freedom filmmaker recognition 2024 awarded to Pranaya R Shakya from Kaleidoscope Production

2024-12-09T19:00:00.014+05:45

The 2024 Freedom Filmmaker Recognition has been felicitated to Pranaya R Shakya and his firm Kaleidoscope Production. Kaleidoscope production is Nepal’s only LGBTQIA+ led visual media production firm.

Institutionalized by Docskool in 2018, the Freedom filmmaker recognition felicitates key individuals and collectives whose efforts make significant contribution towards the promotion of diverse cinema practices in Nepal and South Asia. The freedom filmmaker recognition carrying Docskool’s mascot, ‘Freedom Filmmaker’ features a human figure shouting in agony. It embodies the relentless devotion of filmmakers to express freely despite all restrictions filmmakers are presented with by state and non state actors. It encapsulates the resilience of filmmakers to make films despite these limitations presented.

The 2024 felicitation was observed as part of the Closing Ceremony of Queer Film Festival Kathmandu (QFFK) on 9 December. The first Queer Film Festival Kathmandu in Nepal, QFFK was held between 6 – 9 th of December at venues including Yalamaya kendra, Docskool alongside satellite venues at Pink Tiffany restaurant, Rokxi & Smog Restaurant and Hard Rock Café Kathmandu. The festival brought together 2000 + visitors showing 51 features, short documentary/ fiction films on Queer identity. The closing ceremony also included the festival’s final film show of ‘Fadia’s Tree’.

Queer Film Festival Kathmandu - QFFK and Freedom Filmmaker recognition is organized by Docskool. Docskool is an open network of filmmaker’s setup in 2008 which promotes alternative mechanisms as support for filmmakers in early stages of their careers.

An Interaction with Pranaya

Life has been a wild ride, with twists and turns that I can’t even begin to describe. Looking back, I have no idea where I started.

As a teenager in the late 90s, I had my heart set on studying abroad. America was my dream country, but my mom’s fear of me getting lost in a foreign land put a stop to that.

But I didn’t give up. I decided to make the most of my time here and learn about technology. I started working on projects and building my skills, and I soon found myself working with companies and organizations. This gave me a chance to explore Nepal’s growing tech scene.

One of my first jobs was at a now defunct FM station. I hosted shows like Computer Sansar, East Meets West, and Sunday Special. These shows were a great way to connect with people and share my ideas. I learned a lot from them, and I became more open to different perspectives.

In 2007, I decided to take a new turn and explore the world of animation and VFX. It was a slow process, but I learned a lot and had a blast doing it. In 2011, we won an award for our best animation short film, which gave us the recognition we deserved. From a small one-room office to working with international clients, it’s been an incredible journey.

By this time, I realized I was always on the lookout for teams to expand and working on projects that could bring out the best in their potential. After returning to Kathmandu from Bangalore in late 2016, I joined the new generation of business-minded people to build an iconic fashion event, the first iteration of Otaku Jatra in 2017, and other things.

Today, I’m part of Kaleidoscope Production, a queer-owned and led production house that creates visual stories and other dimensions of production in the Nepali market. We also provide opportunities to the community with the right skillsets. It’s been a year, and we’ve already made a web series of six episodes called “Durbin: A Tale of the Rainbow Community,” a short documentary called “Breaking Silence” about people living with HIV in Nepal, and an event to mark Pride Month with a drag show called “Drag Show for Visibility Season 2.”

With more years to come in our journey, we have planned to work on content that’s heartwarming and tells stories that actually need to be told.

I’m excited about the journey ahead, but I’m also grateful for the support from the community, society, my friends, and family. Docskool’s recognition as Freedom Filmmaker 2024 gives me and my team the energy to make even better content on various platforms that deserve this recognition.

I’m looking forward to the future, but I’m also taking the experiences I’ve gained over the years and putting them in strong positions to build the foundation of Kaleidoscope Production and create stories that will make a positive impact on people overall.

Meet Pranaya R. Shakya, a true trailblazer in Nepal’s creative and advocacy world! Back in the early 2000s, he started some really cool radio shows that talked about youth issues. It was a time of big change in Nepal, and Pranaya gave young people a voice to share their thoughts and ideas.

Pranaya also noticed the power of visual storytelling, so he teamed up with others to start Escape Animation. Back then, animation was still a new thing in Nepal, but they didn’t let that stop them. They made some amazing animated films and won Nepal’s first animation award in 2011 and few other international participation and recognitions.

But Pranaya wasn’t done yet. He wanted to make sure that LGBTQIA+ people in Nepal had a chance to share their stories and make a difference. So, he co-founded Kaleidoscope Production, which is the first queer-owned production house in Nepal. They help LGBTQIA+ artists build their careers, tell their stories, and use their talents to make the world a more accepting place.

Businesses come together as Queer Friendly Businesses in solidarity for Nepal's 1st Queer Film Festival Kathmandu - QFFK 2024

2024-12-08T08:00:00.009+05:45

Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal, CRS Healthcare, Hyatt Place, Yadea, Barasinghe, Kaleidoscope Production, Vet for your Pet, Asian Pharmaceuticals, Hard Rock Cafe, SnackOn Bars, Magar Adventure and Global Shapers Community Kathmandu came together in solidarity for Nepal's 1st Queer Film Festival Kathmandu - QFFK 2024 organized by Documentary Open School - Docskool. All these businesses also show their solidarity for queer community and allies to advocate about LGBTIQ+ not limiting it to be separate from each others. Documentary Open School - Docskool as the organizer also wanted to project that festivals like this is to celebrate diversity into a world of parallel aspirations, majestic leaps, individual conquests and historical overview of queer movement as films made world over.

Samrat Baral, CEO of CRS Healthcare on video message -

Sneha Shrestha, Communications & Sustainability Manager at Coca-Cola Beverages Nepal | The Bottlers Nepal on video message -

Dinup and Rahul from Kaleidoscope Production -

Saurav and Megha represent Global Shapers Community Kathmandu -

Documentary Open School - Docskool also invited Queer Led Businesses for satellite events during the festival duration. Pride Perks at Paknajol organized an After Party on Opening Night, Rainbow Cafe and Restaurant at Galkopakha, Thamel organized a Speed Dating while Pink Tiffany, Saat Ghumti, Thamel celebrated Friday Night & Saturday Night while organized a Satellite Screenings of selected Queer Films on Sunday Night. Rokxi & Smog at Old Baneshwor organized a Satellite Screening on Saturday Night followed by LIVE music where as Hard Rock Cafe Kathmandu as a Queer Friendly businesses closed the closing night screenings.

Docskool also invited several Queer Led Businesses and Queer Friendly Businesses to showcase their products at Indreni Hatiya on Saturday at Yalamaya Kendra premises. Happy Space Nepal, Chibi Store, Lostmandu, Soozay Crochet, zie0art, FemArt Hack, BLISS Academy by Sakil Kunwar, Dristi Nepal and Cruiseaids Nepal joined the marketplace catering to the audience who joined the festival.

Find the Queer Film Festival Kathmandu - QFFK Catalogue was possible through the businesses who joined in solidarity for QFFK 2024

Queer Expressions in Online Spaces - A talk session at QFFK 2024

2024-12-07T12:00:00.000+05:45

The ever-expanding moral restrictions on cinema from state and non-state actors are constant contributor for weak queer participation in cinema. Queer cinema in Nepal faces multiple challenges, including limited yet stereotyped portrayal of LGBTQIA+ characters in Nepali films, and nominal participation of Queer individuals in cinema. Production practices in recent years show a different side to queer expression as more filmmakers are seeking alternatives to mainstream cinema.

Accessible online platforms have become highly sought after for queer and sexually open contents. Queer content producers have been fast to tap in with more queer materials released online in recent years than ever before in the history of cinema in Nepal. Their high approval comes as content creators see online spaces as an alternative to keep censorship and moral policing away. Yet the prospect of backlash from millions of homophobic audiences and new policies to control social media looms around.

Queer filmmakers and producers talk of the current scenario for queer expression/ cinema in Nepal – the way ahead and how online spaces might have a role to play. The talk discusses further into if online spaces are actually pivotal for open unrestricted expression as they further explore other queer cinema friendly avenues.

Speakers -

Sushant Shrestha is a film producer whose work has been shown at Busan International Film Festival among others. He is an alumni of Berlinale talent Campus and has worked in film producing for over a decade.
Pranaya R. Shakya, is a true trailblazer in Nepal’s creative and advocacy world! His media advocacy started in early 2000’s with Radio shows on young people. He since ventured into animation through Escape Animation, that led to winning Nepal’s first animation award in 2011. Pranaya has since focused his energy in starting Nepal’s sole queer -owned media company as Kaleidoscope Production which he co founded. He currently devotes himself to create LGBTQIA+ oriented stories for a more acceptable world.
Gaurav Kandel (Youth Activist & Advisor to Queer Film Festival Kathmandu ’24) is a Docskool 2008 film workshop alumni. He has worked with several non profits and film/ art festivals for over a decade that directly/indirectly touch upon queer movement. He is also a Nepal consultant of the Emmy award winning show, Shark Tank.

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Navigating Our Missing Love – Feminism and Queer Feminism

2024-12-06T15:00:00.005+05:45

At the Queer Film Festival Kathmandu - QFFK 2024 campaigned by Documentary Open School - Docskool, a keynote discussion titled "Navigating Our Missing Love: Feminism and Queer Feminism" was successfully organized jointly by Loom Nepal, the Federation of Sexual and Gender Minorities (FSGMN), WOFOWON, SWASA Nepal, and Inclusive Steps Nepal, as part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign 2024.

The program saw the participation of over 100 women with different gender identities including young women, members of sexual and gender minority groups, women with disabilities, female sex workers, and female laborers from the construction sector.

In the current context of Nepal's women's movement, which has progressed through various perspectives, the fear of weakening arises if we fail to advance women's issues in an integrated manner collectively. To strengthen feminist movements to maintain momentum, it is essential to unite intersectional feminist movements. Such collective efforts can spotlight women and queer’s lived experiences and challenges in public discourse, paving the way for solutions. This dialogue was organized to foster collective strength to address fragmented issues and fortify Nepal's feminist movement. The discussion emphasized the need for uniting all women's rights movements and campaigns as a non-negotiable step toward strengthening the broader feminist movement.

During the event:

Sarita Dahal, Executive Director of Loom Nepal, presented the history as well as gaps or challenges and also the ways forward for the intersectional feminist movement in Nepal.
Suhana Thapa Magar, from the Federation of Sexual and Gender Minorities, spoke on the inception, current status, and integration of the queer feminist movement into the broader feminist discourse in Nepal.
Prof. Dr. Bindu Pokharel, a gender studies scholar, offered insights on why it is vital to integrate issues from Nepal's feminist, queer feminist, and other intersectional feminist movements into mainstream discourse. She also outlined the way forward for bringing women's collective issues into the mainstream.

At the end of the program, feedback from participants was synthesized into the following key points regarding the future of Nepal's feminist and intersectional feminist movements:

Inclusion in the Mainstream: The women's movement must address the concerns of marginalized communities, including those defined by caste, religion, class, gender, and sexual identity.
Unity Across Feminist Movements: It is essential to create an environment where all feminist movements can come together to realize the collective goal of women's rights and gender equality.
A Common Platform: Nepal’s feminist movement must unite diverse feminist movements to progress collectively as a shared movement.
Incorporating Intersectional Issues: The core concerns of feminist, queer feminist, and intersectional feminist movements should be addressed with positivity and unity.
Diversity and Collaboration: Effective coordination and collaboration are necessary to embrace diversity and differences in the movement.
Human Rights Perspective: Equality and respect are universal issues that should not be limited to the rights of men and women alone. It is crucial to recognize intersectional issues as human rights and work collectively to ensure rights for all.

Nepal's 1st Queer Film Festival Kathmandu - QFFK 2024 commenced

2024-12-06T07:00:00.004+05:45

Documentary Open School - Docskool launched the Nepal's first Queer film festival Kathmandu- QFFK 2024 to be held 6 - 9 December at Yalamaya Kendra, Patan Dhoka and Docskool, Thapathali alongside several satellite venues.

Starting today the festival will present a collection of 51 feature films, documentary features and short projects including animations. They include projects made the world over, as artists explore diverse aspects of sexuality, sexual identity – choices, bodily autonomy among other issues. Queer cinema is a genre which emphasis non heterosexual narratives in film unlimited to portrayal of LGBTQIA+ identity alone – however most films focus on personal and collective identity and experience of LGBTQIA+ people.

Queer Film Festival Kathmandu - QFFK has partnered with several distribution firms to present films made after 2023. These include films such as S/he is still Her/E: The official Genesis P-Orridge Documentary on the life of highly influential and controversial transgressive queer artist, performer Genesis P-Orridge. The film was shown at Sheffield, and Tribeca Film festival earlier this year. Other feature documentaries include ‘If I die, it will be of Joy’ which deals with older women exploring sexuality and Warsha, a short film from Lebanon which won the best shorts award at Sundance in 2022. Majority feature films being shown will have their South Asia premiere at the festival. Films are being shown under 17 packages of short and feature projects. Entry to all screenings are free but required prior registration.

To register visit the festival website:
www.docskool.wordpress.com or whatsapp on +9779818966569

Queer film festival Kathmandu is organised by Docskool, a collective of filmmakers working on cinema education and culture promotion since 2008. The festival is part of Docskool’s ‘Women in Cinema’ initiative which provides small grants and year long production accompaniment to women and queer filmmakers at pivotal stages of their career.

Queer film festival will open today with Fawzia Mirza’s ‘Queen of my Dreams’ from Canada about a Pakistani immigrant family and a young girls exploration of her sexuality while coming to terms with her family history and her muslim, Pakistani – immigrant identity. The film will have a repeat screening on 9th December at Docskool premises.

19yr old Teen Activist from Rukum Ghanashyam Bishwakarma bags Glocal Teen Hero 2024

2024-09-02T11:36:00.002+05:45

Mr. Ghanashyam Bishwakarma, 19-year-old Activist from Rukum has been awarded the title of “Golchha Group presents Glocal Teen Hero Nepal 2024” amidst an award ceremony at The Soaltee Kathmandu organized by Glocal Pvt. Ltd today. Over the past decade, the Glocal Teen Hero initiative has built a legacy of recognizing teenagers who excel beyond academics, providing a platform to showcase their extraordinary talents. Glocal Teen Hero Nepal profoundly acknowledges teenagers’ initiation, creativity, and enthusiasm, empowering them to catalyze positive change at the intersection of global and local domains.

Mr. Ghanashyam was selected among the Top Six Finalists of the competition viz Mr. Aashish Panthi (19 years, Tech Educator, Kapilvastu); Mr. Nischal Bhattarai (16 years, Educator, Syangja); Ms. Purnima Timsina (17 years, Child Right Activist, Jhapa); Ms. Sajani Sharma (19 years, Social Activist, Kaski) and Mr. Shreejay Subedi (18 years, Tech Enthusiast, Parsa).

Mr. Ghanashyam Bishwakarma is a 19-year-old activist from Rukum with over eight years of experience advocating for the rights and well-being of children and adolescents. His dedication to child rights, mental health, climate justice, and combating child marriage has made a significant impact on society. As the President of the National Adolescents Boys Network Nepal, he is deeply committed to advancing comprehensive child rights advocacy. He collaborates with various organizations to address critical issues such as sexual and reproductive rights, mental health, climate justice, and online safety. He leads educational workshops designed to combat child sexual exploitation and enhance reporting mechanisms, empowering young people to protect themselves and their peers. His role as a climate justice advocate includes organizing workshops focused on children’s rights to a healthy environment, emphasizing the importance of environmental sustainability in safeguarding future generations.

Ghanashyam’s commitment extends to coordinating emergency response efforts, where he plays a crucial role in data collection and relief distribution, particularly during natural disasters. His leadership in these initiatives reflects his dedication to supporting vulnerable communities in times of crisis. On the international stage, he represents Nepal at forums such as the World Social Forum, where he advocates for child rights and shares the challenges faced by young people in Nepal. Beyond his advocacy work, he engages in creative projects, including writing songs that resonate with his activism.

Ghanashyam’s work as a child rights activist has significantly impacted society by empowering children, raising awareness, and influencing policy changes. Through his educational workshops on child sexual exploitation and climate justice, he has equipped young people with the knowledge and tools they need to advocate for their rights and well-being. His talent showcases provide children with platforms to express their creativity, build confidence, and develop their voices. He leverages media engagement, such as hosting the Bal Chautari Program on Radio Sanobheri F.M., to raise awareness on child rights, child marriage, mental health, and online safety. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he played a crucial role in disseminating vital information to protect children and families, ensuring that they had access to the resources and support they needed. His collaborations with governmental and non-governmental organizations have influenced child protection policies, including efforts to eliminate online child sexual exploitation.

As a climate justice activist, Mr. Ghanashyam educates youth on environmental sustainability, helping to foster a generation that is conscious of their impact on the planet. His coordination of disaster relief efforts during earthquakes and other crises further demonstrates his unwavering commitment to community support. Overall, his work fosters a society where children are empowered, protected, and given the opportunities they need to thrive.

Top Six Finalists were shortlisted for the final round of Golchha Group presents Glocal Teen Hero Nepal based on their achievements, initiations, contributions, and impact of work. The Finalists also attended a series of Self-Competency Workshops on various topics and had the opportunity to interact with industry leaders and corporate personalities to broaden their knowledge.

The finalists were individually interviewed by the panel of judges comprising of Mr. Ashish Tiwari, Director at Ace Institute of Management; Ms. Chandrika Kalia, Country Director at Coca-Cola Nepal; Dr. Ghana S Gurung, Country Representative at WWF Nepal; Ms. Patricia Fernandez Pacheco, Country Representative to Nepal, UN Women; Ms. Seema Golchha, Director at Golchha Group Pvt. Ltd. And H.E. Veronique Lorenzo, Ambassador, European Union Delegation to Nepal and today, Mr. Ghanashyam was officially declared and awarded as Golchha Group presents Glocal Teen Hero Nepal 2024 amidst the awarding ceremony at The Soaltee Kathmandu.

This year Glocal has partnered with Golchha Group as a Title Partner; Embassy of India, European Union, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Kathmandu, UN Women as a Strategic Partner; Honda, Coca-Cola, WWF, Toyota, KFC, Panchakanya, Nabil Bank, DishHome Go, Ace Institute of Management, Real Juice as Partners; The Soaltee Kathmandu as Initiative Partner; Worldlink as Internet Partner; Cozy Home as Hospitality Partner; Yeti Airlines as Airline Partner; Prisma Advertising as PR Partner; No Next Question (NNQ) as Outreach Partner; eSewa, Nepal Telecom, Pizza Hut, IMS Group as Supporters.

The journey of the Glocal Teen Hero over the last decade has been nothing short of transformative. It has fostered a generation of young leaders who have redefined the possibilities of youth engagement and social impact. From its humble beginnings to becoming a nationwide platform of inspiration, the platform has illuminated the stories of countless teens, empowering them to create positive change in their communities. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to continuing this legacy, nurturing future heroes who will shape a better tomorrow.

Social Science Baha Lecture series on Migration during Climate Change: Broadening the Discourse beyond Disaster Displacement and Failure to Adapt by Amina Maharjan

2024-05-07T10:49:00.002+05:45

Social Science Baha continues its Lecture series with Lecture Series CXIII on Migration during Climate Change: Broadening the Discourse beyond Disaster Displacement and Failure to Adapt by Amina Maharjan on 14 May 2024 (Tuesday) 5:30 pm | Yala Maya Kendra, Patan Dhoka, Lalitpur

Nepal is one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, ranking 139th out of 182 in terms of exposure, sensitivity, and ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change. Nepal faces several disaster risks such as floods, landslides, earthquakes, wildfires, and droughts. Marginalised populations, already burdened by poverty, food insecurity, and discrimination, and agriculture-based livelihoods are particularly susceptible to these impacts. Rural communities in Nepal are highly dependent on subsistence agriculture, with small holdings, mostly rainfed systems and livestock. The observed changes in temperature, rainfall patterns, and the increased frequency of extreme weather events, have led to significant losses in agricultural productivity, property, and human lives. Off-farm employment opportunities in informal services and manufacturing are limited.

Migration is a common and often effective risk-spreading strategy adopted by households in Nepal. The 2021 Census reported that roughly one in every four households has a family member abroad. The remittances sent home by migrant workers are used to meet household consumption, finance education and healthcare needs. There is evidence that a small portion is also invested in agriculture to build resilience to climate change. However, the general discourse continues to portray migration as both a challenge and a failure that needs to be stopped.

Against this backdrop, this lecture aims to shed light on these two interlinked mega-trends of climate change and migration. Climate adaptation interventions are generally designed for resident populations, and do not consider the mobility and immobility of exposed and marginal populations. The discourse on migration under a changing climate is also narrowly focused on disaster displacement and rarely addresses other forms of human mobility. This presents a huge gap in our understanding of climate change-migration linkages and therefore constrains the ways in which we can leverage migration to reduce livelihood precarity, increase adaptive capacities, and enhance the overall wellbeing of the population.

Amina Maharjan is Senior Livelihood and Migration Specialist at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD). With a PhD in agriculture, she is an interdisciplinary researcher and practitioner specialising in human mobility and migration, sustainable development, and climate adaptation in the Hindu Kush Himalaya.

Dr Maharjan’s work focuses on the science-policy-practice interface related to the human dimensions of environmental change, vulnerability to cyrospheric change, air pollution, multi/translocal livelihood resilience, and gender equity and social inclusion. Among her recent publications (as lead author) related to the lecture are: ‘Can Labour Migration Help Households Adapt to Climate Change? Evidence from Four River Basins in South Asia’ (in Climate and Development), ‘Understanding Rural Outmigration and Agricultural Land Use Change in the Gandaki Basin, Nepal’ (Applied Geography), and ‘Migration and Household Adaptation in Climate-Sensitive Hotspots in South Asia’ (Curr Clim Change Rep).

The lecture will also be livestreamed at http://facebook.com/soscbaha.

This is a public lecture and admission is free and open to all. Seating is first-come-first-served. Queries: 4572807.

As part of the Social Science Baha Lecture Series, the Baha has been providing a forum to local and visiting scholars to present their work and interact with the larger public in an open lecture format. The Lecture Series is a not a periodic event but rather is held whenever there is someone ready to make a presentation. The following are the lectures hosted by the Baha so far. Note: Audio versions of lectures are available online from Lecture Series XXI onwards, and also available are abstracts from Lecture Series XI and later.

Listen to previous lectures

A Post Investment Summit India-Nepal B2B Meet in Kathmandu

2024-04-30T19:00:00.044+05:45

Embassy of India, Kathmandu in collaboration with the Investment Board of Nepal (IBN) and Nepal India Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NICCI) organized a Post Investment Summit India-Nepal B2B Meet in Kathmandu today.

The B2B meeting was attended by 35 delegates from Millennium India International Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MICCIA) and Nepal India Chamber of Commerce and Industry covering energy, agriculture, construction, tourism, cold chain, medical devices, finance, consultancy and law sectors

Speaking at the event, Ms. Shreejana Rana, President, NICCI identified hydropower, tourism and agriculture as potential areas for cooperation between Indian and Nepali businesses. Ambassador Anil Trigunayat, President, MICCIA appreciated the recent bilateral connectivity initiatives and the importance of B2B connections in taking India-Nepal Economic Partnership forward. Mr. Ramesh Adhikari, Under Secretary, IBN summarized and welcomed Indian investors to do business in Nepal. He appreciated the more than 50 members strong Indian delegation from FICCI, CII, ICC, MICCIA as well as several individual businesses who had productive meetings at the 3rd Nepal Investment Summit from 28-29 April 2024.

The B2B meet witnessed the signature of an MOU for cooperation between MICCIA and NICCI. Indian delegates were also provided a copy of the 3rd edition of Handbook for Indian Investors Investing in Nepal, which had been unveiled a day before by Mr. Barshaman Pun, Hon’ble Finance Minister of Nepal.

The Handbook can be downloaded at

https://www.indembkathmandu.gov.in/docs/Invest%20in%20Nepal_d020%20(final).pdf

Press Release - Embassy of India, Nepal

India built High Impact Community Development Project in Chitwan, Nepal

2024-04-26T17:00:00.033+05:45

The Embankment and Launching Apron Dhungre Khola River Training Works project at Khairahani Municipality, Chitwan, built with Government of India’s financial assistance at the tendered cost of NRs.36.74 million under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’ was inaugurated today jointly by Mr. Shashi Kumar Khaniya, Mayor, Khairani Municipality and Shri Avinash Kumar Singh, First Secretary, Embassy of India, Kathmandu. Public representatives, Government officials, representatives of project user committee and social workers were also present on this occasion.

The Government of India grant under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’ was utilized for the Construction of Embankment and Launching Apron Dhungre Khole River Training Works at Khairahani Municipality, Chitwan for the people of local community. The project is taken up as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), under an Agreement between Government of India and Government of Nepal. This project was implemented through Khairahani Municipality, Chitwan. The project is an important example of the robust development partnership between India and Nepal.

Mayor, Khairahani Municipality and representatives of project user committee in their remarks appreciated the continued developmental support of the Government of India in upliftment of the people of Nepal in priority sectors.

This HICDP-Embankment and Launching Apron Dhungre Khole River Training Works will help to stop agricultural land erosion, deforestation, frequent eviction of locals due to river flood flow and mitigating the risk associated with river dynamics and fostering resilience against natural calamities.

Since 2003, Government of India has taken up over 551 HICDPs in Nepal in various sectors and has completed 489 projects. Amongst these, 106 projects are in Bagmati Province in various sectors, which include 9 projects in Chitwan. In addition to these, Government of India has gifted 1009 ambulances and 300 school buses to various hospitals, health posts and educational institutions in Nepal on the occasion of Independence Day and Republic Day of India. Amongst these, 236 Ambulances and 99 School Buses have been gifted in Bagmati Province, including 17 ambulances and 5 school buses provided in Chitwan District.

As close neighbours, India and Nepal share wide-ranging and multi-sectoral cooperation. The implementation of HICDPs reflects the continued support of the Government of India in bolstering the efforts of the Government of Nepal in upliftment of its people, augmenting infrastructure in the field of priority sector in Nepal.

Press Release - Embassy of India, Nepal

India laid foundation stone and inauguration of High Impact Community Development Projects in Darchula, Nepal

2024-04-19T19:00:00.029+05:45

The Foundation stone was laid today by Mr. Mangal Singh Dhami, Chairperson, Byas Rural Municipality and Shri Prashant Kumar Sona, Second Secretary, Embassy of India, Kathmandu for the construction of Shree Himalaya Secondary School Building at Byas Rural Municipality-6, Darchula, being built with Government of India’s financial assistance at the tendered cost of NRs.28.20 million. Further, Mr. Narendra Bahadur Singh Badal, Chairperson, Duhun Rural Municipality and Shri Prashant Kumar Sona, Second Secretary, Embassy of India, Kathmandu was jointly inaugurated School building of Shree Janabikash Secondary School at Duhun Rural Municipality, built at project cost of NR.33.70 million, under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’. Political representatives, government officials, social workers, representative of the school management, teachers, parents and students were also present on this occasion.

The Government of India grant under ‘Nepal-India Development Cooperation’, will be utilized for the construction of double storied school building, toilet block, boundary wall and entry gate with other facilities for Shree Himalaya Secondary School at Byas Rural Municipality. Also, the GoI grant was utilized for the construction of a school building with other facilities for Shree Janabikash Secondary School, Duhun Rural Municipality. These projects taken up as a High Impact Community Development Project (HICDP), under an Agreement between Government of India and Government of Nepal. The projects being implemented through Byas Rural Municipality for Shree Himalaya Secondary School and Shree Janabikash Secondary School, was implemented through Duhun Rural Municipality, Darchula. The project is an important example of the robust development partnership between India and Nepal.

Chairpersons Byas Rural Municipality and Duhun Rural Municipality in their remarks appreciated the continued developmental support of the Government of India in upliftment of the people of Nepal in priority sectors.

The new school buildings would be useful in providing better education facilities to students of Shree Himalaya Secondary School and Shree Janabikash Secondary School in Darchula, Nepal and would create an improved environment for learning as well as contribute to the development of the education in this area.

Since 2003, Government of India has taken up over 551 HICDPs in Nepal in various sectors and has completed 489 projects. Amongst these, 40 projects are in Sudurpashchim Province in various sectors, which include 10 projects in Darchula. In addition to these, Government of India has gifted 1009 ambulances and 300 school buses to various hospitals, health posts and educational institutions in Nepal on the occasion of Independence Day and Republic Day of India. Amongst these, 60 ambulances and 20 school buses have been gifted in Sudurpashchim Province, including 8 ambulances and 2 school buses provided in Darchula District.

Press Release - Embassy of India, Nepal

Artudio International Residency Artists from Poland at their 'The Second Immersion' Exhibition

2024-04-11T18:00:00.025+05:45

आर्टुडियोको अन्तरास्ट्रिय कला रेसिडेन्सि कार्यक्रम आन्तर्गत दुइ पोलिश कलाकारहरु आन्ना र बारबरा ब्रेल्लाको प्रदर्शनि "दि सेकेन्ड इमर्शन" प्रदर्शनीमा

आर्टुडियोको अन्तरास्ट्रिय कला रेसिडेन्सि कार्यक्रम आन्तर्गत दुइ पोलिश कलाकारहरु आन्ना र बारबरा ब्रेल्लाको प्रदर्शनि "दि सेकेन्ड इमर्शन" आर्टुडियोमा शुरु भयेको छ ।दुबै कलाकार आर्टुडियोको इन्टरनेशनल आर्टिस्ट रेसिडेन्सी (एआईएआर) कार्यक्रमको भागको रूपमा हालै अप्रिल महिनाको लागि उक्त कार्यक्रममा सहभागि कलाकारहरु हुन ।

उनिहरुले सन १९८१ मा नेपाल भ्रमण गर्दा नेपालका बिभिन्न ठाउहरुको तस्बिर कैद गरेका थिए र रेसिडेन्सिमा पुन सोहि ठाऊहरुको पुन भ्रमण गरि फोटो खिचेका थिए। १९८१ देखि हालसम्मको नेपालमा उनीहरूको फोटोग्राफिक यात्राले समय, ठाउँ, सम्झना, इतिहास, सस्क्रिति र विकासको मंत्रमुग्ध अन्वेषण प्रदान खुल्ला बाटो कोर्दछ ।

उनीहरूको १९८१ यी तस्बिरहरूले नेपालको अबिस्मरणिय इतिहासको मार्मिक अनुस्मारकको रूपमा काम गर्दछ, हाम्रा पूर्ण रूपमा हिउँले ढाकिएको पहाडहरू, प्रकृतिसँग मिल्दोजुल्दो गाँउघरहरू, र परम्परागत ज्ञान र शिल्प कौशलले फस्टाएको समुदायहरूद्वारा सजिएको पुरानो युगमा पुर्‍याउँछ। उनिहरुको लेन्स मार्फत, हामीले नेपालको विविधताको सार पुनः पत्ता लगाउँन सजिलो बनाउदछ।

साँच्चै चाखलाग्दो कुरा भनेको अन्ना र बारबराको नेपालको एउटै क्षेत्रहरूमा हालैको यात्रामा विगत र वर्तमानको गहिरो संयोजन हो, जहाँ उनीहरूले रेसिडेन्सी कार्यक्रमको क्रममा उनीहरूको लेन्सबाट समय, ठाउँ र मानिसहरूका भावनाहरू र सम्झनाहरूलाई सुन्दर रूपमा कैद गर्दै प्रदर्शनिमा समाबेश गरेकाछन । उनीहरूका तस्बिरहरूले १९८१ को नेपालको ऐतिहासिक परिदृश्य र समकालीन समाजको जीवन्त बर्तमानलाई सहज रूपमा जोड्ने बहु-स्तरीय कथा प्रस्तुत गर्दछ।

रेसिडेन्सीको नतिजाको एक हिस्साको रूपमा यो प्रदर्शनी, "द सेकेन्ड इमरसन" नेपालि कला समुदाय तथा दर्सकहरु मा प्रस्तुत गर्न पाउदा कलाकार तथा क्युरेटर द्द्य कैलाश के श्रेस्ठ र कृषा ताम्राकार खुसि अनुभुत गर्दै प्रदर्शित ऐतिहासिक क्रितिहरु आर्टुडियोमा सङ्रहित गर्न पाएकोमा गर्बित महसुस भयेको बताउछन , किनभने यो नेपालको स्थायी भावना र कलाको उत्कृष्ट शक्तिको प्रमाण हो र अब यो आर्टुडियोमा सङ्रहित हुने छ ।

आर्टुडियोको अन्तरास्ट्रिय कला रेसिडेन्सि कार्यक्रम सन २०१६ देखि नै सन्चालन्मा छ र अहिले सम्म अमेरिका, नेदरल्यान्ड लगायत्का कलाकार्हरुलाइ कार्यक्रममा सहभागि गराइसकेको छ र यो कार्यक्रममा विश्व भरिका कलाकार्हरुलाइ खुल्ला आबेदन मार्फत एक देखि ६ महिना सम्म सहभागि भै आफ्नो कला प्रस्तुत गर्ने र नेपाल सङग सास्क्रितिक आदान प्रदानको एक महत्वपुर्ण मन्च प्रदान गर्दछ ।

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Global Shapers from Philippines, Switzerland, India, Nepal and 30+ countries join ShapeAPAC23 at Bangkok, Thailand

2023-09-21T06:45:00.015+05:45

View Your Choice as part of feature coverage of Shape Asia Pacific - Shape APAC 2023 covered some of the Asia Pacific Change Makers along with Interview with Bangkok Hub Shapers who are the organizers of the Global Shapers Asia Pacific Regional Conference in Bangkok Thailand. ( Click the links to read both the blog posts )

In this blog series,

we interview five of the dynamic Global Shapers from world wide - Mikaella Antonette Canaman from Iloilo Hub, Philippines, Weza Bombo João from Zurich Hub, Switzerland, Shorya Mittal from Gurugram Hub, India, Ishita Maria Godinho from Panaji Hub, India and Navarerk Kaewphakdee "Boat" from Bangkok Hub, Thailand

Enjoy reading the interview and also share your comments on the comments section

When did you join Global Shapers and how have you been involved with the hub?

Mikee - I joined the Global Shapers Community Iloilo Hub in 2015, right after finishing my Bachelor's degree. This year marks my 8th year in the community, which I find amusing since it's my longest commitment compared to my other career choices.

During my time with the hub, I've held various roles, including Head of Membership Engagement, Vice Curator, and Impact Officer. These positions taught me a lot about leadership and helped me discover my strengths as an entrepreneur and a leader.

In terms of impact, I focused on Entrepreneurship and Innovation. I worked with the hub to start the conversation with the government about improving our startup ecosystem and driving innovation in our city and province. As a shaper and private sector representative, I actively contributed to the Innovate Iloilo Initiative, aiming to make Iloilo a premier innovation hub in the Philippines by 2030.

Weza - I‘ve joined the the Global Shapers Community exactly a year ago and have been involved in a lot of Social Events - strengthening the Community spirit after COVID19

Shorya - I have been a part of shapers for close to 2 years now. I started off as a volunteer at projects such as Nari shakti and Outdoors, two of the most successful projects at Gurugram hub. Post that, I went on to become a project lead at another project called Shape Your Career, an initiative that aimed to upskill and provide job ready skills to college students from tier 2 and tier 3 students in India.

Ishita - In 2018, I embarked on a journey that would change the way I perceive social impact and collaboration. Joining the Global Shapers community was not only a decision but a commitment to contribute to positive change and learn from a diverse group of individuals who are passionate about making the world a better place. Coming from a social impact background, I felt a deep connection with the values and goals of the hub. From the very beginning, I was keen on getting involved in various projects that aligned with my interests and expertise. Whether it was collaborating on waste management initiatives, attending peaceful protests, raising awareness on social issues or tree planting drives, every opportunity to contribute feels meaningful.

Boat - Joining the Global Shapers community was a decision that I made with a lot of excitement and anticipation. In June of this year, I officially became a Global Shaper, and it has been a transformative experience ever since. My involvement with the Bangkok Hub has primarily revolved around the planning and execution of the upcoming Shape APAC Conference, scheduled to take place in Bangkok this September. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside a talented and passionate team of Shapers who are dedicated to making this conference a success.

How has Shapers experience been for you ? Share one of your best memories with the hub ?

Mikee - My experience with Shapers has been fantastic! One of my best memories is when all four Shaper hubs in the Philippines decided to organize an annual retreat. This retreat brought together Shapers from across the country, giving us a chance to learn from each other's leadership successes and how we tackle challenges in our cities. But it wasn't just about leadership; it was also a time to celebrate our friendship and create new experiences together. It was a wonderful blend of learning and fun.

Weza - As being one of the Members in the Zurich Hub, Switzerland, I value the most hosting the 50 Global Shapers that get invited each year at the Annual Meeting for a Pre/Post Davos event.

Shorya - At shapers, I have seen the power of people coming together to make impact as volunteers from the pure will of making a difference. My best memories comprise of meeting like-minded people and eventually becoming close friends with some of them.

Recently, global shapers community came to my rescue when one of the shapers from the Hong Kong hub helped me get my visa to Hong Kong in one day for an important event that I had to invite there.

Ishita -

Being part of the Global Shapers has been an enriching experience that transcends boundaries. While each of us at out hub juggle personal pursuits, the opportunity to collaborate and learn from diverse fields amplifies our collective impact.

Boat - Being a Global Shaper has been a remarkable journey filled with opportunities for personal growth and making a positive impact. One of my fondest memories with the Bangkok Hub was when we organized a community outreach event aimed at providing educational support to underprivileged children. Witnessing the smiles on those young faces as we helped them with their studies was truly heartwarming. It reinforced the idea that small actions can make a big difference, and it was a powerful reminder of the impact we can create as Shapers.

What excites you about Shape and motivated you to apply to Shape APAC ?

Mikee - I'm really excited about Shape APAC for a number of reasons. Firstly, I've always had a fondness for Bangkok, so the fact that the event is happening there is a big

motivator for me to apply. Additionally, this is the first SHAPE event in APAC after the pandemic, so I'm curious to see how Shapers have changed their perspectives and approaches to solving problems in their cities.

The track on Tourism and Creative Economy is also an important factor to me. I work in the creative and tourism industry, so I'm eager to learn about how Shapers are harnessing opportunities in our field today. And of course, I can't forget the guaranteed fun experience of connecting with fellow Shapers!

Weza - I‘ve just realized with how many Shapers we are getting connected and elaborate on new approaches how to solve certain challenges in the APAC region.

Shorya - I heard about Shape APAC from other members of the hub. As an individual who wants to actively work in the space of creating impact, APAC provides a unique opportunity to meet changemakers from across the world and understand the local implications of global challenges such as healthcare, energy, and tourism.

I also feel excited to tell more people about the work we have been doing at shapers ourselves.

What are your expectations from Shape APAC and what would you love to take back to your city and your hub ?

Mikee - I have two intentions for joining the Shape APAC in Bangkok. First, I hope to gain valuable insights that can benefit my ongoing initiatives in the Philippines. Additionally, I aim to establish potential partnerships and collaborations with hubs in the APAC region. These collaborations can directly benefit our travel and education company, We The Curatours (WTC), which focuses on inspiring the next generation of innovators through transformative global experiences.

Through WTC, we aim to connect our participants with industry leaders and change-makers in Southeast Asian countries, fostering profound knowledge acquisition, extensive exposure, and the development of visionary leadership. Given Bangkok's status as a thriving tourism destination and the diverse industries represented by Shapers in the event, I see an opportunity to strengthen our travel and education programs through partnerships forged at Shape APAC.

Weza - I‘m expecting having lots of fruitful and insightful discussions. I personally like to challenge assumptions and hope to encounter many sparring partners in debating the current status quo.

Shorya - I want to take back the experience of building and organising successful hubs practices and projects that create long lasting and sustainable impact in volunteer driven set up.

I also want to further network with other individuals working in similar spaces and learn from them

Ishita - With the prospect of my first Shape event in the Asia-Pacific region, my excitement knows no bounds. I have heard so many stories about SHAPE events and I can’t wait to have and share my own experience. The opportunity to learn from fellow Shapers and gain insights into the workings of NGOs and social impact organizations in different countries is a prospect I eagerly await.

Boat - As we gear up for the Shape APAC Conference in Bangkok, my expectations are high. I see this event as a unique platform for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and networking with other young leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region. I hope that the conference will serve as a catalyst for innovative solutions to some of the pressing challenges our region faces, ranging from climate change to social inequality. It’s an opportunity for us to collectively brainstorm and take steps towards a better future.

Which track are you more interested in and why ? How are you looking to add value to the conversations and learn or take back from that track ?

Mikee - I'm particularly interested in the Tourism and Creative Economy track because I'm actively involved in these industries. I believe I can contribute meaningfully to the discussions. Currently, I'm leading Sowenscale, a Business Development Services and Digital Marketing Agency in the Philippines, focusing on the digital

transformation of businesses in Food and Beverage, Tourism, and Retail sectors. Our primary objective is to help these businesses grow by integrating technology and harnessing creativity. One of my proudest achievements is building a team of young, creative individuals, growing from an initial team of 3 to now 30 members, which I can share more about by being part of this track.

In addition to this, we're launching the first program of our travel and education company, We The Curatours, this September. This program targets college students in business, information technology, and engineering fields, aiming to inspire this next generation of innovators through transformative global experiences. We want to connect our participants with industry leaders and change-makers in Southeast Asian countries, fostering profound knowledge acquisition, extensive exposure, and the development of visionary leadership.

Attending the Shape APAC in Bangkok will be a source of inspiration and valuable insights as we work towards realizing our vision of making learning enjoyable and impactful.

Weza - I‘m going to focus on the Energy & Food Security track since I‘m working as a Sustainability Consultant in Switzerland. Bringing an totally different perspective and approach on how to handle and look at this particular topic, will be benefitial for the overal discussions. I‘d also like to learn from and challenge my peers that are way more knowledgeable when it comes to solve the Energy ane Food Security issue in the APAC region.

Shorya - I am more inclined towards the health and wellness track for my own experience of working in the emotional wellness space. I want to contribute to the track by expanding the definition of wellness and what it entails especially in the context of developing countries such as India through my work with my own organisation – Humans of Safe Places and my project at GSG – Shape your Career.

Ishita - As someone deeply rooted in the realm of social impact, I am particularly motivated by the socio-economic parallels between Bangkok and my homeland, India. I am eager to delve into the policies and measures aimed at addressing shared challenges such as waste management and food security. The potential for cross-border learning and collaboration is truly invigorating.

Among the intriguing tracks offered, namely Energy & Food Security, Tourism & Creative Economy, and Wellness & Healthcare, I have chosen Energy and Food Security. This decision stems from the pressing nature of these concerns on a global scale. The intricate interplay between energy consumption and food production is a critical issue that requires innovative solutions. Exploring this track aligns perfectly with my passion for sustainable development.

Although I'm only staying for a day and a half beyond the Shape APAC event, I am already envisioning my return to explore Thailand more extensively at a time where my work is not as busy as it is now.

Boat - As a member of the Energy Security track, I actively contribute by staying well-informed about global energy trends and geopolitical dynamics. I conduct research, offering data-driven insights and policy recommendations to inform our discussions. My advocacy centers on sustainable energy practices, with a focus on renewable sources and efficiency. Collaboration is key, and I actively seek partnerships with experts, both within and outside the Global Shapers community. Engaging in cross-track collaborations and participating in energy security dialogues are essential components of my involvement and I am always excited to hear from other shapers on their views and concerns around the topic.

Your message for Young people as a Shaper

Mikee - Being a part of the Global Shapers Community has been one of the most enriching experiences of the last 8 years for me. It's easy to feel proud of being a Shaper, but it's also incredibly humbling. As a young person, I was searching for where I could make the most meaningful contributions within the community.

So, my message to young people is simple: Be intentional with your contributions. Seize the opportunity to collaborate with these remarkable individuals, work together to solve problems, and relish the companionship and privileges that come with being a Shaper. It's a journey of growth, service, and connection that's truly worth embracing.

Weza - Its always about the Power of Perspective Taking! The more diverse and critical insights you‘ll collect along your way, the better you can handle challenging situations.

Shorya - Global shapers is a great way to learn about various possibilities in which impact can be created. A global community of young changemakers from around the world is a great way to be aware of the challenges not only at a local level but also at a global level.

Ishita - My message to young shapers would be to believe that they can change the world. It may sound far-fetched but all of us play an important role in making this world a better place.

Our diverse passions, talents, cultures and skills are like puzzle pieces.

Alone, they're interesting. Together, they create a big picture and can solve problems. Imagine one of you cares about the environment, another is tech-savvy, someone is an artist, and another is a great leader. Put those pieces together, and you've got a team that can tackle almost anything.

Believe in what you can do together. Coordinate your efforts, and those small steps will add up to something significant. Unity is our strength.

Boat - To my fellow Shapers and to everyone who aspires to create positive change in the world, I have a simple message: “Never underestimate the power of your actions.” Each of us has the potential to be a force for good, no matter how big or small our contributions may seem. By coming together, supporting one another, and relentlessly pursuing our goals, we can drive meaningful change.

Outside Shape what are you looking to explore during your visit to Bangkok ?

Mikee - This is not my first time in Bangkok, and yet I still look forward to exploring Thai

food!

Weza - I always like to discover new world views and try to connect with as many locals as possible also outside Bangkok.

Shorya - I want to learn more about the city Bangkok and understand it culture better. I also want to see what I can bring back to India and implement here.

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Asia Pacific Change Makers all set for Global Shapers Shape Asia Pacific Regional Conference - ShapeAPAC23

2023-09-11T00:37:00.124+05:45

View Your Choice as part of feature coverage of Shape Asia Pacific - Shape APAC 2023 covered Interview with Bangkok Hub Shapers who are the organizers of the Global Shapers Asia Pacific Regional Conference in Bangkok Thailand. ( Click the link to read both the blog posts )

In this blog series,

we interview four of the dynamic Global Shapers from Asia-Pacific region - Mauliddiana Nurul Ilyas "Diana" from Surabaya Hub, Indonesia, Yuma Sumi, Fukuoka Hub, Japan, Ruohan Hu, Shanghai II Hub, China and Jackson Rowland, Auckland Hub, New Zealand.

Enjoy reading the interview and also share your comments on the comments section

When did you join Global Shapers and how have you been involved with the hub?

Diana - I joined the Surabaya Hub in its inaugural year, which was in 2022. I played a pivotal role in founding the hub alongside my founding curator and vice curator. During that time, our primary focus was centered on environmental conservation as our project scope.

Yuma - My journey with Global Shapers Community began in 2020 and has been exhilarating. From 2021 to 2022, I had the privilege of serving as the curator of Fukuoka Hub. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, Fukuoka hub became one of Japan's most vibrant. During my term, I welcomed 9 new members from 4 nationalities and organized over 10 cross-hub sessions. I also initiated the hub's first-ever cross-hub project and introduced Slack to connect 6 hubs in Japan, leading to two successful cross-hub national gatherings. I'm eager to share these community leadership experiences with fellow shapers at SHAPE APAC💪

Ruohan - I'm Ruohan Hu from the Shanghai International Hub. In 2022, I joined our hub and actively participated in our hub projects, such as events addressing the workplace challenges faced by young people just entering the workforce with 0-5 years of experience. Our hub cooperates with one of the most well-known mental health platforms in China to organize career development and mental well-being offline sharing events. In the upcoming months, we are going to launch projects related to gender equality.

Jackson - I joined the Auckland Global Shapers hub when it launched in 2015 and have been Curator, Vice Curator, and involved in various projects during my time in the hub. I was also the first Oceania Community Champion, and attended the WEF Annual Meeting in 2022.

How has Shapers experience been for you ? Share one of your best memories with the hub ?

Diana - My most cherished memories within the Global Shapers Community include engaging in discussions and meetings with my fellow members regarding their innovative ideas and unwavering commitment to our city. This experience has enabled me to develop my skills in project management, campaign execution, and personal development. Additionally, I had the privilege of meeting other community members during the Annual Summit in Geneva and am eagerly looking forward to the upcoming SHAPE Asia-Pacific event in Bangkok. In our second year, we initiated a collaborative project with Surabaya Cambridge School known as the Greenheart Project.

Yuma - A highlight of my shapers journey has been meeting aspiring shapers from around the world, whether online or onsite. I organized a series of cross-border get-to-know sessions called Asia Virtual Coffee, where I had the privilege of connecting with inspiring change makers from across Asia, including Global Shapers Bangkok. These virtual gatherings transcended geographical barriers during the pandemic, fostering a global bond within the community.

Ruohan - The shapers support and care for each other, generously sharing various resources and growing together, which left a deep impression on me. In addition, there are activities and resources from around the world to support Shapers. As a Shaper, we should cherish this platform and use its power to give back to society. Attending more activities to exchange ideas with outstanding shapers, proposing and conducting meaningful projects, utilizing GSC platform resources for learning are all good ways for young Shapers to grow.

Jackson - Being a part of Shapers has been life changing. From the learning, connections, and life long friends I’ve developed, it’s been one of the most important parts of my professional and personal development.

My favorite memory would have to be the 2016 ANZ Retreat, where we went to a beautiful island in Sydney for a ‘glamping’ weekend. But, a torrential storm ended up coming through, making our glamping retreat more like a mud bath. The rain meant we spent most of the weekend inside a small room, but this brought us even closer together, and the bonding and learnings we had across the weekend were second to none.

What excites you about Shape and motivated you to apply to Shape APAC ?

Diana - I'm genuinely excited about the opportunity to connect with a diverse range of individuals, absorb their energy, and share the indomitable spirit of "Arek - Arek Surabaya." I am also eager to identify potential partners and mentors who can contribute to the projects and personal development of my fellow hub members.

Yuma - What excites me most about SHAPE APAC is the opportunity to connect with shapers from neighboring countries!

Ruohan - This is my first time attending a SHAPE event, and I'm very excited to exchange ideas with everyone.

Jackson - Despite being in the GSC for 8 years, and attending multiple World Economic Forum events and ANZ retreats, I’ve never actually been to a Shape, so I’m really excited to go to my first Shape! I’m also now an alumni of the Community, so have been less involved in shaper activities and events, and I’m excited to reconnect with new and old friends all working to make the world that little bit better.

What are your expectations from Shape APAC and what would you love to take back to your city and your hub ?

Diana - My expectations from Shape APAC are to immerse myself in a dynamic and diverse environment where I can exchange ideas, experiences, and strategies with fellow Shapers from the Asia-Pacific region. I hope to gain fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the challenges that our city and hub are currently facing. This includes insights into how we can enhance our ongoing environmental initiatives and further engage our local community.

What I would love to bring back to my city and our hub are tangible actions and inspired approaches that will elevate our impact. Whether it's refining our project strategies, fostering new collaborations, or implementing best practices in sustainable development, I aim to return with a toolkit of knowledge and a network of like-minded individuals that will empower us to make a significant difference in Surabaya. Ultimately, my aspiration is for our city and hub to become a beacon of positive change and innovation, not only within the Global Shapers Community but also in our local community.

Yuma - As the community champion for Japan, South Korea, and Mongolia, I'm keen to learn how Bangkok Hub manages SHAPE and explore ways to support hubs organizing SHAPE events in my region.

Ruohan - In regard to my expectation, on one hand, I hope to share my experience about well-being and healthcare projects and learn from other hubs' best practices to implement in our hub's projects. On the other hand, my work is in international trades, so I also hope to take this opportunity to discuss local economic and potential cooperative opportunities with outstanding Shapers from around the world.

Jackson - I’m really looking forward to connecting with a whole lot of amazing Shapers and learning more about the work they’re doing to improve the world. I hope to hear about some awesome projects that I can share with the Auckland hub to help improve our city.

Which track are you more interested in and why ? How are you looking to add value to the conversations and learn or take back from that track ?

Diana - I am particularly intrigued by the Food Security and Energy track, primarily because I believe it aligns not only with our hub's focus but also with the pressing challenges and potential opportunities for our beloved Surabaya City. I aim to actively engage in discussions and share insights from our hub's experiences in this area while also learning from the valuable perspectives of others in the same track.

Yuma - The "Energy and Food Security" track is of particular interest to me at this event, since Japan faces significant challenges in these areas, heavily relying on energy and food imports, and grappling with ongoing concerns about nuclear power.

Ruohan - I signed up for Track 3 Wellness & Healthcare, because I'm also working on related projects. I hope everyone can achieve their potential and find more happiness in work and life. Attending SHAPE in Bangkok will be an invaluable opportunity to connect with other change makers, get inspired by new ideas, and put what I learn into action to create positive change. I'm looking forward to uniting our strengths for the better society.

Jackson - I am really interested in ‘Track 1: Energy & food security’, because this is one of the greatest challenges and opportunities facing the world as we increasingly urgently transition to a net zero future. My professional work revolves around how we fund that transition, and I am hoping to share some of my experiences through this track while learning even more from other attendees to further accelerate this work.

Your message for Young people as a Shaper

Diana - Break barriers and pursue your core values.

Yuma - Remember, opportunities aren't handed to you where you stand; you often need to change your perspective to find them. Across the world, there are extraordinary, like-minded, aspiring shapers waiting to connect with you. Language barriers may seem daunting, but don't let that hold you back—your English proficiency will improve along the way. And finally, don't wait for the perfect moment to dive into something; dive in, and let each experience prepare you for the next. Embrace the journey!

Ruohan - As a Shaper, we should cherish this platform and use its power to give back to society. Attending more activities to exchange ideas with outstanding shapers, proposing and conducting meaningful projects, utilizing GSC platform resources for learning are all good ways for young Shapers to grow.

Jackson - Hope and action is what our future needs the most right now, and is what this Community is all about.

Outside Shape what are you looking to explore during your visit to Bangkok ?

Diana - Aside from Shape activities, I'm looking forward to indulging in some leisure time and exploring Bangkok's vibrant tourism and shopping scene.

Yuma - THAI FOOD

Ruohan - During my visit to Bangkok, apart from the SHAPE event, I would like to research the Bangkok consumer goods market and the opportunities for companies from other countries to do business in the Thailand market. This relates to my work in the globalized economy. Also, I will explore the delicious food in Thailand - I think I will enjoy it during my trip!

Jackson - The food! I loooove food, and Thai is my favourite, so you’ll probably find me in between the amazing street food stalls.

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and we will get them posted after our team communicates with you.

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Global Shapers Community's Shape Asia Pacific - ShapeAPAC 2023 being held this September at Bangkok, Thailand [ Interview with Bangkok Shapers ]

2023-09-08T00:00:00.062+05:45

Global Shapers Community has engaged thousands of young people who have self-organized for impact, delivering projects for their local communities. Shapers have attended more than 55 Regional SHAPE events, 8 Global Community Meetings and 70+ World Economic Forum Meetings.

Shape Asia Pacific - ShapeAPAC2023 is days away this September ( read our past blog about it - 180 Young Change Makers connect at Bangkok Thailand for building a resilient region at Global Shapers ShapeAPAC )

View Your Choice team interacted with some of the organizing team Bamm, Shoot, Ong and Sai from Global Shapers Bangkok Hub who along with the entire big team of Bangkok Shapers are tirelessly and active engaged preparing for Shape Asia Pacific 2023.

Let's get to know and hear from them on this blog -

Bangkok hub host it's second Shape, what does it meant for you and the hub ?

Tipvipa Kittikasemsak "Bamm" -

Hosting a SHAPE event is undeniably an immense responsibility. But with great responsibility, as we've learned, comes an even greater reward. Reflecting back, the Bangkok hub's hosting of SHAPE APAC in 2018 was nothing short of monumental. Under the banner "Green Evolution and Sustainable Living," the event not only brought 133 Global Shapers from over 30 countries together but also set the stage for substantive dialogues on Renewable Energy, the Future of Food, and Sustainable Cities.

The memories, friendships, and impactful creations that emerged from SHAPE APAC 2018 have become legendary within our hub. Those shared experiences have been the torchbearers, constantly reminding us of what's possible when a community comes together with shared intentions.

Embracing this legacy, we, the new generation of GSBKK, are fueled with the aspiration of creating a sequel, equally enriching and impactful. The lingering memories and lessons from 2018 undoubtedly set a high bar, injecting both excitement and pressure into our preparations. Our vision for this year's theme, "Rebuilding a Resilient Region," is deeply influenced by the global context: a world grappling with the aftermath of a pandemic, which has significantly challenged the engagement and connectedness within and between hubs.

Our objectives are tri-fold:

1. Re-connect: We've seen the potential of our community, filled with kind-hearted, ambitious individuals. We're crafting experiences that reconnect Shapers on a profound, impact-driven level, turning friendships into collaborative forces for global betterment.

2. Re-inspire: The current era is riddled with a 'polycrisis' - multiple overlapping crises, from environmental to socio-economic, that have tested our resilience. This has informed our selection of tracks, with each track spotlighting experts who've remained steadfast and even flourished during these testing times. Through dialogues, site visits, and hands-on workshops, we aim to distill their wisdom, helping Shapers to strengthen their resilience and collaboratively "rebuild a resilient region."

3. Re-field: True learning often happens outside conference rooms. We're taking Shapers into the heart of Thailand's sustainable living ethos. From rice planting to culinary journeys, we'll dive into Thailand's zero-waste processes, and explore how food, a soft power of Thailand, is not only a cultural ambassador but also a key economic driver. It's a testament to interconnected growth, community strength, and the possibilities that lie in "rebuilding a resilient region."

In essence, our commitment, as the Bangkok hub, is not just to recreate the magic of 2018, but to elevate it, ensuring that every Shaper leaves with deeper connections, renewed inspirations, and hands-on experiences that resonate both personally and professionally.

Why did the hub choose the theme Building a Resilient region and prioritize those 3 tracks in specific?

Chanitnant Ajanant "Shoot" -

Our hub, Global Shapers Bangkok, picks the theme ‘Rebuilding a Resilient Region’ because we thought of our community as part of the broader Asia Pacific region. Just like many other places in the world, our region has been dealing with a remarkable confluence of crises - from the effects of the pandemic and conflicts in Europe to rising inflation and the great resignation - an era of "polycrisis."

We believe that to tackle these interconnected problems, leaders of all ages need to be well-prepared on a global scale. They should have the knowledge, experience, and big-picture vision to come up with innovative solutions that can build long-term resilience toward multiple risks. This led us to take a deep dive into our hub strengths and hold discussions to answer these key questions: What areas can really make a difference and potentially spark solutions for this complex mix of challenges? What are we good at as a hub? And how can Bangkok and Thailand play a role in highlighting local wisdom, resources, and global trends?

That's when we came up with our three impact pillars: 1) Energy & Food Security, 2) Tourism & Creative Economy, and 3) Wellness & Healthcare For All. Additionally, to make sure we exchange ideas and create new things, we've developed a framework for our three-day experience focused on: Re-Connecting, Re-Inspiring, and Re-Fielding.

With this approach, we believe our impact pillars and framework capture the essence of the theme 'Rebuilding a Resilient Region.' By strengthening communities and encouraging collective efforts, we're all set to shape an equitable, inclusive and sustainable recovery – especially in the era of "polycrisis."

What would you expect the outcomes to be from this Shape to lead and for the Shapers to take back ?

Chutipon Watanakemapirut "Ong" -

The conference is positioned to address the complex challenges of Polycrisis by utilizing economic, sustainable, and policy-driven strategies. Our aim is to gain valuable insights from interactive panel discussions and immersive workshops, with a special focus on three key areas: Energy & Food Security, Tourism & Creative Economy, and Wellness & Healthcare For All, all while highlighting Thailand's cultural roots. Additionally, we're dedicated to forming strategic partnerships within the esteemed Global Shapers network and external collaborators, thereby significantly enhancing the impact of our initiatives and generating subsequent value propositions.

- Empowering Transformation: Through the implementation of the Shape to Lead initiative and the actions of Shapers, we unlock a realm of transformative opportunities.

- Fresh Outlooks: Active participation in conversations, absorbing essential insights, and engaging in workshops focused on subjects like Energy & Food Security, Tourism & Creative Economy, and Wellness & Healthcare will offer novel and innovative perspectives.

- Catalyzing Social Change: The insights we gather will fuel pragmatic, inventive solutions, amplified by emphasizing Thai values, collaborating across disciplines, and involving diverse stakeholders. This comprehensive approach facilitates broader, enduring changes at both local and global levels.

Bangkok being a central arena and a gateway for Asia Pacific, how do you see Shape build conversation ahead for the region ?

Irin Phatraprasit "Sai" -

Shape APAC consists of Shapers from a diverse background and interests. We believe that everyone is unique and has a story to tell - we are shaped by our life journeys.

Shape creates the environment where Shapers who may not have crossed paths, get to share their know-hows and their country's exemplary projects in a safe space. We hope that Shapers can inspire each other, adapt existing projects to fit with their own country's specific needs and more importantly, find ways to collaborate. Our World has never been more connected. Rather than regions working in silos towards a similar goal, we hope that we can create synergies so that we create impact in a sustainable and scalable way.

We do not know what we don't know. We hope that participants come with an open mind and open heart to learn, to be challenged, and most importantly to have fun!

viewyourchoice@gmail.com

and we will get them posted after our team communicates with you.

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Teenager Change Makers Fourth Series - Meet the Glocal20Under20 - Glocal Teen Hero 2023

2023-08-23T14:29:00.095+05:45

Glocal’s 20under20 as part of Glocal Teen Hero is an umbrella title for 20 early change makers, who are teenagers from diverse fields, stepping out to create an impact in the society. Glocal is dedicated in recognizing these teenager’s initiative, achievement naming 20under20. This umbrella title is the game-changers who have done something worth an inspiration in their life. Glocal’s ‘20under20’ aims to recognize these enthusiastic young souls who have the vision to do something ordinary in the most extra-ordinary way possible. We believe in their dreams and want to acknowledge these diverse talents who hold the potential to be the change-makers and the future leaders. Throughout the year, Glocal’s 20under20 shall work cohesively for identification of opportunity, fostering networking and collaboration and doing works to create an impact in the society. They are expected to use their existing knowledge and experience to initiate works and enhance their leadership and other qualities. Also, paving their way towards becoming future leaders by being interactive and proactive.

Meet 5 Teenagers from 2023 #Glocal20Under20

Madhav Khanal (18 yr old ), Writer, believes that learning from a wide variety of skills is a pragmatic choice to be a successful social entrepreneur in future. He aspires to share this freedom of intellectual curiosity among young minds. He is an enthusiastic writer and educationalist. His research projects in Physics and Literature are meant to have community impact such as the nuclear research is aimed for safety in hospitals against radioactivity, the literature project is aimed at protecting Nepalese folktales ,and the quantum computing project is meant to have a faster algorithm for maximizing resources in Nepal.

Diwash Sarraf ( 17 yr old ), Social Activist, working for 6 years in the field of child rights participation protection and mental health. He demonstrates the knowledge of society, child rights, human rights, child participation, and development around his place. He has significantly contributed to the greater movement to promote mental health as a crucial component of total well-being by making services more accessible, raising awareness of them, and giving people the power to prioritize their mental health.

Dikshya Bharati ( 18 yr old ), Health Activist, is an enthusiastic individual to work to make a positive change in the community and learn through the process. At the age of 13, she joined Nepal Scout and has been volunteering in different programs and has done different plantation programs and littering control. She works to ensure that the general people receive the access to appropriate healthcare services and spread the knowledge regarding health issues addressing the existing health issues. Her motto is “To make this earth a better place whoever lives in it”.

Avinash Kumar Paswan ( 17 yr old ), Musician, is fond of teaching, photography, and economics. But the preservation and development of the Maithili language are my major priorities. He deeply appreciates his cultural history and actively works to promote Maithili and assure its preservation for future generations. He is a Maithili musician and music producer, who has been using FL Studio ( Music arranging Software ) to program music since 2018.

Atith Adhikari (17 yr old), Social Entrepreneur, He is a hard-working and motivated individual with a passion for increasing access to educational resources through digital education. With a strong background in web development, content writing, and leadership, Atith has dedicated himself to creating opportunities for others to learn and grow. Over the years, he has developed his commitment to increasing access to digital education through his work.

We will introduce you to rest of the Glocal 20 Under 20 in next three of the Teenager Change Makers series. While, keep yourself updated through our blog on Glocal Teen Hero 2023 as each year.

View Your Choice- तपाईको सोचाई हाम्रो रोजाई - is one of the supporting partners of Glocal Teen Hero since inception.

Glocal Teen Hero team blogs for View Your Choice on this year's coverage as part of the collaborative partnership.

View Your Choice encourages every positive influencing initiative and collaborates to generate a story to share for all our readers.

viewyourchoice@gmail.com

and we will get them posted after our team communicates with you.

Follow us on Social media - Find the icons on the right corner of our blog/ web platform.

180 Young Change Makers connect at Bangkok Thailand for building a resilient region at Global Shapers ShapeAPAC

2023-08-22T19:13:00.001+05:45

What if you get to connect with young people from diverse field be it from entrepreneurs to engineers, scientists to artists, doctors to fashion designers among many others, name it any field at a same community - it would be Global Shapers Community.

The Global Shapers Community(GSC) believes in a world in which young people are at the heart of solution-building, policy-making and lasting change. The mission is to inspire, empower and connect young leaders to reach their full potential, shape decision-making processes and drive positive change in their communities and the world. Founded in 2011, in last more than 10 years 10,340 Young people have joined as Shapers while 6,813 are already Alumni with their involvement in respective city based hubs in 505 cities based at 152 countries around the world. In these last 10 years, GSC has made large impact with 11,493,033 people reached or mobilized, 1,953,857 people directly benefited, 45,762 working days volunteered by Shapers, 37 policies changed and 17 Global Goals advanced ( as shared on Decade of Impact Report )

Over the past decade, the Global Shapers Community has engaged thousands of young people who have self-organized for impact, delivering projects for their local communities. Shapers have attended more than 55 Regional SHAPE events, 8 Global Community Meetings and 70+ World Economic Forum Meetings.

152 Global Shapers from 31 countries will take part, along with 30 Shapers from Global Shapers Bangkok hub and leading experts and key stakeholders in the 3 impact tracks: Energy & Food Security, Tourism & Creative Economy, Wellness & Healthcare For All at Shape Asia Pacific - ShapeAPAC2023 - Rebuilding a Resilient Region. SHAPEs are regional events created by Global Shapers, for Global Shapers, to share, discuss, and learn about the region’s most pressing issues. Each year, hubs are invited to submit proposals to host their regional SHAPE event. Global Shapers Bangkok Hub won the bid to host the Shape APAC 2023 on 22 - 24 September, 2023. Similarly, several other hubs hosted the regional Shape, Kathmandu hub - Shape South Asia, Tshwane Hub - Shape Africa, Manaus Hub - Shape Latin America, Abu Dhabi Hub - Shape MENA, Washington DC Hubs - SHAPE North America & Caribbean and Bilbao hub - Shape Europe & Eurasia. Bangkok hub is hosting Shape APAC second time after 2018 while Hanoi Hub hosted in 2014, Bandung Hub in 2015, Tokyo II Hub in 2016, Cebu Hub in 2017 and Ulaanbaatar Hub in 2019.

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region faces a remarkable confluence of crises — the post-effects of the pandemic, cost of living crisis, the great resignation, climate crisis, energy shortage — leading to an era of "polycrisis," a highlight of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2023 in Davos.

To prepare for these interrelated threats, leaders need to invest in solutions that build long-term resilience toward multiple risks, and hence the conception of the theme of SHAPE APAC 2023: "Rebuilding a Resilient Region”

View Your Choice team interacts with some of the organizing team from Global Shapers Bangkok Hub and and their take on Shape APAC 2023, Let's hear what they have to say on our next blog post.

viewyourchoice@gmail.com

and we will get them posted after our team communicates with you.

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Teenager Change Makers Third Series - Meet the Glocal20Under20 - Glocal Teen Hero 2023

2023-08-21T00:00:00.162+05:45

Meet 5 Teenagers from 2023 #Glocal20Under20

Raushan Pandit (17 yr old), Tech Enthusiast, is a highly motivated STEAM enthusiast and a student researcher. He is focused on research and development through the base level and wants to contribute in generating employment here in Nepal. He embarked on his research career after completing Class 8. He also mentored students, helping them develop their projects and submit proposals. Also helped small firms and organizations to go online and work as freelancers to make websites.

Preeti Pantha (18 yr old), Social Activist, is spreading awareness and empowering general people to raise their voice against inequality and discrimination. She is using digital platforms for advocacy and promoting equality. She uses digital media to amplify the voices and raise awareness to reach a broader audience. She provides a space for meaningful discussion, mutual support and concern that can connect the general people to learn and have access of knowledge.

Prakash Pant (17 yr old), Enthusiastic Mathematician, has always been a person enjoying numbers obsessed with infinite possibilities. This has led him to dream of someday being a researcher and mathematician in the International Arena and receiving the Fields Medal as a Nepali Mathematician. Also, he gets connected to his juniors through various educational platforms and helps them in doubt solving, and clearing their confusion in educational materials. This has helped them not only to learn but a feeling that they should also contribute to their juniors.

Prakash Badu (15 yr old ), Child Right Activist, is dedicated to empowering young people to become agents of change in their communities, using innovative approaches and community engagement strategies. His goal is to collaborate with like-minded organisations and individuals to create a society that values and respects the rights of all children and young people.

Nirajan Rimal (18 yr old ), Science Enthusiast, is a young activist working to promote innovation and scientific culture in Nepal. Starting his journey from 2018, he is consistently working on creating a baseline and platform to provide exposure to the innovative minds across the country. He has been voluntarily involved in providing health camps, flood and landslide relief programs, environment conservation and tree plantation programs and so on and provided legal and psychological counseling to raped and harassed victims along with raising voices for them in protests.

We will introduce you to rest of the Glocal 20 Under 20 in next three of the Teenager Change Makers series. While, keep yourself updated through our blog on Glocal Teen Hero 2023 as each year.

View Your Choice- तपाईको सोचाई हाम्रो रोजाई - is one of the supporting partners of Glocal Teen Hero since inception.

Glocal Teen Hero team blogs for View Your Choice on this year's coverage as part of the collaborative partnership.

View Your Choice encourages every positive influencing initiative and collaborates to generate a story to share for all our readers.

viewyourchoice@gmail.com

and we will get them posted after our team communicates with you.

Follow us on Social media - Find the icons on the right corner of our blog/ web platform.

Top Six Finalists Announced for Golchha Group presents Glocal Teen Hero Nepal 2023

2023-08-21T00:00:00.062+05:45

Glocal Pvt. Ltd. announced the names of the top six finalists for the 9th edition of Golchha Group presents Glocal Teen Hero Nepal 2023 today. This year’s competition received 681 applications, from fascinating teenagers demonstrating the diverse potential of their initiation, skills, and expertise, and made an impact in their society, in areas like Education, Technology, Innovation, Musician, Social Entrepreneur, Health Activist, Social Activism, Science Revolutionist, Environmentalist, AI Scientist/Researcher, Activist, Writer and many more.

Mr. Aryan Sigdel (17 years, Educator & Activist, Tanahu); Mr. Atith Adhikari (17 years, Social Entrepreneur, Banke); Mr. Madhav Khanal (18 years, Writer, Lamjung); Mr. Nirajan Rimal (18 years, Science Enthusiast, Kathmandu); Ms. Preeti Pantha (18 years, Social Activist, Gulmi); Ms. Shruti Tiwari (18 years, Environment Activist, Dhanusha) have been selected as top 6 finalists to compete for the Glocal Teen Hero title, the only national platform in Nepal to recognize and honor the outstanding teenagers.

From the top 20 teenagers also Glocal 20 Under 20 & their documents reviewed by our panel of Jury; the Top Six Finalists were shortlisted for the final round of Golchha Group presents Glocal Teen Hero Nepal based on Initiation, Achievement, Sustainability, and their Impact on work. The respected 5-member jury panel had shortlisted these 6 amazing teenagers for their achievements, initiations, and contributions in their respective working fields.

The finalist screening was done by a jury team composed of Mr. Adarsh Avasthi, Country Director Nepal, The Coca-Cola Company, Ms. Carolin Spannuth Verma, UNHCR Representative to Nepal, Mr. Saurab Jyoti, Director of Jyoti Group, Ms. Seema Golchha, Director of Golchha Group Pvt. Ltd and Representatives from UNICEF Nepal. The teenagers were chosen based on their applications, resumes, supporting documentation, and essays about their achievements. They were marked on their creativity, accomplishment, effect, and, most importantly, the sustainability of their work.

These six teenagers will now undergo a series of Self-Competency Workshops on different topics and will also have the chance to interact with the Top corporate personalities and coaches in the industry to broaden their knowledge. The finalists will be individually interviewed by the panel of judges on September 1 and the SMS voting round has opened from 21st August, 5 pm till 31st August, 5 pm that will also contribute to selecting the Winner of Glocal Teen Hero Nepal for the year 2023.

To vote for the candidate, text the voting code of your favourite finalist to 35001. The voting codes for the finalists are:

1. Aryan Sigdel- GTH<space>AS send it to 35001

2. Atith Adhikari- GTH<space>AA send it to 35001

3. Madhav Khanal- GTH<space>MK send it to 35001

4. Nirajan Rimal- GTH<space>NR send it to 35001

5. Preeti Pantha- GTH<space>PP send it to 35001

6. Shruti Tiwari- GTH<space>ST send it to 35001

Award Ceremony of the Golchha Group presents Glocal Teen Hero Nepal 2023 will be held on the 1st of September, 2023 in the presence of different personalities of Nepal from different sectors such as diplomats, politicians, academia, film stars, entrepreneurs, youth leaders, and many more.

This year Glocal has partnered with Golchha Group as a Title Sponsor; UNHCR, Embassy of India, BP Koirala India-Nepal Foundation Embassy of India, Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany as our Strategic Partner; Honda, Coca-Cola, NTC, WWF, Toyota, The British College, Panchakanya Group, DishHome Go, Kathmandu World School, Real Juice as Partners; Nabil Bank as our Banking Partner; The Soaltee Kathmandu as our Official Hotel Partner; Worldlink as Internet Partner; Siddhartha Business Group of Hospitality, Cozy Home as our Hospitality Partner; Nepal Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Yeti Airlines as our Airlines Partner; King’s College as our Education Partner; Prisma Advertising as PR Partner; View Your Choice as our Supporter.

View Your Choice- तपाईको सोचाई हाम्रो रोजाई - is one of the supporting partners of Glocal Teen Hero since inception.

Glocal Teen Hero team blogs for View Your Choice on this year's coverage as part of the collaborative partnership.

View Your Choice encourages every positive influencing initiative and collaborates to generate a story to share for all our readers.

viewyourchoice@gmail.com

and we will get them posted after our team communicates with you.

Follow us on Social media - Find the icons on the right corner of our blog/ web platform.

Teenager Change Makers Second Series - Meet the Glocal20Under20 - Glocal Teen Hero 2023

2023-08-19T00:00:00.011+05:45

Meet 5 Teenagers from 2023 #Glocal20Under20

Shruti Tiwari (18 yr old), Environment Activist, is a “social crusader,” an environmental activist, and dedicated advocate for positive change. Her impactful journey revolves around addressing pressing issues like plastic pollution, climate change, and social justice through compelling interviews, engaging dramas, and impactful films. She is a champion for a sustainable future, utilising the power of media and community engagement to drive positive change.

Shubham Upreti (17 yr old), Artist, is a visionary leader and accomplished professional in the realm of Arts and Club Leadership. With a diverse background in content team leadership, he has demonstrated a commitment to artistic excellence and preservation of it. His initiative has made a tangible and positive impact on society by creating an inclusive platform where emerging students can confidently showcase their artistic talents.

Sumitra Acharya ( 17 yr old ), Activist, is experienced in handling and working in various organizations. She is interested in social work and also has conducted different awareness campaigns and volunteer programs. She is actively involved in social work and providing training and campaigns, empowering individuals by providing them with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed decisions and take meaningful action. She creates lasting changes with sustained awareness campaigns and volunteer efforts that can contribute to significant societal change.

Sushan Shrestha ( 17 yr old ), Activist, is a passionate and dedicated social activist. He is actively involved in numerous endeavours that strive for positive societal transformations. He is advocating for specific causes of raising awareness, mobilising support and empowering the individuals. He diligently raised awareness among children, parents, and stakeholders about child rights, striving to combat issues like child marriage, child abuse, and child labor within his Municipality.

Aryan Sigdel (17 yr old ), Educator and Activist, is mostly interested in reading, especially about great people in middle school like Monumental and timeless figures from all world cultures, like Mahatma Gandhi, Joan of Arc, Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Frederik the Great, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, and so many more. He is actively engaged to bring about social and environmental change by advocating.

We will introduce you to rest of the Glocal 20 Under 20 in next three of the Teenager Change Makers series. While, keep yourself updated through our blog on Glocal Teen Hero 2023 as each year.

View Your Choice- तपाईको सोचाई हाम्रो रोजाई - is one of the supporting partners of Glocal Teen Hero since inception.

Glocal Teen Hero team blogs for View Your Choice on this year's coverage as part of the collaborative partnership.

View Your Choice encourages every positive influencing initiative and collaborates to generate a story to share for all our readers.

viewyourchoice@gmail.com

and we will get them posted after our team communicates with you.

Follow us on Social media - Find the icons on the right corner of our blog/ web platform.

Teenager Change Makers First Series - Meet the Glocal20Under20 - Glocal Teen Hero 2023

2023-08-17T00:00:00.030+05:45

Meet 5 Teenagers from 2023 #Glocal20Under20

Risham Kumar Sah (18yr old), Environmentalist, firmly believes in the transformative power of education and has dedicated several years himself to educating children around his place. He is a passionate Environmentalist and Educator. He is working to promote digital literacy, sessions on the recent advancement on technology, graphic design and many more at the governmental schools, orphanage and other NGOs run schools.

Sadiksha Ghimire (18yr old ), Health Activist, actively speaks out against gender inequality, child and women violence, child marriage, superstition related to menstruation, online safety and so on. She has a huge interest in literature, public speaking, and exploring new things. She has participated in many speech competition, poem competition, Quiz competition etc. She has engaged herself in community development by spreading health awareness.

Sagar Budha (17yr old), Environmentalist, is a person who embodies the values of Impactful Advocacy, Inspiring Leadership, Empowerment and Amplification, Innovation and Creativity, Collaboration and Coalition Building, Resilience and Perseverance, Inspiration and Role Modeling, which encourages continued efforts and inspires others to participate in activism for positive social change.

Sagar Gupta (17yr old), AI scientist/Researcher, is a passionate and award-winning AI scientist, researcher, and content creator. He has a strong background in mathematics, biology, and physics, and has participated in various national and international competitions and projects related to these fields. He is passionately engaged in tackling significant real-world issues through the power of mathematical models.

Samip Paudel (16yr old), Tech Enthusiast, is a resourceful high school student who is motivated to use his abilities to make a positive contribution to our community. His major areas of interest are the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning research to optimize the value it creates. In addition, he has a strong interest in philosophy, social sciences, and public policy.

We will introduce you to rest of the Glocal 20 Under 20 in next three of the Teenager Change Makers series. While, keep yourself updated through our blog on Glocal Teen Hero 2023 as each year.

View Your Choice- तपाईको सोचाई हाम्रो रोजाई - is one of the supporting partners of Glocal Teen Hero since inception.

Glocal Teen Hero team blogs for View Your Choice on this year's coverage as part of the collaborative partnership.

View Your Choice encourages every positive influencing initiative and collaborates to generate a story to share for all our readers.

viewyourchoice@gmail.com

and we will get them posted after our team communicates with you.

Follow us on Social media - Find the icons on the right corner of our blog/ web platform.

Glocal Teen Hero announced 20 exceptional teenagers as Glocal20under20 for the 9th edition

2023-08-15T00:00:00.021+05:45

The Glocal Pvt. Ltd. has unveiled a list of 20 sparkling and influential Nepali teenagers under the age of 20. Glocal’s 20under20 is an umbrella title for 20 early change makers, who are teenagers from diverse fields, stepping out to create a positive impact on society.

Glocal Teen Hero is an award gala dedicated to Teenagers. It's a platform for knowledge and experience sharing where teenagers can learn about leadership, empowerment, and social impact through a participatory and interactive environment with their peers from all over the country.

These 20 teenagers are from diverse fields ranging from Musician, Social Entrepreneur, Health Activist, Social Activist, Science Revolutionist, Environmentalist, AI Scientist/ Researcher, Activist, Writer and many more.

The 20under20 lists for the Year 2023 are:

1. Aryan Sigdel, 17, Educator and Activist

2. Atith Adhikari, 17, Social Entrepreneur

3. Avinash Kumar Paswan, 17, Musician

4. Dikshya Bharati, 18, Health Activist

5. Diwash Sarraf, 17, Social Activist

6. Madhav Khanal, 18, Writer

7. Nirajan Rimal, 18, Science Revolutionist

8. Prakash Badu, 15, Child Right Activist

9. Prakash Pant, 17, Enthusiastic Mathematician

10. Preeti Pantha, 18, Social Activist

11. Raushan Pandit, 17, Tech Enthusiasts

12. Risham Kumar Sah, 18, Environmentalist and Educator

13. Sadiksha Ghimire, 18, Health Activist

14. Sagar Budha, 17, Environmentalist

15. Sagar Gupta, 17, AI Scientist/Researcher

16. Samip Paudel, 16, Tech Enthusiast

17. Shruti Tiwari, 18, Environment Activist

18. Shubham Upreti, 17, Artist

19. Sumitra Acharya, 17, Activist

20. Sushan Shrestha, 17, Activist

The 20 young inspiring pioneers were selected by our respected jury panel through an intense and resolute selection round for the impactful impression they have created in society. These teenagers were selected from a pool of 681 applications from across the nation. The selected teenagers will be honored amidst the Grand celebration of the Glocal Teen Hero 2023 Award function on September 1, 2023, at The Soaltee Hotel, Soalteemode, Kathmandu.

Throughout the year, Glocal’s 20under20 shall work collectively to identify opportunities, fostering networking, collaboration, and organizing work to create an impact in society. They are expected to use their existing knowledge and experience to initiate work and enhance their leadership and other qualities. Also, paving their way toward becoming future leaders by enhancing their interactive and proactive skills.

To make the program a grand success, Glocal has partnered with Golchha Group as a Title Sponsor; UNHCR, Embassy of Federal Republic of Germany as our Strategic Partner; Honda, Coca-Cola, NTC, WWF, Toyota, The British College, Panchakanya Group, DishHome Go, Kathmandu World School, Real Juice as Partners; Nabil Bank as our Banking Partner; The Soaltee Kathmandu as our Official Hotel Partner; Worldlink as Internet Partner; Siddhartha Business Group of Hospitality, Cozy Home as our Hospitality Partner; Nepal Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways, Yeti Airlines as our Airlines Partner; King’s College as our Education Partner; Prisma Advertising as PR Partner; View Your Choice as our Supporter.

We are proud to witness these amazing talents as we are near to the decade of celebration of Glocal Teen Hero next year. Stay Updated for the final selection in coming days.

View Your Choice- तपाईको सोचाई हाम्रो रोजाई - is one of the supporting partners of Glocal Teen Hero since inception.

Glocal Teen Hero team blogs for View Your Choice on this year's coverage as part of the collaborative partnership.

View Your Choice encourages every positive influencing initiative and collaborates to generate a story to share for all our readers.

viewyourchoice@gmail.com

and we will get them posted after our team communicates with you.

Follow us on Social media - Find the icons on the right corner of our blog/ web platform.

Why UCC is important for Adoption Reforms in India

2023-07-27T10:04:00.000+05:45

The concept of Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is much debated in India. The Constitution of India talks about UCC under article 44 and imposes a non-justiciable duty on the state to secure a UCC for its citizens. India is a country with great religious diversity. The Indian legal system includes customs along with statutes and legislations to form law, and the personal laws of Hindus and Muslims find their sources in their respective religious books. The UCC is an initiative to alter the discrepancies of the personal law system and make an attempt to see the personal matters through one single lens.

The Uniform Civil Code (UCC) is a proposal in India to formulate and implement personal laws of citizens which apply on all citizens equally regardless of their religion, gender and sexual orientation. The UCC has been envisaged by the makers of our Constitution under Article 44. It includes matters such as marriage, divorce, adoption, and inheritance. As adoptive parent I am sharing my views on the necessity of UCC from perspective of adoption only.

Current Drawbacks of Adoption Laws in India:

There are several reasons why a UCC is important for adoption laws in India. Currently, there are different adoption laws for different religions. This can lead to confusion and uncertainty for adoptive parents and children. There are a number of drawbacks, including:

Inconsistency in eligibility requirements- The eligibility requirements for adoption vary depending on the religious community. This can make it difficult for adoptive parents to navigate the adoption process, and can also lead to disparities in the treatment of adopted children. For example, under Hindu law, a married woman cannot adopt a child, while under Islamic law, only a man can adopt a child. In Shabnam Hashmi v. Union of India, the petitioner was a Muslim who had adopted a young girl when she was small. She filed the petition for recognition of the night that a person belonging to any religion could adopt a child since the Muslim law did not allow for adoption. The case dealt with the right to adoption by virtue of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2000, the Rules of 2007 and the CARA guidelines. The Supreme Court held that the JJ Act was an enabling legislation and it aims at achieving the purpose of a Uniform Civil Code. Thus, it was held that any person belong to any religion could adopt a child subject to the rules framed.

Difficulties in transferring parental rights- The process of transferring parental rights from the biological parents to the adoptive parents can be complex and time-consuming. This can be especially difficult for children who are orphaned or abandoned.

Lack of uniformity in the rights of adopted children- The rights of adopted children vary depending on the religious community. For example, under Hindu law, an adopted child is considered to be the natural child of the adoptive parents, while under Islamic law, an adopted child is not considered to be a blood relative of the adoptive parents.

Discrimination- The different personal laws governing adoption can also lead to discrimination against certain groups of people, such as single people, samesex couples, and interfaith couples. This can make it more difficult for these groups of people to adopt a child.

Lack of clarity- The different personal laws governing adoption can be complex and confusing. This can make it difficult for people to understand their rights and responsibilities as adoptive parents or children. In Rajwinder Kaur & Anr vs. Central Adoption Resource Agency, according to the Delhi High Court, if a child is adopted in accordance with HAMA rules, it is not necessary to use the rules of the JJ Act, 2015 to ensure that the adoption is legal. Without assistance from anybody else, without acknowledgement from CARA or any governmental authority, an adoption carried out in accordance with the conditions outlined in HAMA would be significant. In this way, the JJ Act of 2015 and CARA Guidelines of 2017 would not be relevant in relation to adoptions under HAMA, whether domestic or international, direct or indirect.

How a Uniform Civil Code Can Help

A UCC would help to overcome these drawbacks by providing a single, uniform set of adoption laws for all citizens of India. This would ensure that all children have the same opportunities to be adopted and that all adoptive parents and children have the same rights and responsibilities, regardless of their religion or the religion of their adoptive parents. It would also simplify the process of transferring parental rights and make it easier for adopted children to inherit property and other assets. UCC would provide clarity and certainty for adoptive parents and children, and it would make it easier for them to access the legal system.

Benefits of a Uniform Civil Code for Adoptive Parents and Children

A UCC would benefit adoptive parents and children in a number of ways, including:

Easier and faster adoption process- The process of adopting a child would be simplified and made more efficient under a UCC because of a single, streamlined process for adoption. This would make it easier for adoptive parents to bring children into their families.

Greater clarity about the rights of adopted children- The rights of adopted children would be clearer and more consistent under a UCC. This would give adopted children greater certainty about their legal status and their rights to inherit property and other assets. It would make it easier for adoptive parents to obtain financial assistance for their children. This would also ensure that all parties are treated fairly.

Increased social acceptance of adoption- A UCC would help to increase social acceptance of adoption. It would help to reduce the stigma associated with adoption. This would make it easier for adoptive parents to raise their children in a supportive environment.

Reduce discrimination- The UCC would help to reduce discrimination against certain groups of people, such as single people, same-sex couples, and interfaith couples, who may currently face challenges in adopting a child. It would make it easier for adoptive parents to adopt children from other religions.

Conclusion

A Uniform Civil Code would be a valuable tool for improving the adoption laws in India. By providing a single, uniform set of laws governing adoption for all citizens, the UCC would make the adoption process more consistent, less confusing, and more accessible to all. This would benefit adoptive parents and children by making it easier for them to adopt a child and by providing greater clarity about their rights and responsibilities.

A UCC is not without its challenges. There is some opposition to the idea of a UCC, particularly from religious groups. However, the potential benefits of a UCC for adoptive parents and children outweigh the challenges. It would help to ensure that all children have the opportunity to grow up in a loving and stable home.

Vidyadhar Prabhudesai is co-founder of LeadCap Ventures and an adoptive parent. He writes about constitutional, Institutional and perceptional changes required towards adoption reforms in India

Golchha Group partners with Glocal for Glocal Teen Hero Nepal 2023 - In Search of Fantastic Teens [ Application Open ]

2023-06-01T00:00:00.077+05:45

As each year, Glocal has announced the application for it's ninth edition of Golchha Group presents Glocal Teen Hero Nepal 2023. View Your Choice has been a key supporter and partner for Glocal Teen Hero, and we will be presenting you series of blogs on these influencing young teen change makers.

Glocal Teen Hero (GTH) is an initiation of Glocal Pvt. Ltd. (a business enterprise working in the areas of training, education, and skilling) that honors and elevates teenagers, by allowing them to share their passion and creativity. It is a platform that recognizes the teenagers who are doing something beyond their academics and are active to create a positive effect in their society.

Glocal Teen Hero was initiated in 2015 with the aim of recognizing the incredible teenagers of Kathmandu valley, and later by 2016, it expanded throughout the nation in order to provide an amazing platform for all the teenagers. With the vision of extending its horizon in other South Asian countries, Glocal Teen Hero was launched in India, in Sri Lanka and then in Bangladesh in the year 2019, 2020 and 2022 respectively. The platform is just growing and witnessing the outstanding teenagers every passing year from around the world. Onto its 9th year of the first ever program designed in the country, Glocal Teen Hero is all set to accept the applications of dedicated, passionate, and innovative teenagers from Nepal so as to recognize and empower them.

This year Glocal plans to reach out to 62 different cities of Nepal from East to West interacting with teenagers. Glocal Teen Hero is a fully funded program; where teenagers from Nepal (age from 13 to 19) can apply via online: https://glocalteenhero.com/nepal. Besides, one can also nominate incredible teenagers they know in their community. The application opens from June 1, 2023 and the deadline for the submission of the application is July 30, 2023. Both the participation and nomination applications are available online.

From the total no. of applications and document review; Glocal’s 20under20 will be selected on the basis of initiation, impact and achievement of the participants and Top Six Finalists will be shortlisted for the final round of Golchha Group presents Glocal Teen Hero Nepal 2023 based on their vision, attitude & sustainability of work.

Glocal Teen Hero Jury Panel 2023

The screening and interview of the finalists will be done by a jury team composed of Mr. Adarsh Avasthi, Country Director Nepal, The Coca-Cola Company, Carolin Spannuth Verma, UNHCR, Saurabh Jyoti, Jyoti Group, Seema Golchha, Golchha Group Pvt. Ltd and Representatives from UNICEF Nepal

View Your Choice- तपाईको सोचाई हाम्रो रोजाई - is one of the supporting partners of Glocal Teen Hero since inception.

Glocal Teen Hero team blogs for View Your Choice on this year's coverage as part of the collaborative partnership.

View Your Choice encourages every positive influencing initiative and collaborates to generate a story to share for all our readers.

viewyourchoice@gmail.com

and we will get them posted after our team communicates with you.

Follow us on Social media - Find the icons on the right corner of our blog/ web platform.

In Search of Fantastic Teens

2022-06-22T15:55:00.004+05:45

Glocal Pvt. Ltd. is a business enterprise active in the fields of education, entrepreneurship and skilling. It is committed to forming collaborative relationships with people. In this way, opportunities and change can be created. Its core work is in developing young people through skill development and empowerment in collaboration with various South Asian companies, diplomacy and government agencies.

Glocal Teen Hero is an initiative of Glocal Pvt. Ltd. It is just a platform for teenagers who recognize their start, creativity and enthusiasm to empower them. Through various opportunities and networks, they are working on the personal and professional development of teenagers. It also serves as an excellent platform for young people to network with representatives from various industries in Nepal. The GTH journey began in 2015 and was initially targeted at teens in Kathmandu, but then expanded nationwide in 2016. GTH has recognized 111 teenagers from Nepal. To date, 7 teen heroes have been awarded the title of Glocal Teen Hero, and other empowering teens have been recognized for their contributions and social impact as early changers, including the Glocal’s 20under20 award.

Recently, GTH has welcomed Glocal Teen Heroes in all countries of the South Asian region and is in the process of organizing a South Asian teen recognition platform.

Eligibility Criteria

Must be 13-19 years of age.
Must be a Nepali citizen.
Must have created an impact in society beside academics.

Applications for Glocal Teen Hero 2022 are open to our young enthusiasts. The forms are available at www.glocalteenhero.com/nepal until July 31 2022.

“It's now your turn to create change”

View Your Choice is a Key Supporter and Outreach Partner for Glocal Teen Hero.

STEM Education

2022-02-10T16:29:00.000+05:45

According to the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), “A common definition of STEM education is an interdisciplinary approach to learning where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with real-world lessons as students apply Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in contexts that make connections between school, community, work, and the global enterprise enabling the development of STEM literacy and with it the ability to compete in the new economy.” STEM is a combination of two or more of the following within a learning experience: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEM also teaches soft skills needed in all careers, such as Creativity, Solving tough problems, Critical thinking, Gathering and evaluating evidence, Making sense of information, Data analysis, Communication, etc.

A variation of STEM is STEAM, which includes an `A' for art and design, and STREAM, which includes Reading or Research. Art and design are becoming an important part of STEM education since creativity is an essential part of innovation. Many STEM lessons involve model building and situational simulation. These also focus on the basic subjects of education and effectively prepare students for the future. NSTA summarizes the many variations of STEM education by saying, “It is about moving forward, solving problems, learning, and pushing innovation to the next level.”

According to the U.S. Department of Education, “All young people should be prepared to think deeply and to think well so that they have the chance to become the innovators, educators, researchers, and leaders who can solve the most pressing challenges facing our nation and our world, both today and tomorrow. However, right now, not enough youths have access to quality STEM learning opportunities and too few students see these disciplines as stepping stone to their careers.”

Employers in non-STEM fields heavily recruit graduates with STEM degrees because they possess skills that students with other majors may not have developed. A good STEM lesson ensures that students understand the connection to the real world. Educating students in STEAM subjects (if taught properly) prepares students for life, regardless of the profession they choose to pursue. As a developing country, Nepal needs help with skilled manpower which STEAM education can create. STEAM education will produce students proficient in various practical and experimental fields, giving birth to STEM professionals such as engineers, scientists, architects, and many more.

When students make simple things such as a toy robot or electric vehicle, then they are learning multiple things such as force, energy, transformation, interconnection, and modeling with the arts and designs. Integrating different disciplines in STEAM education may encourage students to enhance four basic skills- creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and communication that are fundamental for the 21st-century job market (Kandel, 2018).

Every year in Nepal, many students get poor grades in SLC, also called the Iron Gate of examination, merely because of their weakness in Mathematics and Science. Interpretations on the statistics of SLC results are also done and problems over this issue are discussed. However, the discussions over how to sort out the students who are uninterested in these subjects are usually not done. Are these students really vulnerable to these two subjects or uninterested in these two subjects? Students can do something in this area only if they are cordially interested. The way to create a group of talented and technology-enabled students is through STEM education. It is very important because Nepal has not yet been on the road to development. This education can only provide the expert manpower for national development. STEM is a curriculum-based idea of teaching Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics in an innovative and collaborative approach rather than teaching them individually. These four areas are the cornerstone of scientific innovation and development.

Best pedagogical methods are employed to focus students’ interest in this area. The motto of STEM education is that innovations can be achieved from that group of students who are really interested in this arena and who can sacrifice their life for this. And the purpose of teaching science and technology is not merely to produce new teachers but also to produce highly-skilled manpower who can do something miraculous for this world via research and innovation. Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education puts an emphasis on preparing future generations to be successful in their careers. The skills gained from STEM education extend beyond those needed to be successful in STEM fields, preparing children with varied interests who move into any industry to have valuable skill sets that allow them to be successful.

In the USA, it begins at a very young age through elementary school where students are taught the very basics of these four areas and are encouraged to pick this if they are heartily interested in it. In middle school, the course is rigorous and every student is told the scope and post-STEM occupation and research. STEM-based education teaches children more than science and mathematics concepts. The focus on hands-on learning with real-world applications helps develop a variety of skill sets, including creativity and 21st-century skills.21st-century skills include media and technology literacy, productivity, social skills, communication, flexibility, and initiative. Other skills attained through STEM education include problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, decision making, leadership, entrepreneurship, acceptance of failure, and more. Regardless of the future career path considered by these children, these skill sets go a long way to preparing them to be innovative.

The ability to think critically and challenge standards are the basis of innovation. Preparing today’s children to become the innovators and inventors of tomorrow begins with STEM education programs. Summer camps, after-school programs, and maker spaces provide opportunities to take traditional learning and pivot it to prioritize the hands-on experience and real-world application necessary for developing an innovative mind. There is an opportunity to expand and diversify the nation’s science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce and STEM-skilled workers in all fields if there is a commitment to appropriately support students through degree completion and provide more opportunities to engage in high-quality STEM learning and experiences.

Prepared by: Swikriti Parajuli

I’m a student and I believe in learning and sharing. Besides community development, I’m passionate about arts, music, and sports.

ICA Nepal is an experienced team dedicated to working in the field of human capacity building, and community development through advanced methods. It pursues to recognize people’s initiation, creativity, and enthusiasm in bringing sustainable development by considering existing cultural dynamics and pluralities. It is committed to creating an environment, in which the opportunity to participate and the construction of sustainable change and development is foremost. It has also been conducting different activities for the promotion of STEM Education in different parts of the nation.