Created: 15 November 2011

November 4, Kathmandu. A national consultation meeting of People's SAARC has been held today in Kathmandu. The meeting was inaugurated by Hon. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Narayankaji Shrestha. On the eve of upcoming SAARC Summit in Maldives on November 10-11, 2011, the meeting has discussed on the issues of the public concern that relate to or have impact in the regional level in South Asia. Hon. Minister wished that the meeting would be able to incorporate diverse issues of national concern in the position that is to be submitted to Nepal Government.

Many intellectuals, professionals, human rights activists, civil society activists, representatives of civil society organizations, media persons, representatives of the organizations that work on the issues of children, women, ethnic and indigenous communities, Dalits, the marginalized, peasants, human trafficking, trade unions, regional economy, and  development activists among others actively took part in the discussion. A draft of the civil society issues and resolutions was presented for discussion. With suggestions and comments included and addressed, a civil society position paper is being prepared. The position paper or demand paper will be submitted to the Government so that the issues are considered by the Government upon participation in the Summit. The document will be submitted to the SAARC Secretariat as well. Further, this civil society paper with resolutions will be integrated in the consolidated paper at SAARC level.

Source: http://www.ngofederation.org