Created: 12 August 2014

The Government of Nepal is organising the 18th SAARC Summit in November 2014 in Kathmandu. In this context, on 24th and 28th of July 2014, NGO Federation of Nepal, a People’s SAARC focal organisation in Nepal, organised a civil society consultation meetings for the preparation of People’s SAARC 2014.

Participants from more than 50 Civil Society Organisations expressed their views for the effective organisation of People’s SAARC 2014 events. Similarly, representatives from some INGOs and funding agencies also participated to express their solidarity and support. Dr. Netra Timsina (Co-ordinator, South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication- SAAPE), Dr. Sarbaraj Khadka (member, People’s SAARC regional steering committee), Ms. Sharmila Karki (President, NGO Federation of Nepal), Mr. Subhodhraj Pyakurel (task force member, Regional Initiative for South Asian Human Rights Mechanism), Mr. Shanta Lall Mulmi (one of the leading anti-tobacco campaigners) briefly shared previous experience of People’s SAARC events to ease the discussion and to form host country organising committee, and thematic committees to expedite the preparation. Building direct mechanism to establish role of civil society in SAARC process was the prime focus of the discussion. The outcomes of the thematic discussion will be compiled and used as a knowledge document. Based on that document, the steering committee will prepare precise demand document, which will be submitted to the official process of 18th SAARC Summit in Kathmandu.