South Asian people’s movements (women, youth, peasants, labor, socially marginalized groups) and civil society organizations organized a regional convergence from 22 to 24 November 2014 in the form of People’s SAARC, parallel to the 18th SAARC Summit in Kathmandu, Nepal. The overarching theme of the convergence was ‘People’s Movements Uniting South Asia for Deepening Democracy, Social Justice & Peace’. The objective of the convergence was to strengthen the people’s solidarity in South Asia in tune with the vision and perspectives of an alternative model for political, social, economic, and cultural order that must ensure democracy, justice, and peace for all in the region.
Representatives from all SAARC member countries took part in the conference. Altogether 72 parallel events were organized during the programme, which witnessed the participation of 2,500 activists representing more than 150 South Asian organizations during the convergence. The events were organized by the concerned federation and network agencies at their own initiative, interests, and costs. International delegates participating in the programs bore the expenses by themselves. Participants at the Convergence reaffirmed solemn commitments towards justice, peace, security, human rights, and democracy in the region for equality and to eliminate all forms of discrimination.
The three-day-long Convergence concluded with a 32-point declaration. Convener of People’s SAARC Regional Convergence 2014, Sharmila Karki, who is also president of NGO Federation of Nepal, handed over the declaration to Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahendra Bahadur Pandey at the closing ceremony held on 24 November in Lalitpur.
There were 133 member organizations (national, regional, and global) in the host country organizing committee. NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) was hosting the secretariat of the People’s SAARC 2014 Host Country Organising Committee.
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