Multi-stakeholder Dialogue

A half-day multi-stakeholder dialogue with members of the Gandaki Provincial Assembly and CSO leaders was held on January 18, 2019, in Pokhara, with financial support from FHI360. The primary objective of the event was to raise awareness and enhance the understanding of the members of the legislative assembly of Gandaki Province regarding national and international legal standards related to CSO issues. The aim was to create a CSO-friendly enabling environment within the context of the evolving political landscape. The Program Manager of CS:MAP welcomed the participants and emphasized the objectives of the event. Padma R. Pahari, President of the NGO Federation Nepal (NFN), Kaski Chapter, chaired the program. The Chief Guest was Honorable Netranath Adhikari, Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Gandaki Province. Additionally, MP Prabha Koirala from the Gandaki Provincial Parliament served as a special guest speaker.

Other dignitaries in attendance at the event included Goma Dhakal, Khadga Ranabhat, and Durga P. Khanal from the District Coordination Committee. CSO leader Bishnu Baral, Badri Khanal (former President of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Kaski), and Ram Subedi, General Secretary of NFN Kathmandu, also participated. At the outset, Kedar Khadka, Executive Director of GoGo Foundation, provided an overview of the evolving context for CSOs, emphasizing key aspects such as the enabling environment, registration procedures, renewal processes, and project approval challenges to set the tone for the program.

The event provided a significant platform for dialogue between provincial parliamentarians and CSO representatives regarding current challenges and issues facing civil society organizations within the changed federal structure. It underscored how state actors are attempting to control civil society to conceal their weaknesses and silence the voices of marginalized populations. Participants expressed various views and opinions, urging state actors not to restrict CSOs, emphasizing that CSOs are facilitators of government development priorities rather than competitors—countering allegations often levied against CSOs. The majority of participants argued that CSOs have played a crucial role in the country’s overall development. Despite this, CSOs have often been disparaged and accused of foreign funding dependence.

Recognizing the pivotal role played by CSOs over the years, the Speaker of the Gandaki Provincial Assembly, Honorable Netra Adhikari, expressed sadness over the failure to fully appreciate the importance of CSOs in enhancing democracy. He acknowledged that CSOs have empowered citizens by giving them a voice to hold the government accountable, transparent, and responsive. However, he highlighted that it is unjustifiable to label all CSOs as anti-state actors due to the unethical actions of a few. He emphasized the need to avoid generalizations and not categorize all CSOs under one negative stereotype. MP Prabha Koirala emphasized the importance of not regarding CSOs with suspicion or feeling overshadowed by them. She acknowledged that although some CSOs may engage in malpractices, it is unfair to condemn the entire sector. She suggested that CSOs undertake self-reflection within the current political paradigm to address and dispel any allegations. Meanwhile, Durga P. Khanal, Acting District Coordination Officer, said that CSO must be transparent and accountable. If they abide by all the laws of the state, we do not have any ill intention towards the CSO operating across the country, he further added.

As a closing remark, the chief guest of the event, Netra Adhikari emphasized the role played by CSO in the country. He further added that there are 761 autonomous government units which should also be accountable to people. We all are guided by the constitution and we should adhere to the laws of the constitution of Nepal, 2072. It is concluded that the presence and role of CSO for strengthening democracy, raising the social awareness against the all form of social discrimination and sustainable development of Nepal is inevitable in future.

In the program, fourth edition of the Civil Society Organization Sustainability Index (CSOSI) of 2017 was made public. The report was jointly unveiled by Netra Adhikari, Speaker, Gandaki Province, Prabha Koirala, Member of Parliament Gandaki Province and Kedar Khadka, ED GoGo Foundation aiming to disseminate the CSOSI findings at the wider level. The presentation on the CSOSI 2017 pointing out national and regional context including regional ranking of Nepal among nine South and East Asian nations.