The youth politicians of Nepal and Finland had an interaction seminar to discuss and formulate joint recommendations for equitable and sustainable development. The two-day-long interaction program was organized in cooperation between Demo Finland, UNDP and Finland´s Ministry for Foreign Affairs at Borderlands Resort, Sindhupalchowk. The seminar took place on April 10 and 11.
Each of the eight young youth politicians from Finland was excited to learn more about the political, economical and developmental aspects of Nepal with their counterparts from Nepal. Each of the youth represented organizations of Finland´s eight major political parties.
The program was organized to get youth perspectives on the advancement of global cooperation for equitable and sustainable development. Johanna Poutanen, Program Coordinator for Nepal, DEMO Finland, finds the interaction important as the new insights that these future leaders gained from the interaction and discussion might enable them to make better, well-informed decisions in the future in regards to each other. She says, “The cross nation and cross party dialogue for mutual learning and exchange of ideas is very important for a better future for both the countries.”
In the event
The first day of the event saw discussions over how to improve impact and effectiveness of development aid and how to respond better globally for combating climate change.
The youth leaders formed groups and actively discussed, formulating recommendations for both donors and recipients.
The major topics of discussion included local ownership, responsibilities and obligations of aid recipients, enhancing quality, effectiveness and the impact of development cooperation and incorporation of other global policy areas in development cooperation.
There were agreements on funding only the democratic and able government. However, Simon Elo raised questions on how to decide if a country is democratic or not. Hiranya Joshi raised further question that who is to determine if a country is democratic or not. But the discussion did not come to conclusion leaving the question to an open end.
All the youth politicians agreed upon importance of making a transparent and unbiased monitoring committee for proper aid management, planning of budget expenditure, giving priority for development and infrastructure. With the nods of the head, the aid tricking into Nepal will hopefully be used in a better way with the youth leaders from Nepal putting forward their recommendation to their respective parties.
On Climate Change
For the global action against climate change, the youth leaders discussed the responsibilities of industrialized and developing countries and the rules and regulations that should be levied on them.
The Finnish and Nepali youth politicians displayed their teamwork and ability to work mutually across language and country barriers by rafting down the Bhote Koshi River. The three-and-a-half-hour long rafting across 15 kilometers of challenging waves aimed to draw attention to the effects of climate change in Nepal.
Out of the event
Hiranya Joshi, central vice president, Nepal National Student Federation believes that even though the recommendations and discussion will not be implemented immediately, he, like other youth politicians, plans to raise their voices to the extent that they can during party meetings and propose recommendations. “Rafting together breaking the international boundaries is symbolic for an immediate global cooperation in combating climate change,” says Joshi.
Niina Ilola, representing the Left Youth Finland, like her counterparts from Finland and Nepal, finds the experience enriching. She says, “I now have a new perspective on how things work in Nepal and the political condition in Nepal. This will help me provide a different perspective for my party at home.”
With the interactions, the young leaders definitely got new ideas and perspectives. However, how many of these ideas get implemented remains to be seen.
Youth leaders representing Nepal
1. Ram Kumari Jhakri, central president, All Nepal National Free Students Union
2. Suresh Mandal, central president, Tarai-Madhesh Student Front
3. Pratima Gautam, general secretary, Nepal Students Union
4. Beekky Yadav, central president, Nepal Student Front
5. Hiranya Joshi, central vice-president, Nepal National Student Federation
6. Kapaleshwor Yadav, central president, Madhesee student Forum Nepal (democratic)
7. Ashok Yadav, central president, Madhesee Student Forum - Nepal
8. Lekhnath Neupane, central president, All Nepal National Independent Students Union - Revolutionary
9. Bhaskar Kafle, central president, All Nepal National Free Students Union (fifth)
Youth politicians from Finland
1. Carita Maisila, Finnish Centre Youth
2. Merja Kähkönen, Federation of Green Youth and Students
3. Simon Elo, True Finns Youth
4. Niina Ilola, Left Youth Finland
5. Raine Klemola, Christian Democratic Youth
6. Anette Parviainen, Social Democratic Youth
7. Karri Kattelus, Youth of National Coalition Party
8. Lena Höglund, Svensk Ungdom Finland