This winter in Kathmandu, Nepali students discussed transparency, gender equality and youth employment with Nordic Ambassadors, academic experts and youth politicians. The discussion events are called Nordic Talks and are organized jointly by Danish, Norwegian and Finnish embassies and LEAD International. The goal of Nordic Talks is to use Nordic values and experiences to initiate discussions among youth in Nepal.The values of Nordic countries are also used in development projects in Nepal. Norway is an active member of the anti-corruption donor group in Nepal. Denmark supports gender sensitive budgeting and has established female user groups in its renewable energy programs in Nepal. And the Finnish Embassy has for many years been supporting the educational sector and training teachers in Nepal.
On transparency
The last Norwegian talk was held on January 28th, at King's College, on transparency and accountability. Included in the panel was Nils Haugstveit, Inspector General of the Norwegian Foreign Ministry's Control Unit, who highlighted how transparency and accountability form the building blocks for societal trust, economic development and democracy. It was remarked that state transparency forms the foundation of the Nordic model.
In front of the students, the diverse panel discussed the relevance of the topic for Nepal. The panelists highlighted challenging and time consuming processes of establishing state transparency and accountability. "Building trust is not easy and is not done overnight, but it is absolutely necessary if you wish to build a modern and human friendly society," said Haugstveit.
Most importantly, the talk served as a backdrop and framework for students to discuss Nepali politics and Nepal's democratic development from the perspective of Nordic values. Certainly, the young students showed a keen interest in Nepal's future, their role in it, and the need for more transparency and accountability. As one of the student presenters emphasized: "Transparency and accountability begins with each and every citizen". Since the Nepali youth are the leaders of tomorrow, they play a crucial role in ensuring that Nepal builds a system based on trust between the government and the people.
The Norwegian Ambassador to Nepal, Kjell Tormod Pettersen, commented: "It was great to see how the youth of Nepal are asking the difficult questions and challenging themselves and others to work towards a more transparent and accountable Nepal".
Gender equality
The Danish talk was held on February 16, at St Xavier's College, on women's rights and gender equality. Gender equality is a foundational value in the Nordic countries and has strong political support. Denmark celebrated 100 years for women's right to vote last year. Women's rights are of high relevance in politically changing Nepal, where it is hoped that the new constitution will drive gender-positive changes.
The event was well attended and the Danish Ambassador was especially happy to see so many young men among the participants. In her speech, the ambassador emphasized that women's empowerment is about securing human rights, but also a tool for economic development. And that with the right combination of legislation and incentives, political commitment and gradual change of attitudes in society, gender equality is as possible in Nepal as anywhere else.
The students were eager to ask questions and discuss. Of their particular interest was how to implement legislation protecting women, and how to promote female political representation, avoid repeating paternal societal structures and the need for active involvement of men in closing the gender gap. As one of the student presenters emphasized in his speech: "We have to, together, both men and women, promote women's rights and strive towards gender equality".
Denmark will host the international conference Women Deliver in Copenhagen from May 16 to 19. The conference will unite more than 5,000 world leaders, researchers, activists, journalists and individuals representing civil society who will discuss health, rights and wellbeing of girls and women. Women Deliver will focus on women's health and the relation between gender equality, education, environment and economic development.
Youth employment
Finnish talk was held on March 11 at Himalaya Whitehouse International College, on youth employment in a changing world. The theme is crucial to Nepal, where more than 500,000 work permits are issued on yearly basis to the youth leaving the country. The reason behind migration is that the educated youth have limited possibilities in their home country. In the discussion the youth politician Devi Khadka demanded "policies" in which "youth see a secure future in Nepal."
Growing risks of young people becoming economically and socially marginalized have become top political agenda in the Nordic countries. Finnish Ambassador to Nepal, Jorma Suvanto, said that youth unemployment has become a shared challenge for Nordic countries and Nepal. He argued that education and entrepreneurship could address this problem.
The ambassador pointed out the issue of idle youth and vast potential of youth in Nepal: "We have to realize that the risk of marginalizing youth is a risk to the whole society and on the other hand we can't afford to ignore the energy, knowledge and motivation that the youth will bring to the labour market," he said. Youth politician Rabindra Adhikari stressed on the need to be creative and establish possibilities for Nepali youth.
Join the talk
We hope that three Nordic talks will provide a platform for youth to discuss important topics for the bright future of Nepal. If you also want to engage in the Nordic Talk discussions, join us online at the Nordic Talk Facebook group or at Twitter #Nordictalk2016.
Geelan is Danish Ambassador, Suvanto Finnish Ambassador and Pettersen Norwegian Ambassador to Nepal, respectively
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