KATHMANDU, Dec 4: Global Shapers Kathmandu Hub (GSKH) hosted an event, Nepal's Youth in Politics: Findings and Future Direction, in Kathmandu to inspire and connect the new generation of Nepali political leaders.
The event, an initiative of the Shaping Political Futures project run by the Kathmandu Hub, featured a presentation by the Shaping Political Futures team that unveiled findings from a knowledge gap analysis conducted with young politicians from various political parties and ideologies. The team also launched Politics Ma Paila, a political literacy program designed to address gaps in youth knowledge of Nepal’s political landscape and to increase interest in national and local political affairs.
With an engaging mix of workshops, experience-sharing sessions, and a fireside chat, the event brought together youth, politicians, and change makers working in governance and politics to encourage more proactive involvement in shaping Nepal's political future.
Women at work
The event included interactive sessions with young political leaders, namely Member of Parliament Brinda Kathayat, Smriti Baral, Manoj Puri, and Biraj Thapa. It attracted a wide audience, including academics, practitioners, public servants and scholars.
The Shaping Political Futures project aims to equip Nepali youth with the zeal, knowledge, and skills necessary to participate more effectively in the political process of federal Nepal. The project emphasizes increasing the participation of women, marginalized communities, and youth in Nepal’s federal system.
The project team has collaborated with political leaders, academics, and experts to develop Politics Ma Paila, a program that provides youth with the knowledge and skills needed to participate effectively in the electoral process, both as voters and as future candidates.
This initiative has also been recognized with the prestigious Innovation Prize Award 2024 by the World Economic Forum, in collaboration with Accenture UK and the Global Alliance for Youth. "Our research revealed significant gaps, such as resource constraints, lack of mentorship opportunities, and limited awareness of laws and legal frameworks among many young politicians. To address these gaps, the political literacy program Politics Ma Paila has been designed to empower Nepal's youth to lead with confidence, integrity, and accountability," said Samana Lawati, a minority and gender rights activist, highlighting the importance of the study findings during the event.
Global Shapers Kathmandu Hub has been at the forefront of youth empowerment in Nepal for over a decade, and this event was no exception. "This is not just an event; it is a movement. By connecting youth with experienced leaders and providing them with essential tools, we are building a foundation for a more inclusive, stable, and responsible political system in Nepal," remarked Shristi Vaidya, the outgoing curator of the community.
Global Shapers Kathmandu Hub, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, is a network of young leaders working to address local challenges and foster meaningful change in their respective communities.
