The conference will showcase YI’s previous works in advocating youth in governance, accountability and transparency, and will launch future initiatives and programs such as Integrity Badge, publications, web portal and a SMS campaign.[break]
Youth Initiative is a youth organization working for the capacity development of youth in Nepal.
Established in 1999, YI is one of the leading youth organizations working in the fields of youth empowerment, strengthening of student and youth politics, promotion of civic engagement, democratization, and human rights in Nepal.
There will be a panel discussion at the said conference which will be facilitated by social entrepreneur Anil Chitrakar.
The guest speakers will be Pradeep Gyawali, spokesperson of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist Leninist); Rabindra Mishra, head of BBC Nepali Service; Gagan Thapa, Constituent Assembly (CA) member and youth leader of Nepali Congress; Hishila Yami, Central Committee member of the Unified Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist); Taranath Dahal, Chairperson of Freedom Forum; and Suryanath Upadhyay, former Chief Commissioner of the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority (CIAA).
According to YI’s website, www.youthinitiative.org.np, “As an initiation, YI is now focusing on capacity enhancement training and workshops for young people. And this conference will be a gathering of people from different walks of life—politicians, government officials, civil society leaders, entrepreneurs, business persons, and journalists. There’ll be people who want to be a part of solutions and promote integrity.”
Previously, YI has completed Good Governance workshops in Biratnagar, Janakpur, Bharatpur, Pokhara, Dang, Nepalgunj, and Dhangadhi.
They have also conducted advocacy workshops called Youth Advocacy for Accountability and Transparency (YAATra) in Kathmandu and Biratnagar.
The volunteer exchange program entitled National Youth Service, which allows young people to work in districts other than theirs, was another project they carried out.
Furthermore, they have joined Global Youth Anti-Corruption Network, which is a global youth movement, to fight against corruption and promote good governance.
“No one is immune to corruption, and putting an end to it is impossible,” said Anil Chitrakar. “However, if you take into account the three aspects—commitment to self, accountability of the system, and collective prospects – then yes, it can be reduced.”
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