Community Development in Nepal
June 15-28, 2023
Future Generations University has a long and storied history in the Himalayas. From helping to set up the first national parks in Tibet, to establishing women’s self-help groups and village enterprise initiatives in Arunachal Pradesh to building a Sustainable Development Learning Chapter in Nepal, Future Generations has been assisting community development efforts in the region for decades. This residential will focus on best community development practices in Nepal through field visits, focus groups, presentations, and personal interactions.
On this residential course you will:
- Learn how the traditional economic system in Nepal, based on subsistence agriculture, allocates available resources
- Understand how to create opportunities to empower poor, vulnerable and socially excluded people to fulfill their basic needs through a variety of community development programs
- Witness a holistic approach to community development grounded in principles of human empowerment, inclusion, self-determination, and collective action
- Experience how rural communities deploy development resources based on community successes and expanding networks
Site Visit Partners
The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is an intergovernmental knowledge and learning Centre working on behalf of the people of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH). Based in Kathmandu, Nepal and works in and for eight regional member countries – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan. https://www.icimod.org We will visit Godavari Knowledge Park- ICIMOD
Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources (ANSAB). Established in 1992, ANSAB is committed to biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement in South Asia. It places community empowerment and economic incentives at the heart of its approach and has been consistently evolving, consolidating, institutionalizing and advancing the approaches and strategies for the promotion of community-based enterprises. (ED Dr. Bhishma) See details website https://ansab.org.np
Bhaskar-Tejshree Memorial Foundation (BTMF) was Registered in 2015 with the government as a non-profit organization in memory of late Dr. Bhaskar B. Thapa, a world-class geotechnical tunnel engineer and Late Tejshree Thapa, a renowned human rights activist, BTMF has currently two major areas of work lead (Chair) by Dr. Rita Thapa:
a) Cardiovascular Health Promotion and
b) Human Rights, Empower school adolescents of 10-19 years.
Share And Care Nepal (SCN). Share and Care Nepal was established in 1993 with a commitment to reach out to all in need without bias. Officially registered on January 15, 1994 as a Faith-Based Non-Government Organization (NGO), Share And Care Nepal is an integrated organization served the communities with love, compassion, dedication, and utmost concern for the marginalized people without any discrimination of creed, caste, and belief for more than 28 years.
Tentative Schedule in Nepal
KATHMANDU
Arrive in Kathmandu on June 15 and transfer to your guest house. After an orientation to the residential, visit some of the better-known attractions in the old part of the city
LALITPUR
Drive to the Share & Care training center in Lalitpur. Learn how Share & Care Nepal (SCN) has applied SEED-SCALE in its efforts to improve the lives of marginalized populations. Learn about their anti-human trafficking project, and meet with women’s and youth groups to observe their livelihood programs. Also visit the Godavari Knowledge Park of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), a NGO working on behalf of the people of the Hindu Kush Himalaya.
DRIVING TO JIRI
Depart for Jiri, overnighting in a village along the way.
JIRI
Arrive in Jiri and meet with partners at the Asia Network for Sustainable Agriculture and Bioresources (ANSAB), committed to biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement in South Asia. Visit several projects throughout the area and learn about efforts to preserve one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet.
KATHMANDU
Returning to Kathmandu, students will have time to prepare presentations on what they have seen and learned in Nepal and discuss how these lessons might apply to their own communities. Enjoy some free time in the city before gathering for a closing dinner with local community development dignitaries. Depart Kathmandu for home on June 28.
*Dates and schedule subject to change
Course Instructors
NAWANG GURUNG
Nawang S. Gurung studied to be a Civil Overseer in Butwal, Nepal, and earned his Master of Science in Community Economic Development in Boston. Back home in the Himalaya, his 45 years community-building has included health care center and bridge construction, off-grid hydro power, and multiuse water systems.
SURENDRA GURUNG
Surendra was born in Butwal and grew up in Lalitpur District of Nepal. He studied Business and Project Management in Nepal, India, and the Netherlands before earning his Masters of International Cooperation and Development. He has worked with various NGOs (Hope International, Center for Community Development Nepal.
SUSHILA NEPALI
Ms. Sushila Chatterjee Nepali is a Kathmandu resident, having a forestry background in community-based natural resource management. She completed her Ph.D. in 2012 from the Institute of Forestry (IOF) Pokhara, Nepal, looking at the “Perception of change and impact of conflict on local livelihoods in the buffer zone and Khata corridor, Bardia, Nepal.”
Dates
June 15-28, 2023 (in Nepal)
Cost
Current Future Generations University Students^
Non-students
Cost is based on a minimum of 15 students.
^Thanks to a generous donor, program costs for current Future Generations University students will be covered in shared accommodations. Students pay only for academic credits at the same rate as other courses.
^^Single accommodations may not be available at all locations.
What is included:
- Group transportation for group activities for the duration of the program
- Accommodation in shared rooms. Single rooms, where available, are an additional cost.
- A full program of academic activities and site visits
- All group meals within Nepal
- Gratuities (tips) for group meals and activities
What is not included:
- Travel between your home and Kathmandu, Nepal
- Passport and visa costs
- Meals taken on your own and gratuities at those meals
- Items of a personal nature, such as toiletries, clothing, snacks, etc.
- Anything not specifically listed as included above or in the itinerary
Deadline Information
Deposit:$200 due by March 1, 2023 (non-refundable unless trip is cancelled due to lack of interest or if your application for an Nepal visa is denied)
Balance remainder due by: May 15, 2023