NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) and Association of Youth Organizations Nepal (AYON) [www.ayon.org] have jointly organized an interaction Programme today, 11th August 2009, on the eve of International Youth Day which falls on 12 August 2009. The programme on ‘Sustainability: Our Challenge, Our Future in the Context of New Constitution’ was attended by the representatives form various organizations such as Creative Youth Society, Youth for Change, Nodan, Youth Initiative, Youth Action, Clean Energy Nepal, Community Information Network, YOCAP Nepal, CWS, MOYS, NEFIN, Human Rights Alliance, YATRA, NFIWUAN, FEDWASUN, Radio Sagarmatha, and Voice of Youth FM. Similarly, the representatives form UNFPA, Ministry of Youth and Sports, UNMC also took part in the programme.

Pankaj KC from Clean Energy Nepal had a very thought provoking presentation on climate change. The changing pattern of global warming, environment change, causes and results were well illustrated and analyzed in his presentation. Arjun Dhakal, Director of NGO Federation of Nepal, put emphasis on identification of the causes of global warming and adaptation to the possible damage of the changes in climate and environment.

Dandu Sherpa shed light on the prevailing weakness in the implementation of the policies and programmes. He emphasized on the relation between the indigenous people and natural resources including forest and said that international conventions like ILO 169 should be the bases in incorporating the rights of indigenous people in the constitution.

Bishnu Khatri from Youth Action said that we need long term planning and need to work in the political level to shelter from the effects of climate change.

Gopal Nath Yogi, Secretary of NFN, admitted that all the issues cannot be included in the new constitution making it a big volume. He added precise linkages are sufficient for the protection of various rights.

While most of the discussion was on and around the issues of climate change, Seema Rajouria, who represented the UNMC, stressed that ensuring economic, social and cultural rights as fundamental rights in the new constitution can accommodate a lot of issues related to the basic rights of the people.

For most of the speakers, how we can shelter ourselves from the effects of climate change was vital. Advocacy, lobbying and action should go together. We cannot be so sure whether climate change is a natural or human disaster. If it is the humane cause at all, consumption behaviour and technology must be adaptive. Arjun Bhattarai, NFN board member, raised many issues related to the growing food crisis, degrading quality of food products that we are bound to consume and other environmental issues in the urban context.

Netra Prasad Timsina, NFN President, concluded and summed up the overall issues which were discussed. He stressed that the environmental issues are not always technical. They are also social, political, economic and cultural aspect.s Taking forward the cross-cutting concerns of various groups of the society, future of the youth is to be ensured through the social, economic and cultural rights.

In fact, along with the environmental aspects, education, health, employment, equal opportunities, and other humanitarian issues ensure the bright future of the youth.