NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) held a meeting on 8th January 2025 with government officials and representatives of civil society organizations today with the aim of strengthening collaboration between the two sides. The meeting was chaired by NFN President Ram Prasad Subedi, with Hon. Kiran Kumar Shah, chairperson of the Committee on Women and Social Affairs, attending as the chief guest. It featured presentations from social activist and human rights defender Gauri Pradhan, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Bimala Rai Paudyal, and Freedom Forum Executive Director Taranath Dahal. The meeting was facilitated by NFN Secretary General Arjun Bhattarai and was attended by central executive members of NFN, including vice-chairperson Bhawana Bhatta, treasurer Nanimaya Thapa, and others. In his presentation, Gauri Pradhan emphasized that the role and significance of civil society are not adequately recognized, highlighting the importance of maintaining independence from political affiliations. He called on the government to treat CSOs as allies rather than threats. Bimala Rai Paudyal reflected on the crucial role of civil society in ending the Panchayat regime and expressed concern over the shrinking civic space due to global trends, particularly in India and Bangladesh, although she noted that Nepal is in a relatively better position. She highlighted the need for a new law to support federalism and urged members of Parliament to take a proactive role in its introduction. Taranath Dahal highlighted issues arising from the lack of clarity in federal and subnational laws and called for clear governance mechanisms for CSOs. Representatives of Civil Society Organizations at the meeting underlined the urgency of formulating a new law, ensuring the involvement of CSOs in the planning process, and tabling the long-pending association registration bill in Parliament. Members of Parliament acknowledged the importance of collaboration between the government and civil society and expressed a commitment to expedite relevant bills. They also emphasized the need for better coordination among various government ministries to address these issues. In his remarks, Hon. Kiran Kumar Shah, the chief guest, acknowledged the contributions of CSOs to Nepal’s development and stressed the importance of joint initiatives between civil society and the government for the nation’s prosperity. He pledged to support this cause in his capacity as Chairperson of the Committee on Women and Social Affairs. NGO Federation’s President Ram Prasad Subedi concluded the meeting by expressing hope that the discussions had clarified the pressing issues faced by CSOs. He criticized the lack of transparency in lawmaking processes and urged members of Parliament to recognize the urgency of creating a supportive legal framework for civil society organizations. The meeting ended with a collective understanding of the need for collaboration and legislative reform to strengthen the role of CSOs in Nepal.
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