NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) organized the National Civil Society Conference 2021 in Kathmandu on 17-18 December 2021 with the slogan “Partnership for Covid-19 response, sustainable development and prosperity: Action for governance, civic space and acknowledgement of social sector.” The chief guest of the conference was Hon. Bal Krishna Khand, Minister of Home Affair who inaugurated the conference. The conference was attended by other special guests Hon. Saloni Pradhan Singh, Member of National Planning Commission, Hon. Lily Thapa, Member of National Human Rights Commission, and Manoj Bhatta, Member-Secretary of Social Welfare Council. Ms. Sepideh Keyvanshad, Mission Director of USAID, Mr. Stephane Maicon, Charge D’Affaires of European Union to Nepal, and Shubhash Nepali, Economic and Sustainable Development Adviser, NFN's advisors, and representatives of CSO networks attended the conference as guests. NFN's central, province and district committee members, and more than 900 CSO representatives from all the districts attended the conference. The chief guest and other guests delivered speeches in the opening session. Hon. Minister Bal Krishna Khand acknowledged that the civil society organizations (CSOs) face numerous challenges including the lack of legal frameworks and regulations that correspond with the democratic change in the country. He expressed his commitment to address the issues. He stated that CSOs have been contributing in both human development as well as the conservation of environment and nature. Having acknowledged the contribution of CSOs and NGOs that work closely with communities for capacity development, awareness raising, livelihood, freedom and democracy, Hon. Minister expressed that government is committed to facilitate the CSOs. NPC member Saloni Singh mentioned the role of CSOs in social development which she said is gradual but vital. Having stated that CSOs are integral to safeguard and develop democracy and human rights, she hoped that the civil society conference will be useful to advance CSO movement and local-national linkage. The historical contributions, weaknesses and challenges need to be reviewed and internalized by all. NHRC member Lily Thapa said that as an NHRC member who came through CSO movement, she has been trying to emphasize the significance of civil society and CSOs. She suggested that CSOs also need to work for justice to conflict victims and for women empowerment. The role and contribution of NGOs and CSOs to implement and achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development as well as Fifteenth Periodic Plan of the Government of Nepal is essential, Member-Secretary of Social Welfare Council Manoj Bhatta said. He also stated that SWC will collaborate and facilitate CSOs. Ms. Sepideh Keyvanshad, Mission Director at USAID Nepal stressed on the initiatives as well as the needs to work for the marginalized communities, strengthening human rights and democracy, and good governance. Stating that CSOs are the champions of human rights and democracy, Ms. Keyvanshad expressed that such conferences would contribute to strengthening democracy and human rights in the country. Mr Stephane Maicon, Charge D'Affairs of the Delegation of the European Union to Nepal, mentioned, "There is EU's commitment to see civil society role and work mainstreamed across the EU key priorities areas of intervention in Nepal, through both funding, dialogue and capacity strengthening. And this will be fully reflected in EU's new programming strategy until 2027, which will focus on Inclusive Green Growth, Human Capital Development and Good Governance. EU also recognises that for civil society to operate and engage independently, the enabling environment is of outmost importance. The European Union reckon the important role to contribute creating a space for civil society and a role in watching this space." Many CSO leaders also spoke during the opening session of the conference. The speakers included AIN Chairperson Dr. Sushil Koirala, President of Federation of Nepalese Journalists Mr. Bipul Pokharel, Chairperson of FECOFUN Ms. Bharati Pathak, past president and advisor of NFN Ms. Sharmila Karki, advisor of NFN Shanta Lall Mulmi, Chairperson of Human Rights Alliance and former member of National Planning Commission Mr. Min Bahadur Shahi, and Executive Chair of Dalit NGO Federation Mr. Bhakta BK. The CSO leaders have focused that whenever there have been political crises in the country, CSOs' role and particularly of NFN has been catalytic. However, CSOs have not been able to enjoy the policy and democratic environment in the country as was expected after the democratic movement. They recalled the important role that community organizations and CSOs have played and urged the government to urgently formulate laws that secure civic space and enabling environment for CSOs and NGOs. The opening session was followed by several thematic sessions on 1) civic space, 2) SDG 16 Plus and 3) water and sanitation. A thematic session on environment and disaster risk reduction was held on 15 th December. Many development partners have collaborated with NFN for organizing the National Civil Society Conference. NFN is thankful to all the supporters that include UNDP, Delegation of the European Union to Nepal, USAID/FHI360, World Wildlife Fund, TGH, World Vision International Nepal, Partners for Review/GIZ, NCE Nepal, IM Swedish Development Partner, SNV USA, WaterAid Nepal and ActionAid.
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