Nepali diaspora participate in Ulpiana Forum in Pristina

Kathmandu, Dec. 15: A prominent figure in the Nepalese diaspora and President of Nepali Samaj Germany, Shiva Adhikari, has recently participated as a speaker in the second Ulpiana Forum in Pristina, Kosovo.

The event, held from December 9 to 12, focused on creating sustainable engagement models to empower diaspora contributions to their countries of origin and residence.

The invitation, extended by Kosovo's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diaspora, recognised Adhikari’s extensive experience spanning over 20 years. Representing the first Nepalese diaspora organisation at the prestigious forum, Adhikari, who originally hails from Siraha district, shared valuable insights into leveraging migration for mutual benefit, according to the press note of the Samaj.

Speaking on the panel "From Heritage to Action: Empowering Diaspora Youth and Communities across Generations," Adhikari stated, “You cannot stop migration, but you can harness it for the betterment of both countries of origin and destination.” He emphasised the critical role of strategically engaging diaspora communities in global development, and highlighted the Citizen Diplomacy Fellowship (CDF). The CDF program has been launched by Kosovo in 2022, as a model Nepal could adopt to better involve its second-generation diaspora in national development.

In addition to his presentation, Adhikari engaged in meaningful discussions with senior leaders, scientists, and representatives, including Kosovo's Deputy Foreign and Diaspora Minister, Liza Gashi, and Prime Minister, Albin Kurti.

These dialogues explored potential collaborations and initiatives between the Nepalese diaspora in Germany and other global diaspora communities. Gashi emphasised the pivotal role of “Community, Care, and Culture” in fostering professional diaspora engagement.

The Ulpiana Forum 2024, held across various venues in Pristina, provided a global platform for leaders and organizations to exchange best practices and elevate the contributions of diaspora communities to a prosperous future.