Citizens’ dialogue held on vision of an ideal civil society

By A Staff Reporter, Kathmandu, June 3: A citizens’ dialogue programme titled ‘Vision of an Ideal Civil Society:

The Path Adopted by the Peace Society’ was held in Kathmandu on Monday on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Human Rights and Peace Society.

The programme was chaired by the Society’s President, Renuka Paudel. Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Law, Justice and Human Rights, Samikshya Baskota of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, and Nepali Congress lawmaker Rekha Yadav attended the event as special guests and shared their views on the role of civil society in strengthening democracy, human rights, and social harmony.

Addressing the gathering as the keynote speaker, Krishna Pahadi, founding president of the Society, highlighted the importance of active citizenship, peace building, and the promotion of democratic values in society.

During the programme, the Society’s Treasurer Chandramani Banjara presented a four-page concept paper prepared by the organisation on the theme ‘Vision of an Ideal Civil Society: The Path Adopted by Peace Society.” The paper outlined the Society’s principles, achievements, and future direction in promoting peace, human rights, and responsible citizenship in the country.

Senior journalist Krishna Murari Bhandari was invited to provide a critical review of the concept paper. He offered observations and suggestions aimed at further strengthening the Society’s initiatives and public engagement.

Other speakers included founding member of the Society Krishna Kandel, immediate past president Ram Krishna Baral, advisor Ram Prasad Joshi, Kathmandu Chapter President Bikash Thapa, and Lalitpur Chapter President Baburam Neupane. They reflected on the Society’s three decades of advocacy and its contribution to civil society development in Nepal.

The Human Rights and Peace Society has been observing its foundation anniversary through a week-long series of programmes in Kathmandu. At the event, coordinators of various campaigns and social initiatives under the Society also shared brief remarks. These included Ishwor Pudasaini, coordinator of the Reading Culture Promotion Campaign; Saarjan Chapagain, coordinator of the Food Donation Programme; Rabina Paudel, coordinator of the Book Donation Programme; and Navaraj Chapagain, coordinator of the Blood Donation Programme.

The programme was moderated by Dibakar Pudasaini, Secretary of the Bagmati Province Committee of the Society.