Nepal Peacebuilding Initiative (NPI)

From 2010 to 2017, in a significant partnership with the esteemed Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice at the University of San Diego, Sano Paila spearheaded the Nepal Peacebuilding Initiative (NPI). This crucial initiative directly addressed the deep-seated social distrust, pervasive political discord and latent conflict that marked Nepal's transition. With a dedicated focus on conflict mitigation, the NPI aimed to broaden and deepen peacebuilding efforts specifically within the Terai-Madhesh region, a historically sensitive area of Nepal.

A key function of the NPI involved strategically convening and actively listening to key individuals with the potential to guide Nepal through its complex and often challenging transitions. The diverse programs implemented under the NPI umbrella ranged from intensive negotiation skills training, empowering individuals to resolve disputes peacefully, to a comprehensive whole-community approach. Major participants in these vital programs included women, youth and the broader civil society alongside influential political, professional and security leadership.

The NPI strategically concentrated on programs that cultivated essential skills for more cohesive, competent and democratic problem-solving. These skills were designed to be directly applicable to conflict mitigation efforts and to facilitate individuals' journeys toward both emotional and economic recovery, recognizing the deep scars left by periods of unrest. Through carefully facilitated roundtables, targeted educational programs and practical skills training workshops, participants actively explored effective strategies for resolving the intricate issues confronting them, whether on a personal level, within their communities or as citizens of the nation.

The overarching agenda of the NPI centered on nurturing inclusive relationships that spanned from local villages to the national capital, Kathmandu. Simultaneously, the initiative was deeply committed to empowering future leaders by equipping them with the crucial skills necessary to positively engage with one another in the collaborative construction of a healthy and prosperous Nepal. Throughout its implementation, the program remained steadfast in its commitment to creating neutral and accessible forums that assisted in identifying and amplifying the inherent competencies citizens could leverage to step away from cycles of violence and collectively move toward the establishment of a just and equitable society.

Impact of Nepal Peacebuilding Initiative
The Nepal Peacebuilding Initiative (NPI) made a significant impact by organizing over 30 strategic roundtables, impactful educational programs and practical skills training workshops. These targeted interventions directly reached over 2,600 individuals, equipping them with essential tools and knowledge in conflict mitigation, effective resolution strategies and collaborative problem-solving techniques.

Beyond these direct engagements, NPI actively worked to cultivate an environment where willing voices from all segments of Nepali society could collaborate more meaningfully. NPI's carefully designed programs played a crucial role in peacefully resolving existing tensions and navigating the complex roadblocks stemming from historical grievances and recent confrontations.

Furthermore, the initiative actively engaged communities that had long struggled with the presence of armed groups or a marginalized civil society, bringing them into the heart of peacebuilding efforts through constructive dialogue and inclusive negotiations. By fostering these connections and building local capacity, NPI aimed to create a more resilient and peaceful future for Nepal.

Among the many milestones, one major example was the roundtable discussion organized in Tikapur, Kailali, in January 2016. This inclusive forum brought together victims from both communities, police personnel, local government authorities, social organizations, civil society representatives and political leaders to find common ground for peace following the violent clashes between police and the two communities in August 2015. Sano Paila was the first non-partisan organization to convene such a roundtable after these clashes. Similarly, another roundtable was organized during the Madhesh Movement in 2015 when growing concerns were raised regarding escalating violence and tensions.

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