"Peace Works: IPJ Nepal Project and Partnerships"

12:30 - 2 p.m.

Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice 

Peace & Justice Theatre

As the puzzle pieces of Nepal’s fragile transition to peace continue to shift, the IPJ returned to analyze and take advantage of current windows of opportunities to infuse justice and inclusive participation into local and national processes. Voices of participants and partners joined the IPJ Nepal Project team of Dee Aker, Interim Executive Director, and Laura Taylor, Senior Program Officer, to share the impact of peacebuilding initiatives in the Himalayan nation. Two years ago, Jana Anadolan II set the foundation for this change. With a new leadership, what role will Nepali people play in the determining the future of the democratic transition of the nation? Presentations identified and articulated some of the key challenges still facing Nepal.

Santosh Shah, youth activist and journalist, is the founder and director of Today’s Youth, an organization preparing Nepalese youth with positive ideas and skills and providing capacity building to promote active contribution to the nation in crisis. Shah presented the IPJ with the Everest Summit Award; this humanitarian award was launched to recognize those international figures who have been successful in bringing about a constructive positive reform in the society, to benefit global humanity through their tireless contribution to humanitarian works, peace, education and media.