On May 6, 2023, Bikalpa an Alternative, organized a monthly meeting discussion program on “Understanding the Right to Information” at Hotel Shree Krishna. The event aimed to raise awareness about the RTI Act and its importance in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nepal. Additionally, it sought to empower bikalpa fellowship members to understand their right to access information.
The program commenced with a warm welcome address by Mr. Suman Rai, Program Coordinator of Bikalpa an Alternative, who introduced the guest speaker, Mr. Raju Shrestha, an RTI activist. Mr. Shrestha began by discussing the Thaha movement, which Rupchandra Bista led to spread knowledge among the people of Nepal. Mr. Bista, a legendary activist, elected leader, and academic figure in Nepal, is considered the most prominent advocate for information accessibility in the country.
In his presentation, Mr. Shrestha explained the legal provision that grants citizens the right to access information held by public authorities. He highlighted that Nepal’s Interim Constitution of 2007 gave RTI rights, and Article 27 has allocated this fundamental right. He shared examples related to RTI and showcased a video associated with the topic. Participants also raised further queries about the subject and had a lively discussion. Mr. Shrestha emphasized that using the RTI tool allows citizens to hold their elected representatives accountable by monitoring their actions and policies and advocating for change if necessary. He also shared that we should all engage in advocacy activities to promote good governance and hold governments accountable to improve society.
The discussion program was informative and engaging, with 27 participants attending. It helped the attendees understand the importance of the RTI Act in promoting good governance and accountability in Nepal. The event concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Suman Rai, who thanked the guest speaker, participants, and the organizing team for contributing to the program’s success.
In summary, the monthly meeting discussion program organized by Bikalpa an Alternative on the theme of “Understanding the Right to Information” was successful. It raised awareness about the RTI Act and empowered the attendees to understand their right to access information, which can help promote transparency, accountability, and good governance in Nepal.
