Bikalpa an Alternativein collaboration with Pokhara Research Centre (PRC) and in support of the US Embassy, Kathmandu organized the “Youth in Policy and Governance Fellowship Program 2022/2023” training camp II from 8th March to 11th March 2023 at Ratna Hotel, Biratnagar. The program aimed to train selected youths from training camp in order to capacitate them to work together with member of parliaments of Koshi provincial Assembly in order to promote and strengthen the Koshi Province Assembly.
Camp Activities details
The program started with icebreaking introduction round, ground rules setting , pre camp assignment discussion, team formation before the core sessions of the day. The Core sessions and learning of each day can be summarized as below.
Day 1
Session I: Good Governance: Respecting Diversity in Policy Making By: Dr. Deepesh Ghimire, Assistant Professor, TU.
The training session of the four-day camp commenced immediately following the inauguration and the establishment of ground rules. The resource person for the first session of Day 1 was Mr. Dipesh Ghimire, assistant professor of sociology at Tribhuvan University. Mr. Ghimire conducted a session on ‘Good Governance: Respecting Diversity in Policy Making’.
During his discourse, he expounded upon the fundamental principles of good governance: transparency, responsiveness, accountability, consensus orientation, participatory decision-making, equity, inclusiveness, effectiveness, efficiency, and adherence to the rule of law. He emphasized that fostering an appreciation for diversity requires a departure from conventional modes of thought and a willingness to explore and embrace differences. Mr. Ghimire underscored the importance of diversity in enhancing collaboration and team dynamics across individuals from varied backgrounds.
Moreover, the resource person also discussed with the participants on the concept of social justice, which is grounded in the belief that every individual is entitled to the same fundamental rights and freedoms as any other person. He noted that social justice is closely linked to the principles of equality and equity, and that valuing diversity through social justice is crucial for promoting good governance in the country. Participants discussed over the issue of protest has erupted outside the state assembly of Province 1 after it was proposed to rename the province as Koshi Province about how it can be negotiated respecting their opinion.
Session 2: Budget Making Process of Koshi ProvinceBy. Mr. Bidur Paudel , Assistant Secretary , Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning
The speaker described about the basics of budget formulation introduced three primary types of budgets, namely balanced, surplus, and deficit budgets. He gave insights about objective of budgeting is to lay the groundwork for a socialist-oriented economy, as prescribed by the Constitution of Nepal. Moreover, the budget serves as a comprehensive outline of the government’s fiscal policy and plays a crucial role in promoting economic growth and development.
Furthermore, Mr. Poudel explained the budgetary powers held by the three levels of government and discussed the distinct stages involved in formulating a provincial budget. The session provided a detailed and insightful analysis of the budget-making process and its significance in achieving economic and social objectives. The Resource Person also introduced participants with the constitutional arrangements/acts and policies for the budget allocation. Institutions sharing the responsibility along with the budget coding and the element to well function the value for money of public purse.
Session 3: Federalism: Who does What?By Mr. Sujan Regmi, Co-Founder/ ExecutiveDirector, PRC
The Resource Person delivered a session on “Fiscal Federalism: Who Does What,” providing a detailed analysis of the roles and responsibilities of the federal, state, and local governments in the federal system. The session aimed to equip the participants with a comprehensive understanding of the interdependent entities between the three different levels of government and their respective powers, roles and responsibilities.
Resource Person began the session by expounding on the concept of federalism, highlighting its significance in achieving economic and social objectives. He went on to discuss the distinct roles and responsibilities held by the federal, provincial, and local governments in Nepal, providing an overview of the rights and functions of each level of government. Furthermore, he discussed the main interdependent entities between the three levels of government, including political, legislative, finance, judicial, and administrative entities. The participants gained insights about workings of the federal system, enabling them to appreciate the complex relationships between the different levels of government. Moreover, he provided information about the number of sole and common rights of central, provincial, and local governments, outlining the opportunities and challenges associated with the fiscal federalism system.
Overall, the session provided an in-depth analysis of the roles and responsibilities of the federal, state, and local governments in the federalsystem, equipping the participants with the knowledge to navigate the complex interdependent entities between the different levels of government.
Day 2:
Session 4: Nepal’s Geopolitics
By Ms. Indira Prasain, PhD Scholar Political Science, Tribhuvan University, Assistant Professor Mahendra Morang Campus
The Resource Person discussed the concept of geopolitics as the study of the relationship between geography and politics, particularly with regard to the impact of geography on the power and interest of states, she also added that geographical factors are location, climate, natural resources, population, and physical landscape of a country. She explained that when any country is making foreign policy or participating in international politics, it should consider its country’s geography. She also mentioned the history of geopolitics and theories of geopolitics. She informed about India, China, and USA on Nepalese Geopolitics and also added about foreign aid like MCC, SPP, and BRI. She opined that mixing internal politics with geopolitics has made the conduct of foreign policy much more complex and fragile in Nepal.
Geopolitics is simply understood as the impact of geography on politics. Such geography includes land topography, climate, availability of natural resources etc. Nepal occupies a crucial geostrategic location in South Asia. More precisely, geostrategy describes where Nepal concentrates its efforts in directing diplomatic activity. She taught the participants how Koshi Province sharing the same piece of land with the neighboring country India causes the significant impact in reason to the geopolitical disputes and affiliation. Considering the context, the province needs to focus in developing the public policy that intent to stabilize the relationship between both the nation for the betterment of the koshi province and its trade as well as the economy which is highly dependent with India.
Session 5: Case Study: Public Policy and Societal Transformation By Mr. Deependra Chaulagain, Director, Samriddhi Foundation,
The session focused on the definition and importance of public policy, its intended and unintended consequences, and the role of civil society in policymaking. The Resource Person began the session by defining public policy as actions or decisions taken by the government to solve problems and improve citizens’ quality of life. He emphasized that public policy is an essential tool for societal transformation and can significantly impact people’s lives.
He further highlighted that while public policies are designed to achieve specific goals, they may have unintended consequences that can negatively affect society. He cited examples of policies that have had unintended consequences, such as the introduction of genetically modified crops, which led to ecological imbalances and adverse health effects on humans.
Resource Person also discussed the importance of civil society in policymaking and how they paly a vital role in ensuring that public policies are equitable, inclusive, and beneficial to all members of societyIn conclusion, the session provided valuable insights into the definition and importance of public policy, discussed various successful and failed policies of Nepal, its intended and unintended consequences, and the role of civil society in policymaking. The session encouraged participants to think critically about the impact of public policies on society and the need for inclusive and equitable policymaking.
Session 6: Countering Misinformation/ Disinformation and Fake News By Dr. Sandesh Dass Shrestha
The session began with Resource Person clarifying the difference between misinformation and disinformation. Misinformation refers to false information that is spread unintentionally, whereas disinformation is false information that is deliberately spread with manipulative or harmful intentions. He explained that fake news refers to any article or video containing false information disguised as a credible news source. He highlighted the prevalence of fake news and disinformation in today’s media landscape and emphasized the need for media literacy and critical thinking skills to counter these phenomena effectively. He showed how fake news and disinformation can influence public opinion and harm society.
The Resource Person then discussed spotting fake news and avoiding misleading media content. He recommended that individuals verify the information’s source, check for bias, and examine the evidence provided. He also encouraged participants to fact-check information using reputable sources and to be wary of information that seems too good to be true. He introduced participant’s with different credible fact checking sites that can help them navigate the fake news. Moreover , the session provided valuable insights into the prevalence of fake news and disinformation and the need for media literacy and critical thinking skills. The session emphasized the importance of verifying sources and fact-checking information, enabling participants to be more discerning and informed consumers of media content.
The session encouraged participants to develop a circle of competence and apply mental models to enhance their decision-making abilities. The session began with resource person defining a circle of competence as a space where an individual genuinely excels and has a competitive advantage over most people. He emphasized that individuals could build and maintain a circle of competence by developing a willingness to learn, monitor their progress, and seek feedback. He then discussed the types of circles of competence, which are generalized and specialized. He highlighted the benefits and drawbacks of each type and encouraged participants to identify their areas of expertise and work on building their circles of competence. The Resource Person went on to explain the importance of mental models and their impact on decision-making. He discussed various mental models, including Compounding, SWOT analysis, Pareto rules, Opportunity cost, Economic of scale, and Game of theory, and their application in different scenarios. He encouraged participants to use these mental models to improve their decision-making processes and make better-informed choices.
The session emphasized the need for individuals to identify their areas of expertise and work on building their circles of competence. Resource Person encouraged participants to use mental models in their decision-making processes, enhancing their ability to make better-informed choices.
Session 8: Policy Advocacy through Provincial Level
By Mr. Basanta Adhikari, Executive Director, Bikalpa- An Alternatives and Mr. Sujan Regmi, Executive Director, PRC
The session delivered by Mr. Basanta Adhikari, founder of Bikalpa an Alternative, and Mr. Sujan Regmi, co- founder/Executive Director of Pokhara Research Centre (PRC) on Provincial Advocacy from the Provincial Level. Mr. Basanta Adhikari shared that Bikalpa an Alternative is a public policy think tank working as a watchdog at the provincial and municipal level to sensitize civil society members and pressurize authority holders to be accountable. It empowers people about economic freedom through research, education, and civic engagement. He also highlighted the advocacy efforts made by Bikalpa an Alternative to motorcycle license issue and city rickshaw challenges, which were addressed through various advocacy techniques such as research, meetings with stakeholders, campaigns, articles, and videos.
After that, Mr. Sujan Regmi discussed the top-bottom approach the Pokhara Research Center work with policymaker to influence policy reforms. He shared how Pokhara Research Center works to improve people’s lives via ideas. He stated that his group had been engaged in advocacy, research, and training for the prosperity of every citizen. He continued by saying that his organization brings policy alternatives through directly influencing and collaborating with the real players or policymakers. The participants’ two-minute story-sharing and brief reflection marked a successful conclusion to the second day.
Day 3:
Session 9: Fiscal Federalism: Revenue and Expenditure of Koshi Province By Mr. Manoj Niroula, Account Officer
Ministry of Economic Affairs and Planning, Koshi Province, Biratnagar,Nepal
The session discussed the principles of assignment of revenue rights and expenditure responsibilities and highlighted the importance of maintaining horizontal equity among citizens and equalizing the fiscal residuum of the citizens.
During the session, Mr. Niroula pointed out that Nepal follows various parameters for revenue sharing and fiscal equalization. However, despite these efforts, there are still issues related to fiscal federalism in Nepal, such as vertical fiscal imbalance and the federal government’s unwillingness to give up authority. He also emphasized the need to address these issues to ensure a more efficient and effective fiscal federalism system in Nepal. He also emphasized the importance of promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in the fiscal decision-making process.
The session was well-received by the participants, who engaged in an active discussion on the challenges and opportunities for improving fiscal federalism, the Revenue rights and expenditure responsibilities, and Fiscal Transfer of Koshi Province.
Session 10: Bill Drafting Procedure in Koshi Province Assembly
By Mr. Chandra Madi Pokharel, Deputy Secretary Koshi Provincial Assembly
In the session, Resource Person Mr. Chandra Madi Pokharel provided a comprehensive overview of Nepal’s provincial bill drafting procedure. The session covered the key principles and guidelines for drafting bills at the provincial level, including the role of stakeholders, consultation processes, and the importance of ensuring compliance with the constitutional framework.
As an expert in legislative drafting, Mr. Pokharel provided practical insights and shared best practices for developing effective and robust bills that meet the needs and expectations of the citizens of the provinces. Participants learned about the different stages involved in the bill drafting process, including identifying policy objectives, conducting research, and drafting and revising bills.
The session also explored the challenges and opportunities associated with the provincial bill drafting procedure in Nepal and discussed strategies for overcoming these challenges. Participants had the opportunity to engage in interactive discussions and share their experiences and perspectives on bill drafting in their respective provinces.
Overall, the session was valuable for anyone involved in the legislative drafting process at the provincial level in Nepal, including lawmakers, legal professionals, and civil society organizations. By the end of the session, participants had a deeper understanding of the key principles and best practices for developing effective bills and promoting good governance in the provinces.
Session 11: Let’s Hear from Policy Makers: Interaction with Members of Koshi Province Assembly.
The Participating MPA for the program were Hon. Jay Prakash Chaudhary, CPN UML, Hon. Sapana Pariyar ,Maoist Centre , Hon. Kedar Karki, Nepali Congress
First the moderator welcomed the MPA’s to the fellowship program and introduced them to the participants with their party affiliation, experience etc. The session started with the question kept by Moderator, that is in regard to the role and responsibility of youth in Provincial Legislation, followed by the MPA’s respective vision/agendas for the prosperous Koshi Province. The floor was then opened for the participant to interact with the MPA’s.
The interaction program with the Member of Koshi Provincial Assembly focused on the role of youth in Nepal’s political landscape and the identification of past term Koshi Provincial problem and possible suggestions. Participants had the opportunity to ask questions and engage in a dialogue about the challenges and opportunities of youth involvement in the political landscape of Nepal.
The session also included an overview of the key issues and challenges the provincial government faces in the women empowerment policies. Participants had the opportunity to share their perspectives and insights on the issues and offer suggestions for potential solutions. Interaction session incorporated the prevalent policy issues, economical/trade agendas for the upcoming 5-year term, and the minority empowerment for the balanced development of the province.
Session 12: Koshi Province Assembly Visit
During the visit to the Koshi Province Assembly, participants received a thorough understanding of the assembly’s rules of procedure. They learned about the processes and protocols involved in the assembly’s decision-making processes and the roles and responsibilities of the members.
The participants had the opportunity to interact with the speaker of the Koshi Province Assembly, for 1 hour who shared insights about the workings of the assembly and his experiences serving as the speaker. The participants were able to ask questions and engage in discussion about the challenges and opportunities of working in the assembly and the importance of effective governance in the province.
One of the key discussion topics during the visit was the shift in thought regarding federalism in Nepal. The participants shared their perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of federalism and how it has affected the political landscape of Nepal. The session provided an opportunity for participants to gain a deeper understanding of the role of federalism in Nepal’s governance system and the challenges and opportunities it presents for the province assembly. The speaker also asked participants about their perspective to strengthen the Koshi Province Assembly and welcomed them to suggest and collaboratively work to develop Koshi province as a prosperous and developed province.
Session 13: Research Methodology: Writing a Policy Brief / Assisting Member of Provincial Assembly By Mr. Ashesh Shrestha, Researcher at Samriddhi Foundation, Nepal. Fulbright Scholar (University of Texas at Austin)
During the session on Research Methodology: Writing a Policy Brief, Resource Person emphasized the importance of making claims based on reason and evidence that everyone accepts as just plain fact. He also discussed the importance of acknowledging and responding to alternative viewpoints and considering their implications for policy research.
Resource Person provided practical tips on identifying and addressing alternative perspectives in policy briefs, such as presenting counterarguments and acknowledging potential weaknesses in one’s own argument. He emphasized the need to consider multiple perspectives and evidence sources in order to strengthen one’s policy argument.
The session also explored the importance of clarity and concision in policy brief writing, including using plain language and avoiding unnecessary technical jargon. He provided examples of effective policy briefs and discussed how to structure and communicate research findings to policymakers effectively.
Overall, this session was valuable for anyone interested in policy research and advocacy. Participants gained a deeper understanding of how to effectively make and support policy claims, respond to alternative perspectives, and communicate research findings in clear and persuasive ways.
Day 4:
Group Presentation:
In this session on the Presentation of pre-camp group assignment on Sectorial Analysis of Koshi Province, viz: Education. Health, Road, Tourism and Agriculture. Each group consisted of five participants with diverse academic and geographical backgrounds. The participants were provided with a basic assignment guideline, including an introduction, policy outlook, budget allocation, issues, world best practices, and recommendations.
During the session, each group presented their findings to a panel of five judges, who were themselves sector enthusiasts with relevant expertise. The judges provided participants with insightful comments and feedback after apprehending their presentations.
The judges for the participants evaluation were
• Mr. Bandhu Pokhrel, MD at Udgosh Daily/ Ex-president of Federation of Nepal journalist FNG Morang chapter Ex-chief minster press advisor.
• Ms. Jeena Karki : Vice President, Province sports Development Activist, youth- related movement, IVLP 2022 award alumina.
• Ms.Nisha Dahal : Director, BFM 91.2 program, Freelancer training/ TOT Conflict Management, communication.
The session allowed participants to apply their research and analytical skills to a real-world policy problem. Through collaboration and discussion within their groups, participants gained a deeper understanding of the complexities of policy analysis and the importance of considering diverse perspectives and data sources.
Overall, this session was a valuable learning experience for anyone interested in policy analysis and advocacy. Participants gained practical skills in research and analysis, as well as presentation and communication skills. The judges’ feedback provided participants with constructive criticism and insights into improving their analytical and presentation skills in the future.
In addition to the resource person’s session, the PRC organized group activities to promote the development of interpersonal skills, leadership, and teamwork. One such activity was a storytelling session where each participant shared a two-minute story about themselves, fostering closer relationships and sharing experiences. Furthermore, impromptu speaking sessions were held where participants randomly selected a topic from a pool and had 30 seconds to prepare and 90 seconds to deliver, improving their public speaking skills. Videos on policy problems and advocacy were also presented to provide insight into the type of work required as a fellow. Games and talent shows were included for entertainment during the camp.
