Media Initiative for Rights, Equity, and Social Transoformation (MIREST-Nepal) .

The Media Initiative for Rights, Equity, and Social Transoformation (MIREST-Nepal) aims to support democracy through the mass media by raising awareness of issues such as good governance, social inclusion, human rights, and peacebuilding. MIREST-Nepal offers workshops, awareness-raising activities, audio and video debates, FM broadcasts, and the publication of journals, bulletins and leaflets.

Grassroots Project for Dialogue and Participation

MIREST-Nepal aspires to a Nepal which is inclusive, peaceful and democratic, in which marginalised groups are able to fully participate. This project aimed to contribute towards this by improving grassroots communication in the Western regions, thus allowing marginalised groups meaningful participation. MIREST-Nepal believes that without a peaceful way to voice their frustrations, or if they encounter ignorance and prejudice in the current social and political system, the likelihood of further conflict is greatly increased.

MIREST-Nepal formed 25 district-level groups and two regional-level groups of local people, and provided training on both the constitution-writing process and the ongoing peace process in Nepal. Participants went on to campaign among communities, raising awareness about these issues and the broader context, and mobilising people around local issues which related to it.

Through the project, people’s general level of awareness about the constitution and the peace process improved. They have begun speaking openly about local problems, and the communication gap between communities and local and national leaders has narrowed.