Nagarik Aawaz (Voice of the Citizen)

The organisation believes that a state of peace is required in order for social and economic development to take place in Nepal. It has a number of initiatives working towards these ends.

Overview

Nagarik Aawaz is a non-partisan, non-profit, secular and inclusive organisation. It aims to work towards conflict transformation and peacebuilding so that effective economic, social and political development can be achieved in Nepal.

The organisation’s objectives are:

• to create awareness, through networking, advocacy and ongoing interaction programmes, of individual and collective responsibility in conflict transformation and peacebuilding efforts;
• to create a safety net for displaced persons, focusing primarily on youths and widows to enable safe transition from a place of anger and revenge to one of forgiveness and peace;
• to develop skilled human capacity in peacebuilding and conflict transformation to enable the necessary reconciliation and reconstruction to take place;
• to encourage and support the efforts of local NGOs and CBOs working for peace and conducting relief work, thus helping to minimise the impact of conflict for those affected, particularly women and children.

Nagarik Aawaz has achieved the following:

• the organisation held 69 interaction programmes during the five years of its operation;
• over 100 displaced youths directly benefited from its Displaced Youth Volunteer Programme;
• human resource development has taken place in conflict transformation and peacebuilding;
• five partner organisations in Ilam, Surkeht, Dhanusha, Doti and Bajura are replicating its programmes for peacebuilding in their own communities;
• research has been undertaken on conflict widows and the effects of conflict on women in general;
• regular peace vigils have been held for public awareness and to pressure the conflicting parties;
• free psychological counselling services have been provided to conflict victims at Latilpur and Sinamangal peace centres (based in Kathmandu) run by Nagarik Aawaz.

The organisation has identified the following learning points:

• trust and confidence building measures are essential to the peace process;
• balance must be maintained at all times;
• transparency is essential;
• peacebuilding is a very time-, energy- and resource-consuming process;
• work demands creativity and flexibility;
• this type of work cannot be done without having to deal with some level of relief support.
  
  

What Services Are Provided?

Rehabilitation, training of trainers (TOT) in psychological referral support, mediation, negotiation, peacebuilding and social mobilisation.

Geographical Area of Operation

Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Surkhet, Ilam, Janakpur, Doti, Bajura and Dang.

Funding Resources

Institutional:
Shaler Adams Foundation (Caritas Fund for the Tides Foundation), Ford Foundation, CEDPA Nepal.

Individual:
Barbara Franzel, Lynne Brennan, Dabali event in Canada, Galen Wood, Emily Utz,Trena Moya, Ruth Tammaroff, Sussane Jalbert.

Associated Organisations

• Support Nepal-Janakpur
• Community Development Forum-Doti
• Gift Bajura-Bajura
• Sungava Club-Ilam
• Women’s Association for Marginalised-Surkhet
• Digo Bikash Ma Mahila –Okhaldhunga
• Nepal Mahila Samudayik Sewa Kendra-Dang.