Nepal SDGs Forum Conducts Child-Led VNR in Udayapur
On June 29-30, Nepal SDGs Forum held a child-led Voluntary Local Review in Triyuga Municipality, Udayapur. The event began with the chairing of the chairperson of NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) Udayapur District Committee. The chief guest was Deputy Mayor of Triyuga Municipality Ms. Maheshwori Rai. Attendees included representatives from various organizations, municipal staff, local leaders, and children from all 16 wards of Triyuga Municipality. Five groups of children discussed and presented five sustainable development goals, highlighting achievements, challenges, and recommendations. These findings were shared with stakeholders and local government on the second day, joined by special guests Mr. Ram Prasad Subedi, Chairperson of NGO Federation of Nepal, Mr. Arjun Bhattarai, Secretary General of NFN, and Mr. Bhawaraj Regmi, Secretary of NFN.
The first day started with Mr. Rupesh Karki, President of the Child Network, providing an overview of the children's status and ongoing initiatives in the municipality. He noted the establishment of a dedicated unit for holistic child development and the securing of funds for capacity building from the municipality. He also said that Triyuga municipality aims to be declared a "Child-Friendly Municipality" by 2083 BS. Abhishek Shah, Program Coordinator of NFN, then explained the SDGs and the VNR and VLR processes, enhancing the childrens' understanding. The Deputy Mayor Ms. Maheshwori Rai acknowledged the localization of the SDGs was lacking but committed to integrating them into future plans.
Children were divided into five groups, each discussing one of the Sustainable Development Goals—Goals 1, 2, 13, 16, and 17. They presented their observations on achievements, such as government efforts in poverty alleviation, food security, and the formation of children’s networks. Challenges included youth migration for jobs, poor education quality, financial issues, inadequate nutrition, and limited awareness programs in rural areas. Recommendations encompassed establishing industries for employment, providing free education and equitable food distribution, offering free fertilizers and seeds to poor farmers, and improving waste management. They also suggested planting ten trees for every one cut, enhancing disaster preparedness, ensuring equal access to justice, organizing regular municipal meetings, and securing commitments from all stakeholders to achieve SDGs.
On the second day, Mr. Rupesh Karki shared the outcomes of the Child-Led VLR to the stakeholders and representatives of local government. Guests emphasized the importance of amplifying children's voices at all levels – local to global. NFN President Mr. Ram Prasad Subedi promised to present the children's perspectives at the High-Level Political Forum in New York in mid-July 2024. Secretary General Mr. Arjun Bhattarai highlighted the significance of VNR and VLR, urging the municipality to align its strategies and plans with the SDGs. The program concluded with a call to localize SDGs and involve children’s perspective as well.
On July 1, 2024, the VLR outcomes were presented at the province-level SDGs consultation in Biratnagar, Koshi Province, where participants discussed issues like child marriage and drug abuse control.
On July 29-30, Nepal SDGs Forum held a child-led Voluntary Local Review in Triyuga Municipality, Udayapur. The event began with the chairing of the chairperson of NGO Federation of Nepal (NFN) Udayapur District Committee. The chief guest was Deputy Mayor of Triyuga Municipality Ms. Maheshwori Rai. Attendees included representatives from various organizations, municipal staff, local leaders, and children from all 16 wards of Triyuga Municipality. Five groups of children discussed and presented five sustainable development goals, highlighting achievements, challenges, and recommendations. These findings were shared with stakeholders and local government on the second day, joined by special guests Mr. Ram Prasad Subedi, Chairperson of NGO Federation of Nepal, Mr. Arjun Bhattarai, Secretary General of NFN, and Mr. Bhawaraj Regmi, Secretary of NFN.
The first day started with Mr. Rupesh Karki, President of the Child Network, providing an overview of the children's status and ongoing initiatives in the municipality. He noted the establishment of a dedicated unit for holistic child development and the securing of funds for capacity building from the municipality. He also said that Triyuga municipality aims to be declared a "Child-Friendly Municipality" by 2083 BS. Abhishek Shah, Program Coordinator of NFN, then explained the SDGs and the VNR and VLR processes, enhancing the childrens' understanding. The Deputy Mayor Ms. Maheshwori Rai acknowledged the localization of the SDGs was lacking but committed to integrating them into future plans.
Children were divided into five groups, each discussing one of the Sustainable Development Goals—Goals 1, 2, 13, 16, and 17. They presented their observations on achievements, such as government efforts in poverty alleviation, food security, and the formation of children’s networks. Challenges included youth migration for jobs, poor education quality, financial issues, inadequate nutrition, and limited awareness programs in rural areas. Recommendations encompassed establishing industries for employment, providing free education and equitable food distribution, offering free fertilizers and seeds to poor farmers, and improving waste management. They also suggested planting ten trees for every one cut, enhancing disaster preparedness, ensuring equal access to justice, organizing regular municipal meetings, and securing commitments from all stakeholders to achieve SDGs.
On the second day, Mr. Rupesh Karki shared the outcomes of the Child-Led VLR to the stakeholders and representatives of local government. Guests emphasized the importance of amplifying children's voices at all levels – local to global. NFN President Mr. Ram Prasad Subedi promised to present the children's perspectives at the High-Level Political Forum in New York in mid-July 2024. Secretary General Mr. Arjun Bhattarai highlighted the significance of VNR and VLR, urging the municipality to align its strategies and plans with the SDGs. The program concluded with a call to localize SDGs and involve children’s perspective as well.
On July 1, 2024, the VLR outcomes were presented at the province-level SDGs consultation in Biratnagar, Koshi Province, where participants discussed issues like child marriage and drug abuse control.