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To look at Nepal at a glance, we have 103 ethnic groups, adult literacy rate is 58%, 5-7% of population are disabled; 55% of total population living on less than $1.08 a day (UNICEF), 44% of rural children population is involved in child labour (ILO). We have a strong LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) group in Nepal who are continuously fighting for their right.
Every angle is an area of concern for Nepal. British Council Nepal being a Tier 3 country is trying its best to encompass not all but some areas and initiating partnership with other organisation to create synergy in those areas.
The British Council took a lead in organising an event (workshop) dedicated to Equality and Diversity in February 2012. This workshop was organised not only to share good practice from within the British Council as an international organisation but also to create a platform for other organisations (national and international) to showcase policies and best practices as well. The aim was to create a learning platform for all and to make this an annual event. With the participation from the external organisation the aim was achieved. There was an interaction session followed after the sharing, where key issues were highlighted. The speaker from SDC (Embassy of Switzerland/Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation) and UNDP (United Nation Development Programme) actually went back with some key areas to think around eg. Inclusion of LGBT society in UNDP’s youth internship programme and inclusion of disabled people under SDC HR policy. Ethnicity ranks highest in the priority areas of SDC Nepal but with a total of 5-7% of population with one or the other from of disability, this segment needs to be considered, which was realised by the speaker from SDC.
For British Council too, it was a learning ground where partnership ideas were explored around those areas. Ideas on mobilizing resources were explored. Overall an event with future prospect of partnership around Equal Opportunity and Diversity.
Rosemary Arnott, CD Bangladesh specially flew in from Dhaka so that, she as our EO&D regional lead (SA) could showcase our EO&D policies and practices from around the globe.
A Cultural Performance by Down syndrome children representing Community Based Rehabilitation Centre (CBR) and a visually impaired singer (Sudin) singing with a top most local band called 1974 AD. Sudin said “It was my dream to sing with 1974 AD and British Council made my dream come true so thank you British Council”.
Founder of CBR “These children are considered to be kept at home and taken care of but because of British Council and this platform they are able to showcase their talent to a wider audience, Thank you British Council, these children are really encouraged”.
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