Samata Foundation: Policy research and advocacy for the rights of marginalized peoples

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Welcome to the Samata Foundation

International Dalit Conference

Sunday, 20 June 2010 05:38 administrator

Dynamics of Caste, Identity and Inclusion of Dalits
International Conference

June 20-22, Kathmandu

Organiser
Samata Fondation, Nepal

Co-organisers

India-China Institute, News School University- New York
The association for Nepal and Himalayan Studies, USA
Nepal Dali Info Group, Canada
Canada Forum Nepal, Canada

In coordination with

Feminist Dalit Organisation (FEDO)
Jagaran Media Center (JMC)
Nepal National Dalit Social Welfare Organisation (NNDSWO)
Jana Utthan Pratisthan (JUP)
Dalit Welfare Organisation (DWO)
Dalit NGO Federation Nepal (DNF)

In association with

International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN), Denmark
Swiss National Centre of Competenece in Research South Asian Coordination Office, Kathmandu
(NCCR North-South)

Supported by

Open Society Institute (OSI)
Enabling State Programme, and initiative of UKaid from the Department of International Development
Centre for Constitutional Dialogue (CCD), UNDP

About Samata Foundation

Tuesday, 21 April 2009 08:27 administrator

Established in 2008, Samata Foundation (formerly introduced as Nepal Centre for Dalit Study) engages in policy research and advocacy for the rights of marginalized peoples, particularly the Dalit community, with the goal of promoting inclusive democracy and ending discrimination in Nepali society and politics. The foundation works to redefine the Dalit movement in the current political transition as well as in the long run. It firmly believes that real change can only be brought by disseminating knowledge, encouraging civic participation and preparing individuals from marginalized communities to become leaders of the next generation.

Nepali society has historically been plagued by the politics of exclusion. However, the decade-long people’s war and the 2006 people’s movement, followed by various movements launched by marginalized communities, have propelled the agenda of inclusion into national debates and paved a path for addressing the deeply entrenched problem of exclusion. Social groups that faced centuries of oppression are now demanding their rights, and Nepal’s political elites are being forced to acknowledge them despite resistance from some quarters. But even as inclusion has become a key agenda among those desiring change, knowledge and information about the longstanding and complex phenomenon of exclusion remains inadequate. This gap hinders the efforts of concerned organizations and policy makers.

Samata Foundation hopes to fill this gap by conducting action-oriented research, advising policy makers, training the next generation of leaders, forming a resource centre, and producing and disseminating literature on the issues of marginalized communities, with a focus on the Dalit community.

Our Areas of Work

Democracy and Social Movement
Land, Livelihood and right to food
Human Rights and Peace
Culture, Education and Media

Announcement

As we are approaching nearer the conference date, the national political condition is becoming more volatile. Although the constitution making process is closer, there is feeble probability of making constitution on stipulated date. The different parties have proposing different option as an alternative. To get insight of the condition and future direction Samata Foundation did couple of individual meetings with different leaders of the political parties. On basis of conversation and current political direction we have been compelled to postpone the conference for one month. The reasons for the postponement are:

There is no chance at all to make constitution on deadline of May 28, 2010. Depending on political understanding there is high possibility of extending deadline utilizing the constitutional provision of either 2/3 majority or emergency situation which provide authority to extend 6 months for CA
One of the clear indications is that UCPN (Maoist) has already started protest in Kathmandu. They are going to organize the huge mass demonstration on May 1, 2010 and declared the indefinite strike throughout the country. They have already trained their cadet, workers and others. They have also started to book school buildings, halls, and other free space in Kathmandu Valley to accommodate their people
Present conditions did not show any indications for political understanding. So the government will utilize more force to control the protest
Somehow there is high possibility of National Army mobilization if political understanding could not build within span of time. This situation has somehow triggered the major political parties and this may bring them to one common table.

Therefore, we would like to inform you all that the new conference is dated on June 20-22, 2010 (Sunday-Tuesday). We would like to apologize for the inconvenience created by the postponement. But in the meantime we would like to warmly request you all to make your time convenient accordingly as well.

Call for Paper

Envisioning New Nepal

Dynamics of Caste, Identity and Inclusion of Dalits

International Conference
June 20-22, 2010
Kathmandu

Click here for details