Preparations for the 8th Global Conference on Human Development

ICA Nepal held a press briefing on the 4th of Sept 2011 at the Himalaya Hotel, Kupondole, Nepal. The purpose of the event was to announce the launch of the 8th Global Conference on Human Development to be held in 2012 and to explain its objectives and opportunities.

At ICA International’s last conference in 2008 in Japan, ICA Nepal had proposed to host the 8th conference in 2012. Nepal was chosen because of ongoing local work that can contribute to the global dialogue.

On the  4th of Sept, we announced the launch of the preparation phase of the conference. Dr. Tatwa P. Timisina, National Chair of ICA Nepal, highlighted the major programs of the conference. ICA International Chair Mr. Larry Philbrook, and international and national theme coordinators were also present, as well as media houses such as Kantipur Television and The Rising Nepal.

A conference coordination meeting was held on Sept 3-5, 2011, with the International Conference Coordination Team and National Conference Coordination Team.

Mr. Philbrook facilitated the event. Mr. Richard Alton, Mr. Kevin Balm and Mr. Shankar Jhadav represented the international theme coordinators. Evelyn Philbrook, ICA Taiwan, also attended the meeting. Dr. Tatwa, National Chair, Mr. Kushendra Mahat, Executive Director, Mr. Hare Ram Bhattari,  Mr. Juju Raj Tuladhar, Conference Administrator, and Ms. Ishu Subba represented ICA Nepal. Among the items discussed were the conference venue, co-sponsorship possibilities, advertisements and conference methodology.

After the meeting, Mr. Alton and members of the National Conference Coordination Team visited various organizations to explore possible collaboration to make the event successful.

Training Courses
ICA Nepal continued conducting a series of training courses on various themes, establishing new relations and collaborations with the passing years. Last year, ICA served WTLCP, Wet Land, Room to Read, DRSP Nepal, PRABHAV, National Mahendra Trust Central Zoo and many others.

Office Management
Under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) Model, the Personnel Training Academy (PTA), a government training institute, and ICA organized a 30-day-long training program for individuals in government services.
Each day three sessions were conducted. The theoretical sessions were conducted by ICA and the computer practical sessions by PTA.

Profound Journey Dialogue
ICA Nepal hosted an international training course for 30 people on Profound Journey Dialogue on Sept 1-2, 2011.  The course is for people who have a question about the role they will play in the evolutionary process – is life something that happens TO me, or something that happens THROUGH me? This event was a series of guided dialogues and personal journaling. The course was facilitated by Mr. and Mrs.  Philbrook, ICA Taiwan.

Gender Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion
Training courses on Gender Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion were conducted.

A 5-day programme entitled “Gender Mainstreaming” was held for Wet Land staff and community mobilizers. Mr. Bed Pd Sapkota and Ms. Januka Karki facilitated the training.

Another 5-day programme entitled “Gender Mainstreaming and Social Inclusion” was held for WTLCP. Altogether 18 participants attended the training, which include community and social mobilizers and staff of the organizers. Mr. Kedar Pyakurel and Ms. Januka Karki facilitated the course.

Report Writing and Documentation
A course on Report Writing and Documentation was held for participants of Room to Read. Mr. Dhurab Babu Joshi, Mr. Babu Ram Pandey and Ms. Ishu Subba facilitated the event.

Social Artistry Leadership
Continuing our past association with National Trust for Nature for Nature Conservation, we conducted a Social Artistry Leadership training program. A day-long event for two groups with 25 members each was conducted by Mr. Amba Dutta Bhatta and Ms. Pramila KC.

SPSS & Research Methodology
ICA has added a new course to its list of various training and facilitation courses. The program, SPSS & Research Methodology, is currently being conducted as a regular course.
Professional Career Development Training
A 3-month training course, which includes a month of internship, is conducted regularly.

Project Planning and Management
A training course on Project Planning & Management was conducted on Dec 5-9, 2011, for participants from DRSP Nepal, PRABHAV and ENPHO Nepal.
Dr. Tatwa, Mr. Kushendra Mahat, Mr Deepak Timsina, Mr. Hareram Bhattari and Mr. Deepak Upadahaya facilitated the 5-day event.

ICA Volunteering
ICA has always welcomed volunteer contribution in development activities. This year Sarah Marie-Hopf, a student from Dartmouth  College, worked as an unpaid volunteer from September to December, 2011.  She was assigned to document social artistry activities conducted in Nepal since its beginning. Ms. Hopf interviewed 30 people, including Janet Sanders, Dr Tatwa, the SA mini team and micro-grants receivers, studied all the reports and conducted field visits to Dev Daha and Changu Narayan.

She presented a brief slide report with ICA and Social Artistry Mini Team and facilitated a brainstorming session on the future prospects for social artistry promotion.

Community Development Projects
Changu Drinking Water Projects, Changu Narayan.

School Disability Awareness Program, Kathmandu.

Empowering Community through Skill based Training and Distributing Income Generating Event - Parbat.