The National Conference entitled “Local and Global Social Welfare: Role of Civil Society in Nepal” was organized by the SUTRA Centre for Development Education and Research, Department of Social Work, Kadambari Memorial College of Science and Management, with the support from International Council on Social Welfare(ICSW), South Asia working group. It was held in Dhulikhel, Nepal from 12th -13th July 2009.
The overall objective was to share and explore approaches of grass root level organizations working on the issues of social welfare and social policy, to form a national level network, to work on behalf of these grass root level organization, to work for social welfare and to derive policy that are more development friendly to the country. Recognizing the importance of promoting a civil society network formation and exchanging knowledge, the workshop brought together development practitioners from Non-governmental organization, representatives of grass-root level organizations from 5 development regions of Nepal, media personnel, social work colleges and social workers.
The ICSW South Asia working group, Sutra Centre and Kadambari College wish to thank the ICSW Global office, especially Dr. Denys Corel, the executive director and the all workshop participants for their dedicated participation and valuable contributions. The ICSW SA working group hopes that the information shared and the National network formed during the event will benefit in promoting social welfare and social policy in the Nepal and in the region.
The International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW) is a global non-governmental organization which represents a wide range of national and international member organizations that seek to advance social welfare, social development and social justice. ICSW’s basic mission is to promote forms of social and economic development which aim to reduce poverty, hardship and vulnerability throughout the world, especially amongst disadvantaged people. It strives for recognition and protection of fundamental Rights to food, shelter, education, health care and security. It believes that these rights are an essential foundation for freedom, justice and peace. It seeks also to advance equality of opportunity, freedom of self-expression and access to human services. ICSW and our members are active in a wide range of fields within the general areas of social development, social welfare and social justice. This includes issues such as food and nutrition, welfare and health services, social protection, education and housing, as well as many issues relating to economic development, human rights and community participation.
In working to achieve its mission, ICSW advocates policies and programs which strike an appropriate balance between social and economic goals and which respect cultural diversity. It seeks implementation of these proposals by governments, international organizations, non-governmental agencies and others. It does so in cooperation with its network of members and with a wide range of other organizations at local, national and international levels. ICSW’s main ways of pursuing its aims include gathering and disseminating information, undertaking research and analysis, convening seminars and conferences, drawing on grass-roots experiences, strengthening non-governmental organizations, developing policy proposals, engaging in public advocacy and working with policy-makers and administrators in government and elsewhere. The objectives of the Workshop were as follows:
•To explore the relationship between civil society, social policy and participatory democracy
•To discuss the models of transition in other countries
•To play an active role in practicing social welfare and development activities in Nepal
•To form and facilitate a national networking organization of Nepal under the leadership of ICSW.