On the occasion of the 37th anniversary of the establishment of SAP-Nepal, a round table discussion on “Emerging world order and Nepal: The role of civil society” was organized on 4 March 2022 to promote mass debate among the citizens of Nepal on the agendas of immediate concerns such as the MCC, Ukraine Crisis, upcoming Local Election and Judicial Crisis through deliberation, dialogue, debate, and discourse on the theme selected. 37 participants consisting of development professionals, academicians, civil society activists, politicians, and legal Practioner participated in the event chaired by Geeta Bhattarai, Chairperson of SAP Nepal. The stringent guidelines for social distance established by the government of Nepal for holding seminars and programs were followed while conducting the event. The key speakers of the event were: Mr. Khem Raj Bhatta Mayalu, Former Minister, Mr. Hiranyalal Shrestha, Life Member of SAP-Nepal, Former Ambassador, Mr. Prachanda Jung Shah, Expert International Relations, Mr. Dr. Bishnu Bhandari, Professor of Sociology, TU and Mr. Ananda Aditya, Chair, Pragya Foundation.
Ananda Aditya emphasized the role of the True Research Centre’s global survey as a prevalent force in the 21st century to bring about world order which reveals that Regional organizations such as SAARC in South Asia, ASEAN in South East Asia, and the African Union are at risk of failure due to a lack of trust and unity. Hiranya Lal Shrestha, a lifetime member of SAP Nepal and former envoy to Russia and Ukraine mentioned that a unipolar world of American values and supremacy has been challenged time and again by different nations and blocks leading to wars and such events that have aspired countries to have a more powerful position in international relations, either regionally or globally creating a multipolar world. In the present context, the world is experiencing the second cold war led by the Chinese communist political system and the American lead capitalist democratic system. Nepal has been caught between the democratic values of both norms values of the capitalist and the socialist form of democracy. He further stated that Nepal should have a one-China policy and maintain equidistance between China and India. He also criticized the Nepal government for voting favoring the American stands on the Russian and Ukraine war which is against our foreign policy. Further, we should promulgate the concept of a Zone of peace. Being civil society members we should act as a watchdog against government action and Nepal should avoid its land for power play by major powers of the world.
During the open floor discussion, most of the participants raised questions regarding the historical development and proactive role of civil society. The foundation of Nepali democracy is based on the civil movement and the proactive role played the civil society. The event formally ended with a closing remark by the chair of the event Gita Bhattarai. She emphasized the proactive role of civil society and SAP Nepal’s role in fostering civil society in Nepal and its commitment to organizing such events in days to come.