The 2024 Symposium on the Challenges and Opportunities for Environmental Peacebuilding in Nepal was jointly organized by the Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS), Hiroshima University, Hiroshima University Scholars Alumni Nepal (HiUSAN), Centre for Social Change (CSC), and Kathmandu University School of Education (KUSOED) on February 29, 2024, at Kathmandu University School of Management (KUSOM) in Lalitpur, Nepal. 65 participants from various academic institutions and organizations attended the symposium.
The symposium (link to the concept note) commenced with Dr. Dahlia Simangan briefly explaining the objectives for the day, followed by welcome remarks from Professor Bal Chandra Luitel, Dean of KUSOED. Special Guest Prof. Bijay KC, Dean of KUSOM, expressed the importance of such a symposium for bringing together individuals interested in understanding the relationship between peace and the environment. The Honorable Chief Minister, Ms. Pramila Kumari, Minister of State for Education, Science, and Technology, Government of Nepal, who served as the chief guest, highlighted the growing need for environmental peacebuilding in Nepal amidst rising cases of natural resource conflicts. Dr. Mohan Das Manandhar, Chairman of NITI Foundation, delivered his keynote speech, which focused on the types of partnerships to help enhance environmental peacebuilding in Nepal.
Selected research presentations gave the participants crucial theoretical frameworks and evidence for further discussions. Dr. Manohara Khadka from the International Water Management Institute presented on Water and Peace for Just and Inclusive Development in Nepal. Ms. Shradha Khadka from the Centre for Social Change talked about Natural Resource Governance Conflicts in Federal Nepal: Prospects for Peacebuilding. For the final presentation, Prof. Vishnu Pandey from Tribhuvan University discussed the Challenges to Peace and Environmental Sustainability in Nepal. The research presentations wrapped up with questions, discussions, and reflections from the participants.
The symposium also featured a roundtable of experts, facilitated by Dr. Parbat Dhungana of KUSOED. Dr. Prabin Manandhar of Helvetas, Dr. Naresh Rimal of the Armed Police Forces Nepal Command and Staff College, and Mr. Roshan Sherchan of Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity served as panelists, discussing the environmental drivers of peace in Nepal. The session concluded with spirited discussions.
L-R: Babul Khanal (HiUSAN), Ranjan Shrestha (HiuSAN), Dahlia Simangan (Hiroshima University) and Honorable Chief Minister, Ms. Pramila Kumari (Chief Guest) 
L-R: Research Presentations Manohara Khadka (International Water Management Institute), Vishnu Pandey (Tribhuvan University), and Shradha Khadka (Centre for Social Change) 
L-R: Roundtable Discussion with Parbat Dhungana (KUSOED), Prabin Manandhar (Helvetas), Roshan Sherchan (Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity), Naresh Rimal, not in the photo (Armed Police Forces Nepal Command and Staff College) 
Keynote Speech by Mohna Ansari, Former Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission and National Women’s Commission 
NERPS and HiUSAN organizers
In the afternoon, two sessions were held in parallel. A research workshop, led by Dr. Dahlia Simangan of Hiroshima University and Dr. Prakash Bhattarai of the Center for Social Change, set the expectations for a joint research paper. Mr. Riyaz Karki of Hiroshima University shared an overview of the literature on environmental peacebuilding in Nepal. Mr. Richan Shrestha of KUSOED examined the relationship between tourism, cultural heritage, and pro-environmental behavior in the Patan area. Ms. Susmita Puri of the Centre for Social Change discussed conservation and indigenous rights in Nepal, using the case of Chitwan National Park. Ms. Shradha Khadka of the Center for Social Change presented the case of self-sufficient forest management by local communities in the Sunsari district of Nepal. The workshop included feedback sessions for developing the case studies that will be included in the joint research agenda-setting paper. Meanwhile, a skills-building session for students and early-career researchers was facilitated by Dr. Joshua Fisher of Columbia University and Dr. John Lee Candelaria of Hiroshima University. They provided participants with relevant information about publishing in academic journals and academic productivity, respectively.
After the parallel sessions, Dr. Mohna Ansari, Former Commissioner of the National Human Rights Commission and National Women’s Commission, and the closing keynote speaker, shared her insights about the challenges to peace and environmental sustainability in Nepal, based on her expertise. Dr. Ranjan Prakash Shrestha, President of (HiUSAN), delivered the closing remarks, with a summary of the discussions, reflections, and call to action.