Demon Demokratiajuhlaviikko syyskuussa 2010

Democracy and Human Rights for Development
seminar in Helsinki 14-15 September 2010

Demokratia kehityksen edellytyksenä - seminaari Helsingissä 16.9.2010

President Yadav encourages Demo to continue its work in Nepal

Demo's coordinating team in Nepal, Johanna Poutanen and Basu Gautam, met with the first President of the country Ram Baran Yadav at his residence in Kathmandu on 27th September 2008.

In the course of the discussion, the President shared his views on the challenges and opportunities being faced by the nation. He emphasized that the future of Nepal lies with its youth: "The Nepalese youth should unite, and so be an example for the mother parties. It is crucial that the political actors learn how to join hands", the President noted.

President Yadav commended the work of Demo in this context. He observed that through cooperation young people from different backgrounds learn to understand one another. According to Yadav, particular attention should be paid to the political groupings rooted in specific geographical regions: "The youth of Madhesh should learn to understand and identify with the youth of Himal and Pahad – and vice versa. On then is national integration possible", Yadav stressed.

President Yadav also referred to Nepal's friendly and long-standing ties with Finland. He commented that the contribution of Finland's development cooperation on many sectors has been significant. Yadav warmly welcomed Finland's current support to the consolidation of democracy in the country: "True democracy is the only way out from the prevailing culture of violence. It is very important that the youth learn about democratic rights. In this regard, it is useful for the Nepalese youth to familiarize themselves with the functioning of democracy in countries like Finland", President Yadav pointed and continued: "Only through consolidating real democracy can Nepal regain development and stability."

President Yadav thanked Demo for its contribution in Nepal, and wished all the best for future in its challenging but ever the more important work in the country.

For more information, please contact Demo's Local Programme Co-ordinator Johanna Poutanen
e-mail: johanna.poutanen(at)demofinland.org

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