Empowering Youth, Inspiring Change, Shaping Futures
The Provincial Youth Conference 2024: Gandaki Province, held from November 28-30, 2024, at the Royal Mahal Banquet in Pokhara, brought together 167 dynamic youth, entrepreneurs, leaders, changemakers, and visionaries aged 18-30. Organized by the Nepal Youth Council (NYC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development, Youth, and Sports, and supported by esteemed partners like the Ncell Foundation, the event aimed to engage participants in transformative discussions and actionable planning for a sustainable future.
The conference was officially inaugurated by Hon. Chief Minister Surendraraj Pandey, who inspired participants with a powerful message of self-reliance and collective responsibility. He urged the youth to prioritize education, sustainable development, and create actionable plans that address the unique needs of Gandaki Province.
A Platform for Progress and Inclusion
The conference welcomed a diverse group of participants, including 67 males, 81 females, 3 LGBTIQ individuals, and 16 persons with disabilities, ensuring an inclusive environment for dialogue and collaboration. The youth from various districts of Gandaki Province—Baglung, Nawalpur, Syangja, Parbat, Myagdi, Tanahu, Gorkha, Kaski, Lamjung, and Mustang—came together to share their ideas, experiences, and visions for the future.
The program emphasized inclusivity and engagement, featuring interactive presentations, success stories, group discussions, and Q&A sessions. Participants explored key thematic areas such as climate action, SDGs localization, arts and culture promotion, entrepreneurship development, governance reform, and sustainable tourism.
Key Objectives
The conference was guided by the following objectives:
- Inspiring Entrepreneurship: Encouraging youth to explore opportunities in agriculture and tourism.
- Promoting Sustainability: Partnering with local governments to foster sustainable tourism practices.
- Climate Action and SDGs Localization: Empowering youth to draft actionable plans addressing climate change and aligning with the SDGs.
- Engaging in Governance: Developing the Gandaki Provincial Action Plan through collaboration with local authorities.
Program Highlights
- Youth Cultural Night: A celebration of Gandaki’s rich culture, showcasing traditional dance performances, songs, and poetry presented by talented participants.
- Exhibition of Native Seeds: An exhibition of Gandaki’s agricultural biodiversity, focusing on the conservation of native seeds and the promotion of traditional (raithaane) local dishes.
- Drafting the Gandaki Provincial Action Plan: Interactive session where participants collaborated to create a strategic roadmap for youth empowerment and sustainable development.
- Interactive Quiz by Ncell: A lively session where participants tested their knowledge and won exciting prizes, adding an element of fun to the event.
Icons of Gandaki Province 2024
The conference honored 10 exemplary changemakers as “Icons of Gandaki Province 2024” for their remarkable contributions to various fields. Among the honorees were:
- Rashmi Gautam: Youth Activist empowering young leaders.
- Prensa Regmi: Social Activist recognized globally for her impactful initiatives.
- Vijaya Nepal: Journalist amplifying the voices of Gandaki.
- Balram Timilsina: Tourism advocate showcasing Gandaki’s heritage.
- Santosh Poudel: Climate change champion promoting sustainable farming.
- Monika Thapa – An educational entrepreneur advocating equitable education and creating opportunities for underprivileged communities.
- Saraswati Puri – A healthcare leader focusing on improving healthcare infrastructure in rural Gandaki.
- Kamala Parajuli – A women and children’s rights activist championing women’s empowerment and child welfare.
- Bimal Sharma – A youth entrepreneur known for adopting sustainable business practices.
- Rabin Poudel – An IT entrepreneur promoting digital literacy and community empowerment.
Bimala Bhandari, President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), Kaski, and Press Registrar of Gandaki Province, was recognized with the National Social Changemaker Award during the opening ceremony of the conference.
Provincial Action Plan Development
The conference participants, divided into teams, proposed actionable strategies to address regional challenges. Highlights include:
- Team Kaligandaki
- Digital Agro Products App: Connecting farmers with buyers.
- Clean and Green City Initiatives: Reducing urban pollution and beautifying cities.
- Disaster Risk Management: Implementing flood early-warning systems.
- Social Justice in Education: Ensuring inclusive education for marginalized groups.
- Team Gandaki Gantabya
- Pokhara as an IT Hub: Establishing an IT park to foster innovation.
- Youth Literacy Program: Enhancing digital, political, and social literacy.
- Agro-Entrepreneurship: Promoting modernized farming techniques.
- Team Gandaki Deaf Youth Group
- Sign Language Accessibility: Expanding sign language training.
- Employment Opportunities: Facilitating inclusive hiring practices.
- Team Gandaki Avengers
- Global Warming Mitigation: Promoting eco-friendly practices.
- Incubation Centers: Nurturing entrepreneurial ideas and innovations.
Gandaki Declaration
The closing ceremony featured an empowering address by Rajendra Dev Pandey, Secretary of the Ministry of Social Development, Youth, and Sports, who emphasized the importance of patience, seizing local opportunities, and addressing the brain drain. The ceremony also marked the announcement of the 11-point Gandaki Declaration, presented by Saroj Baniya, Founder of the Nepal Youth Council. The declaration outlines key priorities for youth-led development and sustainable growth, including the establishment of a youth-friendly budget, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening education and training, and enhancing youth participation in governance.
Looking Ahead
The Provincial Youth Conference 2024: Gandaki Province was a resounding success, setting the stage for sustained youth engagement and empowerment. By fostering collaboration, innovation, and leadership, the event has sparked a movement toward a brighter, more sustainable future for Gandaki Province and Nepal.
With the momentum generated, NYC is committed to hosting future initiatives that empower youth, foster innovation, and drive meaningful change. Together, we can create a prosperous and inclusive Gandaki Province where the voices of youth lead the way.
