Nepal Constitution Foundation is a newly registered, independent and non-partisan civil society organization. It was registered in Asoj, 2066 BS under the the Society Registration Act, 2034 B.S. (1977) as a collaborative efforts of some constitutional experts, management professionals and development practitioners. It is a non-profit making membership organization.
The Foundation was founded to encourage and facilitate the study and research of constitutional matters, and is dedicated to increasing public understanding of, and appreciation for, the constitution of Nepal. It is intended to examine and evaluate the constitutional system and to contribute actively to the debate on its reform and further democratization. As a 'think tank', the Foundation works through various interactive and interpretive facilities. There are two important areas of NCF interventions:
(1) Support for constitution building and its institutionalization process
(2) Development of constitution sensitive socio-economic and political leadership in the country.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Objectives
The major objectives of the Nepal Constitutional Foundation are as follows:
· To conduct study and research on constitutional subjects including free and fair elections, accountable government, the rule of law, independent judiciary, fundamental rights and freedoms and independent and impartial constitutional bodies in order to help them institutionalize in Nepal, and monitor the operation of constitutional democracy here.
· To help resolve complicated constitutional issues by pursuing study and research on various aspects of constitution and constitutionalism and bringing forward relevant parties and civil society point of view in the process of their resolution.
· To conduct programmes as a nongovernmental organization for the democratization of political parties and public institutions, and work as helping hand in the research of issues involving them and making laws for their democratic management and reforms.
· To disseminate information and conduct advocacy on equality, pluralism and social justice in order to institutionalize the values of constitutionalism in Nepal.
· To conduct evaluation of national achievements in the implementation of state obligations as specified by the constitution, the directive principles and policies in cooperation with governmental and nongovernmental bodies.
· To analyze relevant developmental issues and public policies as much as they relate with the constitution and publish their reports.
· To assist ongoing efforts in making laws, their implementation and review process in different areas of public concerns in order to secure the rule of law.
· To act as a "think tank" in the area of constitutional law, human rights, judicial reform, legal development and process of democratization.
· In order to achieve all above objectives, and to ensure consolidation and stability of the constitutional system, the organization shall work for the development of leadership - political, economic, social or cultural - sensitive to these values.
· To conduct study and research on constitutional subjects including free and fair elections, accountable government, the rule of law, independent judiciary, fundamental rights and freedoms and independent and impartial constitutional bodies in order to help them institutionalize in Nepal, and monitor the operation of constitutional democracy here.
· To help resolve complicated constitutional issues by pursuing study and research on various aspects of constitution and constitutionalism and bringing forward relevant parties and civil society point of view in the process of their resolution.
· To conduct programmes as a nongovernmental organization for the democratization of political parties and public institutions, and work as helping hand in the research of issues involving them and making laws for their democratic management and reforms.
· To disseminate information and conduct advocacy on equality, pluralism and social justice in order to institutionalize the values of constitutionalism in Nepal.
· To conduct evaluation of national achievements in the implementation of state obligations as specified by the constitution, the directive principles and policies in cooperation with governmental and nongovernmental bodies.
· To analyze relevant developmental issues and public policies as much as they relate with the constitution and publish their reports.
· To assist ongoing efforts in making laws, their implementation and review process in different areas of public concerns in order to secure the rule of law.
· To act as a "think tank" in the area of constitutional law, human rights, judicial reform, legal development and process of democratization.
· In order to achieve all above objectives, and to ensure consolidation and stability of the constitutional system, the organization shall work for the development of leadership - political, economic, social or cultural - sensitive to these values.
Activities
The Foundation pursues these objectives through its activities - constitutional seminar/workshop, thematic research, training, information exchange, resource center and research collaboration. It also hosts a variety of symposia and panel discussions on constitutional topics of national importance. These events involve scholars from a variety of disciplines, government officials, lawyers and the general public.
The Foundation has a plan to develop further as a network of constitutional experts, scholars, students, judges, policy makers and other concern individuals.
It intends in the long run to develop as a forum to introduce comparative constitutional and knowledge about comparative constitutional practices into Nepalese constitutional debate. In this regard it will also endeavor to promote a sound understanding of the constitutional systems of countries in the neighboring region, both in underlying and practical operation.
Through its publications, media, meetings, and dialogue among its members, it raises awareness of constitutional violations and how those conflicts might be resolved.
All persons who sincerely commit to defending their constitutions as originally understood are encouraged to associate themselves with the Foundation and actively engage in its program and events. The Foundation organizes local meetings in many places within the country. Local groups offer speakers, educational courses, seminars, and other opportunities for regional members to meet and collaborate. Local meetings give members a chance to interact with activists and experts to discuss how constitutional compliance might be achieved and maintained.
The Foundation has a plan to develop further as a network of constitutional experts, scholars, students, judges, policy makers and other concern individuals.
It intends in the long run to develop as a forum to introduce comparative constitutional and knowledge about comparative constitutional practices into Nepalese constitutional debate. In this regard it will also endeavor to promote a sound understanding of the constitutional systems of countries in the neighboring region, both in underlying and practical operation.
Through its publications, media, meetings, and dialogue among its members, it raises awareness of constitutional violations and how those conflicts might be resolved.
All persons who sincerely commit to defending their constitutions as originally understood are encouraged to associate themselves with the Foundation and actively engage in its program and events. The Foundation organizes local meetings in many places within the country. Local groups offer speakers, educational courses, seminars, and other opportunities for regional members to meet and collaborate. Local meetings give members a chance to interact with activists and experts to discuss how constitutional compliance might be achieved and maintained.
Current Priorities
The Foundation's priorities at this stage are to help the Constituent Assembly of Nepal to draft a new constitution for the country through technical assistance and policy recommendations. It will focus on providing assistance in writing the new constitution and complementing the process by interventions consisting of public lectures, conferences and publications. It will also serve as a clearing house for information and materials relevant to the Constituent Assembly for the jobs before it. The Foundation will help stimulate thinking about subject of constitutional concern under the proposed constitution from a variety of perspectives and disciplines.
Nepal Constitution Foundation considers it to be very important to archive or document all types of resources produced in Nepal after the 2008 elections to the Constituent Assembly regarding the ongoing constitution making exercises. This is necessary not just to preserve the constitutional debate for posterity, but also to make sure that the new constitution is understood with all its background materials and political discourses. This activity will promote the vitality of the new constitution, once it is promulgated.
Nepal Constitution Foundation considers it to be very important to archive or document all types of resources produced in Nepal after the 2008 elections to the Constituent Assembly regarding the ongoing constitution making exercises. This is necessary not just to preserve the constitutional debate for posterity, but also to make sure that the new constitution is understood with all its background materials and political discourses. This activity will promote the vitality of the new constitution, once it is promulgated.
Funding Arrangements
The Foundation at this stage does not have a very reliable funding base. It is run with the help of membership fee and contributions, and casual assistance from available donors.
It gratefully acknowledge the support that its service, research and education programs have received from various Foundations international donors, and from governmental bodies.
However, for the Foundation to continue and expand its important activities, it will require additional support.
The Foundation is therefore seeking contributions from the community, from corporations, and from organizations interested in our activities.
Individuals may give gifts in the form of stock, bequests and in-kind donations, as well as traditional monetary contributions.
It gratefully acknowledge the support that its service, research and education programs have received from various Foundations international donors, and from governmental bodies.
However, for the Foundation to continue and expand its important activities, it will require additional support.
The Foundation is therefore seeking contributions from the community, from corporations, and from organizations interested in our activities.
Individuals may give gifts in the form of stock, bequests and in-kind donations, as well as traditional monetary contributions.
Executive Board (September 2009 - August 2011)
Dr Bipin Adhikari, Chairperson
Mr. Bishweswar P. Bhandari, Vice-chairperson
Mr. Ganesh Datta Bhatta, General Secretary
Mr. Bhagwat Das Chaudhary, Secretary
Ms. Sabita Nakarmi, Treasurer
Dr. Bidhya Kishor Roy 'Bimal', Member
Ms. Pragya Basyal, Member
Mr. Bishweswar P. Bhandari, Vice-chairperson
Mr. Ganesh Datta Bhatta, General Secretary
Mr. Bhagwat Das Chaudhary, Secretary
Ms. Sabita Nakarmi, Treasurer
Dr. Bidhya Kishor Roy 'Bimal', Member
Ms. Pragya Basyal, Member
Contact Details
Nepal Constitution Foundation (NCF)
New Plaza, Putali Sadak
Kathmandu
Tel: 977 1 4410624, 4445210
Email: nepal.constitution.foundation@gmail.com
New Plaza, Putali Sadak
Kathmandu
Tel: 977 1 4410624, 4445210
Email: nepal.constitution.foundation@gmail.com
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