On April 20, 2023, I organized a research workshop on Local Environmental Peacebuilding in Nepal, jointly with the Hiroshima University Scholars’ Alumni Nepal (HiUSAN) and the Department of Conflict, Peace and Development Studies at Tribhuvan University (TU). The full report can be read at the Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS) website.

The workshop was covered by New Spotlight, a premier news magazine that provides the latest development trends, news, in-depth analysis and ideas about Nepal’s national issues. Read more about the write-up here.

43 participants from 18 academic institutions/government agencies/think-tanks/NGOs came together to discuss the challenges and opportunities for achieving peace and environmental sustainability in Nepal.

  • Mr Ganesh Shah, Former Minister for Environment, Science and Technology of Nepal, speaks with Dr Dahlia Simangan of NERPS, Hiroshima University before the Opening Session
  • Mr Ganesh Shah, Former Minister for Environment, Science and Technology of Nepal, delivers his keynote speech.
  • Prof Dr Kushum Shakya, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Tribhuvan University, welcomes the workshop participants.
  • Presentation 1: Dr Prakash Bhattarai of the Centre for Social Change on “Governance Conflicts in Federal Nepal: Prospect for Peacebuilding”
  • Presentation 3: Dr Bishnu Raj Upreti of Nepal Centre for Contemporary Research (NCCR) on “Urgency Warranted: Widening Understanding and Expanding Concerted Action in Environmental Peace building”
  • Presentation 4: Prof Dr Vishnu Prasad Pandey of Tribhuvan University on “From Water Conflict to Water Cooperation: Opportunities for Nepal”
  • Presentation 5: Mr Pitambar Aryal of the Institute of Crisis Management Studies on “Climate Change: Occurrence of Disaster Events and their Impact on Nepalese Society”
  • Presentation 6: Mr Aarogya Dahal of Kathmandu University on “Change in Water Consumption Pattern in Urban Area and its Effects on Socio-Cultural Values of Hiti”
  • Presentation 7: Mr Riyaz Karki of Peace Perspectives on “Local Manifestations of Positive Peace and Environmental Sustainability: Evidence from Nepal”
  • Presentation 8: Prof Dr Naresh Rimal of the Armed Police Forces Nepal Command and Staff College on “Silent and ecological cries in Nepal’s cultural pain”
  • Presentation 2: Prof Dr Pitambar Bhandari of Tribhuvan University on “Factors Affecting Peace & Sustainability in Post-conflict Federal Practice in Nepal”

Purpose of the Workshop: Environmental peacebuilding is a set of conflict-sensitive approaches to managing environmental issues. It encompasses the technical reduction of environmental scarcity and degradation, the restorative potential of biophysical environments, and equitable resource distribution for sustainable peace and development. While it provides the conceptual lens for understanding peace-promoting practices amidst environmental issues, environmental peacebuilding approaches are generally focused on macro-level and top-down efforts. More research is needed to better understand the local dynamics and bottom-up approaches to environmental peacebuilding. This workshop aims to highlight everyday practices of environmental peacebuilding in local communities affected by water-related conflicts and security issues, such as in Nepal. Workshop participants from academic, government, and development sectors are encouraged to answer the question: how do ordinary people disrupt environmental conflicts to maintain peace in their everyday lives? Click here for the agenda.