CHECK IT OUT! APASWE : No. 26 (2017)

No.26 (2017)  from President Office  August   2017
World Social Work Day 2017

Report on the Nepal Social Work Symposium 2017
Surendra Malla

Introduction
Nepal Social Work Symposium 2017 was held on June 26 and June 27 at Thames International College, Nepal within the auspices of World Social Work day 2017. With the same theme of Social Work Day 2017 “Promoting Community and Environmental Sustainability” which relates to the third pillar of the Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development.  The delegates included social work educators, social work practitioners, social work students and policy makers. Overall objective in this symposium was to give platform for people to work to create a better community, a better nation, and finally, a better world.

Panel Discussion on “Environment,Community Development and Sustainability”

Whereas this event is marked and celebrated by the global fraternity of social work educators, students and practitioners on the 21st of March 21 this year, the day was observed and celebrated during the symposium at Thames International College on June 26th and June 27th. This year’s theme for the World Social Work Day focused on approaches to environmental and community management that give people the quality of life they seek while protecting the environmental and community systems that are also the foundations of our well being. The message from the Nepal Social Work Symposium 2017 to mark World Social Work Day was from different sessions.

On the first day (June 26th), the inauguration speech was conducted by Mr. Nand Kishor Agrawal who is the programme coordinator of Himalayan Climate Change Adaptation Programme (HICAP), ICIMOD. After the inauguration speech, the panelists for panel discussion on “Environment, Community Development and Sustainability” were Mr. Nand Kishor Agrawal (Program Coordinator HICAP, ICIMOD), Ms. Iris Leikanger (Programme Officer, HICAP, ICIMOD) and Ms. Bindu Bhandari (ICIMOD Youth Forum Alumni, Vice President, CliMates). The panel discussion was moderated by Mr. Udayan Mishra (Knowledge Management and Networking Officer, ICIMOD).

On the topic “Role of Renewable Energy in Sustainable Development of Nepal”, Mr. Kushal Gurung (Founder and CEO of WindPower Nepal), shared the importance of renewable energy amongst all the participants.

The day ended with the topic “Dhulomandu and its solution” by Mr. Bhusan Tuladhar (Regional Technical Advisor, South Asia at UN-HABITAT)

On the second day (June 27th), Ms. Sanjeevani Yonzon (Program Manager of Wildlife Conservation Nepal) focused on the theme of World Social Work day with her experience from the field (Promoting Community and Environmental Sustainability: Experience from the Field).
“Community engagement for sustainability” was encouraged by Women Development Advocacy Center.
The 17 sustainable development goal was emphasized among the participants by Mr. Renaud Meyer (Country Director, UNDP Nepal) on the topic “Sustainable Development Goals”.

There were different stalls on both days. The stalls were of different varieties from SAATH, Autism Care, Burns Violence Survivors, Sabah Nepal and Women Development Advocacy Center. Sabah Nepal also had their food stall during the symposium. The book stalls were from Nepalaya, Fine prints and Quixote’s Cove.  

Conclusion

The symposium delegates appreciated the event and it was interactive among the participants. There was also questions and answers and a network to build more on the theme. The symposium focused on bringing together diverse groups of people who can work for the same cause.
Mr. Renaud Meyer, Country director of UNDP Nepal highlighting on the Sustainable Development Goals during the Symposium.
Ms. Sanjeevani Yonzon sharing her experience on “Promoting Community and Environmental Sustainabilit.”
Different stalls for a cause during the symposium.