Gandaki Province Youth Conference 2083 Concludes, Joint Declaration Issued Prioritizing Six Key Areas
The “Gandaki Province Youth Conference 2083” has concluded in Pokhara with the participation of young people from all 11 districts of Gandaki Province. The conference made public a joint declaration prioritizing six different areas.
Padam Raj Pahari, Chairperson of the NGO Federation Gandaki, said the declaration was issued after discussions jointly organized by the NGO Federation of Nepal and the Youth Campaign. Inaugurating the program, Gandaki Province Government Minister for Social Development Rekha Gurung said the government has prioritized youth-focused programs in the current fiscal year.
The public declaration has put forward key demands including digital security and equitable access to technology, free, technology-friendly and vocational education up to the secondary level, climate justice and disaster management, and meaningful participation of youth in decision-making processes. The youth representatives urged the expansion of high-speed internet from remote mountain regions of the province to all rural municipalities, compulsory education in AI, digital marketing and digital literacy from the school level, and the formulation of laws on digital rights and privacy.
Similarly, the declaration has demanded the arrangement of at least one licensed psychosocial counselor in every local level and allocation of at least five percent of the provincial health budget to mental health. It also includes suggestions to introduce initial tax exemptions, concessional loans, and new models of employment to encourage youth-friendly enterprises based on local production.
The declaration expresses commitment to promoting ecotourism, rafting, rock climbing, and local culture-based startups in tourist areas such as Annapurna, Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, Mustang, Bandipur, and Ghandruk. It also mentions that youth will take the lead in conserving watersheds and lakes such as Phewa, Begnas, Rupa, Dumba, Tilicho, and Gangapurna, supporting community-based tourism in Nepal.
Youth representatives participating in the program demanded at least 20 percent inclusive representation of youth in decision-making and planning committees at the local, provincial, and federal levels. In addition, they demanded arrangements for open government data, a youth information portal, and citizen monitoring.
The declaration also calls for cooperation in building inclusive governance, speedy justice, and a corruption-free society.
School News Education News