Environmental Peacebuilding in Nepal
Promoting Intergenerational Dialogue and Collective Civic Action for Environmental Peacebuilding in Nepal
OVERVIEW
Through this project, we are aiming to explore the intersection of environment, peace, and civic engagement in Nepal, focusing on how communities can address ecological challenges through peaceful means. Centered around the theme of environmental peacebuilding, the initiative facilitates intergenerational dialogues and encourages collective civic action as tools for building resilience and social harmony in the face of environmental stressors.
The key objective of our ongoing project is to foster understanding between generations on environmental and governance issues, to build community capacities for resolving resource-based conflicts nonviolently, and to promote inclusive civic participation, especially of marginalized voices, in environmental decision-making.
For the first phase of our pilot project, we completed a desk review of the existing national and international laws, policies, guidelines, and regulatory frameworks that address environmental issues and conflicts. Specific conflict-prone environmental areas were identified, and a tool to map environmental violence was constructed. Experts were also consulted to guide the design and refinement of the tool.
Currently, we are organizing interactive youth workshops and in-depth interviews to explore the current and historical environmental scenarios in the Madhesh, Koshi, and Lumbini provinces. Young participants at these locations are providing their insights and experiences on environmental violence and the prospects for peacebuilding through Environmental Violence Mapping Workshops.
