Lalitpur: President of the NGO Federation of Nepal, Arjun Bhattarai, has emphasized the necessity of a robust civic campaign to fortify democracy. He argued that a weakened civil society leads to a compromised democratic system.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Bhattarai articulated these views during the ‘On-Boarding Ceremony and Strategy Launch’ organized by the NGO Federation in Lalitpur. Highlighting the global trend of shrinking civic spaces, Bhattarai asserted that the NGO Federation would spearhead a campaign to invigorate civil society organizations (CSOs) in Nepal. He stressed the critical role civil society plays in monitoring political parties and the broader system to safeguard human rights and uphold democratic values.
Bhattarai further highlighted the historical significance of civil society in bolstering democracy in Nepal. He emphasized that transparency and accountability are crucial for establishing good governance, which serves as the foundation for a functional democracy. He also insisted that CSOs themselves must adhere to transparency. As the head of Nepal’s civil society organizations, Bhattarai announced a recent initiative by the NGO Federation to advocate for the economic rights of the Nepali people through the promotion of social entrepreneurship.
Expressing concern over surveillance efforts on CSOs by the Home Ministry, Bhattarai reiterated the necessity for CSOs to remain transparent, while underscoring their role as pillars of democracy. He also called for the engagement of the new generation in social movements and alerted the Nepalese government about potential economic challenges following the country’s graduation from the Least Developed Countries (LDC) category.
Immediate past president of the NGO Federation, Ram Prasad Subedi, also spoke at the event, stating that individuals from rural areas can perform effectively if given responsibility. He emphasized the importance of CSOs maintaining a focus on broader democratic causes rather than political ideologies. Subedi called on the government to acknowledge and respect civic space and urged for political accountability.
During the ceremony, Subedi transferred responsibilities to the new committee led by Bhattarai. The newly elected office bearers and members of the NGO Federation received certificates from the election committee. General Secretary Devi Khadka echoed the sentiment that the civil society movement must persist to enhance Nepal’s democratic system and governance.
The NGO Federation also introduced short and long-term strategies, a policy brief on ‘Strategic CSO Partnerships for SDG: Financial in the Context of Nepal’s LDC Graduation,’ and an adaptation guide for Nepal’s LDC graduation. Several national and international organizations supporting the NGO Federation were honored at the event.
The new committee of the NGO Federation was elected through a general convention held on March 27-28, 2025.