The eight days ToT was divided into two modules: five days of non violent conflict transformation module provided by Mr. Iswor Koirala and Mr. Prakash Bhattarai from the Centre for Peacebuilding and Reconciliation Promotion (CPRP), and three days on training and facilitation provided by Mr. Raj Bahadur Giri from the Kathmandu Training Center (KTC). Other attractions for the training were a session by Ms. Sagun Basnet from Equal Access on gender and peacebuilding and a story telling session by mountaineer Da dendi Sherpa who has climbed the Mount Everest four times.

The major subjects discussed in this training were (a) understanding conflict (b) conflict analysis (c) a framework for conflict transformation (d) intervention through action (e) moving towards dialogue and (f) principles, methods and techniques of trainings.

Participants after receiving certificates pose for a group phototraph.

The major Learning objectives set were to (a) assist the participants to acquire appropriate knowledge, skills, behaviours and attitudes useful in nonviolent conflict transformation (b) provide the participants opportunities to develop their capacities and own personal styles as trainers in nonviolent conflict transformation (c) learn from the exchange of experiences with other members of COCAP’s network. Also, the training provided opportunities to establish partnerships for future training and capacity building activities.

The interactive and practical approach of the training has facilitated an environment to implement the newly acquired skills in their professional work. After the training, the participants have registered with COCAP’s roster for trainers in nonviolent conflict transformation. In the near future, COCAP is looking forward to partnering with these resource persons to train other members in nonviolent conflict transformation as well as facilitation and training skills.

During the discussion a district level youth network was also formed under the coordination of COCAP Core Group Coordinator Pravu Nidhi Pant. Altogether 15 youths of different organizations participated in the program.

Two core group volunteers presented a paper which discussed about the historical background of indigenous people, Indigenous nationalities of Nepal, population of indigenous people, and ILO 169. Participants raised questions based on the paper and the resource person Bijaya Woli replied to the queries.

The program aimed at making rigorous discussion on the bill on enforced disappearance and to understand the concerns of the families of disappeared citizens. A paper was presented followed by discussion among the participants. 70 persons from different group of victims, civil society, lawyers, human rights activists and from the 6 districts of Midwestern Region participated in the conference.

At the end of the conference, 18-point recommendations to the concerned authorities were made to make amendments in the bill.

The main objectives of the program were to aware concerned stakeholders on need and importance of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission for Transitional Justice; pressurize to form Truth and Reconciliation Commission and to develop common understanding on Transitional Justice and Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

After Lili Prasad Sapkota presented a paper, floor was open for intensive discussion and Gajendra Acharya gave comments on the paper. Similarly, political and civil society leaders delivered speech on the conference. The program was successful in informing the people of the district about the importance of social security.

Speaking at the program Koirala expressed his concern towards the brain drain. Similarly, Federation of Nepalese Journalists, Kaski branch secretary Deependra Shrestha requested all youths to make their self identity and utilize their capacity in nation building. Associate Professor of Gandaki Medical College, Dr. Badri Paudel also encouraged youths to go ahead to achieve their goals. To pressurize the constituent assembly to include youths’ voice in the new Constitution, a Symbolic Pen was handed over to the Chief District Officer. During the informal session of the program, various cultural programs were performed. COCAP volunteers also performed their talents from the stage.

Similarly, COCAP Eastern Regional Secretariat and other youth organizations jointly organized a regional youth festival on August 6-12, 2010 in Biratnagar. Sries of activities including walkathon, inter-college debate competition, interaction with district level political parties, blood donation, exhibition, and parallel discussion programs were organized the youth week. COCAP mobilized more than 15 volunteers to make the programs successful.

Volunteers of Far Western Regional Secretariat also celebrated 11^th International youth day in coordination with different youth organization in Mahendranagar on August 12, 2010. A mega discussion program was organized by the District Youth Network, formed under the coordination of COCAP Core group coordinator. CDO of Kanchanpur was chief guest of the program and he said that government should make proper policy for the youth. Altogether 91 youths participated in the program.

The major learning objective of the three day residential course was to make participants aware of the most important aspects around the terms ‘conflict’ and ‘violence’. In particular, it aimed at sharpening the skills and knowledge of the volunteers related to the following topics: definitions, theories and models of peace, conflict and violence; conflict transformation concepts, models and theories and conflict analysis. Special emphasis was put on perception and factors affecting perception, causes and stages of conflict, empathy, conflict analysis tools, differences between violence and conflict, nonviolence and peacebuilding.

At the end of the training program, the participants had gained an overview of methods and theories in conflict transformation, were able to analyze and understand conflicts and to identify entry points for interventions.

Altogether, 21 participants including the representatives of GOs, NGOs and political parties, human rights activists and conflict victims participated in the program. They discussed about the relief package to conflict victims and also expressed commitment to help the victims in all possible ways. The dialogue ended with a conclusion that sustainable peace is not possible in Nepal until the transitional justice is provided and human rights situation improves.

The program was inaugurated by all the participants by making a human chain to pressurize the concerned stakeholders to form TRC. Advisor of CYC and senior advocate Padmanath Sharma chaired the program. After the welcoming remarks by CYC Chairperson Chandi Prasad Sharma, advocate Kaji Gaunle presented paper on, “TRC and Transitional Justice”. The paper focused on the concept of TRC, impunity and importance of the commission in the present context of Nepal.

After Shrestha’s presentation, Advocate and Lecturer Kapil Mani Dahal presented his paper on, “Need of Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Present Transitional Period in Nepal”. Analyzing the political background of Nepal, Dahal talked on why transitional justice is an important aspect of peace-building in the country. He also explained about the scope, rights, and responsibilities of the commission. After the presentation of the two papers, the floor was opened for the participants. 15 participants from different backgrounds (Political Parties, Civil Society, Governmental and Non Governmental Organizations and others) expressed their views as well as made queries on the papers.

After then, both the paper presenters, simultaneously, answered the queries raised by the participants. Similarly, all the participants were distributed meta-cards to write on their views on what should be our efforts for the formation and effectiveness of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. After the collection of views, the program ended with the closing remarks by the Chairperson.