Global Forum against Caste Based Discrimination (GFACD) convened an interactive discussion session titled, “Ending Untouchability and Caste Based Discrimination: The Role of Non-Resident Nepalese” on 12 October, 2017 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The program was accomplished amidst a congregation of wider groups of stakeholders that included prominent CSO leaders, Dalit human rights defenders, academia, media, NRN delegates, representatives of political parties together with GFAD leadership. Altogether 102 participants attended the program. Mr. Tirtha Barma (Bishwakarma) president of Global Forum presented entitle a paper on the role of NRNs in ending untouchability and caste based discrimination. The paper also covered discussion on how NRNs could contribute to the overall development of Dalit community of Nepal who lie at the bottom of socio-economic ladder of the country. Mr. Barma argued that NRNA should reform its structures, policies and functioning to make them friendly to 4.5 million Dalits of Nepal, and accordingly it should devise programs and allocate

The interaction program was organized on the context of 8th celebration of the Non- Resident Nepalese which is held in every two years. Since NRNs from Dalit community have migrated to worldwide, particularly in the recent years; the central idea of this program was to facilitate discussion on what could be the roles of  resources targeting to their all-round progression. Furthermore, he urged that NRNA should turn as a common platform of all – including of the lower and middle class NRNs, not only of a handful of elites and capitalists. Meanwhile, he briefly shed light on the objectives and roles of Global Forum as a global organization dedicated to advocating for the protection and promotion of Dalit’s rights, situation and condition. At the end of his speech, Mr. Barma informed that Global Forum would develop a comprehensive memorandum based on the discussions of this interaction program, and present the same to the NRNA’s ICC and NCCs in all 77 countries of the world. Dalit civil society organizations namely Dr. Taralal Shrestha, Dr. Man Bahadur Bishwakarma (Joint Secretary of the Government of Nepal), and Mr. Ram Lakhan Harijan (Chair of Dalit NGO Federation) took time and floor to speak on the agenda of the day. Mr. TB Karki who had nominated candidacy for the position of Chair of NRNA in its forthcoming election, as a key speaker, was invited to deliver his speech around commitments and responses to the concerns of the participants. the main technical session then was opened up seeking comments, feedback, inputs and suggestions on the paper, as well as inviting participants to raise their concerns and queries if any. Quite a number of participants namely Saru Sunar, Tej Sunar, Mohan Bishwakarma, Yuba Raj Darnal, Bhakta Bishwakarma, Trilok Chand Bishwas BK, Chakraman Bishwakarma, Bhadraman Mote, Devika Mijar, Bishwas Khadkathoki, Rajan Bishwakarma, Rajendra Bishwakarma, Hira Bishwakarma, Sitaram Ghale Pariyar, Dhan Bahadur Mijar, Ekraj Lakandri, Bharan Nepali, Sahek Bishwakarma, Gopal Bishwakarma, Ganesh Kaliraj, among others took floor to offer their comments and provide insights on the possible roles of NRNs in abolishing untouchability and caste-based discrimination. Meanwhile NRN delegates Mr. Navaraj BK (Qatar), Mr. Nabin Bishwakarma (China), Ms. Anita Pariyar (Sri Lanka), were invited to put their opinions on the central topic of the discussion program. Similarly, a few members of Nepalese intellectual, government office holders, and leaders of The entire program was aired live through radiohimalaya.com – an online radio network, as volunteered by Mr. Buddhi Bishwakarma, Coordinator of the radio. (Please see annex for specific agendas presented to NRNs)