Kathmandu, Nepal – August 19, 2024: On the occasion of World Humanitarian Day, a coalition of social impact organizations came together to host the prestigious Human Harmony Conference & Awards at Manang Hotel in Thamel, Kathmandu. The event, organized by Human Harmony Nepal, Project 100, Society Development Service Centre, and Prahar, aimed to foster a harmonious, prosperous, and climate-resilient future for Nepal.
The day commenced with a warm welcome from Miss Clara Bader, the Acting President of Human Harmony, who flew in from Germany to lead the opening of the conference. In her address, she extended heartfelt greetings to the esteemed panelists, dignitaries, and participants from across the globe, acknowledging their contributions as leaders in their respective industries. Attendees included representatives from governments, the private sector, non-profits, academia, and individual leaders in politics and development sectors.
The event’s Chief Guest, Hon. Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi, Minister of Women, Children, and Senior Citizens, Government of Nepal, delivered an impactful speech. In his speech, he emphasized the urgent need to create more opportunities for women and children and to ensure a secure future for senior citizens in Nepal. Drawing from his previous role as Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, he also highlighted the importance of building climate resilience to establish more opportunities in the country’s industries, securing a better future for all Nepalese.
Setting the tone for the day, Miss Prena Parajuli, the Executive Head of Project 100 Nepal, shared the larger vision of Project 100. She outlined the organization’s aspirations for Nepal, focusing on fostering foreign partnerships, attracting domestic as well as international investors, and bolstering Nepal’s industries and entrepreneurship. Her vision for economic growth and empowerment of the Nepalese people was well received by the present government authorities, private sector leaders, and the development sector from Nepal and abroad.
The conference featured three pivotal panel discussions, moderated by Mr. Yashashvi Mukesh, CEO of Project 100 Global. The first panel, titled “Cross-Border Harmony – A Cornerstone for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals,” explored the essential role of regional cooperation and international partnerships in driving sustainable development and enhancing prosperity. The panel included notable figures such as H.E. Dr. Dnyaneshwar Manohar Mulay (Former Diplomat and Secretary at Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India), H.E. Dr. Ram Bhakt Thakur (Senior Diplomat and Former Nepal’s Ambassador to Egypt), and H.E. Navraj Subedi (Former Nepal’s Ambassador to Saudi Arabia). The discussion delved into the foreign relations Nepal shares with its neighbors and how strengthening these relationships can unlock new opportunities for development.
The second panel, “Unlocking Sectoral Opportunities – Creating a Prosperous Nepal through Foreign Investment,” focused on strategies to attract foreign investment, foster sectoral growth, and position Nepal as a hub for sustainable economic development. Key sectors discussed included tourism, renewable energy, information technology, civil aviation, and entrepreneurship. The panel featured industry leaders such as Mrs. Yankila Sherpa (Former Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation), Mr. Yograj Khanel (CEO, Guna Airlines), and Mr. Yagya Prasad Neupane (Chairman, Nepal Aushadhi Ltd, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Supplies, Government of Nepal). The panel highlighted the immense opportunities these sectors hold for uplifting the economy and creating jobs for Nepal’s labor force and youth.
The third panel, “Empowering the Next Generation – Strengthening Institutions and Capacities for Youth Leadership in Nepal,” discussed the importance of including youth voices in decision-making processes and building robust institutions to empower children and youth as future leaders. The panelists included Sagar Koirala (Regional Focal Point – Asia-Pacific, United Nations Major Group for Children and Youth), Ms. Manusi Yami Bhattarai (Prominent Nepalese Scholar and Youth Leader), and Ms. Yajaswi Rai (National Coordinator, Youth Congress Nepal, Steering Committee Member, Intergenerational Feminist Forum). This discussion emphasized the criticality of youth leadership and the need for stronger regulations aligned with the aspirations of the youth, addressing the social and emotional fabric strained by youth migration.
The conference also brought together leaders from diverse sectors who shared their insights and experiences. Prominent speakers included Mr. Kumar Rakesh (Editorial Chairman, Global Governance News Group, New Delhi), Mr. Janak Kumar Bora (Mayor of Budhinanda, Sudarpaschim), Ms. Ekrah Ndungu (Kenyan Educationist and Entrepreneur), Mr. Krishna Hari Maharjan (Mayor of Tarkeshwar, Kathmandu), Mr. Bhim Bahadur Khadka, Dr. Arun Sawant, Dr. S.P Singh, Mr. Ezekial Mutua, and many more.
In addition to the discussions, the event celebrated and recognized global leaders making significant impacts in various sectors, aligning with the philosophy of Project 100 and Human Harmony. These leaders were honored with the Human Harmony Award by the Chief Guest, Hon. Nawal Kishor Sah Sudi.
The Human Harmony Awards were conferred on Dr. Arunima, Prof. Dr. DK Sinha, Dr. Ekrah Ndungu, Florence Wairimu Karue, Mr. Praveen, Sayda Kamrun Jahan, Anita Santosh Tilve, Dr. Ezekiel Mutua, Dr. Ashutosh Naik, Naeem Sirajuddin Tirmizi, Md. Anwaruzzaman Azad, Nitya Ranjan Doley, Bina Shah, Saroja Ghimere (Budthapa), and Subash Singh Parajuli.
As the inaugural discussion by the newly established Project 100 Nepal, this conference has set a strong narrative and direction for the development of Nepal and other South Asian economies, with a larger vision of stronger South-South relations and prosperous Global South.
