About Project Sambaad

Project Sambaad is a collaborative platform hosted by a group of Nepali institutions, designed to promote in-depth conversations that critically examine Nepali society and its policy-making space. This initiative seeks to explore broad, impactful questions, contributing to a wider dialogue on the politics and development of Nepal and the South Asia region.


The inaugural event is scheduled for March 14 and 15, 2024, in Kathmandu. Participants will convene at Hotel Himalaya, Kupondole, for two days of immersive conversations, which will be made accessible to a larger audience of enthusiasts through a live YouTube broadcast.

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Collaborators

March 14 - Day 1

08:30 am

Registration

09:00 am - 10:30 am

(Rethinking) Nepal's Development Narratives:

Exploring Past, Present, and Future Perspectives

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Arpita Nepal

Advisor

Samriddhi Foundation

Ajaya Dixit

Advisor

ISET-N

Satish Joshi

Partner

Vrock and Company

10:30 am - 11:00 am

Coffee Break

11:00 am - 12:30 pm

The Present and Future of Journalism in Nepal:

Adapting to a Changing Media Ecosystem

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Durga Karki

Program Officer International IDEA

12:30 pm - 01:30 pm

Lunch Break

01:30 pm - 03:00 pm

Between Rhetoric and Reality:

An Evidence-Based Conversation on the State of Nepal's Labor Migration

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Amina Maharjan

Senior Specialist

ICIMOD

Slesh Shrestha

Independent Researcher

Sadikshya Bhattarai

Research Coordinator

Social Science Baha/CESLAM

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How to Align in a Multipolar World Order:

The Choices for Small States

(Roundtable Discussion: Pre-Event Registration Required)

Note: This event will not be broadcasted online.

Paras Kharel

Executive Director

South Asia Watch on Trade, Economics, and Environment

Amish Raj Mulmi

Author

All Roads Lead North

[Regional Participants]

Dilrukshi Handunnetti

Co-founder/DIrector

Center for Investigative Reporting

Sri Lanka

Pankaj Sharan

Convenor

Natstrat

India

Towfiqul Islam Khan

Senior Research Fellow

Center for Policy Dialogue

Bangladesh

Supported by:

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03:00 pm - 03:30 pm

Coffee Break

03:30 pm - 05:00 pm

Where Rubber Meets the Road:

The Ground Realities of Doing Business in Nepal

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Samiksha Rai

CEO

Pack My Lunch

Shabda Gyawali

Investment Director

Dolma Impact Fund

Anup Upreti

Managing Partner

Pioneer Law Associates

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Identifying the Space for Civil Society in South Asia

(Roundtable Discussion: Pre-Event Registration Required)

Note: This event will not be broadcasted online.

Srabani Roy

Strategic Group Lead - Resilient Mountain Economies and Landscapes Resilient, ICIMOD

Sagar Prasai

Independent Researcher

(Regional Participants)

Supported by:

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March 15 - Day 2

01:00 pm

Registration

01:30 pm - 03:00 pm

Federalism: Are We Really Serious About It?

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Deependra Chaulagain

Director of Operations Samriddhi Foundation

03:00 pm - 03:30 pm

Coffee Break

03:30 pm - 05:00 pm

Debate Motion: Secularism is a force for good for Nepali society and for Nepali democracy

Note: This event has been cancelled.

Hari Sharma

Executive Director

Purak Asia

Dipak Gyawali

Pragya

Nepal Academy of Science and Technology

Anurag Acharya

Director

Policy Entrepreneurs, Inc

05:00 pm - 05:30 pm

Coffee Break

03:30 pm - 05:00 pm

Unpacking the Paradoxes of Nepali Society:

A Reflection through the Sambaads

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J.B. Bishwakarma

Chairperson

Dignity Initiative

Nisha Onta

Executive Director

Governance Lab

Saumitra Neupane

Executive Director

Policy Entrepreneurs, Inc.

05:00 pm - Onwards

Cocktail Reception/Networking

Organizing Team

Coordinator: Nirjan Rai

Operations Coordinator: Shreeya Rana

Administration in Charge: Dheeraj Jung Gurung

Finance in Charge: Samjhana Budhathoki

Communications Coordinator: Khushi Hang Rai

A/V Production Coordinator: Hridesh Sapkota

Contact Us

For any queries, please contact Shreeya Rana

shreeya.rana@pei.center