Consortium Nepal with the support of Save the Children International conducted the four days Capacity building workshop for National Child Advocacy Council members. Various activities were conducted with the aim of enhancing the capacity of National Child Advocacy Council members. They were orient about the meaning of National Child Advocates Council as well as their roles and responsibilities by activist Milan Dharel. Legal expertise Indhu Tuladhar interacted with the members of the council on the issue of children in the constitution, laws and laws. Similarly, Saroj KC on behalf of Save the Children spoke about the importance of advocacy, why it is necessary for children to advocate and its dimensions. Consortium Nepal’s program coordinator Gaurav K.C discussed about child participation and its nine principles along with the introduction of Consortium Nepal. Past president of Consortium Nepal, Mohan Dangal, gave a presentation on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. NCAC member interact with senior management team of World Vision International. During the interaction, the members of the National Child Advocacy Council, facilitated by Santosh Maharjan, Chairman of Consortium Nepal, expressed their views. The children raised questions such as how to ensure children’s participation in projects run by World Vision International, how to ensure children’s child safety, and how they can cooperate with the National Child Advocacy Council.
Child rights activists Chandrika Khatiwada and Rabin Nepali gave their presentation about the Child-Parent Facilitation Guidelines. Similarly, Vice President of Consortium Nepal Pradeep Lamichhane discussed about sustainable development goals.
At the closing ceremony of the workshop, members of the National Child Advocacy Council interacted with the federal parliamentarians. Honorable Mahesh Bertaula, from CPN-UML, Santosh Chalise, who is also the Chairman of the Finance Committee from Nepali Congress, and Kalpana Mian from CPN-Maoist were present in the program. During the interaction, the children raised questions such as budget reduction in mid-day meals, children not being involved in planning, how much has been invested in children during budget preparation, and re-integration of children from alternative care.