Provincial Discussion Program on the Civic Place of Children: Current Status and Future Directions

The Regional Discussion Program on the Civic Place of Children on 2nd May 2025 in Biratnagar was a landmark program to recognize and motivate the civic contribution of children, especially those from marginalized groups and Dalit communities. Structured as a safe, child-friendly space, the event became a platform for children to voice out their concerns, narrate their experiences, and engage in constructive conversation about their rights, duties, and roles in society. Held under the charge of MC Sostika Sharma, the program saw interactive exercises, group discussions, and direct interaction with stakeholders, fostering child-led advocacy and participation in local governance. The event also reflected broader developments in Nepal’s civic space, which, since the 2015 Constitution, offers guarantees of freedom of expression, association, and assembly. Despite these constitutional protections and growing civil society engagement, groups excluded from the beginning like children are still kept out of full civic participation. Encouragingly, pathways like child clubs, youth networks, and child-initiated Universal Periodic Review (UPR) processes are amplifying youth voices and deepening inclusive democracy. This initiative was a giant leap towards the recognition of children as active citizens whose opinions matter in the shaping of present and future leadership.