The Bishops School La Jolla CA Frank Carr January 2013 2 USAID Rule of Law Project 2005 2007 Kathmandu NGO Improve the Rule of Law and Promote a Civil Society Facilitate the drafting of the Nepal Mediation Law ID: 650111
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NEPALThe Mountain Kingdom
The Bishop’s SchoolLa Jolla, CAFrank CarrJanuary 2013Slide2
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USAID Rule of Law Project2005 – 2007
Kathmandu NGOImprove the Rule of Law and Promote a Civil Society Facilitate the drafting of the Nepal Mediation LawConduct training programs for mediators (Commercial Sector)Work with the Nepal Supreme Court and Patan Appellate Court to establish a court-referred mediation program
17,000 cases pending at the Supreme Court of Nepal
Drafted Court “Rules of Procedure for Mediation”
Trained judges and court staff
Establish Mediation Centers
Promote the use of mediation in the business community, Bar Association, and Chamber of CommerceSlide3
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NEPAL PRESENTATION AGENDA
BACKGROUNDGeography/EconomicsHistory/PoliticsEthnic Groups/Religion
VISITING NEPAL
Tourism
Dining in Kathmandu
Travel TipsSlide4
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NEPAL
Part 1BackgroundSlide5
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Map of Nepal—South AsiaSlide6
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Map of Nepal--ElevationsSlide7
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ECONOMICS
Landlocked between two Asian powers - India and China (Tibet)Historically a trade route between these two countriesMountains cover 80% of Nepal
In Nepal, Himalayas are 500 miles long and 145 miles wide at widest
Greatest range of altitude on earth - from 100M to 8848M in about 125 miles.
Population
30 million people - 85% live in rural areas
Literacy rate is 49%
Annual Income
of $240/person makes Nepal one of the poorest countries in the world
Business
is concentrated on agriculture, tourism, and water supplySlide8
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ETHNIC GROUPS
PeoplesMosaic – over 60 ethnic groupsTibeto-Burmese people in the HimalayasThakalis, Tamangs, Gurungs, Magars, Newari and Rais/LimbusTibetan refugees
Principals
Co-existence
Tolerance (change – women’s rights)
Language
Many Languages and Dialects
Nepali
English Spoken
Slide9
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RELIGION
Hinduism – 81%Hindu castes: Brahman to “Untouchables”Buddhism – 13%System of Philosophy and Code of MoralityChristianity – 1%Visible in SchoolsIslam
– 4%
Border Area with India
Other
– 1%Slide10
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Religion - Hinduism
PolytheisticCycle of life, death and rebirth – KarmaOmnipresent GodShiva – destroyer and reproducerVishnu - preserver
Brahma
- creator
Ganesh
– God of prosperity and wisdom (elephant head)
Hanuman
– trustworthy God (monkey)
Vishnu Incarnations
– Ten lives Budda - TeacherSlide11
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Religion - Buddhism
Gautama BuddaIndia 6th Century BCAchieved enlightenmentThree Main SchoolsVajrayana (Nepal and Tibet)Dharma TeachingsKarma
Eye - symbol
Stupa –bell-shaped religious structureSlide12
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Past Political History
700 BC Kirati Hindu Kingdom – Mongoloid People300 BC Small Buddhist Kingdoms - India300 AD Hindu Kingdom1200 AD Golden Age of Mullas KingsMuslim Invasion
1769 Shah Kings - Unification
1767 - 1816 British East India Company
Constant warfare
1846 Rana rule as Prime Ministers
Constitutional Monarchy
1951 Shah Dynasty returns to power
Rana PM oustedSlide13
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Current Political History
1990 - Popular uprising - Constitutional Monarchy establishedKing Birendra, Parliament and CourtsConstitution of 9 November 1990Guarantees human rights
Abolished caste system
Numerous political parties arise
Various governments
1996 – “Maoist” Insurgency
2001 – Royal Massacre: Crown Prince kills royal family and himself
2005 – King Gyanendra: declares emergency/dissolves government
2006 – Popular Uprising/King deposed/Parliament restored
Currently – Unsettled
Maoist join government
Numerous governments
What to do with the former KingSlide14
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NEPAL
Part 2Visiting NepalSlide15
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TourismScheduled
Kathmandap “Temple of the Living Goddess” - balconyMount Everest Flight – weatherSwayambhunath – Buddhist Stupa “Monkey Temple”Pashupatinah – Shiva Hindu TempleBodhnath –StupaPatan – Museum and Museum CafeDurbar Square – Shopping
Unscheduled
Tamel – Shopping for crafts
Pushapti Temle and Crematorium
Royal Museum – Former residence of KingSlide16
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Dining in Kathmandu
Hotel Breakfast and varietyBottled waterStreet VendorsAvoidNepali Food and Culture Experience
Interesting
Cafes and Restaurants
Guide
Bottled water
Indian Restaurants
Numerous - Curry and rice
International – Interesting and affordable
Fire and Ice – Thamel District Entrance - Very good pizza - Foreigners
Rumdoodle – Thamel District Inside – Good meat and pasta – Trekkers hangoutSlide17
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Travel Tips#1 Preparation
Read the Information PacketExcellent AdviceHealthFoodMoneyATM PasswordNotice to credit card company
Shots and Medication
Cipro
CommunicationsSlide18
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Travel Tips#2 Environment
SmogIf you have a breathing issue, be preparedRoving BlackoutsSmall flashlight at nightCleanlinessHand sanitizerBandt
General strike
Tires burning
Easy to avoidSlide19
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Travel Tips#3 Safety
Crime is very lowSecure your passport and moneyPickpockets at PatanStreet sellers
Be alert
Traffic
Cars, mini-buses, taxis, mopeds, bicycles, and animals
Monkeys
Extremely Aggressive and protected
Do not feed
Do not carry food when touring a site with monkeys
Take off watches and jewelrySlide20
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Travel Tips#4 Shopping
HotelGift shops are priciestThamelSmall business shopsCrafts, jewelry, carpets, pashmina, tea, spices, and tee-shirts
Patan
Shops, street vendors, and individuals
Rules for Shopping
Never pay the original price
Negotiate
Walk
Negotiate
Enjoy the experienceSlide21
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Travel Tips#5 Have Fun
Experience the Nepali cultureTaste the different foodsEnjoy the sightsMeet the wonderful people of NepalNamasteSlide22
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Current Political Situation
Constitutional AssemblyAppointed in 2008 to draft democratic constitution – failedParliamentInterim 2007: Former members (208), Maoists (83), Civil Society (48)Dissolved todayPolitical parties 9 (2008) to 30+ (2013)Nepal Supreme Court
Justices 26 (2008) to 6 (2013)
No parliament = no appointment process
Royal Family
Former King – Resides in Nepal/Crown Prince – Exile in Thailand
Mediation Law – Passed by Parliament
Women’s Rights
Interim Constitution of 2007 – equality a fundamental right
Gender Equality Act – repelled discriminatory lawsDomestic Violence Prohibition Act – protection from domestic violenceSlide23
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QUESTIONS