07/08/2026
Youth Participation in Inclusive Urban Governance: Policy Dialogue
On 6 August 2026, Lumanti Support Group for Shelter, in collaboration with Kathmandu University, successfully organized a half-day Policy Dialogue on "Youth Participation in Inclusive Urban Governance"
The dialogue brought together youth representatives from Dharan, Jeetpursimara, and Kalaiya, along with policymakers, local government representatives, researchers, academia, NGOs/INGOs, civic media practitioners, and planning experts to discuss policy reforms for strengthening meaningful youth participation in urban governance.
The programme featured welcome remarks by Gujeshwori Shrestha, Chairperson of LUMANTI, followed by a presentation from Prof. Dr. Chandra Lal Pandey on the findings of the YCIV Action Research Project. Nitesh Limbhu, Vice Chairperson of Yuwa Aawaj Nepal, Dharan shared inspiring reflections on youth leadership, digital media, and community action.
The panel discussion, chaired by Prof. Dr. Chandra Lal Pandey, Kathmandu University, featured insightful deliberations by Gehanath Gautam, Administrative Head, National Youth Council, Bhuwan Rai, Women Development Officer, Social Development Division of Dharan Sub Metropolitan City, Alina Kumari Tamrakar, Executive member, Baakhan Nyane waa and Shantiram Rai, President, Yuwa Aawaj Nepal, Dharan. The session was moderated by Ananta Raj Bajracharya, Information and Documentation Coordinator, LUMANTI. The discussion explored ways to institutionalize youth participation in local governance and promote collaborative, evidence-based policy reforms for more inclusive and responsive urban governance in Nepal.
The event was organized under the “Co-Constructing ‘Neighbourhoods Fit for Diverse Young People’: Civic Media Technologies for Equitable Urban Governance” (YCIV) Action Research Project, led in Nepal by Lumanti Support Group for Shelter in partnership with Kathmandu University and The University of Sheffield, with support from the Asian Coalition for Housing Rights (ACHR).
