Standing up for the young | Feature

On 23 October, the United Nations Country Team (UNCT) officially announced the members of the United Nations Youth Advisory Panel (UNYAP), the first ever panel created by the UN solely for the youth. Bringing together different youth leaders from diverse sectors, the panel is formed to represent us - the youth of Nepal. Through this panel, the members hope to bring out the voices of the youth to the UN, the government and other respective bodies. They hope that through their experience and their passion to help the youth, they can have a positive influence and an effective role in changing policies in the country that directly effect the lives of people here in Nepal. They will also work for the effective implementation of the Millenium Development Goals. While it is hard not be sceptical of how yet another youth panel could effectively change lives without being just another formal show-piece, this is a step. Only time will tell how this body will bring about difference in our lives and efficiently solve many burning issues. Here is an introduction on each of the members chosen to represent the youth of Nepal:

Gayatri Shah, 26

IMAGES: ANUP PRAKASH
As a Madhesi female who is the youngest member of the Constitution Assembly, Gayatri Shah knows how difficult it is to overcome major obstacles and discrimination in society. She believes that politics equals power and power equals change in society, which is why she became involved in politics. As she has won many battles to have her voice heard in politics and in society, she believes that anything is possible for the youth of Nepal if they are willing to fight for what they believe in. Currently doing her masters in Political science at Padma Kanya, she juggles both her education and political career as a CA member and sub-secretary of her party, Nepali Janata Dal. Along with that, she is a dedicated social activist who has worked with NGO 's such as Jay Janata training Welfare council.

Kabindra Burlakoti, 28

An enthusiastic and dedicated youth advocator, Kabindra is the president of All Youth Organisation Nepal (AYON), a youth organisation that looks after various youth clubs in Nepal. Through AYON, which has a mass coverage in Nepal, youths from all over the country participate in activities such as music and entertainment. Also, a member of the drafting committee of the National Youth Policy 2064, he hopes UNYAP will be another means to make policies youth-friendly in Nepal. He is optimistic that this panel will be effective in solving various issues that affect the youth of Nepal such as employment. With the lack of employment in Nepal, he is concerned about the situation of the economy and the brain drain that is increasing in Nepal.

Basanta Bahadur Chettri, 29

One of the founders and the General Secretary of NAPN (National Association of People Living with HIV/AIDS), Basanta is an advocate for the rights of 'People Living With HIV/AIDS' (PLWHA). With HIV/AIDS still being somewhat of a forbidden issue that people hesitate to talk about, the number of people who are living with the disease still don't come forward. NAPN is an organisation that aims to identify those with aids so that they can get proper treatment and facilities. It also strives to give those with HIV/AIDS the same rights as any other person and improve their quality of life. Basanta believes that the youth of Nepal need to be more sensitised to AIDS related issues, without proper knowledge and education he fears that more people will get infected and those infected will not get the care they need. Another issue that he hopes UNYAP will be effective in dealing with is the increase of drug-use by many young people.

Shivnath Bahadur Pande, 27

With a background in economics, Shivnath is dedicated to improving the economic and financial sector in Nepal. He is currently the economist and research director and the head of research and development at Nepal Investment Bank. Also a member of the Youth Entrepreneurs of Nepal, he has already conducted many research studies related to finances and banking. Through UNYAP, he hopes to be able to research how funds that have come in are successful in developing various sectors. Previously the winner of the UWC (United World Colleges), he had studied and worked in various countries such as New Mexico and Scotland. Like him, he hopes that many students going abroad will come back to work in Nepal, hence solving the brain drain problem occurring here right now.

Anita Shrestha, 25

A die-hard environmental lover, Anita Shrestha has been involved in programs relating to preserving and protecting our environment. A member of ECCA, she has conducted many awareness programs and training programs on topics such as water and sanitation in various parts of Nepal. She wants to ensure that the youth are motivated and aware of protecting their environment. In fact, her efforts in this field have won her one of the "top ten counsellor of the year award" by ECCA in 2008. Being influenced by the natural beauty of Nepal and its environment as well as National Geographic channel and Discovery channel, she has always believed that maximum effort should be put in conserving our surrounding. Along with her social efforts she is also currently studying Environmental Science.

Maheshwar Ghimere, 29

A founder and director of the Disabled Human Rights Center - Nepal (DHRC-Nepal), Maheshwar is an advocator of human rights of the disabled people of Nepal. With disabled people in Nepal being treated unfairly, Maheshwar is set out to prove that even those who are handicapped can contribute to the society; hence they too should have equal rights that any citizen of Nepal gets. Though he had studied management, his own personal experience has led him to help the disabled from the social injustice that they face whether it is in citizenship rights or property issues. He is also positive about the UN's efforts to make more policies that are youth-friendly. He says that this is an initiation and hopefully they will be able to provide the platform for change.

Santosh Shah, 27

For Santosh, media is one of the most effective tools for bringing key issues out to the open which is why he founded the magazine Today's Youth Asia (TYA). A magazine which came to life in his youth forum, TYA is a means for him to make people more aware of burning issues in society. The youth forum that he created is involved in various creative activities to get young people more interested and involved. Activities include leadership and skill development programs, school representative media training, youth clubs, etc. Extremely concerned about the brain drain issue occurring, he wants to work with UNYAP to make employment opportunities in Nepal flourish. While he previously lived abroad, he realised that he had to come back to develop his own country. He is hopeful that the many students going abroad will do the same.

Anil Shrestha, 30

As an active and committed member of the Rotaract, Anil Shrestha has been involved in various issues for years. Starting out as a member of the Rotaract in Patan, Anil has worked in many campaigns and community-based programs in various parts of the country. He has successfully conducted health camps, literacy classes, HIV/AIDS and diabetes awareness programs all around Nepal. He was also involved in the Green Bell project with plantation programs in the Valley as well as Birgunj, Butwal, etc. Right now he also works in VFS Global, but is also actively working in various community projects. For his efforts he has receive the "Youth Ambassador for Peace" by the Universal Peace Federation.

GANGA RAI, 19

Even at a young age, Ganga has always had that feeling that she should contribute to helping people of her own age and other society members. An active member of the Dynamic Youth Forum and Children Women in Social services, she has already been involved in many community services. She believes that in order to help the country as a whole, you need to start from the community level which is why she was involved in programs in her own area first. Currently, she is studying Humanities and Arts at Bajra International College. She aspires to be a journalist in the future. An issue which she thinks of as important is helping students, like her, who come from the villages.

Maiya Brahmasakha, 19

As one of the youngest members of UNYAP, Maiya is extremely enthusiastic about giving back to society. Maiya became involved in social issues from a young age. She started out as a peer educator at the youth information centre at her village in Danchhi. For the last three years she has worked at Family Planning Association of Nepal, where she conducts various programs in villages to educate teenagers about HIV/AIDS, abortion and reproductive health. As a woman in a Dalit community, she has faced many hardships and discrimination, so she is very serious about helping others in minority communities. A member of the Pressure Group of the Dalit Community, she wants to educate her fellow community members. Surprisingly, her main aim is to go to the army after she finishes her bachelors in management at Kantipur College as she now wants to be a loyal server of the country.