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Daniel Villanueva, SJ, Vice-president, Fundación Entreculturas, Spain, was on his first visit to Nepal to attend the Jesuit Conference of South Asia 2020 and to make his visit to NJSI. On 21st February 2020, he addressed the gathering of the Directors of Catholic Education Institutions in Nepal on the topic “Mission, collaboration and Network”. He shared his views and experience about creating new spaces for the shared mission with special examples of Fe Y Alegria movement and how Entreculturas net work with other organization for a greater Christian mission. His inputs also highlighted the challenges associated with networking while especially working with Governments of different countries. He also recommended what could be the areas of networking in the context of Nepal. There was also an interactive session where many shared their experiences and views on the networking aspect of their institutions.

In order to educate the rural population the fundamental human rights stated by the constitution of Nepal 2072 B.S., Nepal Jesuit Social Institute conducted a para-legal training at Kshyama Devi Women Centre, Barabise Municipality ward no.4, Okhreni, Sindhupalchok, on 6th-7th of February 2020. The training included the distribution of the handbook of the Constitution of Nepal to twenty four participants and instruction how to use the hand book. The participants were enthusiastic and attentive and wanted more of such trainings. The two days training was a successful one.

As follow up of the basic para-legal program conducted in local women centers, an advanced paralegal program was conducted at Kamal Niwas, NJSI national office at 11th January, 2020. The program was conducted seeing the interest and need of the participants who received the basic para-legal training in 2018 and 2019. The total number of participants were 12 in number. The target participants were representatives from the women centers that NJSI had provided building for. There were 3 representatives from each group. The target group was an inclusive of all castes. The program took place between 10.00 am to 3.00 pm.

With the basic objective of helping the women understand and be well prepared about their rights and its application and spreading awareness through women centers, an advanced level program was organized. Considering the contents of the basic para-legal programs, advocate Mr. Purna Rajbanshi and Fr. Tek conducted the advanced para-legal program with intensive and depth information about women rights. There was also discussion on personal and representatives problems of the people in terms of women rights followed by suggested solutions given by the advocate himself. Generally, the discussed problems were about women’s property rights, gender based violence and other scenario relating to the topic. The distribution of the certificated marked the end of the program.

Among the participants it was seen that the contents gathered the interest of most of  the women. Thus, it was analyzed that the program was interactive , fruitful and participative. Moreover, the participants responded positively to the organization of such programs and expressed their interest for such programs in the future.

Kali Devi Women Hall was set up in Manedanda Village located in Melung Gaunpalika, Dolakha which is inhibited by diverse people of Brahmin, Chhetri, Tamang and Dalit community. As per the solicitation placed by the people for the establishment of a women center, Kali Devi Women Hall was successfully inaugurated on 4^th January, 2020 under the sponsorship of Xavier Network.

Women’s Centers crucially functions to provide information, advice, support and training or education in safe, women-only spaces. The utmost purpose of the Kali Devi Women Hall is to provide inhabitants with a proper place to conduct meeting and events as well as to empower and emancipate the women of that place.

There were about 64 who showed up for the inauguration ceremony including the invited guests from two schools, rural municipality and ward office. After the key to the established hall was handed over, marking the official inauguration, the program was led on by several speeches of gratitude from the school principal, parent’s group representative, ward person and women group representative. The male members marshaled the program for a women center which reflected the backwardness of the women of that place, hence, proving the prominence of a Women Centre which could greatly benefit the women and overall village of Manedanda.

Last year, Integrated Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP) was introduced to teachers as a method which focuses on the holistic development of children rather than only focusing on the book and knowledge based approach. The participants expressed their gratitude towards NJSI for providing this unique training and suggested to add subject wise training along with it. So, as per the suggestion, NJSI scheduled subject wise teachers training consisting Science, Mathematics, English and Computer subjects in the yearly plan.

The 2 days teachers training was started on 26^th December with science subject which had 9 participants altogether. Later on 28^th and 30^th December, the training was for mathematics and English with 10 and 11 participants respectively. The Computer training marked the end of the program in which 12 teachers participated and it was held on 1^st and 2^nd January, 2019.

Teachers from St. Xavier’s School, Jawalakhel facilitated all the trainings. They gave an insight to various teaching techniques, learning approach and many more ways to deal with students which the participants appreciated. It was a successful program and teachers were thankful to NJSI.