Strengthening the Voice of Marginalized Groups in Nepal's Constituent Assembly Process
| Project title: |
Strengthening the Voice of Marginalized Groups in Nepal's Constituent Assembly Process |
| Partner(s): |
Coalition for Constituent Assembly Support (CoCAS II) |
| Purpose: |
To promote effective participation and representation of marginlized groups in the Constituent Assembly process. |
| Duration: |
May 08 toDecember 2009 |
| Budget: |
£ GB £ 496,540 |
| Coverage: |
Nationwide |
| Field offices: |
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| Contact person: |
Sagar Prasain |
| Contact email: |
info@taf.org.np |
| Contact telephone: |
01-4418345 |
| Website: |
www.taf.org.np |
| Partner(s) profile: |
CoCAS is a consortium of NGOs that brings together a unique combination of experience and skills on issues of law and governance, minorities and social inclusion, and civic education. They have a comprehensive knowledge of the on-the-ground reality in both urban and rural areas, and an extensive network of community activists and partner organisations that span the entire country. At the same time, they are able to work effectively in policy circles, taking into account government, donor, and civil society sensitivities.
CoCAS, established in January 2007, is led by The Asia Foundation, a US based NGO. Founding members include the Centre for Legal Research and Resource Development (CeLLRD); the Forum for Women, Law and Development (FWLD); Institute for Governance and Development (IGD), and the Forum for Protection of Public Interest (Pro Public). This project will add three new members to strengthen the representation of marginalized communities – the Backward Society Education (BASE), which works in Tharu areas; Videh Foundation, which focuses on Madheshi districts in the eastern Terai; and the Feminist Dalit Organisation (FEDO), a group promoting Dalit rights.
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Project document
There are no project documents available.
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Approach
This project will assist Nepal’s Interim Parliament and Constituent Assembly (CA) to develop a new constitution responsive to the nation’s diverse citizenry. CoCAS will address this goal by: 1) enabling marginalized groups to identify and articulate their concerns, and 2) engaging and developing the capacity of Constituent Assembly representatives to effectively represent marginalized groups
The CoCAS Phase II project will build and expand on Phase I civic education and public participation efforts, focusing specifically on marginalized groups in order to promote a Constituent Assembly that is truly inclusive, accountable, and responsive. Specific activities will include community mapping and selection, development of community reform declarations, district reform agendas and a national manifesto as well as public forums and workshops with CA representatives and the formation of a marginalized community caucus. The CoCAS Phase II will also benefit from TAF’s close working relationship with and access to the CA Secretariat under the Promoting Informed Development of Nepal's New Constitution project funded by the U.S. Department of State.
Progress [ 01 Jun 2008 ]
The project has just been approved.
