After decade long conflict and people’s movement-2, Nepalese people got an opportunity to elect the constituent Assembly members to draft the new constitution of Nepal.  It is the first time in the history of Nepal that people are being involved in the constitution making process. With the participation of people of all class, creed and religion, the election of the constitution assembly held successfully and now the country is heading towards the drafting of new constitution and restructuring of the nation. NCCN, as the representative body of Christians in Nepal, made a great contribution in the overall peace process of Nepal.

Giving more emphasis to its  campaign for the equality, inclusiveness, guarantee of justice  and full religious freedom in the New constitution of Nepal,  NCCN launched a programme  under the theme of  the “Role of religious communities  in the process of making  new constitution and Religious freedom in New constitution”  It was the  need of the time.

Under this theme NCCN has been organizing seminars, conferences and interaction programmes in the different parts of the country.

Some of the major activities carried out recently under this programme are as briefed below;

1.       Church leaders conference on the “Religious Communities’ involvement in the constitution making process and guarantee of full religious freedom in New Constitution of Nepal”,1-2 November 2008, Gorkha 

As planned under its peace and reconciliation programme, NCCN organized a huge conference of church leaders in Gorkha from 1 to 2 November 2008 together with Gorkha district Christian Council on the theme full religious freedom in the new constitution of Nepal and the role to be played by the religious communities.

NCCN President, Ps. Simom Gurung, addressing the Conference in Gorkha

Participants  discussed on the topics like  biblical perspectives on peace and justice, religious and communal harmony at local level, new constitution and full religious freedom etc.

After  long discussion,  the participants came up with some recommendations for the religious freedom in Nepal which are as written below,

1)     As country is heading towards the formulation of new constitution, we as the minority religious community of Nepal would like to draw the attention of  the  political parties, Nepal government, Human rights organizations, civil society  and media  to take the concerns of minority and under privileged groups more seriously so that the country  will come out from  the trend of discrimination in the future.

2)     While restructuring the nation, more attention should be given to make the new system more accommodative and inclusive to avoid the possibility of conflict and violence in the future.

3)      To promote religious and communal harmony in the pluralistic society like ours, inter-religious activities, which has been initiated with the leadership of NCCN should be given continuity.

4)     The new constitution that is going to be made in near future should make guaranty of full religious freedom and  constitution should make some provision   so that government will treat all the religious community equally without giving any space to the religious biasness.

5)     The conference urged all the Christians in Nepal to be actively involved in the process of social transformation.

There was significant participation of women and youth in the conference. The women leaders expressed their heartfelt thanks to NCCN for making involvement of women in its all programmes and activities.

2.   Lunbini Zone  level conference on “New Constitution and   Guarantee of Religious freedom – role to be played by religious community”, 15-16 November 2008, Bhairahawa, Nepal

 

 

As planned, NCCN organized this , programme in Bhairahawa with the support and cooperation of local churches. It was coordinated by Ps. Rudra Bahadur Kuwar at the local level. About 220 Pastors, Church Leaders from lumbini zone participated in the programme.

 

There was also the presence of Local leaders of political parties, civil society members and representatives of different religious communities.

 

Mr. Enosh Rokaya, NCCN Programme Coordinator addressing the programme

Participating in the prograame, Mr.  Enosh Rokaya, the programme coordinator of NCCN shared about the objectives and importance of this programme. He also briefed on the activities being carried out by NCCN and achievements made so far. He said that, as the country is heading towards the formulation of new constitution, we should actively participate in this process to make the new constitution more inclusive and to ensure the full religious freedom in the new constitution of

Nepal. He said that we may not get such opportunity to make the constitution of Nepal. Therefore, we should grab this opportunity to make our future bright.

 

The participants made active participation in the discussion programme. They said that this programme is more relevant in the present context of Nepal. They were very much thankful to the NCCN for carrying out such programme in the right time. It is very important to be heard  the voice of Christian community in  the constitution Assembly. It will have a great role to ensure the full religious freedom in the new constitution of Nepal.

 

3.       “New Constitution and Religious freedom – role to be played by religious community”, 8-9 November 2008, Pokhara, Nepal

 

Giving continuity to its campaign for peace, justice and religious freedom, NCCN organized an interaction programme among the religious leaders from western region of Nepal in Pokhara from 8 to 9 November 2008 which was participated by about 200 church leaders  from western region of Nepal. This programme was coordinated by western Region Christian Council (WRCC) at local level.

  

Participants of the Seminar in Pokhara

Mr.Ram Chandra Acharya, the programme expansion and public relation officer of NCCN and  Mr. Phanindra Bhusal, administrative officer participated in the programme. Mr. Acharya shared about the NCCN activities among the Churches and outer society for the promotion of peace, justice and human rights and its campaign for the guarantee of full religious freedom in the new constitution.

 

The participants discussed on the topics provided by NCCN for discussion. They made similar types of  conclusions and recommendations as made by the seminar in Gorkha.

 

 

4. "Religious freedom in new constitution of Nepal and our responsibilities", Chitwan, 14-15 November 2008

 

NCCN and Central Christian Council jointly organized  Pastors and  Church leaders meeting on the theme of  "Religious freedom in new constitution  and our responsibilities"  in Chitwan from 14 to 15 November 2008. More than 200 Church Leaders and representatives of different religious communties, civil society and local government representatives were present in the programme.

 

Ps. Simon Gurung, the president of NCCN inaugurated the programme as Chief Guest and shared the words of God from the Bible. He spoke about the role being played by the NCCN in the peace process of Nepal and its campaign for full religious freedom in Nepal. He encouraged  the participations to follow the way of God 

 

Ram Chandra Acharya the Public relations and program expansion officer also spoke about the issue of new constitution and the role of Christians today.

5."Religious freedom in new constitution of Nepal and our responsibilities",  In Dhangadi 3-4 January  2009 

 

 

NCCN Organized a far west region level Conference of Pastors and Church leaders on "Religious freedom in new constitution of Nepal" in Dhangadi from 3-4 January 2009. The program was coordinated by far western regional Christian Council (FWRCC) at local level.  Around 180 pastors and Church Leaders and about 30 represented from other religious communities. Local political party representatives were present in the conference.

 

Some of the Participants came from very remote areas of Nepal and there was participation from six Districts of far western region.

 

The Conference discussed on the issues like religions provision in present Constitution, which still considers religious conversion an illegal practice.

 

They about discussed on the role to be played by Christian Community to ensure full religions freedom in new constitution of Nepal.

 

Addressing expansion officer of NCCN Mr. R.C. Acharya briefed about the objectives importance and rationale of this program

 

Participants were divided in five groups for group discussion each group made written conclusion and recommendations   on the topics provided for discussion.

 

Participants and local people were very much thankful to NCCN for organizing such a very important program in right time.