4 leadership training for nepalese leaders

Raj K Pandey (MBS, MA), GPO Box: 19862, Kathmandu, Nepal, Mobile: 977-01-98510 86884

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT TRAINING

(Key Words — democracy, leadership, socialist, state, absolute power, monarchy, king, fund raising,

communication, etc.)

TRAINING REPORT

Submitted to:USAID/National Democratic Institute for International Affairs

(NDI/Nepal)Pradhan Villa

LazimpatKathmandu (Nepal)

Submitted by:

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Raj Kumar Pandey, MBS, MAGPO BOX: 19862, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur

Kathmandu, NepalMobile: 98510-86884

[email protected]@[email protected]

Background

National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) is a USA based non-profit and non-governmental organization working to strengthen and expand the democracy worldwide. NDI provides practical assistance to civic and political leaders advancing democratic values, practices and institutions through a global network of its volunteer experts. It works with democrats in every region of the world to build political and civic organizations, safeguard election and promote citizen participation, and accountability of the government for openness.

NDI has been working in Nepal since 1994 and supporting in several ways to strengthen the democratic values. NDI/Nepal supported to conduct the political party poll-watcher training; developing code of conduct; strengthening legislative committee structure; promoting civic education and increasing women’s participation in the government.

As a part of its regular activities, NDI/Nepal designed a training package for Leadership Development Training Program to support the potentials in the major political parties of Nepal. As a result, NDI/Nepal organized a 4-day Training Program for the youth leaders of the Nepali Congress (NC) Party from 14-17th of September 2005.

Total 26 participants including 9 women, representing 24 districts, took part on the training. Approximately 75% of the participants were under the age group of 40, which is supposed to be as a youth leader in the context of Nepal. 5 Resource Persons from NC, who had previously taken part on the Training of Trainers (ToT) Course, facilitated the entire training sessions. (See Annex-1 for the list of participants and facilitators).

Training Objectives

To achieve long-term success of multiparty system and democracy in Nepal; To generate strong link between the national leadership of the parties and the

grassroots base; To provide understanding of the basic theories of democracy; To discuss about an effective political party; and To understand role of women and youth representatives in leadership.

Training Methodology

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The training was divided into nine modules and different methodologies such as lectures, group discussions, role-play, simulation, presentation, etc. were used. At the end of the day, evaluation form was distributed to collect the feedbacks for future improvement. The training was entirely participatory flowed by several exercises and games to make it more practical and effective.

Inaugural Session

Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, NC Central Committee Member, was invited as a Chief Guest. Mr. Brikhesh Chandra Lal, Resource Person, welcomed Dr. Mahat and Ms. Kury Cobham, NDI/Nepal Resident Director at the dash for the formal inauguration of the training program. Mr. Lal also delivered a welcome speech and expressed his gratitude towards NDI/Nepal for supporting political parties in strengthening the democracy in Nepal. He stressed the need of such training for the leadership development and expected that the NDI/Nepal will certainly continue its supports even in the future.

Ms. Kury Cobham, NDI/Nepal Resident Director expressed the concluding remarks of the inaugural session. She thanked all the participants for coming to attend the training from the different parts of the country. Moreover, she introduced herself and her staff members. She expected that the 4-day training program will be highly fruitful and requested all for their active participation. She also stressed possibilities of partnership activities even in the future.

Dr. Ram Sharan Mahat, NC Central Committee Member, delivered his inaugural speech and briefly gave introduction of the NDI. He added that the NDI is for the promotion of democracy and it is working in enhancing the democratic values in several countries. He further highlighted that Nepal is also in need of more democratic values that includes constitution, inclusiveness, decentralization, etc.

He further stressed that the political parties should internalized the democratic values in their leadership within their parties. Dr. Mohat also suggested to keep the mind opened for learning process that can be disseminated to other grassroots level cadres. Moreover, he further emphasized that acquired knowledge will support the party to attract others, mobilize resources and face the new challenges. Finally, he concluded that such training is even essential for top-level leaders.

Mrs. Kamala Thapa expressed the vote of thanks and viewed all are equally intellectual so that the resource persons will also get an opportunity for a mutual learning from the participants. She also justified the need of such training to enhance the democracy and empower the organizational skills. She further added for understanding of the internal structure of the party. She finally thanked NDI/Nepal, Chief Guest and all the participants for their cooperation.

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Mr. Man Bahadur Biswakarma expressed the remarks from the Chair and emphasized the need of transferring knowledge to others within the party. He also thanked NDI/Nepal and Chief Gust for taking part in the program. At the same time, all congratulated Mr. Biswakarma for wining Central Committee Member in the recently held NC convention. Moreover, Mr. Biswakarma and his team informed that he used the same tools and techniques to win his election, that was acquired in the similar training which he had previously attended. Prior to start of module first, all participants introduced him/herself with name, based constituency area and designation within the NC Party.

MODULE-1: DEMOCRACY AND POLITICAL PARTIES

The facilitator briefly outlined about the first module and tried to understand the level of knowledge of participants on the issue of democracy.

Conceptual Framework of Democracy

The resource person collected the inputs from all the participants to understand the know-how level of participants on the issues of democracy. The Democracy is:

To carry on the activities independently; Legitimate rights; Good governance: rule by the people and for the people; Freedom of speech for the human rights; Demos-crates for other nations but it is a people’s ruling; and To provide equality

Some participants also raised the question that should we say prajatantra or loktanntra since in ancient time the direct rule was by the king so it was fine to say prajatantra but now the scenario has been changed. However, the forum agreed that it was due to the translation. The British rule was influenced by monarchy and Indian translators used the term prajatantra (rule by king) that was entered into Nepali politics in a face value.

After inputs collection, the trainer said that the democracy is not a one-time development but it is a gradual process. Around 500 years ago before the Christ was born, the people’s leaders, who were against the monarch in Greece, realized that the demos (people) should decide to rule. Whereas, the concept of republic was emerged in Venus, which is, to some extend, similar in nature with democracy, as in both system, the people decide for their rulers. It is also said that the ancient King Janak in Mithila was a presidential type of king and Baisali state had flowed a republican system of ruling in the historical context of Indian sub-continent.

Democracy is the function of government by the people, for the people and of the people (Abraham Lincoln). The democracy is a process where majority has to be given priority and its decisions are implemented in the rules.

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The democracy must be ‘by the people’ to make it strong. It is a system that must focused for short-term and/or long-term benefits to the people. Moreover, in the modern context, the fundamental requirements for an effective democracy are:

1) Area (State);2) People (Voters);3) Continuation of Decisions;4) Patriotism (Feelings of Nationalism); and 5) People’s Acceptance

Conceptual Clarity of the Politics

Politics is directly related with the power under certain norms that we achieve through different procedures. In achieving the power, different political parties use different framework. Participants, however, raised the flowing debatable issues on this definition:

Is Maoist political party or not as it has been using weapons in achieving power?

NC and then Marxist-Leninist also used the weapon previously in achieving the power so the Maoist is also a political party.

To be a party in Nepal, it must be registered in the Election Commission, so that Maoist is not a political party.

Can only registered party address the national issues?

Can we only call them parties who formulated the constitution of Nepal?

However, some participants suggested not to make this training as a place for debate, NC’s forum and confusion creating place. Finally, the trainees agreed to make themselves disciplined and resource person justified that the NC is a legalized party. Its policy is to eradicate poverty and its goals are to create civil societies. It is for the people and its decisions are implemented only for the welfare of people. The NC goes to the people for election, forms a government, implements manifesto and runs the programs. But, a trainee disagreed on it and said that the election is only a strategy not the objectives and goals of any parties.

Political Parties, Gender and Youth

The trainers, first of all, asked some questions to the participants about the roles and responsibilities of youth and women in the party. Who makes committeeman to the voters during election?

There were mixed responses such as campaign members, males, females, youths, a person who goes to the field, election manifesto itself is a commitment, the party not the

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person. The views of the trainees were divided into for and against on this issue and finally all agreed to make a ground rule for the training:

Raise hand to ask the question Only same person should talk whom the trainer asks the question No side talk, and Off the mobile during class

Status of Women and Youth

The facilitator again asked that who is involved in writing the manifesto of the party? A lady said that it is obviously males but another participant suggested to divide the group so that different opinions could be incorporated. The trainer, eventually, divided the trainees into three groups and different questions were asked for them. Who (male or female) works as volunteers? Who (male or female) is in leadership? Who gets an opportunity for training? Who collects money? Who participates in the media?

The participants, ultimately, concluded that women and youth are given least priority in the party in several activities particularly in the decision making process. Moreover, the party will remain weak until it includes women and youth in its mainstream. The forum also suggested the flowing:

Party has used all to accomplish its activities and achieve the goals but women and youth lack opportunity in the decision making process.

Until NC is able to mobilize and activate the women and youth, the participants viewed that, it is less participatory in the NC structure.

Women must be provided more opportunities, leadership and citizenship rights.

How to Include Women in NC Structure?

Training programs to its women supporters Advocacy for women and youth Arrange quota system

Moreover, participants also raised the issues of Dalit, Jan-Jati, marginalized, scheduled casts and ethnicities’ problems in Nepal. They also suggested to change the traditional biasness towards women and marginalized communities of Nepal.

Functions of Political Parties

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Politics is the process and method of making decisions for the groups and any activities aimed at influencing those decisions. Politics can be defined as an organization that subscribes a certain ideology and sets to attain in political power within a government.

The political party’s policies often represent at an aggregation of interest with all. Generally, the major functions of any political parties are: to plan and formulate visions, goals, strategies, campaign, election, implement policies, form government, etc. that are cyclic in nature.

A participant raised the question that if the system collapsed, do we need to take part in election?

Party System

A single party system, in which only one political party is legally active and it is allowed to hold the effective power.

Two party systems are such a state such as in USA and Jamaica, in which there are two dominant parties.

Multiparty systems are in nations like Canada and UK, where there may be two strong parties and others are weak. However, in some rare cases such as in Finland, the nation may have active three party systems, where all there parties routinely hold the top office.

Direction of the Political Parties

Left oriented parties are more radical, they claim they are more progressive and take strong stand on their ideology. Communist parties are said to be left oriented parties in the context of Nepal.

Right oriented parties are conservative and traditional by their nature

Parliamentary democracy is opposed to the authoritarian or totalitarian attitude.

A participant raised the question that is NC right or left oriented party since we call ourselves “centralist” but we have recently changed our bidhan. Hence, are we leftist? central leftist or rightist? However, all agreed that the NC should be called as Central Left Party in the context of present phenomena.

Many parties have formal and/or informal functions and they have different views on the policy directions.

One gentleman put forwarded his opinion that NC is generally represented for the elite groups in Nepal. However, the resource person explained that it is the matter of separate discussion, debate and discourse.

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MODULE-2: UNDERSTANDING NATIONAL AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The participants were divided into 5 groups and questions were given on the lottery basis. It was a quiz context on governmental issues. Total 20 questions were asked and out of them 14 were correct replies. (See Training Manual For Questions).

Furthermore, again 3 groups were divided to discuss the following questions and present them after completing the group work.

What is the structure and functions of the VDC, Village Council, Municipality and Municipal Committee?

What is structure and functions of DDC and DDC Council?

What are major objectives of the Local Government? Why is it necessary? How it is effective?

Functions of VDC Council

Approval of Budget Imposing of Tax Decision for Loan Advance Settlement Disposal, Transfer or Selling of Fixed/Current Assets Approval of Salary for the Locally Appointed Staff Giving Direction to the VDCs Evaluation and Monitoring of Developmental Activities

Similarly, functions of VDCs are to implement VDC Council decisions and management of the local disasters. And, the municipalities’ functions are as above but it has broader developmental responsibilities.

Functions of DDC Council

Approval of DDC Plans and Proposals Giving Necessary Instructions to DDC Formulation of Plans and Policies To Give Decisions for DDC Delegation of Authority Approval for the selling of current or fixed assets

The DDCs, on the other hand, has to perform to implement the DDC Council decisions, coordination between I/NGOs, and monitoring and evaluation of VDCs, etc.

Objectives and Need of Local Government

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To increase the people’s participation at local level To increase inter-communication system To identify and solve the local problems To develop local leaders To report the local problems to the central government To enhance the effectiveness of decentralization To delegate the central rights to local level To measure the effectiveness of plans at local level To utilize maximum local resources To keep financial transparency To include ethnicity and gender into mainstream To give feelings of rights and responsibilities to the local people To make local ownership

A Participant raised the question that why the local government is called permanent? Is it really for 5 years’ full tenure?

The resource person explained that as there is no provision of no confidence motion, no provision of ideologically manipulating elected members, no provision of buying and selling as we have seen in MPs, tenure can be added for more than five years so that the local government can function its full tenure that is why it is called as permanent government. Another participants added that the local government is also an autonomous body since there is no central intervention.

The resource person shared about the need of decentralization with giving an example of Rana period as it took 6 months to deliver the service of fire brigade to put off the fire in the jungle of Tarai. He informed that the power can be delegated by 3 Ds:

De-concentration is just to spread the power but there is no public rights

De-legation of power provides certain rights to someone but it can be taken back at any time without any reasons.

De-volution of power is giving permanent solution and rights to the local level by means of rules and regulations.

DDC Vs Municipality

There is a conflict between DDC and Municipality on the issues of superiority and line of command. For this purpose, the facilitator divided trainees into two groups just to make debate and discourse on these issues. The main logics are:

The HMGN directly releases the budget to the Municipalities whereas VDCs receive it through DDC

It is due to remoteness of VDCs, required budget to be canalized through DDC

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It is not only due to lack of structure but it is also availability of bank account with Municipalities

It is not only matter of bank account but it is due to technical structure

The Mayer of Katmandu is equivalent to a state minister but what about DDC Chairman?

DDC Council is superior as it directs to the Municipality

Mayer is member of the DDC Council so legally the Municipality must be within the umbrella of DDC Council

There are sufficient resources with the Municipality and additional functional activities but DDC lacks them

Finally, a resource person, who used to be a Vice-Mayer, shared his experience on these practical issues and concluded as:

There is big problem for the coordination between DDC and Municipalities.

The municipalities’ natures are urban, densely populated but VDC has reversed.

Municipal citizens are highly educated but VDC has high illiteracy rate

Municipalities have comparatively better infrastructure facilities along with several problems so that the provision of decentralization has attempted to address all these issues.

Moreover, the government also has to discuss about the rural-urban linkage seriously. As conclusion, the Municipalities must work under the umbrella and direction of the DDC.

Finally, at the end of the day, an evaluation form was distributed to all the participants for their feedback on the entire training sessions of the day. Moreover, all participants were given assignment on leadership inventory that includes 50 questionnaires. (See Training Manual for Reference)

Morning Shows the Day

The second day started with an energetic hopes and the resource person welcomed all the participants. The previous day’s lessons were reviewed. For this purpose, a ball was randomly given to the participants, the ball catcher was asked to comment and review the previous topics which s/he liked most.

Best Discussions on Previous Modules

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VDC Structure Quiz Context Role of Women and Youth Decentralization and 3Ds Political Party System Political Party Direction Inter-Ideological Values DDC Committee Structure Provision of Budget Release Debate on DDC Vs Municipality

The resource person asked, if someone was interested, to share his/her nature, weakness and strength based on the leadership inventory. Three participants shared their natures and on the basis of that further discussion was related with the types of leaders.

MODULE-3: LEADERSHIP SKILLS

The main objectives of the module were to develop the leadership quality, build self-confidence and self-esteemed. All participants were asked to do an exercise based on the training manual that is related with the self-assessment. On the basis of exercise, the resource person asked all to tally the confidence level of the participants.

The forum also discussed on the issue of women empowerment and youth leadership. A lady strongly suggested that the quota system must be implemented immediately but the NC Policy has stressed for the gradual inclusion of women into its mainstream. But, remaining participants added that all marginalized group should also be included as soon as possible into the mainstream of the NC. There was a discussion which technical term is better to use among inclusion, opportunity and empowerment. Finally, resource person explained that empowerment is the best term but how can we define it:

Empowerment is to Provide:

Opportunity Freedom of speech Positions Awareness Responsibilities Power and authority Chances for decision-making and to: Build capacity Stop exploitation Make capable for speech

However, some participants had a benefit of doubt that if quota system is implemented, the elites eventually snatch the benefits with the means of hanky panky.



Similarly, our socio-cultural values are not supportive in empowering the women so that, first of all, we have to build their capacities. Moreover, in the name of empowering weaker groups, the elites generally prefer ‘yes’ man so that they can use them for their vested interest.

Leadership Qualities

Participants on these issues voiced that they talk about leadership and expect that their leaders should use proper presentation skill, must be conscious, logical and effective so that they can trust their leader. An ideal leader should have flowing characteristics:An Ideal Leader Must Be:

Capable Honest Conscious Good Moral Independent Accountable Philosophical Transparent Open Minded Broader Hearted Futuristic Intellectual Self-Confident

The participants also suggested that their leader should not hold extra positions, s/he must have value of ‘we’ not ‘I’ and financial transparence is the most essential requirement. Moreover, a leader must have respect in the societies, serious study of theoretical and practical aspect of subjects, patience and courageous, decision making capacity, simple physical appearance and friendly, specialized talent and genius, and feeling of sacrifice and service oriented towards flowers. The resource person divided all participants into three groups into leader and delegations from the rural district. The two delegation groups discussed about their problems and finally approached to the leaders with some demands for solution. The simulation was related to the salt and fertilizer shortage in their respective districts. The leader group, in the capacity of minister, listened them and assured for solution.

The resource person, after observing the simulated dialogs among the team, suggested that delegation must approach with proper planning and preparation. Similarly, s/he also suggested that any idea might seem vacuum at the very inception but it has to be given proper shape and size as we give dimension to a point (.). When a person has an idea, s/he must give it certain direction by properly planning and implementing it. Finally, the knowledge will get existence and goals will be achieved in a long run. The trainer, further draw scattered points (::) on the white board and interpreted that nothing is concrete in its



shape but leaders have to make themselves organized and disciplined. For this, a leader has to empower the flowers.

Empowerment Strategies

Identify the Problem Commitment or Self-Determination Knowledge of own Capacity Formulation of Planning Implementation Evaluation and Re-Planning

Moreover, the trainer also used the “role play’ method to influence a lady not to take part in politics, to convince a minister to get business contract and so on. Finally, he linked it to the leadership and empowerment. Moreover, a game was used and interpreted that the flowers goes to the same direction as per the instructions of the leaders. Participants, after observing the game, added that a leader must consult with their flowers, there must be proper coordination while making any discussions, directions and implementation to achieve the target. Similarly, all tried to relate it with their own leaders and pointed out a gap between themselves. They also interpreted that their leaders are asking them to fight and they are blindly supporting their instructions. Moreover, they also concluded that a leader should not be detector since the flowers has to sacrifice due to wrong instructions of their leaders.

Types of Leadership

Democrat Autocrat Leissez-Fair Vanguard

The facilitator presented the types of leadership and their natures. S/he further added that some leaders are quality dominating while others are situation dominating. As a summing up, the leadership is:

Direction for the common welfare of a party or group A process of influencing others in a special circumstances and social settings Direction in accordance with the interest of the society or team Supervision and management of group and organization To motivate self and others To lead the people walk besides them….As for the best leaders the people do not

notice their existence. The next best the people honor and praise; the next people fear; and the next the people hate; when the best leaders’ work is done; the people say “we did it ourselves”-Laotse

Things may come to those who wait-Lincoln



A vanguard leader should have: (+) Thoughts; (-) Inequality and Discrimination; (x) Unity and (Divide) Responsibility.

Requirements For Leadership

Influential Personality Mix-up in the group Self Confidence Persuading Speech Diplomatic Nature Mediation Ability Higher Education Familiar with Problems of the Societies Sacrifice, Courage and Commitment Capable to Handle the Reverse Circumstances Responsible towards Duties

MODULE-4: PARTY REFORMS

Three groups were divided to discuss about the party reform. 1-2-3 method was used to form the group. Lottery system was used to provide the questions for group discussion. The questions were: Classify the NC structure on the basis of geography, functional units and organization? How NC raises fund and mobilize it? Suggest three ways for fund raising? Last group was given quiz-type objective questions regarding NC’s year of establishment, founder members, objectives, requirement to be a member, etc.

NC Structure (Organizational Based)

Nepal Women Sangha Student Sangha Tarun Dal Peasant Sangha Dalit Sangha Ex-Army Sangha Democratic Senani Sangha Janjati and Aadhibashi Sangha Booth Sangh

NC Structure (Geographical Based)

Convention Committee Central Working Committee Development Regional Coordination Committee Foreign Area Committee District Working Committee Illaka Working Committee



VDC Committee Ward Committee Booth Committee

NC Structure (Functional Unit Based)

Organization Bibhag Women Bibhag Coordination Bibhag Policy and Program Bibhag Training Bibhag Intellectual and Professional Bibhag

NC’s Fund Raising

Membership Fee Levy Donation Contribution Others (Selling of fixed or current assets, cultural program, book selling, etc.)

Participants suggested that party’s bank account must be properly maintained; annual auditing system must be implemented, and account signatory must be Party President and Koshaadhakchy but all expenses should be done by the working committee decision.

Participants also discussed regarding the relationship of the NC with other international institutions, its social-attitude, etc. However, the participants concluded that due to the trend of globalization and open economy, NC could not maintain ideology of socialism.

SWOT Analysis of NC

Strength Weakness Historical Background Mass-Based Party Ideological Consistency Experienced Leadership International Recognization National Acceptability Grassroots Based Party

Corruption Lack of Training Lack of Institutional Development Lack of Internal Democracy Lack of Evaluation and Monitoring Lack of Inclusiveness Lack of Inter-Party Communication Imbalanced Representation Family Domination Statute/Charter Not Flowed

Opportunity Threat

Democratic Party No Alternative Democratic Parties Possibility For Government

Central Party King’s Dictatorship Maoist



International Relationship Leader of Democratic Movements Leadership Role for Conflict Member of Socialist International Central Fair Party

Penetration (Ghus-Paitha) Internal Conflict Management Internal Democracy Conduct/Moral/Style of Leadership Ideological Bichalan Conservative Party Militarization

Comparison of NC and UML’s Statutes

Resource person tried to present comparison on the statutes of the NC and UML but most of the participants did not agreed at all on this comparison. Some raised the issue that UML is more democratic in its nature as all the central level members are elected but NC has the provision of appointing its central level members.

Nepali Congress (NC) United Marxist Leninist (UML) Democratic goal, liberal ideology,

and its ideology accepted by all Democratic organizational structure

and possibilities of confidence and self-esteem development

Influence of one-man leadership To provide leadership to party Devotion and loyal towards party Provides cooperation to the party as

much as possible Role in the decision making and

weak party discipline Supply from internal source Open and transparent

Communist goal, class oriented philosophy & unacceptable ideology

Communist type of social structure and individual’s legitimate rights are suppressed

Decision by high command To provide leadership to party Devotion and loyal towards party Provides cooperation to the party as

much as possible Decision is rigid as communist style Supply from internal source International relation non-

transparent

For next session, participants were divided into three group to discussed the issues and present them. The main topics for group work were: 1) What is an internal democracy? Make plan to strengthen the internal democracy within the NC. 2) How policies are formed within the NC? Suggest us to reform the democratic policies and NC manifesto. If there are some obstacles to be a candidate, what they are? Are they justifiable? Is there provision of any encouragements for women, dalit and jan-jati to be a candidate? If not, what should we do? 3) What is the flow of information within NC? What are the media to disseminate the information? What is vertical and horizontal communication? Suggest three ideas to improve the effective communication within NC.

Characteristics of Internal Democracy

Transparent Accountable



Rights for Self-Decision Participation on Decision Freedom on Competition Respect of Majority Easy and Equal Opportunity to Reach in the Decisions

Benefits of Internal Democracy

Belongingness Strong PartyIncreases Inclusion Emerges Good Ideas Plan for Internal Democracy

Create environment for discussion and include all opinions Permanent election mechanism Implementation of Statutes Respect different opinions Discourage interferences

Policy Making Process and Improvement

ProposalsPolicy Making CommitteeNC Convention

NC should bring opinions from VDCs to prepare more democratic policies

There should be provision of 10 years tenure for the Central Committee, 15 years for member Sabhapati and 5 years for district Sabhapati.

There is no encouragement for woman development so that NC should make provision of quota sytem, political training, capacity development and increase in equality for the women.

Information Flow in NC

NC has been using both vertical and horizontal communication for effective flow of the message. NC has to create Publicity Committee and increase number of community radios. The media for communication are:

Press Release Postering Pamphlet Mukh-patra Letters Fax Telephone



Radio

Training Opportunity in NC

The participants suggested that NC’s Training Committee has not functioning effectively and cadres need to be clear about its policy directions. NC should provide training on: leadership development, management, organizing, accounting, gender and NC’s policies and programs related issues which are essential for its cadres.

The training will make party structure stronger, create financial transparency, render knowledge on the gender issues and understating level of policies and programs will be increase among cadres. MODULE-5: PARTY MESSAGE AND PLATFORM DEVELOPMENT

The objectives of this module were to provide participants about the importance of party message and action plan; to provide knowledge for the development of party message; to discuss about action plan and developing the solutions on the issues raised by the party.

For this purpose, a trainee, with closed eyes, passed the ball but people could not catch it, then the trainer interpreted it that a message must be focused, leader should have opened eyes and concentration is essential in delivering the massage. Massage must be:

Attractive Short Simple Easy understanding Positive Unique Fact Based Repeatable Mind Blowing

Moreover, a lengthy massage was transferred on the ear-to-ear basis and ultimately its original form was altered. On the basis of this exercise, the trainer explained the need of short massage. Similarly, s/he divided the people into three groups and they were asked to prepare message for election campaign. All presented their assignments and members gave feedback for improvements. They concluded that message must be motivational, optimistic and positive. However, some participants differed in these views and explained that in the context of Nepal, only message cannot motivate people.

The trainer further explained about the message transferring process. Sender, receiver, message and medium are essential for effective communication.

Party Platform

Directing on political manner to the party



It is expanding message and policy to the pubic It is units of organizational structure of the party

The facilitator asked questions that why the participants chose the NC? Why they were attracted towards it? How did they know about NC at first? Participants responded their opinions as: NC being a socialist party, it was funded by BP, due to struggle of the founder members, its source of power is public, its values are democratic societies, it believes on co-existence, it fought against Rana regime, it has goodwill, public trust on this party, it addresses the people’s problems, historical background, etc. were the reason to chose the NC. Moreover some participants shared their experience that their relatives were NC worker so that they influenced by them.

Participants also concluded that NC is not able to develop a party platform to inform all. The platform is not a forum but it is a direction of the party, as constitution of UN has its Charter, Beijing Charter for gender issues and Geneva Convention for ILO. Moreover, the trainees also agreed that NC has no party platform yet but it has developed a Party’s Working Direction in its recent convention.

A group assignment was given to participants to discuss on: Women empowerment in NC, Maoist problem and NC, and Monarchy, present context and NC. The participants were asked to prepare a platform on these issues and present it in next day.

Expansion of Organization

The main objectives were: to give knowledge about the advantages of expanding party to the new areas, to know the method of obtaining prospective voters, conduct research and mobilize them, to practice in bringing new members in the party and to develop branches in preparing framework of branch office and understanding their roles in the party.

The NC organogram was presented and informed all about the current NC structure. The trainees further discussed about it in detail.

Moreover, there will be core members, supporters and undecided voters so that a party has to attract neutrals but the opposition is always active to reach to these groups. Several tactical strategies have to be developed to bring them into the party, which is challenging responsibilities of the party workers.

The group also discussed about the NC action plans to bring and expand the number of members and concluded that NC has strong network with the grassroots and it has to be more active to attract prospective women, youth into the NC.

The Main Logics

Do we need to make loyal towards NC to the undecided or only supporters? We individually cannot expand so that party has to initiate to bring them into NC.



Party has the policy to expand but NC has to educate and train prospective so that the prospective will became members.

We are working through traditional manners but we need to use new tools. They are supporter but if we make them core members, then are we democrat? Our goal is to attract them, we do not enforce them, but if they are ready to join us

we cannot stop them. Should our program only concern to the core and undecided? Core members do not change the party so that undecided must be our focused.

There was further exercise for participants and they were divided into three groups including candidate, supporters, undecided and opposition. Finally, they presented their discussion outcomes by means of role-playing and it was flowed by comments and feedbacks. The discussion agreed that the door-to-door campaign is effective tool to attract the prospective to the party and group visit with pamphlet, wall painting and maiking can be used for this purpose. However, religious places should not be used for the political activities as people hardly welcome it.

NC’s Approach on Election

Functions at election Door-to-Door activities Talking against communist Group visit with pamphlet Wall painting Maiking

A participant expressed that due to deep-rotted ethnicity problem in Tarai, we are hardly able to include scheduled cast in our campaign since other upper casts do not welcome them at their home but it would be better if we could make our team colorful. Remaining participants also suggested that:

Carry on the activities according to age group Frequently visit the voters not only during election Launch social work activities for the people in problem and who are in need Make slogans that can address to the problems of the people While preparing action plan at the center, also listen views of the grassroots Our main target must be village so that we have to win their souls

MODULE-6: PARTY OUTREACH

Collect information Carry on research Identify target group Prepare strategy Prepare party message



Deliver the message

Method and Medium for Message Delivery

Members Media Postal service Electronic means Telephone Manifesto Banner Mike Drama Tea Party Posters Brushers Wall Painting Public Meeting Puppet Shows Statutes Social Work Press conference Community meeting Songs/Games/Quiz Corner meeting Door-to-Door visit

The facilitator further divided all the participants for group work. Five persons were selected as leader and they simulated their speech on the current political affairs and they visited people’s doors. They tried to convince the general people to support them on the election. After closely observing the role-play, resource person gave practical feedbacks to the players and highlighted the importance of message delivery though door-to-door visits.

Pros and Cons of Door-to-Door Visit

Different views can be collected Direct feedback Some people may be aggressive, bios and hostile Some people may be good listeners, intellectual and positive Some may be opposition supports and cadres

However, we have to manage the campaign members’ attitudes and behaviors. And, s/he further differentiated among friends, members and supporters. For this purpose, s/he shared his experience of dealing with the senior level central level NC leaders



and also brainstormed the participants. S/he further explained that friends generally join the party due to:

Ideological similarity Equal treatment To obtain opportunity Cooperative motive To make wider circle To fulfill vested interest

S/he also suggested to appreciate new comers and recognize the contribution of the old friends and he emphasized that to get success we must practice the knowledge.

MODULE-7: ELECTION CAMPAIGNING

The main objectives of this module were to render knowledge and skills on planning, and organizing successful election campaign at district level. Participants were asked their experience while they were candidate for their election.

Some participants were winner whereas some were looser in the district and village level elections. The resource person explained that there are always some reasons behind loosing the election. One participant, who had won DDC election, was analyzed as case study.

Reasons of Winning

Due to attitude of the candidate Successful campaign Incapable competitor Trust of the people Candidate was young and educated The constituency was educated area

Campaign management is also essential tool to win an election where resources particularly time, manpower and money is managed.

Loosing election means loosing everything in the context of Nepal

Generally in the democratic societies, candidates manage resources, only when s/he gets tickets for the election.

The party must manage resources prior to election.

Parry and candidate have to do proper homework before election.



There must be teamwork and need to develop local strategy.

An ambitious person definitely achieves aim, sooner or letter!

The trainer asked participants about the management of resources during election. One participants shared his experience that during MPs election, when his leader as an MP candidate, used to deliver his speech, the cadres used to collect donations on the spot.

Some participants suggested that the resources should be mobilized and managed by not merely candidate but by party. Others suggested that there should be provision of vote for the party not for the candidate However, we do not have such provision in the present constitution and it is also impossible hypothesis since there will be possibility of conflict in the party regarding the distribution of candidates after the election.

Some candidate explained that they distribute cash and kinds during election to persuade voters and how effective it is? Another participants added that without hanky-panky, it is impossible to win the election.

Election Campaign

The trainer presented a hypothetical data, map and other details including action plan of a constituency area. Finally, it was discussed that how to raise the fund and win the hearts of the people. The participants explained that the senior leaders influence the decisions but candidate must be given freedom to persuade the target groups.

While party conducts a campaign, several factors needed to be seriously considered. Location for speech, timing, central locality, distribution of ethnicity, accessibility, etc. are major factors to make the campaign success or failure. Moreover, financial resources also play vital role for this purpose. Several committee and-sub-committee can be created to organize the successful election campaign.

A participant suggested NDI/Nepal to correct the training manual that stresses not to contact opposition during campaign. S/he shared his experience that he was able to bring several opposition workers into his party during his election campaign.

Trainer showed the different photo collections from newspapers and message carried out in those pictures. S/he also presented some election slogans and interpreted them. Finally, s/he instructed for teamwork to prepare election campaign planning, strategies, slogans and management of time, manpower and money.

Group members presented their assignment and remaining participants commented on it. The exercise contained constituency area, number of voters including total population. Major agendas of the group work for the election campaign were: citizenship, sanitation, education, gender, transportation, telecommunication, irrigation, fertilizer, electrification, employment, drinking water, agriculture, etc. Moreover, they also presented techniques for the campaign and formed hypothetical committees for resource management.



The dummy candidates delivered their simulated speech and the slogans were made even in local language. Most of the candidates raised the local problems and issues that made the role-play realistic. Their committees were to mobilize mainly youth, women and they had also created a monitoring committee for the election campaign.

MODULE-8: EFFECTIVE USE OF THE MEDIA

The main objectives of this module were to develop strategy for the access to the media and to acquire practical knowledge to use the media effectively.

The participants discussed on the issues of communication, good relationship with media and pros and cons of media.

Communication is: media to convey the message; method of transferring opinions to the target group; making informed to the citizen; to deliver scattered opinions in a organized form; to inform hidden agendas and express the opinions.

All information is communication, it may be one or two way or horizontal or vertical. There are two types of communication i.e. formal and informal. Party’s documents are formal since they are in written form and which is publish in newspapers. Dissemination of information by media is formal whereas those facts which are not delivered through media are informal communication. Informal message is not in a specific shape but it takes time to spread it through the door-to-door approach. However, the published news is formal which covers wider coverage such as TV, radio and newspapers.

The media has global access so that a leader must maintain balanced relationship with it. When there is identity crisis, a leader approaches to the media but for the successful leader, media keeps on searching. However, a leader must maintain balanced relationship i.e. neither so long nor short with the media.

The participants were grouped into leaders, workers and media persons and role-play method was used to differentiate the attitudes of leaders towards the media. Some leaders highly prefer media, some are balanced with it and others avoid it.

Lessons from Simulation

Media will enhance the leader, if s/he maintains good relationship If leader avoids the media, the media house may act as anti-leader The media only supports those leaders who are balanced.

The participants were asked to present the previously assigned task on the issues of NC’s working direction for the future.

NC and Women



NC should focused in empowering women Certain seats of quota is essential for women at central level Citizen rights for women is necessary

NC and King

Role of monarchy should be seriously discussed NC has to make role of monarchy as a matter of debate and discourse up to the

grassroots level NC is always against the dictatorship so that NC has to make republic system and

it should make it as agenda NC should include policy of abolishing monarchy from Nepal forever NC has to think clearly how can we abolish the monarchy? NC has to develop a

strategy for this purpose. Should we seek support of foreign nations to intervene the monarchy or working in a partnership with other parties?

King, not by words, but by action has to be democrats NC also has to think the consequences after abolishing the monarchy? What

system will NC establish after abolishment of the monarch?

NC and Maoist

Maoist and king both are dictators so that NC should not be closed with them. Conflict can be solved only through dialog but Maoist has to manage its weapons.

And, other parties should create atmosphere for Maoist to lunch its political activities as a party

Maoist agendas are related with the national issues so that NC also needs to address them.

UN mediation is essential to solve the Maoist problem But at present context, establishment of democracy is more important than Maoist

The resource person discussed the relationship of NC with the media. The NC and media has bad relationship at organizational level but at individual level it is satisfactory. The NC leadership has feeling of ego due to its historical background. Press department is not effective. The media houses obtained license by means of paying money to NC ministers so that they do not cooperate NC at time of need. NC has no media plans and strategies. When NC needs media, just calls them so that NC must prepare media strategy. The resource person also presented the PowerPoint. The main highlights were:

Print media will appreciate if we provide them press release, photos, articles and approach them. The media may lack contents to publish so that we can be helpful for them if we provided them our news and views on need.

Voters prefer to vote only those, whom they know, the media gives publicity to the leaders so that media is a mass communication collectively

Contact media person frequently and appreciate and maintain better relationship with the supportive media. Treat media worker as friend not as a worker.

Make committee for media handling



Select proper channel as per target groups Review the media plan according to the situations Use KISS method Write letters to publishers Provide advertisements to the media Know the newspaper publication day and before it provide them articles Invite electronic media for press conference and provide them the press release Convince program produces and presenters that you have raised the vital issues Get supports from those media persons who has soft corner towards you Internet also can be used to convey the message

Effective Press Release

Heading in bold letters Starting must be interesting Language must be simple Make it short Keep necessary margin It must contain 5 Wh questions Confirm to the publisher whether s/he received or not

MODULE-9: PUBLIC SPEAKING

The resource person shared her difficult experience on public speaking while she was a young leader at the beginning of her political career.

She further explained that she was quite nervous in a public speaking program. Hence, capacity building is essential for an effective public speaking purpose.

Preparation for Public Speaking

Knowledge about the topics Capacity of audience Concern about dress-up Time duration Spot of the program Sequence of the speech Timing of the speech Short and sweet No repetition Simple words Fact based Local words and language Understand mass-psychology Eye contact



Use note

Consideration for Public Speaking

Courtesy Re-evaluation Effective address Natural and confidence Politeness and mild Tactics Objective focused Serial and orderly Conscious Audience focused Body language Simplicity Effective

Moreover, proper wordings, tonality of voice, are also essential and after completing the speech, leader should show patience, adoptive and consciousness to the listeners. Groups were divided and each group was asked to select a team leader for making speech in the different burning issues. The speech was judged by the panel of judges flowed by comments and feedback. Finally, best speechmaker was awarded prize. Moreover, two ladies sang beautiful songs and some danced on it that energized the participants.

Closing Ceremonies The 4-days training successfully completed and all participants were quite satisfied with the learning from this training. All resource persons seemed relived and organizer was quite happy to complete the training successfully.Mr. Ram, NDI Official, stressed that this training can be systematically implemented for the party building process, inclusion and civic education. He further expected that for the next programs, NDI will receive proposals from NC side. He also hoped that whatever the participants have acquired, will definitely implement for party reform activities.

Two participants including a woman expressed their gratitude towards NDI and trainers and assured that they will implement the training at district level so that they hoped that the NDI/Nepal would also initiate for this purpose.They realized this training as a golden opportunity and enjoyed to work with seniors. However, they suggested that the training was very short for such a useful contents. They, therefore, requested in expanding the training period. They also expressed that their ideas and opinions will be put forward at the central committee meeting through their chief trainer. It was also requested to increase the number of women participants, at least 50%, on such training. S/he finally requested all to keep in touch even in the future.



Ms. Kury Cobham, NDI/Nepal Resident Director thanked all for grand success of the training program. She also appreciated NC for attempting to reach to all the casts, creeds, religions and sex. She also thanked all the participants, facilitators and team members for their hard work during this training period. She assured that she will certainly forward the database of the participants to the NC party office and either NC or NDI/Nepal will directly contact them as per need. She also added that the NDI Office doors are always opened for them. They are always welcome to the office and can use reference library and other resources if they are in need. She expressed that all the participants are a part of NDI family now onwards. Mr. Man Bahadur and Ms. Kurry both jointly distributed the certificates for successfully completing the training and the chief trainer thanked all for making training successful. He further explained that he will try his level best to use the support of NDI/Nepal for the inclusive democracy within the NC. He also requested NDI/Nepal to develop a training manual for district level training.
