The Natural Resource Conflict Transformation Center–Nepal (NRCTC-N) and the Central Department of Conflict, Peace and Development Studies, Tribhuvan University, jointly organized a seminar on the theme “Contemporary Challenges in Peacebuilding” on 22 August 2025 (2082 Bhadra 8) at Alpha House, Baneshwor.
The seminar was inaugurated by the Honorable Home Minister of Nepal, Mr. Ramesh Lekhak, by lighting the traditional lamp (Panas). Prof. Dr. Dubinand Dhakal, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, delivered his best wishes, while Mr. Chup Bahadur Thapa, Executive Director of the Natural Resource Conflict Transformation Center–Nepal (NRCTC-N), reflected on the organization’s peacebuilding campaign. In his remarks, he expressed:
“There are many hospitals that stitch together broken parts of the human body, but no hospital can be found that heals a broken heart. The mediation centers established under our peacebuilding campaign serve as hospitals for mending broken hearts, and mediators are the doctors who heal them.”
With these powerful remarks, he extended a warm welcome to all distinguished participants. The program was further facilitated by Dr. Pitambar Bhandari, Head of the Central Department of Conflict, Peace and Development Studies.
In his keynote remarks, Home Minister Lekhak emphasized the dynamic nature of conflicts, noting that their forms, causes, and contexts vary with time, and accordingly, solutions also emerge. He highlighted the importance of time in conflict transformation, stressing the need for accurate identification of conflicts and transformation processes. Referring to rising cases of road accidents, cybercrimes, suicides, and substance abuse, he expressed the Ministry of Home Affairs’ commitment to collaborate with TU in future research on such issues. He also underlined the necessity of scholarships for academic research on conflict-related themes and assured the ministry’s support in this regard.
The seminar comprised two sessions of expert reflections on peace stabilization, transitional justice, and peacebuilding:
- First Session: Former Chief Election Commissioner Bhojraj Pokharel, Former Minister Mr. Vidyadhar Mallik, Former Joint Secretary Mr. Janak Raj Joshi, and Prof. Dr. Kusum Shakya shared their perspectives and experiences.
- Second Session: Nepali Congress leader Minendra Rijal, CPN-UML Secretary Mr. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, CPN (Maoist Center) Central Committee Member and Honorable Ms. Rekha Sharma, and Nepal Socialist Party leader Mr. Manish Suman offered their insights on the respective themes.
