2nd NRN conference in Kathmandu from Oct 7 The Non-resident Nepalis Association (NNA) is set organise its second international conference in Kathmandu from 7th to 9th October this year. Talking to Nepalnews, Dr Hemant Dawadi, Executive Director of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FNCCI), which is coordinating the conference, said, ?Preparations for the second conference are almost over, works on invitations and registration are nearly complete and now we are finalising the programs for the conference." He further added, ?The main purpose behind organising such a conference is to facilitate participation of NRNs in the social and economic development of Nepal by investing not only the money but also their skills and knowledge". The upcoming conference will primarily focus on the issues of Nepali workers in foreign countries -- how to enhance their skills in order to involve them in higher economic activities and enable them to contribute in the overall development of the country, Dawadi further said. For this year?s conference, various program topics which include education and issues of youth and women have been finalised. ?Our motive is to develop a kind of network between NRN youths and Nepali youths. Similarly, in our view, the investment of NRNs? expertise in the development of Nepal?s education sector is equally important so we will put forth our proposals to link Nepali education institutions with foreign education institutions." Over 400 NRNs from around the world are expected to participate in the conference. As far as Nepali representatives are concerned, Dawadi said, the organisers are trying to reduce the participation of Nepali representatives almost by the half than that of the first NRN conference. Their number will be around 150. The inauguration ceremony and the next day?s session will be held at Birendra International Convention Centre (BICC) at Baneshwor while rest of the programs will be conducted at Haytt Regency Hotel. The first NRN conference was held in October 2003 in Kathmandu in which 200 NRNs and some 300 Nepali representatives had participated. nepalnews.com Neetu Dubey Oct 03 05