India China Institute The New School International Conference NEPAL TODAY: CHALLENGES OF INCLUSIVE DEMOCRACY Saturday May 19, 2007 8:30 am - 5:00 pm KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Mr. Subas Nembang Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nepal Nepal is at a historic and crucial turning point. The people-led revolutions of 1990 and spring 2006 have shown the unprecedented courage of Nepali people in fighting for democratic rights. The recent uprisings, general strikes (bandhs), and continued demonstrations by large numbers of marginalized groups like Dalits, Janajatis, Madhesis, and women highlight the importance of establishing inclusive democracy. Bob Kerrey, President of The New School invites you to participate in a critical dialogue on Nepal’s quest for “Inclusive Democracy” with Nepal’s prominent national leaders, political analysts, scholars and civil society leaders. Speakers, discussants and moderators for the conference include: Andrew Arato, Krishna Bhattachan, Kul Gautam, Ashok Gurung, Om Gurung, Sumitra Manandhar Gurung, Susan Hangen, David Holmberg, Pramod Kantha, Bob Kerrey, Mahendra Lawoti, Suresh Ale Magar, Subas Nembang, Kathryn March, Navin Rai, Murari Raj Sharma, Alfred Stepan, Mukta Tamang, Padma Ratna Tuladhar. CONFERENCE LOCATION: The New School, Tishman Auditorium, 66 West 12 Street, NYCth CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEE (For Continental Breakfast and Lunch): Student with valid ID $15 Others $25 INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION t: 212.229.5488 (box office ticket purchases) 212 229.6812 (for information – India China Institute) fax: 212.352.0213 (box office) indiachina@newschool.edu (with “Nepal Today” in subject heading) NOTE: RSVP - Limited space, early registration recommended. Conference details at: www.indiachina.newschool.edu ********************************************************* Conference Agenda NEPAL TODAY: CHALLENGES OF INCLUSIVE DEMOCRACY SATURDAY, MAY 19, 2007, 8:30 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. 55 West 13th Street, Tishman Auditorium, 66 W 12tth Street, New York, NY 10011 8:30 A.M. - 9:00 A.M. Registration / Continental Breakfast 9:00 A.M. - 9:15 A.M. Opening Remarks Ashok Gurung, Director, India China Institute, The New School Bob Kerrey, President, The New School 9:15 A.M. – 10:00 A.M. Keynote Speech Subas Nembang, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nepal (15 minutes Q&A) 10:00 A.M. - 12:30 A.M. Session I: Taking Stock: Exclusion and Dissent MODERATOR: David Holmberg, Professor of Anthropology, Cornell University PANALISTS: Padma Ratna Tuladhar, President, Forum for Protection of Human Rights, Nepal Pramod Kantha, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Wright State University, Ohio Krishna Bhattachan, Professor of Sociology and Anthropology, Tribhuvan University, Nepal Sumitra Manandhar Gurung, Chairperson, National Coalition Against Racial Discrimination (NCARD) DISCUSSANTS: Mukta Tamang, Ph.D. Candidate, Cornell University Susan Hangen, Assistant Professor of Anthropology, Ramapo College, New Jersey Kathryn March, Professor of Anthropology, Cornell University Q&A 12:30 P.M. - 2:00 P.M. Lunch Break 2:00 P.M. - 4:45 P.M. Session II: Looking Ahead: Inclusion and Democratization MODERATOR: Kul Gautam, Deputy Executive Director, UNICEF and Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations PANALISTS: Mahendra Lawoti, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Western Michigan University Murari Raj Sharma, Chairman of the United Nation’s Fifth Committee and Former Ambassador of Nepal to the United Nations Om Gurung, Professor of Anthropology, Tribhuvan University, Nepal and Advisor to Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) Al Stepan, Wallace S. Sayre Professor of Government, and Director of the Center for the Study of Democracy, Toleration and Religion, at Columbia University Suresh Ale Magar, Legislature, Office of the Legislative Party of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) DISCUSSANTS: Andrew Arato, Professor of Sociology, The New School Navin Rai, Lead Social Development Specialist, World Bank Q&A 4:45 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Closing Remarks Ashok Gurung, Director, India China Institute, The New School