Ghanashyam Bishwakarma wins 'Golchha Group Presents Glocal Teen Hero Nepal 2024' title

KATHMANDU: Ghanashyam Bishwakarma, a 19-year-old activist from Rukum district, has been awarded the 'Golchha Group Presents Glocal Teen Hero Nepal 2024' title.

Bishwakarma received the award at a ceremony hosted by Glocal at The Soaltee Kathmandu on Sunday. Over the past decade, the Glocal Teen Hero initiative has built a legacy of recognising teenagers who excel beyond academics, providing a platform to showcase their extraordinary talents. Glocal Teen Hero Nepal profoundly acknowledges teenagers’ initiative, creativity, and enthusiasm, empowering them to catalyse positive change at the intersection of global and local domains.

In the competition, Bishwakarma was selected from the top six finalists, which included Aashish Panthi (19), Tech Educator, Kapilvastu; Nischal Bhattarai (16), Educator, Syangja; Purnima Timsina (17), Child Rights Activist, Jhapa; Sajani Sharma (19), Social Activist, Kaski; and Shreejay Subedi (18), Tech Enthusiast, Parsa.

Winner Bishwakarma has over eight years of experience advocating for the rights and well-being of children and adolescents. His dedication to child rights, mental health, climate justice, and combating child marriage has made a significant impact on society. As the President of the National Adolescents Boys Network Nepal, he is deeply committed to advancing comprehensive child rights advocacy. He collaborates with various organisations to address critical issues such as sexual and reproductive rights, mental health, climate justice, and online safety. He leads educational workshops designed to combat child sexual exploitation and enhance reporting mechanisms, empowering young people to protect themselves and their peers. His role as a climate justice advocate includes organising workshops focused on children’s rights to a healthy environment, emphasising the importance of environmental sustainability in safeguarding future generations.

Bishwakarma’s commitment extends to coordinating emergency response efforts, where he plays a crucial role in data collection and relief distribution, particularly during natural disasters. His leadership in these initiatives reflects his dedication to supporting vulnerable communities in times of crisis. On the international stage, he represents Nepal at forums such as the World Social Forum, where he advocates for child rights and shares the challenges faced by young people in Nepal. Beyond his advocacy work, he engages in creative projects, including writing songs that resonate with his activism.

His work as a child rights activist has significantly impacted society by empowering children, raising awareness, and influencing policy changes. Through his educational workshops on child sexual exploitation and climate justice, he has equipped young people with the knowledge and tools they need to advocate for their rights and well-being. His talent showcases provide children with platforms to express their creativity, build confidence, and develop their voices. He leverages media engagement, such as hosting the Bal Chautari programme on Radio Sanobheri FM, to raise awareness on child rights, child marriage, mental health, and online safety. During the Covid 19 pandemic, he played a crucial role in disseminating vital information to protect children and families, ensuring they had access to the resources and support they needed. His collaborations with governmental and non-governmental organisations have influenced child protection policies, including efforts to eliminate online child sexual exploitation.

As a climate justice activist, he educates youth on environmental sustainability, fostering a generation conscious of their impact on the planet. His coordination of disaster relief efforts during earthquakes and other crises further demonstrates his commitment to community support. Overall, his work fosters a society where children are empowered, protected, and given the opportunities they need to thrive.

The top six finalists were shortlisted for the final round of 'Golchha Group presents Glocal Teen Hero Nepal' based on their achievements, initiatives, contributions, and impact of work. The finalists also attended a series of Self-Competency Workshops on various topics and had the opportunity to interact with industry leaders and corporate personalities to broaden their knowledge.

The finalists were individually interviewed by a panel of judges comprising Ashish Tiwari, Director at Ace Institute of Management; Chandrika Kalia, Country Director at Coca-Cola Nepal; Ghana Shyam Gurung, Country Representative of WWF Nepal; Patricia Fernandez Pacheco, Country Representative to Nepal, UN Women; Seema Golchha, Director at Golchha Group; and Veronique Lorenzo, European Union Ambassador to Nepal.

This year, Glocal partnered with Golchha Group as a Title Partner; the Embassy of India, European Union, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany Kathmandu, and UN Women as Strategic Partners; Honda, Coca-Cola, WWF, Toyota, KFC, Panchakanya, Nabil Bank, DishHome Go, Ace Institute of Management, and Real Juice as Partners; The Soaltee Kathmandu as Initiative Partner; Worldlink as Internet Partner; Cozy Home as Hospitality Partner; Yeti Airlines as Airline Partner; Prisma Advertising as PR Partner; No Next Question (NNQ) as Outreach Partner; and eSewa, Nepal Telecom, Pizza Hut, and IMS Group as Supporters.

The journey of the Glocal Teen Hero over the last decade has been nothing short of transformative. It has fostered a generation of young leaders who have redefined the possibilities of youth engagement and social impact. From its humble beginnings to becoming a nationwide platform of inspiration, the initiative has illuminated the stories of countless teens, empowering them to create positive change in their communities. As we celebrate this milestone, we remain committed to continuing this legacy, nurturing future heroes who will shape a better tomorrow.

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