Daayitwa celebrates graduation of 2024 Public Policy Fellows

KATHMANDU: Daayitwa marked the graduation of the 2024 Daayitwa Nepal Public Policy Fellows during a ceremony in Jhamsikhel, Lalitpur. This event celebrated the transformative journey of seven exceptional fellows, selected from a record-breaking pool of over 250 applicants. Chief Guest, Prof Dr Shiva Raj Adhikari, Vice Chairperson of the National Planning Commission, graced the occasion.

Susit Dhakal, Executive Director of Daayitwa, welcomed attendees and highlighted the significance of the Daayitwa Nepal Public Policy Fellowship (DNPPF) programme. He emphasised its role in empowering young professionals and fostering a collaborative environment for evidence-based policymaking.

A notable moment was the personal reflections shared by Aditi Upadhyay, a DNPPF 2024 Fellow. Speaking on behalf of her peers, Upadhyay discussed the challenges and successes of the fellowship, underscoring how it addressed the trust deficit between youth and government, and created opportunities for meaningful engagement and growth.

In his address, Chief Guest Adhikari spoke on the critical role of youth in shaping Nepal’s policy landscape. He encouraged ongoing collaboration between young professionals and government institutions to promote effective governance and inclusive development.

Pukar Malla, Founder and Chairperson of Daayitwa, reflected on the fellowship’s journey since its inception in 2013. He stressed the importance of youth-government collaboration for national progress and urged the government to institutionalise innovative programmes like the fellowship to sustain its impact.

The ceremony brought together prominent stakeholders from the public, private, and social sectors to honour the fellows' achievements and discuss enhancing youth involvement in governance and evidence-based policymaking.

Laxman Yadav, Head of Corporate Affairs at Worldlink, Parag Shrestha, Managing Director of Fusemachines for South Asia, and Under-secretary Tirtha Prakash Poudyal from the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, provided insights into the importance of policy research. They highlighted how thorough policy research and its integration are essential for advancing various industries in Nepal, pointing to significant growth and development through informed decision-making.

The DNPPF 2024 was supported by capacity partners Nepal Leadership Academy and Governance Lab, and funded by eSewa, F1Soft, Fusemachines, Nimbus, Worldlink, CedarGate Technologies, and Osho Travels. Training and mentorship were provided by Nepali Academics in America (NACA).

The event underscored the dedication and expertise of the fellows and the collaborative spirit of all stakeholders involved. It highlighted the essential role of young professionals in advancing evidence-based policymaking and fostering effective governance in Nepal.

Daayitwa is a Nepali non-profit, non-governmental organisation that envisions an enterprising Nepal, where every individual has opportunities for a prosperous future.