KIRTIPUR: A three-day international seminar on ‘Social Inclusion Policies of South Asian States’ kicked off in the capital on Thursday on the occasion of golden jubilee of Tribhuvan University. Inaugurating the seminar, jointly organised by the Centre for Nepal and Asian Studies, TU, and Social Inclusion Research Fund, SNV Nepal, Minister for Foreign Affairs Sujata Koirala said the government would keep the interest of all ethnic groups, castes and religions in mind while drafting the new constitution. “Education and capability enhancement of the suppressed communities could help bring them to the mainstream of the society and ensure inclusiveness,” the minister said. She added that discrimination against oppressed groups had continued despite promulgation and amendment of laws. “Political parties, public and the private sector together can check the issue,” she added. Stating that social inclusion was a major concern in Nepal and South Asia, the minister sought experts’ views on how to guarantee social inclusion in the new constitution. Yagya Prasad Adhikari, executive director, CNAS, said, “The governments have failed to effectively address the inclusion issue. The democratic government should now guarantee it in the statute.” He said it was easier to change the political structure but hard to change the cultural behaviour and attitudes of the people. Prof Madhav Prasad Sharma, Vice Chancellor, TU, said Nepal faced the problem of minority exclusion. Hans Heijdra, director, SNV Nepal, said the conflict of suppressed communities in South Asian region often erupted as violence, underlining the need to review the existing policy. Mohan Das Manandhar, senior advisor, SIRF/SNV, Nepal, said the seminar would be crucial in exchanging experiences among SAARC scholars and initiate discourse on policies of the SAARC states on social inclusion. Ten scholars, intellectuals and practitioners from SAARC countries will present papers on ‘Social Inclusion Policies of the State: Experiences and Challenges’ in the seminar.