KATHMANDU, MARCH 16

A special policy dialogue titled "Promoting Social Harmony, Unity, and Inclusive Society" will be held on Chaitra 3, 2082 (March 17, 2026) from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM to mark World Social Work Day in Kathmandu, organizers have announced.

The event is organized by Kathmandu Model College in collaboration with the Conflict, Peace, and Development Studies (CPDS) Department under Tribhuvan University, and supported by UDWS Nepal, Child Nepal, Hami Dajubhai, Swatantrata Abhiyan Nepal, and Yuwalaya.

This year's international theme for World Social Work Day, "Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society," will be the central focus of the program, which will bring together policy makers, social sector experts, civil society representatives, youth activists, and students, said Amitraj Shrestha, Head of the Social Work Department.

The day-long event will include policy dialogues, experience sharing, and interactive sessions. Participants will discuss issues related to social harmony, inclusive development, social justice, and policy reforms, according to the organizers.

Notable speakers confirmed for the program include mountaineer and photojournalist Purnima Shrestha, newly elected House of Representatives member Basana Thapa, Dipak Kumar Shah, President of Victim Gen Z President Nepal Pratish Shrestha, gender equality and social inclusion expert Dr. Mina Paudel, and Ritu Bhatta Rai, Chair of the National Coordination Group, among other experts and stakeholders, said Surendra Subedi, Principal of Kathmandu Model College.

Program Chief Alice Raj Rajopadhyay stated that the dialogue is expected to strengthen policy initiatives aimed at promoting social harmony and inclusion.

Dhruvprasad Timalsena, Head of the Internal Quality Assurance Unit, added that the event will facilitate discussions on social harmony, inclusivity, and challenges of social division, and that ideas, suggestions, and conclusions from the dialogue will be compiled into a policy brief to be submitted to relevant policy-making processes.