KATHMANDU, APRIL 4
The US Embassy in Kathmandu welcomed the new cohort of the US Embassy Youth Council 2024 (USYC) members amid a program on Thursday.
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nepal, Indira Rana, joined US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R. Thompson and Embassy officials to welcome the new USYC members.
This year's Council comprises 55 members from 35 different districts and all seven provinces, representing Nepal's social, religious, cultural, ethnic, and gender diversity, who will work on different projects to benefit their communities.
During the inauguration program, the Ambassador emphasized the role of youth in Nepal's economic and social development.
This cohort includes talented young students, professionals across multiple sectors, advocates, artists, and more.
For the next three days, they will learn about US public diplomacy programming, artificial intelligence's role in economic growth, tools, and strategies to combat mis/dis information, and the role USYC members can play in shaping a more democratic, prosperous, and inclusive Nepal.
The USYC program is committed to fostering a meaningful discourse between Nepali youth and the Embassy to identify and address the challenges Nepali youths face and encourage greater engagement in community initiatives and broader civil society, said US Embassy Public Affairs Officer Garrett Wilkerson.
The USYC is a professional development and mentoring program to assist the council members in developing leadership skills to solve critical issues in their communities. During their membership term, council members will engage in networking opportunities, design and implement civic engagement projects, and attend key strategic events. With a legacy of 12 years, the USYC alumnus community, comprising over 600 individuals, has been instrumental in catalyzing positive change through various community projects, according to Pradip Khatiwada, Executive Director at Youth Innovation Lab.
This year, the USYC program, under the management of the YI-Lab brought together a diverse group of 55 Nepali youths between the ages of 20 to 30, chosen through a transparent process that represents Nepal's diverse social, religious, cultural, geographic, and ethnic backgrounds, Khatiwada added.
