KATHMANDU: Case Western Reserve University, USA, in collaboration with Imagine Nepal and Nepal Tourism Board, is organising a four-day 'World Appreciative Inquiry (AI) Conference' starting November 16 in Nepal.

Talking to The Himalayan Times today, Dhruba Acharya, chairperson, Imagine Nepal and conference co-chair, said the main goal of the conference was to stimulate a positive revolution for sustainable change through knowledge sharing.

He said that the conference would focus on seven major themes such as new applications and advances in the practices of AI and other strengths-based approaches to change, climate change, health, education, development, leadership and coalition building for peace, justice and good governance, spirituality and positive change.

"AI is a strength-based paradigm to generate, develop and apply the knowledge system and has a unique way of looking at global events and of dealing with people and places," he said. "It involves focusing on positive aspects like strengths, achievements, assets and unexplored potentials rather than negativity and criticism so that individuals' organisations and societies can build on them for success."

During the conference, a total of 86 papers related to strength-based paradigm will be presented, in addition to poster presentation by researchers, innovators and practitioners from 20 countries.

According to Imagine Nepal, more than hundred individuals from 35 countries would participate the conference. The conference will have 21 panellists and keynote speakers from around the world, including AI founder Prof David Cooperrider and member of Constitutional Committee of South Africa Justice Albie Sachs.

RC Lamichhane, general secretary, Imagine Nepal, said, "On the forth day, around 100 Nepalis, who are playing a dynamic role in Nepal's peace building process will participate so that they can have the opportunity to understand the experiences of world leaders."

He said the conference would also develop an action plan to establish an Appreciative World University in Nepal. AI Conference has been held three times in USA. This is the first ever to be held outside USA.