CWAD in coordination with Judicial Committee of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, organized a One Day Program on 27th April 2021 (Baisakh 14th, 2078) with Judicial Committee Members, Mediation Committee Members, Ward Members, Executive Members and Paralegal of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality. The objective of the program was to make them aware and awaken them about the History of Rule of Law, which will help them understand the basic concept of why this term was even coined. Similarly, why and what is the need of Good Governance. As well as why should we as well as any institution needs to be Transparent and Accountable. In addition, to enhance their understanding about their jurisdiction, roles and responsibilities as judicial committee members, mediation committee members, ward members and paralegals regarding the access to justice of poor, marginalized and disadvantages group and maintaining rule of law and good governance.
A total of 31 people participated among which 6 were male and 25 were female. Deputy Mayor (DM) and Coordinator of Judicial Committee Anjana Devi Madhikarmi, Deputy Secretary (DS) Gyanendra Ban, Section Officer Tej Prasad Dahal, Senior Health Officer Sun Kumar Raut, Women Development Officer Sabina Bhattrai and Judicial Committee Member Bal Krishna Shrestha also attended the program.
In the program, Prof. Dr. Shashi Adhikary presented the paper on the role of judicial committee members, mediators, and paralegals regarding rule of law, good governance, accountability, and transparency. She started her presentation by overviewing the history of rule of law and how Constitution of Nepal 2015 ensure the rule of law in Nepal. She stressed that everyone regardless of their position, be a citizen, government official, institutions, elected representatives, prime minister, presidents are below the law and are obligated to follow. Thus, “Ignorance of Law has not excused” so every individual must understand about the basic concept of law. She stressed that if a nation is successful to maintain good governance, then problem such as corruption, work ethics, and unaccountability towards the people will be resolved. The public administrative should be transparent, neutral, impartial, inclusive, corruption free, responsive, and participatory to ensure equal and easy access of the public to the services. Similarly, Mrs Adhikary notion that judicial committee members, mediators and paralegals are the key service providing actors in the local level. From settling civil cases or refer the cases as per the need, but it is equally important for them to adopt as well as advocate to maintain rule of law and good governance, transparency, accountability.
Deputy Mayor (DM) of Madhyapur Thimi Municipality, Anjana Devi Madhikarmi was chaired as the chief guest gave a vote of thanks to CWAD for conducting such an essential and time-relevant program in the municipality. She even recalled the collaborative work with CWAD since 10 years and shared her personal experience such as capacity enhancement training, formation of mediation committee, vocational training and my related issues. Being a people’s representative, she committed to had, has, and will work on their behalf to facilitate and promote their interests.
The concluded remarks from CWAD advisory board member Prof. Dr Shashi Adhikary ended the program with thanked judicial committee members, executive members, mediators, paralegals, ward members, and government officials for the active participation.
