Champadevi Hiking

Earlier last week, I went for one day hike at Champadevi hiking in the southern hill of the Kathmandu valley. Here are some of the glimpses of the hike.

Exciting road trip on BP Highway

There is nothing more exciting than hitting the road on BP Highway, which is packed with full of adventures such as terrifying tight turns and spectacular views of the Sunkoshi river and the surrounding nature. Here are some glimpses of the recent road trip I took with my friends: 

7 Books Every Leader Should Read

Max Bazerman, a business psychology professor at Harvard Business School and the author of the best book on general decision making that I’ve ever read, "Judgment in Managerial Decision Making," came out with 7 book recommendations.

I hadn’t heard of two of these, which I picked up.

1. "Thinking, Fast and Slow" by Daniel Kahneman

I think we’ve all heard of this one. Bazerman says:

The development of decision research is the most pronounced influence of the social sciences on professional education and societal change that we have witness in the last half century. Kahneman is the greatest social scientist of our time, and" Thinking, Fast and Slow" provides an integrated history of the fields of behavioral decision research and behavioral economics, the role of our two different systems for processing information (System 1 vs. System 2), and the wonderful story of Kahneman’s relationship with Amos Tversky (Tversky would have shared Kahneman’s Nobel Prize had he not passed away at an early age).

2. "Nudge: Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness" by Richard Thaler & Cass Sunstein

This is another one I think most of you have heard of but it’s a classic. I once used this book as the foundation to make the case to a management team for hiring a group of behavioral psychologists. Along with "Thinking, Fast and Slow" it is part of the ultimate behavioral economics reading list.

Nudge takes the study of how humans depart from rational decision making and turns this work into a prescriptive strategy for action. Over the last 40 years, we have learned a great deal about the systematic and predictable ways in which the human mind departs from rational action. Yet, we have observed dozens of studies that show the limits of trying to de-bias the human mind. Nudge highlights that we do not need to de-bias humans, we simply need to understand humans, and create decision architectures with a realistic understanding of the human to guide humans to wise decisions. Nudge has emerged as the bible of behavioral insight teams that are transforming the ways countries help to devise wise policies.

3. "The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine" by Michael Lewis

Lewis is an amazing writer, with the talent to capture amazing features of how humans have the capacity to overcome common limitations. Moneyball (that would have been on the list, but I imposed a one book per author limit) was a fascinating look about how overcoming common human limits allowed baseball leaders to develop unique and effective leadership strategies. In The Big Short, Lewis shows how people can notice, even when most of us are failing to do so. Lewis shows that it was possible to notice vast problems with our economy by 2007, and tells the amazing account of those who did.

4. "Eyewitness To Power: The Essence of Leadership Nixon to Clinton" by David Gergen

This one looks fascinating.

David Gergen is an amazingly insightful intellect about so many things, including the nature of Presidential leadership. His writing is wonderful, and his ability to pull out the nuggets of effective leadership in his closing chapter is a lasting contribution. You will learn about four Presidents that have escaped you in the past, and in the process, learn some insights about leadership in your organization.

5. "Moral Tribes: Emotion, Reason, and the Gap Between Us and Them" by Joshua Greene

This book has been recommended to me by so many smart people that there must be something to it.

Joshua Greene is a wonderful mix of insightful philosopher, careful psychologist, and keen observer of human morality. If you have ever been confronted with the famous “trolley problem”, and want to learn more, Moral Tribes is the place to go. Whether you are a philosopher looking for a new path, a psychologist looking for insight from a new direction, or simply a human who wants to understand your own morality, this book is terrific.

6. "Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending" by Elizabeth Dunn & Michael Norton

For decades, the study of consumer behavior has been dominated by the question of how marketers can understand consumers to sell their products and services. Dunn and Norton use contemporary social science to provide insight into what consumers can do to make themselves, rather than marketers, happy.

7. "The Art and Science of Negotiation" by Howard Raiffa

The Art and Science of Negotiation is where it all began from an intellectual standpoint, where Raiffa provides insight into how to think systematically in a world where you cannot count on the other side to do so.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/

10 Toxic Marriage Habits Wedded Couples Need To Stop Now

Toxic marriage habits can create the illusion for some that their current partner isn’t the right person for them. In some cases, this might be the truth. In other cases, however, the fact might be that eliminating these toxic habits could eliminate many relationship “issues,” thereby improving (or even saving) a flailing partnership.

Your relationship with your partner exists as an entity separate from each of you. Just like individuals have ups and downs, so do marriages. Just as with your body, whatever you “feed” your relationship will be reflected in its overall health. If you want to eliminate dis-ease and negativity, purge your relationship of these 10 toxic marriage habits:

1. The failure to express appreciation for your partner

We all crave validation and acknowledgment. Most of us want to hear it from the person we love the most: our husband or wife. Lack of positive expression in our partnerships makes people feel as though they are being taken for granted. After months or years of feeling unappreciated, it is not uncommon for someone to stop “trying” to please their partner or to look for appreciation elsewhere.

Say, “Thank you,” “I love you,” and, “I appreciate you,” regularly.

2. The failure to support the dreams of your partner.

People often have fond memories of their relationship’s infancy. During the dopamine-infused newness of a courtship, people talk about their dreams, all of which seem magical. Unfortunately, when the “hot and heavy” wears off, reality hits.

People begin to see the world and their partners more critically. Individuals forget how dreams are precious and that they must be treated with care. Partners tear down the hopes and ideas of their beloved other.

This is painful, and it is damaging. Suppression of a person’s dreams could be evidenced by lack of expression in the relationship. Coincidentally, that is the next toxic marriage habit on this list.

3. Lack of expression in and about the relationship.

It should go without saying that communication is a must in every marriage. Without being able to articulate fears, injuries, hopes, and desires with one another, partners become disconnected. Individuals should allow one another the freedom to express themselves without constant fear of judgment, drama or conflict. The free flow of ideas and communication is the circulation that gives your relationship life.

4. The absence of self-confidence and self-love.

The healthiest relationships are borne of two secure, confident and aware individuals. When one or both people in a marriage suffer from a lack of self-love, jealousy and insecurities often manifest in the relationship. These two things are marriage habits that are potentially deadly for any union. If you want to eliminate jealousy and insecurity, focus on loving and accepting every part of who you are first.

You are perfect.

5. Complacency in your self-care and behavior.

As time passes in a relationship, people get more relaxed and let things go. This can get discouraging for a husband who loves seeing his wife get gussied up for work every day. It can wreak havoc on a couple’s sex life when health issues crop up because of the failure to eat right and exercise.

Whether you have been married two years or twenty, keep on top of your game. Do this not just for your partner, but for you! It feels better to do, act and be the best person you can be. It will do wonders for your marriage, too.

6. Wanting tit-for-tat.

At different points during every marriage, one partner will have to pick up the slack for the other one. This is why they call marriage “a partnership.” Understand that if your husband or wife is not giving as much as you would like, there will come a point when he or she will be picking up your slack. Don’t always insist on receiving tit-for-tat when you think you have gone above and beyond in the relationship.

Let your partner ride a little bit. Look forward to the day when the favor will be returned.

7. Forgetting to let your partner in on your plans.

Nothing can make a relationship go sideways faster than forgetting to get your husband or wife on board. By failing to clue your partner in on your dreams, goals or lunch dates, you could leave them feeling abandoned, excluded and caught off guard. All of these things lead to resentment, anger and disconnection.

You don’t have to ask for your partner’s permission. You can ask for your partner’s support. You only need to let your partner in on what it is you want to do and where you want to go for lunch…and in life.

8. Making your partner your last priority.

Your kids are a top priority. So is your work. So are you. And…so is your partner.

How do you balance all of these things? That is the million dollar question, friends. Anyone who is in a marriage is negotiating that answer, especially if there are kids involved.

You won’t always balance everything perfectly. Acknowledge that fact. The most important thing to remember, however, is to not forget about your partner in this list.

Talk with your partner about how overwhelmed you feel. Come up with ideas on how you each can make the other feel like a “priority” with all these competing interests pulling at you. Express how much you mean to each other.

9. Letting the physical intimacy in your relationship dwindle.

Life gets busy. People feel exhausted. They forget to look in their partner’s eyes, kiss passionately, hold each other and just touch. This lack of physical intimacy can lead to the feeling that a partner doesn’t love you.

Physical intimacy with someone you love is healing for the soul. It strengthens (and helps maintain) the bond between two individuals. Keep the intimacy alive in your relationship.

Practice touching one another. Read books to help keep the fire burning. See a counselor if you are out of touch or need help getting started again.

10. Failing to dig deep with your partner.

Without relationship evolution, your marriage will die. Remember that if you want to strike relationship gold, you have to be willing to dig deep with your partner. Issues and conflict are your opportunities to burrow into the soul of your beloved, plant new seeds and continue to grow together.

Approach change in your partner and relationship with the wondrous eyes of an explorer. By doing this, you will continue to discover new things every day. This will keep you out of a relationship rut and in something that is fresh, changing, and always exciting.

These toxic marriage habits are subtle and are sometimes silent. Left unchecked for too long, they will kill your marriage. Make it a regular habit to look at yourself and how you could make yourself better for you and your partner. By doing this, you reduce the chances that the habits will take hold and cause havoc in your heart and home.

Source: Lifehacks

My recent Delhi visit in picture

Few glimpses captured during the 46th Annual Meeting of the ADB Board of Governors, held in Delhi, India, from 2 to 5 May 2013. It was really a good opportunity for knowledge sharing and partnership. The ADB seminar series, sponsored programs, civil society program and host country events were fruitful. 

With India's finance minister P. Chidambaram at ADB's host country reception. 
 

Beautiful girls welcoming to the ADB delegates at Jaypee Green hotel in Greater Noida, Delhi 

With Nepal's Finance Minister Shanker P. Koirala

With ADB president Takehiko Nakao at the reception party hosted by him for  ADB delegates 

In Nepal, scholarships empower Dalit girls

Seven years ago, 25 Dalit girls were given a chance to go to college. Today, they are role models for other Dalit daughters, and their parents.

In Nepalese society, where caste-based discrimination is all-too common, being a Dalit ("untouchable") means facing a life without access to opportunity – educational, economic or political.

• 
  Participants in the Empowering Dalit Daughters programme pose for a portrait. From left, Rebica Nepali, Hira Nepali, Sangita B.K., Pramila Bishunkhe, Anju Kadel and Barshaa Prakash, The programme provided scholarships, food and accommodation to 25 Dalit girls from across Nepal. [Photos courtesy of Professional Development and Research Centre (PDRC)]
• 
  Hema Shreepaile, 23, an Empowering Dalit Daughters programme scholar, won the Gold Medal for scoring highest marks in the Bachelors in Hotel Management from Tribhuvan University.

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Being female merely adds to the challenge. According to the 2001 census, only 43% of the Dalit population is literate, and the rate is much lower among Dalit women.

"Dalit women face double discrimination – added to the discrimination based on caste, they also face gender-based discrimination," said Birendra Bishwokarma, executive director of the Professional Development and Research Centre (PDRC), a non-governmental organisation that works on Dalit issues.

"Even if they are talented, Dalit girls rarely get chances to get higher education and reach leadership positions," he told Khabar South Asia.

Back in 2006, PDRC took steps to change that, through "Empowering Dalit Daughters," a scholarship programme for Dalit girls.

With financial support from the Nepal Youth Foundation, it embarked on a nationwide talent hunt to select 25 talented and motivated Dalit girls. They received scholarships to prestigious colleges in Kathmandu, as well as food and accommodation at a hostel in the capital for six years.

Before being placed in top colleges, the students received training in leadership, counseling and communications skills.

"The objective of the programme was to create role models out of these girls, which we believe will help make people aware about the importance of educating their daughters," Bishwokarma said. "It was also an effort to bring the leadership developed at local level into national level."

Success stories

Better education has translated into better opportunities for these young women. Hema Shreepaile, 23, and Mala Nepali, 24, are two of them. Shreepaile works at the prestigious Hotel Annapurna in Kathmandu, while Nepali is employed with an education consultancy in the city.

Shreepaile, who hails from Kailali district in western Nepal, scored Gold Medal from Tribhuvan University in 2012 for earning highest marks in the Bachelor's in Hotel Management programme.

"I feel very happy to have received the scholarship," Shreepaile told Khabar. "It helped me in many ways. It supported me financially to achieve my dreams. It also provided me a learning environment, helped me become more confident about myself and develop leadership qualities.

"Living with 24 students of different cultures from different parts of the country helped me learn a lot about their cultures, as well," she added.

Mala Nepali says the programme has not only helped her, but inspired others.

"More and more people in my community have begun sending their daughters to school nowadays," she said. "Sometimes, I have found mothers telling their daughters that they should study and become like me. It pleases me to know that I am inspiring some people."

Two of the 25 participants have finished their graduate studies; 13 have completed their undergraduate programmes; five more are waiting for their final results.

According to Bishwokarma, the assistance will continue. "Although as of now, we do not have funds to repeat the programme, PDRC intends to keep supporting more Dalit girls by providing them with training and connecting them with scholarship opportunities nationally and internationally," he told Khabar.

Bidhyanath Koirala, an educator, believes such efforts to educate girls is beneficial to the community as a whole. "Since girls are more connected to their family and their community, educating girls can have huge impact," he told Khabar.

By Surath Giri for Khabar South Asia in Kathmandu published on 3 June, 2013 

Excited About Young Talent

Having the privilege to work in Botswana and in Nepal is something that I don’t take for granted. I commit myself to the projects I am working on and do my best to become a subject matter expert about the issue we are trying to deal with. In Botswana I immersed myself in HIV/AIDS material and the statistics the government was producing, and with the influence of many TED Talks and other fabulously passionate people such as Melissa Godwalt (A Canadian living and working in Botswana who is thoughtful and with thought provoking presentations) I tried to make the issue jump out at people. In other words, used marketing and state of the art presentation techniques to slap people in the face so they would take notice.

In Botswana, this seemed to work. Change resulted, the civil society organizations started to work together in a new, trusting way and USAID and other donors started to pay more attention to the region of Ngamiland, the region with the highest infection levels in the world. Now don’t get me wrong. I am not trying to take credit for all the positive change, that would be so far from the truth. The truth is, I could not do any of the networking and change management had I not had real talent behind me.

This is what is exciting about what I do. I get to work with some incredibly talented, dedicated and capable people from all over the world and in the process smash some misconceptions about the young and those from the developing world. Kelly Lui, although not from the developing world was one of the real treasures of my time in Botswana.

She not only was great to work with, she became a good friend and hopefully future business partner or associate.

Kelly hadn’t had a great deal of experience prior to our work together, but what she lacked in experience she made up for with focus, determination and really fast typing. (I am not kidding, really fast. Break the keyboard fast.) Kelly did the lions share of work at NCONGO while I was trying to get attention for the organization and market it.

Lesson Learned: This is a best practice that I think can be adopted by many organizations: give direction and thorough vision to your staff and then get out of the way.

The next talented person I worked with was a young woman from Botswana named Charity Thite. Charity has travelled very little outside of Botswana, but has a wealth of insight and a real way of getting the work done. Charity again had little experience when she was hired but quickly was thrown into the job feet first. Sink or swim. Charity worked alongside Kelly and picked up on Kellys good work habits and did she ever learn. She was encouraged to puzzle things out for herself and when she had thought through a problem and couldn’t solve it, then come to Kelly or me. Charity with all her inexperience soon took ownership of the organization,even though her title didn’t reflect that. (Charity is so talented and capable, I am trying to find an opportunity for her in Canada or the US so she can further hone her skills.)

Lesson learned: Let some of your staff struggle so they can stretch and grow confidence in their own intuition and body of knowledge.

Finally, here in Kathmandu I am working with a young man who, similar to Charity, has taken ownership of an organization despite the lack of title. Rup Sunar is smart, technically savvy and very coachable. Rup, next to my good friend Jeff Brown, is the most coachable person I have come across. Rup listens and doesn’t give much feedback,but then thinks a concept through and puts it into action. I have been working in the last two months to try to show the organization that marketing matters. Everything we do creates a client or stakeholder experience and we must manage that carefully. Even though this is a very modest organization with little funding, the entrance, the greeting, the signage and the presentations printed send a message about the organization. Rup gets it. Thankfully, because it would be a challenging time in Nepal if the de-facto leader of the organization didn’t get it.

Tomorrow Rup and I are going to be talking about how to work a room full of people and to make friends out of new networking acquaintances. You see Rup will be heading to Delhi to the Asian Development Bank Annual General Meeting (I was to go but could not get a visa in time) and representing the PDRC. Not the little grassroots PDRC begging for money, but the PDRC “Business” that can offer insights and information helpful to all those in attendance in Delhi. He is not going to beg, but to sell the vision that this organisation can offer.

Lesson Learned: Coach in small stories and tools and stand back. Watch the implementation and offer support. And think like a business.

This is a blog written by Blair Henry, PDRC's organizational development advisor. You can read his other blogs at http://www.blairhenry.info/

राजदूतसँग तन्नेरी

नेपालका लागि अमेरिकी राजदूत पिटर डब्लू बोडीका एक थरी सल्लाहकार कूटनीतिभन्दा बाहिरका छन्। अमेरिकी दूतावास युवा परिषद्का ती सदस्य ३० वर्षमुनिका नेपाली हुन्। नेपालका महत्त्वपूर्ण राजनीतिक, सामाजिक वा आर्थिक घटनाबारे बोडी तिनै सल्लाहकारका कुरा सुन्न रुचाउँछन्। 

दूतावासको युवा परिषदका ती सल्लाहकार विभिन्न राजनीतिक आस्थाका विद्यार्थी नेतादेखि उद्यमी, चिकित्सक, खेलाडी, फिल्ममेकर, पत्रकार आदि छन्। दृष्टिविहीन, तेस्रोलिंगी, दलित एवं विपन्न वर्गका युवासमेत संलग्न परिषदमा सबैका आ-आफ्नै व्यक्तिगत कथा छन्। काठमाडौँ विश्वविद्यालयमा स्नातकोत्तर गरिरहेका कञ्चन खरेलसुनाउँछन्, "राजदूत र उनको टोलीसँगको कुराकानीमा हाम्रा अभाव, नैराश्य र समस्या स्वाभाविक रूपमा झल्किन्छन्।" बर्सेनि झन्डै आठ करोड अमेरिकी डलर नेपालमा सहयोगस्वरूप खन्याउने अमेरिकालाई सायद त्यसले आफ्नो प्राथमिकता र रणनीति तय गर्न सघाउँदो हो। 

स्थानीय युवासँग सल्लाह र छलफल गर्ने अमेरिकी  परिपाटीको नेपालमै सफल अभ्यास भएपछि अहिले विश्वका ५० भन्दा बढी देशमा यो मोडलको सिको गरिएको छ। युवाका आवाज सुन्ने र उनीहरूसँगै काम गर्नुपर्ने आवश्यकता महसुस गरेसँगै सन् २०११ मा अमेरिकाले नेपालमा 'राजदूतको युवा सल्लाहकार परिषद' स्थापना गरेको हो। त्यस बेला स्कट एच डेलिसीराजदूत थिए। 

नेपालमा सफल अभ्यासपछि तत्कालीन अमेरिकी विदेशमन्त्री हिलारी क्लिन्टनले अमेरिकी विदेश मन्त्रालयमा 'स्पेसल एडभाइजर अन ग्लोबल युथ इन्गेजमेन्ट' पद सिर्जना गरी यसलाई विश्वव्यापी कार्यक्रम बनाएकी थिइन्। "नेपालबाट सुरु भएको यो कार्यक्रम अहिले विश्वव्यापी हुनु निकै गर्वको विषय हो," राजदूत बोडी भन्छन्, "नेपाली विविधता प्रतिनिधित्व गर्ने गरी परिषदमा युवा सहभागिता जुटाउने प्रयास छ, जसको उद्देश्य दूतावासलाई नेपाली युवाका वास्तविक मुद्दासँग जोड्ने र त्यसमा अन्तरक्रिया गराउने हुन्छ।"

परिषद सञ्चालनको शैली भने हरेक देशको स्थानीय आवश्यकता अनुसार केही फरक हुन्छ। अघिल्लो परिषदका युवाले कहिले नेपाली नेतालाई राम्ररी काम गर्न सम्झाइदिन त कहिले नेपाललाई सहयोग मात्रै दिएर परनिर्भर नपार्न राजदूतसँग खुलस्त छलफल गर्थे। "हामी अमेरिकी सहयोग नियोग (यूएसएड)को कामका प्राथमिकता र त्यसका स्थानीय साझेदार कसरी तय हुन्छन् भन्ने विषयमा पनि छलफल गथ्र्यौं," पछिल्लो कार्यकालका सदस्य एवं युवा अभियानकर्ता कञ्चन झा भन्छन्, "यसले उनीहरूलाई कमजोरी सुधार्न सहयोग पुग्थ्यो। उनीहरू यस्ता कुरा सुन्न रुचाउँथे पनि।"

राजदूत कहिले प्रधानन्यायाधीशलाई प्रधानमन्त्री बनाउने विषयमा युवाको विचार बुझ्छन् त कहिले कलेजमा हुने विद्यार्थी राजनीतिबारे। निर्वाचनलाई प्राविधिक रूपमा प्रभावकारी गराउनेदेखि युवामा उद्यमशीलता विकास गराउने विषयमा समेत राजदूतको जोड हुन्छ। केही समयअघि एउटा भेटघाटमा केही परिषद सदस्यले अब हुने निर्वाचनमा भोट हाल्ने वातावरण सिर्जनाका गर्न लागि युवालाई प्रोत्साहन गर्ने अभियान सुनाएका रहेछन्। 

त्यसमा खुसी हुँदै बोडीले अमेरिकामा चुनावका बेला थुप्रै युवा घरमै बस्ने गरेको समस्यासमेत पोखे। उनले परिषदका सदस्यलाई भने, "यदि कसैले भोट हाल्दैन भने उसलाई चुनाव जित्नेहरूप्रति गुनासो गर्ने कुनै अधिकार हुँदैन।" अनेरास्ववियु केन्द्रीय सचिवालय सदस्य मेनका पछाईं सुनाउँछिन्, "प्रविधिको प्रयोगबाट निर्वाचनलाई निष्पक्ष र प्रभावकारी बनाउने विषयमा आफ्ना मत राख्दै त्यसमा अमेरिकी सरकारका तर्फबाट हुन सक्ने सहयोगका बारेमा छलफल गर्‍यौँ।"

परिषदमा रहेका केही युवा पढ्दै छन् भने केहीले व्यावसायिक जीवन थालेका छन्। कोही आफ्नै बाहुबलमा समाजसेवा गर्दै छन्। कूटनीतिक शिष्टाचार उनीहरूलाई त्यति धेरै थाहा छैन। परिषद सदस्य करुणा पराजुलीले हालैको भेटमा राजदूत बोडीलाई भनेकी रहिछन्, "हामी धेरै भूमिका बाँध्न जान्दैनौँ, धेरै सोचविचार गर्नुभन्दा तत्काल प्रतिक्रिया जनाउन हतारिन्छौँ, त्यसलाई नकारात्मक रूपमा लिनुहुँदैन।" प्रतिक्रियामा राजदूतले मुस्कुराउँदै भने, "कूटनीतिज्ञ भनेकै धेरै सुन्ने र थोरै मात्र बोल्ने व्यक्ति हुन्।"

राजदूत बोडी राजनीतिक विषयका कुरा सुन्न बढी रुचाउँछन्। सदस्य मेनका थप्छिन्, "राजनीतिलाई बिर्सेर देशको उन्नति हुँदैन। राजनीति भनेको सांसद, मन्त्री हुनु मात्र होइन। युवामा राजनीतिक सचेतना बढाउन दुई मुलुकबीच कस्तो साझेदारी हुन सक्छ भन्ने हाम्रो चासो हो।"

परिषद स्थापनाको उद्देश्य भने ठूलो आर्थिक सहयोग गर्ने राष्ट्रले देशमा कुशल युवा नेतृत्व जन्माउन पनि लगानी गर्नुपर्छ भन्ने हो। राजदूत बोडी थप्छन्, "नेपालका युवाले कुन कुन क्षेत्रमा चुनौती झेलिरहेका छन् र त्यसलाई सुल्झाउन के के गर्न सकिन्छ भन्ने जानकारी प्राप्त गर्ने राम्रो माध्यम परिषद बनेको छ।" परिषदकै सल्लाहमा दूतावासले विभिन्न अवसरमा अमेरिकीबाटै विज्ञहरू राखेर डिजिटल भिडियो कन्फरेन्स सुरु गरसिकेको छ। विभिन्न देशका युवा परिषद सदस्यबीच भर्चुअल सम्बन्ध स्थापना गराएर युवाका सोचाइ आदानप्रदान गर्नु यसपटकको प्राथमिकता हुने सदस्य खरेलको भनाइ छ। 

राजदूत-युवाबीच आफ्ना व्यक्तिगत अनुभव पनि साटासाट हुन्छन्। जस्तो : केहीअघि बोडीले कामलाई सानो-ठूलो नभनेर हरेक अवसरलाई स्वीकार्न र त्यही काम गर्दै अघि बढ्न आफ्ना युवा साथीहरूलाई सुझाएछन्। हरेक जागिरबाट आफूले केही न केही सिकेको अनुभव पनि उनले सुनाएछन्। पहिले आफ्नो करिअर विकासमा जोड दिन सुझाउने बोडी अंग्रेजी र प्रविधिको प्रयोगसँगै ठूलो सञ्जालमा काम गर्नुपर्ने दोहोर्‍याइरहन्छन्।

अमेरिकी विदेश मन्त्रालयको वेबसाइटका अनुसार परिषद सदस्यका विभिन्न नमुना क्रियाकलापमा दूतावासले धेरथोर आर्थिक सहयोग पनि गर्छ। जस्तो : गत वर्षका परिषद सदस्य सभाना पौडेलले विभिन्न २० वटा एफएम रेडियोमार्फत महिलाविरुद्ध हुने हिंसाबारे रेडियो कार्यक्रम प्रस्तुत गरनि्। भुवन केसीले 'सोलार कुकिङ् सिस्टम' विकास गरे।

अमेरिकी सरकारले स्थानीय युवाको भावना बुझ्न ३० वर्षमुनिका व्यक्तिहरूका लागि सांस्कृतिक आदानप्रदान कार्यक्रमलाई धेरै पहिलेबाट प्राथमिकतामा राख्दै आएको हो। राजदूत सुनाउँछन्, "जब हामीले यस्ता कार्यक्रमको थालनी गर्‍यौँ, तब हामीलाई विश्वभरका युवा आफ्नो मुलुकको विकासमा योगदान पुर्‍याउन बाटो खोजिरहेका रहेछन् भन्ने कुरा थाहा भयो। उनीहरू राजनीति र नागरकि समाजमा सहभागी हुन चाहन्थे।" 

परिषदमा रहेका युवा कति विविधतापूर्ण क्षेत्र र परिवेशका छन् भने त्यहाँ नेटवर्कमा काम गर्ने एउटा राम्रो मञ्च बनिरहेको छ। त्यसैले यस वर्ष परिषदभित्रबाटै समूह बनाएर विभिन्न नमुना कार्यक्रमको योजना बनाइएको छ। दूतावास र युवासँग समन्वय गररिहेको संस्था 'युवा'का अध्यक्ष दीपेन्द्र केसी भन्छन्, "यसले नेपाली युवाको क्षमता विकाससँगै नयाँनयाँ प्रयोग गर्नसमेत सघाइरहेको छ ।"

(This news article was written by Pradip Basyal and first published in Nepal magazine.)

Council Members meet SCA Deputy Director Nicole Chulick

March 28, 2013, Kathmandu: U.S. Embassy Youth Council Members met Nicole Chulick, Deputy Director of Office of Press and Public Diplomacy from the Bureau of South & Central Asian Affairs at YUWA. During the visit, Miss Chulick listened to the council members’ concern over the recent political development of the country and other social social issues including the changing gender roles and women rights movement of Nepal. Council members also shared the common problems that the Nepalese youths are facing. During the one-hour long meeting, Miss Chulick promised her continued support to Nepali youths. She also promised to initiate the virtual exchanges among the council members from around the glob.