shared agenda the dynamics between the political parties, and encouraged reflection about the pros and cons of competition and collaboration to achieve certain goals. After the first CLD workshop with political leaders in Dhanusa, the participants formed an all-party presidential mechanism to initiate dialogue and participate in joint action on identified priority issues. Parallel to its local level work, the CLD has a Kathmandu-based steering committee that meets every month to guide the programme and champion collaborative leadership within their respective constituencies. Brikhesh Chandra Lal, a former mayor of Janakpur, is one of the steering committee members. He participated in some of programme’s local workshops, shared his insights in the strategic utility of collaborative approaches to leadership. The members of the steering committee and CLD’s senior facilitators Padma Ratna Tuladhar, Daman Nath Dhungana (both co-facilitators of peace negotiations between 2002 to 2005) and Bhojraj Pokharel (Chief Election Commissioner for
Political party leaders in Kailali take part in a CLD workshop
the landmark 2008 elections) conducted local workshops outside Kathmandu that emphasised collaborative leadership, dialogue and improved coordination. The CPP has been providing follow-up support and advice to local political actors through the technical specialists in the CLD field office. Since the dialogues, political leaders have been focusing on local development and planning issues that were identified as common priorities during the CLD workshops. Among the key issues
that were identified were the dearth of teachers in local schools, a high level of absenteeism among Village Development Committee secretaries, the dilapidated state of the local hospital, compensation of victims of road accidents, and reopening a closed government-owned factory that once employed over 700 people. Local party leaders are also considering requesting support from the CLD for structured dialogue in Janakpur around a ‘peace and development agenda’.
Pa r t ne r s UNFPN & SIDA
UND P-NEPAL ANNUA L R E PO R T 2 0 1 2
35