Kroc IPJ Selects Third Cohort of the Nepali Emerging Leaders Program 2020

After receiving more than 130 applications, the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, in partnership with its partner in Nepal, the Leadership Academy, is proud to announce the Nepali Emerging Leaders Program (NELP) 2020 Cohort. The 31 participants selected represent 29 of Nepal’s 77 geographic districts from across the country’s seven provinces.

The cohort brings vast political experience with multiple mayors, deputy mayors, ward chairpersons, state assembly members, central committee members, and student wing leaders representing Nepal’s most prominent political parties. Other members bring leadership in activism and advocacy, entrepreneurship, law enforcement, and higher education. Multiple participants work to empower traditionally marginalized groups including dalits, the disabled, and women.

With 15 male and 16 female participants, the 2020 cohort supports UN Sustainable Development Goal #5 – “Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls” – and UN Women’s “Planet 50-50”.

This is the third year of the NELP and the 2020 participants will be joining 52 emerging leader alumni from the 2018 and 2019 cohorts.

The NELP 2020 Cohort (home district noted in parentheses):

1. Aja Bahadur Shahi (Mugu), President, Centre for Karnali Rural PS Development
2. Bidhya Baral (Kaski), Vice President, All Nepal National Free Students Union, Pokhara University
3.  Chandra Kala Saud (Baitadi), Central Committee Member, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP)
4.  Chhabita Sharma (Surkhet), Lecturer at Mid-Western University
5. Gyanu Acharya (Chitwan), Organizer, FhediKhola VDC Agriculture Production Collection and Distribution Center
6. Hasana Lawaju (Bhaktapur), Second class non-gazette officer, National Art Museum
7. Jivan Bikram Uchai (Parbat), District Committee Member, Nepal Communist Party
8. Juju Kaji Maharjan (Kathmandu), Founder, Heartbeat
9. Kalpana Bastola (Sunsari), Program Officer, Save the Earth Foundation
10. Karuna Gurung (Tanahun), Deputy Mayor, Bandipur
11. Karuna Khadka (Salyan), Vice-Chairperson, Triveni Rural Municipality
12. Kumaari Thapa (Kavrepalanchok), Care Taker Officer, Raksha Nepal
13. Madan Khati (Gulmi), Media activist/Journalist, Janata TV
14. Mamta Kumari Chaudhary (Dhanusha), Central member, RJP Youth Organization
15. Manoj K. Limbu (Terathum), Secretary of NabJivan Dugdh Dairy
16. Mithilesh Adhikari (Rautahat), District Employment Coordinator, Prime Minister’s Employment Program
17. Mithilesh Yadav (Sarlahi), Central Vice President, RJP Student Wing
18. Namoona Acharya (Dang) Assistant Professor, Prithu Technical College 
19. Neelam Dhungel (Morang), General Secretary, JTCGCWUN Central Committee
20. Nigmar Tamang (Ramechhap), Ward Chairman, Likhu Tamakoshi Rural Municipality
21. Omprakash Sarraf (Bara), National Coordinator, Visit Madhesh Nepal
22. Pankaj Yadav (Bardia), Central Committee Member, Samajwadi Party Student Union 
23. Purna Singh Bohara (Darchula), District Member, Nepali Congress Student Wing
24. Ramesh Hamal (Surkhet), Department Coordinator for Social Work at Samriddhi College
25. Salma Khatun (Parsa), Deputy Mayor, Pokhariya
26. Santosh Giri (Rupandehi), Agricultural Entrepreneur
27. Saroj Deo (Saptari) Trainee, UNDP Nepal
28. Sona Khatik (Kapilvastu), Dalit Activist and Community Radio Kapilvastu 
29. Satish K. Singh (Saptari), Mayor,Tilathi Koiladi
30. Tirtha Kumari B.C. (Surkhet), Board member, Samudayik  Sudhar  Sanstha
31. Uma Kumari Lama (Makwanpur), Vice-Chairperson, Indrasarowar Rural Municipality

Interested in learning more about the Nepali Emerging Leaders Program or other global programs at the Kroc IPJ? Check them out here.