BANEPA DECLARATION - 2004

FIRST SUMMIT OF IMAGINE INITIATIVES, NEPAL
ORGANIZED BY
NEPAL APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY NATIONAL NETWORK
BANEPA DECLARATION – 2004

Nepal Appreciative Inquiry National Network organized The First Summit of Imagine Initiatives of Nepal (FSIIN) in Banepa, Kavre District of Nepal from 1-4 October 2004. The goal of the summit was to explore the life giving forces and possibilities to create New Nepal. The main objective of the summit was to prepare NAINN's declaration. In its declaration, the summit has declared NAINN's grounding principles, goals and objectives, organizational patterns, and programs. The Declaration is the grounding principle of all the Imagine Initiatives, Regional and National Networks of Nepal.

1. BACKGROUND

Nepal, along with the world, has stepped into the 21st century and has entered into the era of post modern. This era has considered that each race, creed, language, culture, religion, thought and place is of equal importance. Therefore, they are their own center. Human talent and wisdom are the sources of innovation and creation. It gives birth to a new era in which we prefer to live. That is what we call post-modernism. The post-modern thought brings breakthrough change in the way we see life and the world. It encourages us to see the life style, value system, meaning making, research, and experience from a different perspective. One of the new ways to see life and the world from a positive perspective is 'Appreciative Inquiry' (AI).

We have life forces, and there exist unlimited opportunities within us to transform our own life into its betterment. This is the time to explore our own life giving forces and unlimited opportunities; imagine better future based on what we have now; sketch a plan to materialize the imagined future; and create a new life through meaningful action. It is we, who have to initiate this endeavour first by ourselves. If so, we ought to set in motion by asking ourselves - "if not I, who; if not here, where; and if not now, when?"

We all have to be proactive to change our own life and the world. In this context, the appreciative "Eye" perceives the Nepalese society with the power and unlimited opportunities to transform the country into peace and prosperity. We can imagine future Nepal based on what we have now and develop a plan with present strengths, opportunities, alternatives and possibilities. Then, implement the prepared plan to translate the imagined future into concrete reality.

Appreciative Inquiry has brought novel perspectives into the world and into Nepal as well. In this context, Appreciative Inquiry practitioners of Nepal have started to establish the Local Imagine Initiatives (LII) at the District level since 2002, with the slogan – “Imagine initiatives movement for igniting positive societal transformation through Appreciative Inquiry campaign.” Along with the LII, five loose networks have also been formed in all five-development regions to facilitate and strengthen the district level and many other Imagine Initiatives.

2. PROGRAM

Nepal is known as one of the countries having a mosaic of multi-ethnic, multi-linguistic, multi-religion and multi-cultural societies. To date, indigenous wisdom, technology, and value systems have been working as the life giving forces of present Nepal. Currently, scientific knowledge is being blended with the indigenous knowledge and is emerging as appropriate knowledge that suits Nepalese culture and society. For instance, agro-forestry, architecture, health, and technology are forms of appropriate knowledge.

Nepal has its own unique cultural, socio-economic, environmental and historical background. The positive aspects of Nepal are – unity within diversity and diversity in unity, mutual cooperation, and tolerance among the ethnicities, linguistics and religions. Nepal's history, tradition, thought, art, literature, technical knowledge, knowledge systems, belief system, and livelihood strategies have shaped its unique cultural identity. This uniqueness is the life giving force of the country.

Nepal is very rich in natural resources such as water, Himalaya, biodiversity, natural ecosystems, diversified ecological zones with more than 64 ecosystems, and beautiful landscape. This is the time to develop and multiply these human and natural resources. Expansion of these resources will result in more prosperity. In this endeavor, we are serious and sincere and are intended to bear our responsibility with meaningful commitment.

We feel, Appreciative Inquiry is the key to value and foster the present life-giving forces of country to nurture breakthrough change for the promising future of Nepal. We believe, AI helps to manage and transform all sorts of conflicts into creative and positive forces. Life can be happy and prosperous if we walk on this path. Now, the time has come to conduct a positive mind setting for conducive behavior through AI campaign to ignite the positive societal transformation by developing and expanding the capabilities, wisdom, and knowledge that we possess.












3. GOAL
















NAINN has set Foundation, Primary and Ultimate Goals as mentioned in the above diagram. When all these goals are met, it is imagined that Nepal will be “Well cultured prosperous” country. It is NAINN’s Dream. In order to create the imagined Nepal, NAINN helps and facilitates Gos and NGOs.

4. OBJECITVES

The principal objective of NAINN is to cooperate and facilitate to form and run the local, district imaginations and networks for the positive societal transform. The objectives of Imagine Initiatives and networks are as follows:

A. National Network

1. Facilitate and connect all the local Imagine Initiatives and regional networks into a web net to ignite positive societal transformation.

2. Initiate Appreciative Inquiry Campaign for the expansion of Local and District Imagine Initiatives as well as Regional networks.

3. Help all Nepalese people to identify and safeguard Nepal's achievements and life giving forces.

4. Help to multiply and expand these life giving and nurturing forces of Nepal through the process of imagination and action.

5. Assist with coordination of national and international stakeholders working for the positive transformation of conflict into peace and development.

6. Document and publish the life-giving and nurturing forces, successes, and achievements of Nepal and Nepalese people.

7. Establish national-level Appreciative Inquiry resource center.

8. Develop Appreciative Inquiry curricula in the field of natural resource management, community mobilization, gender, social development, organization management, leadership, education, conflict transformation, business management, baseline survey, positive mind-setting, planning, project management, and so on for governmental and nongovernmental sectors.

B. Regional Network


1. Assist government and non-government institutions to discover their past successes and present strengths and to imagine regions of Nepal. development region.

2. Assist regional government and non-government institutions in the positive transformation of conflict into peace and development in the region.

3. Initiate an Appreciative Inquiry Campaign of positive mind-setting for the expansion of Local Imagine Initiatives and District networks into a regional web-net.

4. Document life-giving and nurturing forces, successes, and achievements of each Development Region of Nepal.

5. Establish regional Appreciative Inquiry resource centers.

All Regional Networks can function as Regional Imagine Initiatives as well.

C. District Imagine Initiatives


1. Assist government and non-government institutions to discover their past successes and present strengths and to imagine district.

2. Facilitate and connect all the local Imagine Initiatives into a district level web to ignite positive societal transformation.

3. Initiate Appreciative Inquiry Campaign for positive mind-setting for the expansion of Local Imagine Initiatives in the district.

4. Help district level government and non-government institutions in the positive transformation of conflict into peace and development in the district.

5. Document life giving and nurturing forces, successes, and achievements of each district of Nepal.

6. Establish district level Appreciative Inquiry resource centers.

All District Imagine Initiatives can function as District Level Networks as well.

D. Other Imagine Initiatives

Imagine Initiatives can be formed other than district, regional and national level. The other imagine initiatives are to discover life giving and nurturing forces of their own; protect and promote them and have a shared vision. Then they make and implement plans and programs to achieve imagined better future. Such imagine initiatives do have the equal status as the district imagine initiatives.

From individual to nation, village to the whole country, gender, occupation, art, culture and many others are the, areas for the formation of other Imagine Initiatives. Such initiatives can be formed within or beyond the district, region and nation.

5. GROUNDING PRINCIPLE
The theoretical foundation of all the imagine initiatives and networks is Appreciative Inquiry. NAINN believes Appreciative Inquiry was in the society, is in the society and will be in the society. In order to observe and realize these appreciative practices in Nepal, we need to see Nepalese communities through "Appreciative Eye". Once we set the appreciative eye, then we begin to see the life forces of every individual, family and group, society and institutions are contributing positively to the society and the nation. It starts and grows with positive logic. It starts with positive thinking and moves through positive inquiry, positive response, positive actions and positive change for promising results. This interdependent logical sequence of thought, inquiry, response, action and change creates synergy to expand the life-giving and nurturing forces. In this context, AI emphasizes the importance of the local context of socio-cultural development by incorporating the local wisdom, knowledge and value systems of present day. Therefore, local Imagine Initiatives and all district, regional and national networks have adopted ‘Appreciative Inquiry’ as a grounding principle.

6. ORGAINIZATIONAL PRINCIPLES
NAINN has adopted an organizational form that is horizontal and egalitarian, and that functions autonomously. It is appropriate for peace, and equitable society. NAINN encourages communities for freedom, peace, right-based development and equal access to resources. The organizational principles are:

A. Horizontal and Egalitarian
1. Each Imagine Initiatives is a center in/of itself. Each network is itself a center. Each Imagine Initiative and network will be auto-functioning as a part and unit of the whole. The whole remains in parts and is multi-centered.

2. Each Imagine Initiative and network is horizontal and egalitarian and has equal status. This means each Imagine Initiatives and network is integrated into NAINN but none of these have upper and lower units/levels.

3. All local Imagine Initiatives are webbed into in the District Imagine Initiatives. Similarly, all the district Imagine Initiatives and Regional Networks are webbed into National Network. The other imagine initiatives are webbed into District Imagine Initiatives if they are formed within a district. If not, into National Network.

Each Imagine Initiatives and networks is an integral part of the networks. With respect to individuals, they should be the members of local imagine initiatives. Individual of any caste, creed, ethnicity, language and gender are welcomed for the membership of any local imagine Initiatives. NAINN has considered that diversity is beauty and inclusion is the heart.

B. Autonomous Functioning

None of initiatives and networks give or take orders to or from the other initiatives and networks. Each of them enjoys freedom of decision-making and implementation its own policies, plans and programs. The imagine initiatives and networks function on the following principles:

1. Each Imagine Initiatives and networks function being based on push and pull laws.

2. All Imagine Initiatives and networks are in magnetic connection.

3. All Imagine Initiatives and networks remain interdependent.

4. All Imagine Initiatives and networks stay in unity and challenge each other - that is dialectical relationship.

5. The nature and function of Imagine Initiatives and networks is chaos and sequential order.

6. Each Imagine Initiatives and network is self-directed, self-organized, self-regulated, and self-decided.

C. Place
Each house, hamlet, village, city, district, region and country are equally important for Imagine Initiatives and networks. NAINN perceives that every place is a center and there is no core and no periphery. Every place is a source of knowledge, possibility and opportunity for a better future. Therefore, each and every place is recognized as a potential source to create new world.

D. People
Each individual, family, age and gender, occupation, group, community, and ethnicity are equally important in appreciative eye. Each individual and community possesses qualities and potentialities for imagination and creation of better future. These qualities, opportunities, possibilities are to be explored, recognized, and multiplied. Expansion of these life forces is the easiest way of achieving the dreamed destiny. NAINN believes that achievement of the goal is always embedded in imagination and action. The bases of equal importance of people are:

1. Participation and representation are the great Mantra.

2. Social inclusion is vital force.

3. Diversity is the beauty and unity is the power.

4. Pluralism and open society are the sources of transparency.

E. Institutional / Organizational Relationship
All local, district, regional and national institutions of civil societies are equally important for the Imagine Initiatives and networks. All non-government organizations represent the civil societies of Nepal. Local Imagine Initiatives and networks work hand in hand with non-government organizations. In this context, NAINN has opened the membership to these non-governmental organizations for igniting positive societal change. Similarly, NAINN's local Imagine Initiatives and networks work with government institutions in local, district, regional and national level. NAINN will help and coopeate to strengthen the capacity of civil society and government institutions for peace and development of Nepal.


7. PROGRAM
The principle goal of NAINN is to materialize the slogan - “Imagine Initiatives Movement for Positive Societal Transformation through Appreciative Inquiry Campaign.” NAINN's programs are as follows:


1. Organize annual District, Regional and National Summits of the Imagine Initiatives and Networks.

2. Expand local and district Imagine Initiatives and district networks.

3. Build capacity of the Imagine Initiatives and networks.

4. Carry out peace building and positive mind-setting activities such as rallies and demonstrations, talk programs, seminars, exhibitions, cultural programs, public gatherings, art competitions, orientations, trainings, etc.

5. Capitalize and institutionalize good traditions, best practices and achievements, knowledge and wisdom, and life forces of Nepal and disseminate them through publications.

6. Help to build appropriate knowledge that is suited to Nepalese society through the blending of indigenous knowledge and scientific knowledge for long-term development.

7. Coordinate and cooperate with international networks, Imagine countries, cities, states, universities and NGOs for sharing of knowledge and experience, and to seek the technical, managerial and financial support.

8. ACTIVITIES
NAINN has set the following activities for the year 2005:

1. Organize Eastern Regional Imagine Initiative Summit (ERIIS) by mid April 2005.

2. Organize Second National Imagine Initiative Summit (SECNIIS) in Palpa District, West-Nepal.

3. Expand the Imagine Initiatives in at least 45 districts.

4. Work toward the formation of Imagine Initiatives in Education, Health, Agro-Forestry, Communication, and such other public concern sectors.

5. Conduct at least two Appreciative Inquiry Orientation programs by each executive member of NAINN.

9. Voice of the Summit
1. The Summit convenes to stop the violation of human rights from both the government and the Maoist insurgent. The Summit also urges to have peace dialogue and to cease-fire for peace and positive societal transformation.

2. The Summit convenes to the civil society, political parties, private sectors, government, and non-government organizations to institutionalize and to safeguard the life giving and nurturing forces of Nepal. And expand theses life giving and nurturing forces through imagination and action for better future Nepal.

10. SPIRIT OF SUMMIT
K Invites you in the campaign of changing the world into better dwelling.

K Welcomes you in conflict transformation and management through positive mind setting campaign.

K Embraces you with love and compassion for being a part of Imagine Initiative.

K Loves you in the team which has been adopting Appreciative Inquiry as an art of living.
K Requests you to contribute for permanent peace and development.

K Respects your knowledge, wisdom, skill, courage, cooperation, hopefulness and capability.

K Appreciates your contribution in changing your life and others positively.

11. COMMITMENTS OF SUMMIT
v Manage the transparency of Imagine Initiatives and Networks in their all program activity.

v Maintain the accountability of Imagine Initiatives and Networks in between and among them as per their role and responsibility.

v Honoring the participation and contribution of Imagine Initiatives and Networks

v Secure the feeling of ownership of Local Imagine Initiatives and Networks in decision making and implementing the program activities in their respective working areas.

12. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
1. The Summit is immensely grateful to Dr. David L. Cooperrider, Professor of Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, USA; Ronald Fry, Director of MBA Department, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University, USA; Ms. Dawn Dole, Knowledge Manager, Appreciative Inquiry Commons, Weatherhead School of Management, Case Western Reserve University for their regular moral and technical support. Similarly, the Summit is thankful to Ms. Bliss Browne, Chairperson of Imagine Chicago, USA; Dr. Mac Odell, Member of AI Consulting Team, USA and Ms. Diana Whitney for their regular moral and technical support.

2. The Summit is grateful to Mr. Shambhu Prasad Koirala, Chief District Officer of Kavre District, Mr. Krishna Prasad Sapkota, Chairperson of Kavre District Development Committee and Federation of District Development Committee of Nepal and Mr. Hem Chandra Bhandari, Executive Member of Central Committee of NGO Federation of Nepal for inauguration of Summit and launching of Appreciative Inquiry Book.

3. The Summit is very much indebted to NGO Federation of Nepal, and its Kavre Branch for their managerial and financial support for publication of Appreciative Inquiry book.

4. The Summit is immensely grateful to Mr. Michael Herman, Imagine Chicago; and Mr. Buddhi Tamang, National Advisor of NAINN, for their facilitation, cooperation and encouragement to make the Summit success.

5. Special thanks goes to Journalist Association of Kavre District and other journalists for their genuine support in dissemination the Summit Event in national and local media.

6. Similarly, thanks to Mr. Ujad Tamang for computer support, Mr. Pratik Nyesur for VDO recording and photograph, Chetana Kendra, Budol for providing lodging, fooding and summit hall to make the Summit success.

7. At the end, thank you very much for all the participants those who participated and contributed to happen the First National Summit of Imagine Initiatives of Nepal.

WE, THE PARTICIPANTS OF FIRST NATIONAL SUMMIT OF IMAGINE INITIATIVES ORGANIZED BY NEPAL APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY NATIONAL NETWORK, ARE COMMITTED TO DEVLIVER THE ABOVE DECLARATION.