MF in the Media

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Co-chair of the Nepal Caucus in the US Capitol, Congressman Jared Polis, recently addressed Vision for Nepal Foundation’s fundraising banquet organised in support of its project on “Public Poll on Federalism in Nepal”.

The United States has always been and will continue to be a strong supporter of Nepal’s democratic process and its development endeavours, Polis said in his speech.

He also highlighted the importance of non-profits helping Nepal even being away from home. VIFON is a Washington DC-based think tank on Nepal and Nepali diaspora. Established in 2011, it also produces a fortnightly TV talk show “American Conversations.”

He said it is only through education and skill transfer that Nepalis can be empowered and Nepal’s standing can be taken to the next level. Talking about the Nepal Caucus, Polis said it was a bipartisan effort despite the partisan politics in Washington, DC to connect the two frontiers and help Nepal in many issues.

He also expressed his continued support to Nepal through Nepal Caucus and other institutional exchanges and links. Congressman Gerald Connolly, another Nepal Caucus member, who is also the member of the US House Foreign Relations sub-committee for Asia, stated in a letter that he strongly supports the foundation’s mission of “helping people hear themselves.”

Quoting Connolly, his Outreach director Mike Collins said, “The timing of this year’s event is particularly appropriate, coming just a few weeks after the historic elections for the new Constituent Assembly and just a few days before the Assembly’s first meeting.”

Chief guest of the programme, outgoing Nepali ambassador to the United States, Shankar Sharma, said the project is timely and also very important for Nepal considering its current state of affairs.

Chairman of the function and foundation President Krishna Sharma said the foundation felt the need to launch the ‘Public Poll on Federalism in Nepal’ realising the reason behind the failure of the first Constituent Assembly and the just concluded second Constituent Assembly that also missed the task of seeking public opinion on federalism.

The poll will be technically supported by a Gallop poll expert in terms of poll design and data analysis while Media Foundation Nepal will also provide functional support to prepare questionnaires.

The Himalayan Times, 19 Jan 2015.

The original news is here. 

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