CFLG campaigners committed to meaningfully promote the agenda at the Local Level

Kathmandu,13 May, 2023
CFLG campaigners expressed commitment for dedicated engagement in promotion of CFLG campaign, conduction of capacity building activities and said that the ownership of the local government and increased investment during the annual budgeting is vital for promotion of the agenda in the Training of Practitioners (ToP).
Child Friendly Local Governance (CFLG) is a government owned framework that provisions the declaration of Local Governments as child friendly after the fulfillment of certain indicators. It was formally initiated in 2011 with endorsement of CFLG National Strategy and Operational Guidelines. Various development partners like UNICEF, World Vision International Nepal, Save the Children, Good Neighbors International Nepal, ECPAT Luxemburg, Care, and so on have been contributing for promotion of the campaign. So far, 22 Local Governments and more than 50 wards of various other Local Governments have been CFLG declared.
Mr. Resham Kadel Undersecretary of Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration facilitated session on Why investment on Children through power-point presentation. Mr. Janak Raj Sharma, Undersecretary of the Ministry provided clarification on the interrelationship between Child Friendly and Nutrition Friendly Local Governance campaign. Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration has been contributing largely for mainstreaming CFLG campaign in Nepal. It endorsed CFLG Implementation Guideline, 2021 and CFLG declaration procedure, 2022, which are the major documents guiding CFLG Implementation in Nepal. This capacity building was conducted on the basis of these provisions.
Ms. Roslyn Hanson Gabriel, National Director of World Vision International Nepal provided remarks of encouragement to the participants and said that the CFLG framework is one of the best strategies for sustainable establishment of child rights.
The training was organized by National CFLG Forum (NCFLGF) jointly with Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal (Jcycn) and World Vision International Nepal (WVIN) from 9-13 May, 2023. 40 Child Rights Campaigners representing all seven provinces were capacitated on Child Friendly Local Governance (CFLG) through 5 days Practitioners (ToP) on CFLG.
Ashok Kumar Byanju(Shrestha), Mayor of Dhulikhel Municipality was invited as the chief guest during the closing ceremony of the program. He said that it is difficult to work differently than others, fulfill the citizen’s expectations and basic needs, and the priority of the development should be revised. He also motivated the participants to contribute further for promotion of CFLG through dedicated intervention at the local level. He further stressed that it is the responsibility of the Civil Society Organizations to increase accountability of the government, as national volunteers for bringing social change. Mr. Sahil Ansari, member of National CFLG Forum hosted the closing and expressed gratitude for comprehensive capacity building through the training.
NCFLGF is a national network of 15 organizations, established in 2017 A.D. It has its secretariat at Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal since its establishment.
In-depth discussion was held on progress, constraints and way forward on CFLG, localization of the indicators, necessary policy provisions, ensuring sustainability, meaningful child participation, and other comprehensive agendas of CFLG. The training was facilitated by president of Jagriti Child and Youth Concern Nepal (Jcycn), TilottamPaudel, CFLG campaigners Bishnu Khatri, Ashok Khanal, Shyam Adhikari andNawarajDhakal emphasized on creating synergy between CFLG and other National campaigns like Children are National pride and Youth, Nutrition Friendly, Child labor free and Environment Friendly Local Governance campaigns.