LWF Organizes Climate Change Orientation

Representatives of ACT Alliance members and LWF partners pose for a group photo following Climate Change Orientation at Nagarkot.

Nagarkot, October 11 2018- The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Nepal in coordination with ACT Alliance organized a Climate Change Orientation for ACT Alliance Nepal Forum on 8 and 9 October. The objectives of the orientation was to help the high-level officials of ACT Alliance members and LWF partners to understand and update on the issue of climate change in Nepal. The specific objectives of the orientation were to provide the context of climate change from the international level to national level in reference to the position and context of Nepal; provide information on the governance structure, plans and policies and financing of climate actions in the country and support to understand the climate change stakeholders in Nepal and plan potential interventions by ACT Alliance in Nepal.

Dr Prabin Manandhar, Country Director, LWF Nepal, welcoming the participants said, “Climate change is not only an environmental issue but political and socio economic issue as well. Somehow, we all are directly and indirectly engaged in DRR community resilience. There is a strong connection of what we have been doing with climate change. In the new federal structure we are moving towards inclusive development and it is important to mainstream climate change in the new plans and policies.”

Kiran Ojha, Convenor, ACT Nepal Forum said, “Climate change is one of the thematic areas of ACT alliance globally. We have been putting efforts for orientation, mitigation and adaptation of climate change. Climate change will be a big issue in the world in the next 20 years. Many countries including Nepal have already started facing consequences. Therefore, it is important to understand the issue and adapt measures to tackle it.”  

The orientation was facilitated by Raju Pandit Chhetri, Executive Director, Prakriti Resources Centre (PRC). The orientation included sessions on international context of climate change-under the UN and other processes; climate change context on Nepal and its governance structure; Nepal’s climate change plans, policy and programmes; issue of climate justice in Nepal; sources and access of climate finance for Nepal and its stakeholders and climate change stakeholders and their actions/interventions in the country.

Few brainstorming sessions were held where the participants presented their ideas on how to move forward. Participants further shared their opinion and understanding on the matter. They expressed their willingness and commitment to address the issue of climate change in their programmes.

Participants included representatives of the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Nepal, Dan Church Aid (DCA), Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission (Felm), Christian Aid (CA), Nepal Evalengical Lutheran Church (NELC), Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW), Inter-church Organisation for Development Cooperation (ICCO), Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), CARITAS Nepal, Lutheran World Relief (LWR), SAHAS Nepal, Shanti Nepal and Committee for the Promotion of Public Awareness and Development Studies (COPPADES).

Text by: Kritagya Regmi

Photo Caption: Representatives of ACT Alliance members and LWF partners pose for a group photo following Climate Change Orientation at Nagarkot.