Nepal Appreciative Inquiry National Network (NAINN)
Second National Summit of Imagine Initiatives of Nepal
September 6-8, 2005, Kharipati, Bhaktapur
Declaration
Background
The second national Summit of Imagine initiatives was successfully held from
September 6-8, 2005 at Kharipati, Bhaktapur, organized by Nepal
Appreciative Inquiry National Network(NAINN) with the great vision of
societal transformation, and aiming to extend the imagine initiatives
throughout the country. Sixty Five participants from different Imagine
Initiatives as well as organization applying AI were presence in the Summit.
With the commitment of recognizing the live giving forces of Nepal and
Nepalese people and apply it for the entire social transformation, the second
National Summit of Imagine Initiatives has issued the Bhaktapur Declaration.
So far all the Imagine Initiative will be guided from the first Banepa
Declaration and continued the second Banepa Declaration as well.
Objectives of the National Summit
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To formulate NAINN program and policies for coming year
To make conceptual clarity and uniformity on the issues related with
appreciative inquiry movement.
To consolidate the practice of egalitarian organizational principles on
the basis of the past experiences.
The national summit is extremely proud for the valuable presence of David
Cooperrider, the profounder of Appreciative Inquiry in the closing ceremony of
the summit.
The national summit would like to clarify some of the following issues, not
defined from the first Banepa Declaration.
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AI is a positive thought which believes on holistic Approach, it deals
with all aspects of society.
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Network believes that the indigenous knowledge, skill and technology
are to be considered as the foundation for the societal transformation
through appreciative inquiry.
The valid source of appreciative inquiry are the people, place, ethnic
group as well as all the social group or strata existing from the very
beginning of the society.
Some more social variable are defined as follows:
A. Occupation
Regarding the occupation, NAINN does not believe that there is no any
demarcation in terms of value and contribution. Despite the diversities i.e.
skilled, semi skilled, vocational or modern whatever, all occupations are
dignified and respected in their own context. Moreover they are regarded
autonomous as they have their own self center.
B. Ethnicity
In connection with the issue of ethnicity NAINN believes that community
people living in minority, majority, and aboriginal, ethnic or vocational group
whoever they have their own self center. They have their own right of
protection, development and any kind of choices whatever they like; however
there exists mutual understanding, interdependency and cooperation which
have been leading the society towards betterment.
C. Language and Culture
Each and every language and culture followed by any group of people having
difference in caste, ethnicity are regarded equally important. All these are
enriched in their context. NAINN respects the cultural diversities which are the
valuable assets of the nation.
D. Belief and Religion
Individual, family, group, community, cast, tribe, society and organizations all
they could have their own religious and cultural beliefs. In deed, they have their
own identities. They do not need to accept as their center to the others' religion,
as they are self governed and self centered as well. They should be treated
equally, also it is expected that there should be recognition and acceptance
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among each other, which ultimately creates social harmony, peace and
development.
E. Gender Issue
NAINN shows its' solidarity to the Nepalese women who are struggling against
the gender discrimination caused by patriarchy and any other reason, aiming to
achieve social justice and equity. The social transformation is only possible if
male and female participate equally in the process. In the same way, male or
female should not to be treated as superior or inferior. The differences in their
respective situation are socially constructed but not because of by birth. In fact,
male and female whoever they would have their own center. The relationship
between them should be guided by the egalitarian principle. The
interdependency and cooperation are to be taken as the major component for the
societal transformation.
F. Institutional and Organizational Relationship
Apart from the Regional, Districts and other Imagine Initiatives, the organizations,
networks working in the field of social and economic development, accepting the
appreciative inquiry approach, they can be affiliated in district, regional and
national level as well. In addition, there is always an opportunity of collaboration
and partnership with different non governmental and governmental organizations
working for social and economic development.
Further clarity on some of the points mentioned in Banepa Declaration
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The regional Network is also supposed to be autonomous. They are the
primarily responsible in coordinating all the Imagine Initiatives under that
concerned region.
The regional Network consists the representatives from the all imagine
initiatives of that respective region, consequently the NAINN executives
will be the members of Regional Network automatically.
Summary
In this way, the Second National Summit has given emphasized on the
assumptions, principles and activities declared from the First National Summit.
Moreover, it has incorporated some new definitions and made clarification on
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some of the relevant issues. This declaration will be the guiding document up to
the time next national summit. And lastly, It is to notify to all that that this is the
authentic document to be followed by AI practitioner, facilitators and wishers
whoever.
Propositions
1. The summit acknowledges all the positive achievements seen in different
area i.e. social, economic, cultural, political, also respects the new
innovation, research and any kind of positive changes taking place in the
society by the hard work of Nepalese people.
2. The summits hearty welcomes to the one sided cease fire declared by
CPN (Maoist) and also urges to all stakeholders to be more serious
regarding the restoration of peace in the country.
3. The summit strongly express its' support and solidarity to the civil society
for their effort made for the restoration of socially inclusive democracy.
4. The summit urges all stakeholders to respect the fundamental human right
to be serious and responsible in this regards.
5. The summit expresses its' solidarity towards the voice of social
inclusiveness and appeal to all for the protection and cultivation of positive
achievements.
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