Integrity Fellowship – Nepal

The Integrity Fellowship is a platform for enthusiastic youths from diverse backgrounds to learn together and co-create innovative solutions to make a positive impact in society by promoting good governance and strengthening democracy in Nepal. It is a six-month-long fellowship program that consists of mentorship, training, field visits, networking, and idea-generation to foster alternative narratives around Nepal’s governance system.

Corruption is widespread across sectors in Nepal.  A recent report presents hundreds of corruption cases from 77 districts. The increasing incidence has established negative perceptions toward government bodies. However, there is a keen interest among the youth to engage in activities that contribute to appreciating and promoting integrity. In this regard, and as per research conducted by  U4 Anti Corruption Resource Center, AL Nepal’s youth-focused Integrity Fellowship program has been successful in changing opinions about governance and corruption through direct interaction with officials known for their integrity. Such programs can enhance development partners’ and practitioners’ efforts to build greater accountability and trust in the public sector. 

Integrity Fellowship consists of seven learning  blocks:

  1. Inception: This phase will introduce the fellows to the concept of fellowship and good governance and provide them with an understanding of the fellowship’s objectives.
  2. Monthly webinars/sessions: There will be five monthly webinars/sessions to help fellows observe the governance system and generate innovative ideas to promote good governance.
  3. Field visits: Fellows will have the opportunity to learn from experts in the field by visiting them and gaining a deeper understanding of their work.
  4. Mentorship: Fellows will be provided opportunities to work with experts who have demonstrated integrity at work and are taking the initiative to bring positive change to their communities.
  5. Ideation: Fellows will work individually or in groups on ideas they wish to develop further, expanding their leadership skills in the process.
  6. Networking: Fellows will receive opportunities to network with like-minded individuals working for the same cause.
  7. Youth Integrity Summit: This half-day event will allow fellows to share their experiences and learn from previous fellows. Relevant experrts in the sector will be invited to join the discussion in promoting integrity in Nepal.

Objectives:

  1. To cultivate a new generation of leaders to promote good governance and positive change in their communities.
  2. To provide a platform for young people to develop their leadership skills, gain insights into good governance practices, and network with like-minded individuals who share their commitment to integrity and positive change.
  3. To foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct and create role models in their communities.

Expected Outcomes

  1. Increase in the number of young leaders actively engaged in promoting good governance and positive change in their communities.
  2. Improvement in leadership skills and knowledge of good governance practices among fellows.
  3. Expansion of a network of active youth citizens and connections among passionate young leaders committed to integrity and positive change.
  4. Increase in transparency and accountability, and ethical conduct within the communities where young leaders are involved.
  5. Identification and recognition of young leaders as role models in their communities.

CURRENT FELLOWS

ASHA HAMAL

Asha has been actively engaged in volunteer services for over five years. Her contribution during the 2015 earthquake was acknowledged and appreciated by SOS Children’s Village. With her experiences in numerous sectors, she firmly believes  that citizens have a significant  role to play in systemic reform. 

Through the Integrity Fellowship, she seeks to learn more about best practices of accountability and co-create innovative solutions to promote positive change in the community. She aspires to generate creative ideas to hold stakeholders accountable for their actions. 

ASHMITA KANDEL

Ashmita has served as a volunteer at the Integrity Icon campaign, organized by Accountability Lab. This experience provided her the exposure to the positive impacts of government official’s integrity towards their profession which inspired her  to be associated with the Integrity Fellowship. 

Ashmita is currently pursuing a BASW degree at K&K International College. She is an aspiring social activist. She enjoys reading biographies of prominent social workers, leaders and draws inspiration from them. 

ANJALI GUPTA

Anjali is a development worker with experience as a volunteer in multiple organizations including SAAN and Parsa Milan Kendra. She is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Madan Bhandari Memorial College. 

Through the Integrity Fellowship, Anjali hopes to learn how the youth can contribute to promoting integrity in the public sector. Additionally, she aspires to hone her leadership and communication skills. 

BIKRAM TAMANG

Bikram is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at K&K International College and aims to become a psychologist so he can assist people with stress management. Additionally, he is interested in social work and passionate about working with young changemakers. 

Bikram is participating in the Integrity Fellowship with the hope of changing the negative narratives surrounding government officials. He believes that participating in the fellowship will help him come up with creative ideas around governance reform.

BINJU SHAKYA

Binju is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology at Dibya Bhumi Multiple College. She has participated in a range of trainings and conferences on leadership, social entrepreneurship, mental health and public speaking.

Binju believes that accountability is crucial for the inclusive development of a nation. She hopes to learn to address development challenges through Integrity Fellowship so that everyone can have fair and equitable access to government services and institutions. 

BIPINA KHATIWADA

Bipina is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from K & K International College, Kathmandu. After learning about governmental and judicial accountability issues through academic courses, Bipina was inspired to be associated with the Integrity Fellowship.

She has actively  participated in campaigns that promote the value of integrity and demand government accountability. Through this fellowship, she wants to incorporate youth voices in building integrity in the governance system. 

KARMA SONAM 

Karma is a second-year student at Reliance College. He aims to bring positive changes to society through social work.   He has worked with the Blue Diamond Society and gained rich experience addressing issues around gender and sexuality. Through this fellowship, he seeks to develop new skills and build a strong network that would help him become a changemaker.

KRISTINA PAUDEL

Kristina is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Reliance College. Kristina’s interest in social work stems from her desire to work on resolving social issues related to gender inequality and child labor. She aspires to contribute towards creating a better world for the underserved and marginalized communities. She has completed her internship program at Orchid Garden Nepal. As a youth and a responsible citizen, she feels responsible to raise her voice against social injustice with relevant authorities to take effective action for change.

RAJ SINGH BIST

Raj is a second-year student pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from K & K International College with Psychology as his major.  While growing up, Raj witnessed the way ‘untouchable’ people were treated in his community. Therefore, through this fellowship, he seeks to learn to raise awareness of discriminatory practices and work towards building an equal society. 

SANJU SHERPA

Sanju is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from K & K International College with Psychology as her major. Sanju enjoys writing journals and aspires to pen important pieces to help address challenges around gender in her community.
After working with ANSWER Nepal, she realized how knowledge can be empowering. Through the Integrity Fellowship, Sanju seeks to address issues that are impacting development. 

PREVIOUS FELLOWS

ANJANA DHAKAL

Anjana Dhakal is currently completing her undergraduate degree in agricultural studies at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science, IAAS, Lamjung. She is an avid explorer and she aspires to learn from her surroundings. Helping others and working for a better society is what motivates her and gives her immense satisfaction. Some of her hobbies include sports, photography, traveling and exploration besides her studies.

Anjana is extremely excited to work as an Integrity Fellow to learn and grow under the direct supervision of honorable and qualified idols who are flourishing in the Nepali public service sector.

PRITAM THAPA

Pritam Thapa is passionate about agriculture and now in the second year of his Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Science at Tribhuvan University at Lamjung, Nepal. During his leisure time, he likes to engage in agricultural-related activities that will benefit society. This motivates him. He is aiming to use his knowledge  his motherland of Nepal in the future. Pritam believes that having the value of integrity leads people to use resources wisely. So, he is developing his own understanding of integrity through this new opportunity as he is now a 2018 Integrity Idol Fellow 2018.

SAROJ BURLAKOTI

Saroj Burlakoti is currently studying a Bachelors degree in agriculture at lamjung campus, Tribhuvan University. He is enthusiastic about learning and working in agriculture related programs, and he has made large contributions to the ‘creative thinkers society’, Lamjung Chapter. Being selected for the Integrity Idol fellowship program that is directly linked to Integrity Idol 2018, he is especially excited about meeting Mr. Arun Raj Kafle. Saroj believes this fellowship will further motivate him to deliver results in his future career.

PRAYUSHA BHATTARAI

Prayusha Bhattarai from Hetauda, Makawanpur, is  currently studying a Bachelors of Science in Agriculture (B.Sc.Ag) at IAAS, Tribhuvan University. She is motivated to better understand herself in every possible way and aims to learn a new thing every day. With the same hope of exploring and learning she joined the Integrity Fellowship 2018 cohort. Through this opportunity, she had the chance to shadow the Integrity Idol 2018 finalist, Arun Kafle, who is Senior Horticulture Development Officer in Khumaltar, Lalitpur. Through this fellowship Prayusha wants to enhance the values of integrity amongst youths and she is  very motivated to do this.

PRATIK HAMAL

Pratik Hamal describes himself as a young, energetic and motivated individual who recently completed his bachelor’s degree in social work with psychology. He enjoys meeting new peoples of different backgrounds and sharing and exchanging new ideas. He loves to participate in different cultural, religious and social programs and participates in a variety of volunteering activities. Until now, he has done several other internships. Pratik is a passionate about technology, traveling and photography. Being a social work student, he has always wanted to do something meaningful for his country related to the working process of governmental offices. Thus, he decided to join this fellowship and hopes it will help him to better understand himself, develop new skills and build networks.

PRAJWAL THAPA

Prajwal is both a social activist and third year BBA student, currently studying in Patan Multiple College, Lalitpur. Being a social worker, he wants to contribute to his country in every way possible through his managerial and communication skills. In his free time, he enjoys travelling, spending time in rural communities, going on treks, making music, doing adventure sports and exploring nature. He loves what he does and has a steady source of motivation that drives him to do his best. Prajwal thrives on challenge and constantly set goals for himself, so he has something to strive towards. He is naturally outgoing, conversational and quick at finding ways to feel at home in groups of complete strangers, whilst also making them feel comfortable in his presence. He finds this skill to be particularly useful when initiating projects with new clients.

BINAYAK GHIMIRE

Binayak Ghimire is currently studying a Bachelors in Information Systems at LACM, Kathmandu University. He also works as the Secretary of the LEO Club of Kathmandu ALKA. He says his ultimate goal in life is to act for a change and he firmly believes that small acts can bring about change. His hope for the future is to be in a position where his words will influence people in a positive way. For him, the most important reason for partaking in the Integrity Idol fellowship programme is the opportunity for him to learn the values upheld by the appointed Integrity Idol. Binayak wants to better understand himself and his surroundings and be better prepared for any problems he may encounter in the future.

BHANUBHAKTA ADHIKARI

Bhanubhakta Adhikari is an energetic student pursuing a B.Sc. in Agriculture at Tribhuvan University. He is the coordinator of the ‘Creative Thinkers Society’ and Vice President of external relations; IAAS Nepal LC Lamjung. He adores traveling to new places, networking with like-minded people and cramming new ideas. Bhanubhakta believes that this fellowship can further enhance his knowledge of governmental procedures and good governance. He believes that integrity is the only option for a long-standing government that is free of corruption.

AASMA SHARMA

Aasma Sharma is an agricultural student and has been advocating for youth engagement, women empowerment and other issues related to agriculture throughout her studies. She has also held the position of leader for various youth organizations. Aasma is an aspiring agriculture researcher and she is passionate about increasing youths participation and interest in agriculture. She has previously completed an internship under the Prime Minister’s Agriculture Modernization Project. For her, the Integrity fellowship is an invaluable opportunity to work in close proximity with the government official who has been crowned an idol due to their high level of integrity. She believes this fellowship will help her identify her own integrity and be a responsible citizen for her country.

SUVECHCHHA CHAPAGAIN

Suvechchha is currently studying Masters in International Relationship and Diplomacy at Tribhuvan University. She was previously a Young Women Political Leadership Institute (YWPLI) fellow at Women Lead Nepal. Passionate about exploring new things, she joined Integrity Fellowship to meet more like-minded people who have interests in politics and governance. Suvechchha loves socializing with different people and listen to their perspectives and opinions on subjects matters that interest her as well.

Appointed with: Bhishma Kumar Bhusal and Srijana Tiwari, Kathmandu