Please click here for pictures from the seminar "Awareness Matters".
On May 23, 2010, the seminar “Awareness Matters” was successfully organized by the Network of Sherpa Students and Professionals (NSSP) in collaboration with United Sherpa Association in New York (Sherpa Kyidug) at Yak Restaurant, Jackson Heights, NY. His Excellency Gyan Chandra Acharya, the Ambassador of Nepal to the United Nations, was the Chief Guest at the seminar. Other panelists included Dr. Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa, the first Sherpa PhD holder, Mr. Mingma Norbu Sherpa, Former Tourism Planning Specialist at UNDP Nepal’s TRPAP, and Luna Ranjit, Executive Director of Adhikaar. We are also thankful for the participation of Mr. Karma G. Sherpa, President of Federation of Indigenous Peoples of Nepal in America (FIPNA). The seminar was well attended by a diverse Nepalese audience.
We are happy to note that the seminar was effective in raising awareness on various issues affecting the Nepalese community in the US and Nepal. Some of the topics discussed at the seminar were the current political developments in Nepal including the constitution drafting process, the Impact of machine-readable passports that affect Nepalese citizens, the status and progress of dual citizenship issues for NRNs, educational and socio-economic changes and challenges facing Sherpas in Nepal and the human rights issues and challenges for Nepalese living in the US, with particular emphasis on women rights. The discussions were followed by a lively and interactive Q&A session where the panelists answered questions from the audience.
Brief summary of the seminar:
H.E. Gyan Chandra Acharya highlighted the relevance of the program in light of the current political deadlock in Nepal which has stalled the drafting of the new Constitution of Nepal. His Excellency also updated the audience on various issues such as the impact of machine-readable passports on Nepalese citizens, and recent developments regarding dual citizenships for NRNs.
Dr. Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa captivated the audience as he spoke passionately about his personal educational and professional journey, as well as the educational and socio-economic challenges faced by Sherpas. It was inspiring to hear him speak about how he managed to achieve his dream of achieving higher education despite the many hurdles he faced as a young boy growing up in Khumbu.
Mr. Mingma Norbu Sherpa gave a detailed power-point presentation encompassing the history and evolution of the Sherpa culture and heritage, including the transformation in the educational and socio-economic status of Sherpas brought about by tourism. He also stressed on the indigenous rights of the Sherpa people to govern the local forests, parks and wildlife for sustainable development.
Miss Luna Ranjit remarked on the fact that a lot of Nepalese and other immigrants are deprived of human and women rights in the US, particularly emphasizing on the lack of rights of domestic workers. She also stressed on the importance of filling out the census forms and reminded the audience to complete the census, and to encourage others to do so.
The seminar was conducted by NSSP’s Chongba Sherpa.
Nurbu Sherpa, Coordinator of NSSP welcomed the audience, and gave a brief overview of NSSP’s goals and objectives, events and activities thus far, and its future goals. Sherpa Kyidug’s General Secretary Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa spoke about the objective of the program. At the end of the program, the President of Sherpa Kyidug, Chhonba Sherpa praised NSSP for its achievements, and requested NSSP to continue to organize creative activities for Sherpa students and youth.
Acknowledgements:
NSSP would like to thank the following organizations and individuals for the success of this program:
- Sherpa Kyidug, for the constant support and cooperation in organizing this program
- The panelists.
- Yak Restaurant for providing us with space for the event.
- Ang Tshering Sherpa, Editor of Everest Times
- Sambhu Moktan dai, for providing us with the projector, as well as for video recording of the seminar.
- Ang Kami Sherpa dai, for doing a great job with taking pictures of the seminar.
- All the community members. We could not have come this far and organize all these events without your help and support.
Thank you,
NSSP (Network of Sherpa Students and Professionals)
.png)
