2008 Investor Trip to Nepal

March 24th – April 4th, 2008

Nepal's Rolpa district

This is a trip designed for members of the Global Investors Council of Search for Common Ground (SFCG). As investors we will be visiting the people of Nepal in a spirit of partnership and solidarity, recognizing that they are tackling incredibly challenging issues in their daily work to rebuild their country. This will be a unique opportunity to visit a country that is recovering from a decade of conflict – a conflict between the Communist Party of Nepal–Maoist and the Government. After one and a half years of direct rule by King Gyanendra, a popular democracy movement in April 2006 resulted in the restoration of democracy, the declaration of a mutual ceasefire, and the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement that brought the civil war to an end.

SFCG Nepal is currently working with youth, media, and civil society organizations on leadership development processes and capacity building activities. In partnership with the Antenna Foundation Nepal, SFCG is producing Nepal's first radio soap opera aimed at young people and their role in peace building. We will meet the courageous and inspiring young people who are our partners, and learn how they are undertaking the task of transforming their country and bringing about a sustained peace.

Trip participants will meet in Kathmandu on Monday, March 24th. We will be briefed by our staff in Kathmandu, learning how Search for Common Ground is addressing the issues that are key to building peaceful communities throughout the country. We will experience life in the city and then enjoy the richness of several rural communities – we are planning 2 or 3 nights in the field.

Our staff in Nepal are also experienced leadership trainers, and have led many trekking and spiritual trips so this trip promises to be a wonderful mix of discovering aspects of ourselves and our leadership skills, as well as learning about the achievements of SFCG, all in the wonderful Himalayas.

During the trip, you will visit the country’s Mid-Western region, where the conflict raged the longest and had the deepest impact. We will visit the diverse flatlands in the south and then travel by road into the lush green hills that sit at the foot of the Himalayas to visit Rolpa district, the place where the Maoists started their revolution.

The cost of this trip will be $3,200, including accommodation and food, internal travel, porters’ fees, Kathmandu City tour, entry fees to national parks – but not including international flights or tips.

This promises to be a 'once in a lifetime' experience. If you are interested or have further questions please contact Jane Shaw by email at jshaw@sfcg.org or by phone at 415-331-3123.

Please click here to visit the Search for Common Ground in Nepal webpage.