Rights, Democracy and Inclusion Fund (RDIF) launched

February 22, 2006
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Two leading donors– Department for International Development (DFID) and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)– have launched the Rights Democracy and Inclusion Fund (RDIF) to contribute to “stable democratic future for Nepal.”

Head of the DFID in Nepal Mark Mallalieu

Head of the DFID in Nepal Mark Mallalieu
(Photo source: DFID)
Addressing the launching ceremony at Lalitpur on Wednesday, Mark Mallalieu, head of the DFID—British government’s aid arm—in Nepal quoted His Majesty the King, opposition leaders Madhav K Nepal and Sher Bahadur Deuba and Maoist chairman Prachanda underlining their professed commitment to democracy, human rights and multi-party competition.

Mr. Mallalieu said the new initiative by leading development agencies like DFID and SDC was a legitimate initiative as their support will not be biased and that they will not be providing direct finance to political parties.

“It is legitimate because effective, capable and accountable state and non-state institutions are vital to development and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Without such institutions, surely progress will continue to be slow and Nepal risks trailing far behind its South Asian neighbours,” said Mallalieu. “RDIF provides a new way for donors to promote such effective and accountable government by supporting creative ideas generated by Nepali organisations and people—not by outsiders,” he added.

Country director of the SDC in Nepal, Jorg Frieden (File Photo)

Country director of the SDC in Nepal, Jorg Frieden (File Photo)
Country director of the SDC—the international aid arm of the Swiss government—in Nepal, Jorg Frieden, said development in Nepal had been halted by weak political institutions. He said many citizens of this country wondered if they still could identify themselves with the Nepali state and questioned, in different forms, its legitimacy.

“The suspension of parliament in 2002 and the autocratic rule introduced by the February 1 declaration in 2005 have just aggravated these historical deficits. Arguably the lack of an effective inclusive democracy, ensuring a fair sharing of power and resources among regions, ethnic groups and social classes is at the origin of the present deep political crisis,” said Frieden. “Peace will be attained and development will resume only if those historical grievances are addressed and overcome,” he added.

Frieden further said 12 years of imperfect but real democracy (1990-2002) have allowed hundreds of civil initiatives to blossom, from the FM radio movement to the proliferation of local newspapers, from the organisation of the most discriminated group in society to the creation of large movements of local groups, created for instance around the maintenance and use of community forests. “Our intention is to support with this fund the more original and promising attempts emerging from a maturing civil society,” he added.

Guest speaker, former minister and political thinker Nilamber Acharya expressed hope that the Fund would be an important contribution to the cause of democracy in Nepal and said it was an expression of confidence that Nepal will return to democracy. “Building democracy is a multifaceted task. Extremism—both right and left—is hostile to democracy. Democracy is both a goal in itself and a means to solve other problems,” he added.

Acharya recalled that international community too had failed to support democratic movement of Nepal in the past. “But it was not always the case. We are happy and satisfied this time at the stand taken by the international community after the February 1 royal takeover,” Acharya said. “Anti-democratic elements don’t make democracy. Democratic initiatives, democratic process and institutions as well as democratic forces need to be strengthened,” he added.

The DFID and SDC officials said as much as 2.8 million pounds (approx. Rs 350 million) will be available under the RDIF for a period of next three years. “Support within RDIF is available to all constitutional forces trying to work cooperatively for the achievement of a democratic process that is agreed and durable. Project proposals can be submitted by organisations legally operating in Nepal, both national and international,” said a statement issued by the DFID. “Small but respected Nepali civil society organisations and academic institutions are seen as credible and appropriate partners for promoting reform. It is also recognized that initiatives must reach out to all parts of the constitutional spectrum. Activities would, therefore, be in support of the declared HMG/Nepal’s policy of democratization,” the statement added.

Interestingly, no government officials were present at the launching ceremony attended by senior opposition leaders, human rights and women activists and dalit community leaders. The organisers said they had also invited senior officials for the launching ceremony.