Thames International College and the Social Work Club of Thames proudly presented Nepal Social Work Symposium 2020, inspired by the World Social Work Day theme: Promoting the Importance of Human Relationships. Held from November 8 to 11, the symposium adopted a unique virtual format in response to the global pandemic.
Brief Rundown of Nepal Social Work Symposium 2020
Day 1 (Plenary Session): हाम्रो लोकतन्त्र, कस्तो लोकतन्त्र?
Broadcasted live via Thames' official Facebook and YouTube channels, this virtual plenary session featured journalist Basanta Basnet, who offered an insightful critique of Nepal's political landscape. Reflecting on the fluid nature of Nepali politics, he highlighted the frequent shifts in governance and the manipulation of constitutional principles. Basnet stressed that democracy is irreplaceable, despite its messiness, and emphasized the roles of the ruling party, opposition, and the people in sustaining it.
Day 2 (Plenary Session): जातका कुरा: मैले जे भोगे, मैले जे देखे
Social activist Reeta Pariyar shared her powerful experiences from a 54-day walk across Nepal, aimed at exposing caste-based discrimination. She recounted harrowing stories from Dalits being barred from wells to systemic social exclusion, stating that caste prejudice remains entrenched despite legal prohibitions. Pariyar emphasized that although Nepal's constitution criminalizes caste-based discrimination, actual implementation is lacking. "Policies alone won't change society unless strictly implemented," she said, urging everyone to question and confront everyday forms of discrimination.
Day 3: किन पढ्ने?
Scientist and educator Dr. Dovan Rai addressed the importance of cultivating a mindful reading culture. She criticized the modern trend of passive information consumption, especially from unreliable online sources. "Education shapes our values—it's the only way to confront our biases and change the way we think," she said. Dr. Rai highlighted the danger of being overwhelmed by poor-quality content in the digital age and emphasized the need to seek out credible, thoughtful information. She argued that literacy alone isn't enough; what matters is how we critically engage with knowledge.
Day 3: Spoken Word Poetry
The Spoken Word Poetry session, organized by Thames Writing Center during the virtual Nepal Social Work Symposium 2020 introduced students to the craft of spoken word poetry—covering both writing and performance. Participants explored self-expression through metaphor-rich exercises, such as self-portrait poems. From themes of identity and social norms to satire and everyday joys, the poems delivered emotion, insight, and humor.
Day 4 (Book Talk): Nepal India China: Relations in the 21st Century
Dr. Shambhu Ram Simkhada (author, diplomat, and former UN ambassador) joined the symposium to discuss his book Nepal India China: Relations in the 21st Century. Reflecting on his journey from schooling under a peepal tree to addressing the United Nations, Dr. Simkhada emphasized that failing to adapt to changing global dynamics can have dire consequences. He introduced the idea of "transformative international relations," stressing that modern diplomacy must respond to technological and geopolitical shifts.
Nepal Social Work Symposium 2020 aimed to facilitate meaningful discussions on the importance of human relationships, transcending boundaries and disciplines. As a community, Thames believes that these conversations at the local level can contribute to regional and global dialogues, serving as a platform for potential collaboration among like-minded individuals and organizations.
(The Social Work Club of Thames (SWCT) is a committed group of members promoting awareness and interest in the field of social work. SWCT accepts and encourages students, regardless of their major, to be active and participate in bringing awareness to different social issues.)
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