We had the pleasure to welcome the Chairperson of the Upper House of Nepal's National Assemby, Hon. Ganesh Prasad Timilsina, who visited the ‘Peace Embassy’ at 43 Lancaster Gate. Hon.
Timilsina has spoken at UPF International events and Rallies of Hope. It was at the request of Hon. Ek Nath Dhakal, the UPF Chair of the International Association of Parliamentarians for Peace for the Asia Pacific Region, that we met.
During our conversation we were introduced to the inclusivity of the Nepalese constitution amid the diversity of the nation. We were not aware that there are 126 languages spoken in Nepal. The constitution enables all sections of Nepal to feel included. Hon. Puspa Raj Timilisina, a member of the National Commission on Inclusion, informed us of the constitutional requirements for inclusion. It includes a guaranteed 33% of the National Assembly to be women as well as the President and Vice President to represent male and female. Keith Best, UPF – UK’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees and a former MP reflected that ‘As I mentioned, although the UK likes to pride itself on being the Mother of Parliaments I believe that in all humility we should accept that we have much to learn from other legislatures.’
This meeting has revived the relationship with the UK Nepal resident community. We will plan to meet and have a cultural programme in2023.