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Following is the report by Pramod Aryal, VP of SEBS-NA who participated in the Nepalese Americas Council (NAC) - (coordinating body of many Nepali organizations in North America, of which SEBS-NA is a member) conference in Nashville in January 21-22, 2006.

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As approved by Sagar, I represented SEBS-NA in NAC meeting. Several issues were discussed, and a charter of NRNA was passed. The charter clearly indicates that NRNA-NACC (non residential Nepalese in America-North America Coordination Council) would be a cell within NAC. Dr. Gauri Adhikari has been nominated as Chairperson who will look into the NRN cell in North America, president of NAC has been designated as president, vice chair has been Sarada Jung Thapa, and Naresh Koirala who are respective VPs of USA and Canada in NRN-ICC.

I, as an obervation, wrote note of dissent that if NRN-North America is to be the member of NRN-International Coordination Council, then it does not fall within the jurisdiction of NAC, and if we are having independent NRN activity in North America and have loose connection with ICC then it can fall within the NAC.
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About political situation in Nepal, all agreed that the situation is deteriorating and concerted efforts are needed from all sector of the society and Nepalese diaspora. NRN-ICC president Upendra Mahato sent and email and said that the organization would be politically neutral. It was agreed that NAC will send a letter to UN, USA, UK, European Commission, India. It was also agreed that the society and leaders should start communicating army generals and convince them that the way it is going will disintegrate Nepal and they have to behave in apolitical and professional way, and convince King that what he is doing is not good. Though I was not present at this discussion due to my personal engagement, I don't think there was much political biasness.

I briefed the SEBS-NA activities.

NSP

Learning Resource Mobilization like Doko Dai project.

Leadership development: I told them that SEBS members are now coming of age and are taking leadership roles in different respective careers, and we would like to introduce to human rights, and democracy and exchange with several people. In this regard, SEBS-NA has organized program where Gagan Thapa, along with African and South American experiences were shared about the conflict. Similarly Human Rights advocate Krishna Pahadi also spoke in other program hosted by SEBS-NA. I clearly mentioned that although SEBS members might have their own political inclination but as an organization we don't align with any particular party or ideology, but we stand firm for inherent rights of democracy and human rights as chartered in UN.

Career Guidance: I mentioned that several of our members communicate with us about different career path and we try to build the link of them to respective individuals in the respective career. I cited the example of I had linked someone who was looking to understand career in pharmacy to Dr. Shyam Karki, similarly I cited Dr. Gauri Adhikari who was contacted for possible residency and how to move ahead. In similar way I cited the communication from our members for undergraduate studies, and if applicable even for recommendation letters. I cited incident of a bahini from Manang, and another Bahini who had worked with us for a year about prospects of learning resource center, who had sought recommendation letter for their early decision and both of them got through selection.

In similar way, I cited how we provide information on how to appear for interview, how are the jobs in particular field etc.

Entrepreneurship: I told them, as we had discussed in Texas meeting, we have identified that unless we are able to develop entrepreneurship in USA, our community's identity would not be established, so some of the sebs members have already started it. I cited Alok Kharel, Jeet Bdr. Gurung, Shridhar Gautam, Hemendra Bohara etc.

Promoting talents of its members: I cited book sell drive for Mahendra Lawoti and Madan Limbu. The profit being transferred to NSP. I cited Sanjeev Sapkota's research being cited in several media in USA and Nepal.

Youth mobilization: I cited Sagar is the Youth Coordinator for NRN-ICC, and I cited them how many sebs members were actively present in all forum in Dallas presenting their views in respective forums.

I told them that SEBS members are active in their respective communities in USA, and I cited them active participation of sebsers in Dallas, or Atlanta convention, and told them we are integral part of the Nepalese communities.

Policy Research: I told them that some of the sebsers have identified that Nepal needs a policy research institute for overall development of the countries and we, along with non sebsers are working right now on that. We had one meeting in Nepal with academicians and second is scheduled for Jan 25, to decide how to move it ahead. The plan is finally to develop liberal arts college and masters level policy making, possibly with affiliation with Emory University.

Emergency Fund: I told them that we have come across few undergraduate students for some reason face economic difficulties and for just $1,500.00 might have to skip whole semester. So we started educational emergency fund up to $1,500.00 and at present there are 2 recipients. I told them that though at present we are only with sebs members, but the plan is to extend to Nepalese community at large once we have endowment. I might be mistaken, if so please pardon me, I told them that the minimum interest we put on these fund, we divert that interest to NSP.

I cited the role sebs played for Samrita Lohani's medical emergency.

I noted that SEBS in Nepal and abroad are slowly making difference in society and communities. I told them the senior most member is just 42 years old, so we need some more time for sebs to mature and have credible impact in the society.

Pramod