The Nepal edition of the Leadership for Social Justice Program (LSJP), organized by Initiatives of Change USA (IofC USA), concluded today in Lalitpur after five weeks of workshops, reflection, and collaborative learning.
The program brought together 27 young leaders from across Nepal working in civic engagement, social justice, education, and grassroots initiatives. LSJP, part of a global movement linking personal transformation to social change, focuses on fostering ethical leadership, dialogue, and accountability in public life.
Rooted in the principle that sustainable social change requires personal responsibility, the program combined two online sessions with eight in-person workshops, offering participants an opportunity to reflect on values, power, ethics, and responsibility—especially for those lacking mentorship or structured leadership support.
Emphasizing lived experience, participants explored conflict, dialogue, and ethical dilemmas from their own work, crafted narratives to communicate their initiatives, and designed community-based projects shaped by their commitments.
A highlight of the program was the graduation panel, “Change Makers - Gen Z in Action: Stories, Strategies, and Ethics for the Next Generation of Political Leaders,” held on December 14. Panelists discussed youth engagement in politics, grassroots activism, and ethical challenges. Ojaswee Bhattarai, Chair of the Progressive Democratic Party, emphasized the gap between youth visibility and decision-making power, while Shree Gurung highlighted patience, principle, and long-term engagement. Rijan Ranamagar of GenZ Rebels shared lessons from people-led movements that pressured state action.
Participants reflected positively on the program. Lawyer Ritika Rana said, “LSJP gave me language for decisions I was already making. It made me think more carefully about who I am becoming through this work.” By the program’s end, participants demonstrated stronger leadership confidence, ethical awareness, and skills in dialogue, collaboration, and conflict navigation.
The program was facilitated by experts from policy, academia, media, and leadership sectors, including Devika Thapa (World Bank), Meena Sharma (Dignified Workplace), Preeti Thapa (The Asia Foundation), Dr. Pitambar Bhandari (Tribhuvan University), and others. The Nepal Edition was implemented in partnership with Project Abhaya, a youth-led initiative promoting civic literacy and leadership among marginalized youth.
Reflecting on the program, LSJP Program Lead Ishika Panta stated, “Many young people in Nepal already carry leadership without recognition or power. This program helped them name that responsibility and carry it with integrity.”
The 27 graduates now join the global LSJP alumni network, continuing mentorship, reflection, and collaborative engagement across regions while laying the foundation for future country-level programs.
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