THE ORGANIZATION
Supporting Internally Displaced Persons through Community Learning Centers
Among its other efforts to improve living conditions for Internally Displaced Persons in Nepal, USAID has been cooperating with UNESCO in fighting the problem through supporting Community Learning Centers.
Internally Displaced Persons
Lack of opportunity has for years maintained a steady flow of economic migrants in Nepal. Since the declaration of the “People’s War” in 1996 by the Communist Party of Nepal -Maoist, the people of Nepal have suffered from the general effects of conflict. It caused a breakdown of education systems, closure of businesses, weakening of local economies, interruption of public services, food insecurity, and lack of employment.
Thousands have been displaced within Nepal due to these hardships and as a result of armed conflict. Many have fled to urban districts or large cities like Kathmandu and Nepalgunj. Some choose to cross the border to India.
USAID’s support
As the first bilateral donor to Nepal, the United States has had a long relationship of trust, mutual respect, and commitment to the people of Nepal. As a part of the assistance that the US provides to Nepal, in October 2005, USAID made available to UNESCO a grant for a duration of two years, to support the establishment of Community Learning Centers in Nepal.
Programme Objectives
The project contributes to the social, cultural, economic and political well being of the particularly vulnerable population group of Internally Displaces Persons in selected districts of Nepal through providing community-based life-long learning opportunities with special reference to vocational education and skills development through Community Learning Centers.
What are UNESCO’s Community Learning Centers (CLC)?
To meet the needs of marginalized and particularly vulnerable people, such as internally displaced people, non-formal education must be embedded in the specific socio-economic, cultural, linguistic, and environmental contexts in which learning occurs.
It is based upon this concept that UNESCO’s Community Learning Centers (CLC) function.
CLCs not only meet basic learning needs and literacy, but also improve family and community lives through various programmes such as income-generating activities, health and sanitation, animal husbandry and other agricultural activities.
It is also essential that programmes are founded on local initiatives and resources in order to ensure sustainability. Therefore the aim and focus of CLCs is to achieve integrated development of grassroots communities by developing social and intellectual capital in the community.
Related Links:
USAID Assistance to Nepal
UNESCO office Kathmandu