Introduction

Centre for Ethnic and Alternative Development Studies (CEADS) was established in 1998 by a group of indigenous scholars with a vision to make it as a pioneering institution devoted to lead advocacy and policy dialogues on the indigenous peoples’ rights issues and agenda, and to provide alternative development thinking and approaches that link ‘development’ as the rights of and dignity of the indigenous people of Nepal. In its initial years of establishment, CEADS has worked with the National Federation of Indigenous Nationalities of Nepal (NEFIN) in undertaking baseline surveys of the indigenous communities and in designing ‘capacity strengthening training modules’ for the indigenous peoples’ organizations. This was a pioneering ‘project’ that ultimately transformed into the ‘Janajati Empowerment Project’ (JEP) at the NEFIN. In order to influence the policy dialogue on the national census 2001 and the enumerate the indigenous communities accurately, CEADS has organized series of public debates, seminars and workshops in Kathmandu.

Objectives

The main objectives of the CEADS are:

To undertake research on indigenous and social exclusion issues cross-cutting to social development sectors

To organize seminars, workshops and talk programs on contemporary indigenous and alternative development issues

To document, publish and disseminate reports, articles books and journals on the relevant fields

To carry out advocacy and awareness campaigns and training on issues of national concern mainly indigenous ethnic people's rights, gender and alternative development

To set up research centre of excellence for indigenous and alternative development issues.

CEADS has been producing the Talk show program "Sanghiya Nepal" and broadcasting through Nepal Television on every Saturday at 10 pm and re-telecast on Tuesday at 3.05 pm. The main objective of this show is to create a discussion on Federalism, social inclusion and public participation to contribute in inclusive democratic Constitution making process.