1. 1 NEPAL The Mountain Kingdom The Bishops School La Jolla, CA Frank Carr January 2013

2. 2 USAID Rule of Law Project 2005 – 2007 Kathmandu NGO Improve the Rule of Law and Promote a Civil Society Facilitate the drafting of the Nepal Mediation Law Conduct training programs for mediators (Commercial Sector) Work with the Nepal Supreme Court and Patan Appellate Court to establish a court-referred mediation program – 17,000 cases pending at the Supreme Court of Nepal – Drafted Court Rules of Procedure for Mediation – Trained judges and court staff Establish Mediation Centers Promote the use of mediation in the business community, Bar Association, and Chamber of Commerce

3. 3 NEPAL PRESENTATION AGENDA BACKGROUND Geography/Economics History/Politics Ethnic Groups/Religion VISITING NEPAL Tourism Dining in Kathmandu Travel Tips

4. 4 NEPAL Part 1 Background

5. 5 Map of NepalSouth Asia

6. 6 Map of Nepal--Elevations

7. 7 ECONOMICS Landlocked between two Asian powers - India and China (Tibet) – Historically a trade route between these two countries Mountains cover 80% of Nepal – In Nepal, Himalayas are 500 miles long and 145 miles wide at widest – Greatest range of altitude on earth - from 100M to 8848M in about 125 miles. Population – 30 million people - 85% live in rural areas – Literacy rate is 49% Annual Income of $240/person makes Nepal one of the poorest countries in the world Business is concentrated on agriculture, tourism, and water supply

8. 8 ETHNIC GROUPS Peoples – Mosaic – over 60 ethnic groups – Tibeto-Burmese people in the Himalayas – Thakalis, Tamangs, Gurungs, Magars, Newari and Rais/Limbus – Tibetan refugees Principals – Co-existence – Tolerance (change – womens rights) Language – Many Languages and Dialects – Nepali – English Spoken

9. 9 RELIGION Hinduism – 81% – Hindu castes: Brahman to Untouchables Buddhism – 13% – System of Philosophy and Code of Morality Christianity – 1% – Visible in Schools Islam – 4% – Border Area with India Other – 1%

10. 10 Religion - Hinduism Polytheistic Cycle of life, death and rebirth – Karma Omnipresent God – Shiva – destroyer and reproducer – Vishnu - preserver – Brahma - creator Ganesh – God of prosperity and wisdom (elephant head) Hanuman – trustworthy God (monkey) Vishnu Incarnations – Ten lives – Budda - Teacher

11. 11 Religion - Buddhism Gautama Budda – India 6 th Century BC – Achieved enlightenment Three Main Schools – Vajrayana (Nepal and Tibet) Dharma – Teachings – Karma Eye - symbol Stupa –bell-shaped religious structure

12. 12 Past Political History 700 BC Kirati Hindu Kingdom – Mongoloid People 300 BC Small Buddhist Kingdoms - India 300 AD Hindu Kingdom 1200 AD Golden Age of Mullas Kings – Muslim Invasion 1769 Shah Kings - Unification 1767 - 1816 British East India Company – Constant warfare 1846 Rana rule as Prime Ministers – Constitutional Monarchy 1951 Shah Dynasty returns to power – Rana PM ousted

13. 13 Current Political History 1990 - Popular uprising - Constitutional Monarchy established – King Birendra, Parliament and Courts – Constitution of 9 November 1990 Guarantees human rights Abolished caste system – Numerous political parties arise – Various governments 1996 – Maoist Insurgency 2001 – Royal Massacre: Crown Prince kills royal family and himself 2005 – King Gyanendra: declares emergency/dissolves government 2006 – Popular Uprising/King deposed/Parliament restored Currently – Unsettled – Maoist join government – Numerous governments – What to do with the former King

14. 14 NEPAL Part 2 Visiting Nepal

15. 15 Tourism Scheduled – Kathmandap Temple of the Living Goddess - balcony – Mount Everest Flight – weather – Swayambhunath – Buddhist Stupa Monkey Temple – Pashupatinah – Shiva Hindu Temple – Bodhnath –Stupa – Patan – Museum and Museum Cafe – Durbar Square – Shopping Unscheduled – Tamel – Shopping for crafts – Pushapti Temle and Crematorium – Royal Museum – Former residence of King

16. 16 Dining in Kathmandu Hotel – Breakfast and variety – Bottled water Street Vendors – Avoid Nepali Food and Culture Experience – Interesting Cafes and Restaurants – Guide – Bottled water Indian Restaurants – Numerous - Curry and rice International – Interesting and affordable – Fire and Ice – Thamel District Entrance - Very good pizza - Foreigners – Rumdoodle – Thamel District Inside – Good meat and pasta – Trekkers hangout

17. 17 Travel Tips #1 Preparation Read the Information Packet – Excellent Advice Health – Food Money – ATM – Password – Notice to credit card company Shots and Medication – Cipro Communications

18. 18 Travel Tips #2 Environment Smog – If you have a breathing issue, be prepared Roving Blackouts – Small flashlight at night Cleanliness – Hand sanitizer Bandt – General strike – Tires burning – Easy to avoid

19. 19 Travel Tips #3 Safety Crime is very low – Secure your passport and money Pickpockets at Patan – Street sellers – Be alert Traffic – Cars, mini-buses, taxis, mopeds, bicycles, and animals Monkeys – Extremely Aggressive and protected – Do not feed – Do not carry food when touring a site with monkeys – Take off watches and jewelry

20. 20 Travel Tips #4 Shopping Hotel – Gift shops are priciest Thamel – Small business shops – Crafts, jewelry, carpets, pashmina, tea, spices, and tee-shirts Patan – Shops, street vendors, and individuals Rules for Shopping – Never pay the original price – Negotiate – Walk – Negotiate – Enjoy the experience

21. 21 Travel Tips #5 Have Fun Experience the Nepali culture Taste the different foods Enjoy the sights Meet the wonderful people of Nepal Namaste

22. 22 Current Political Situation Constitutional Assembly – Appointed in 2008 to draft democratic constitution – failed Parliament – Interim 2007: Former members (208), Maoists (83), Civil Society (48) – Dissolved today – Political parties 9 (2008) to 30+ (2013) Nepal Supreme Court – Justices 26 (2008) to 6 (2013) – No parliament = no appointment process Royal Family – Former King – Resides in Nepal/Crown Prince – Exile in Thailand Mediation Law – Passed by Parliament Womens Rights – Interim Constitution of 2007 – equality a fundamental right – Gender Equality Act – repelled discriminatory laws – Domestic Violence Prohibition Act – protection from domestic violence

23. 23 QUESTIONS