Nepal

Since 2004, The Carter Center has stood alongside Nepal in its remarkable journey from conflict to constitutional democracy.

We’ve observed landmark elections and supported the adoption of a new constitution. We’ve also partnered with the city of Kathmandu as part of our groundbreaking Inform Women, Transform Lives campaign.

Short-term Goals

We are transforming women’s lives through access to information.

Impact

Observed three landmark elections (2008, 2013, 2017)
Supported the constitutional drafting process
Monitored the peace process

Carter Center Adds 12 More Cities to its Global Inform Women, Transform Lives Campaign

Press Release
Sep. 27, 2023

Final Report: Federal and Provincial Elections in Nepal Nov. 26 and Dec. 7, 2017

Report
May. 16, 2023

Carter Center to Hold 2019 Human Rights Defenders Forum on ‘Building Solidarity toward Equality for All’

Press Release
Oct. 10, 2019

Active

Empowerment through Information

Through its groundbreaking Inform Women, Transform Lives campaign, The Carter Center partners with city leaders worldwide to raise awareness about women’s right to access information and to help cities reach women with valuable information and essential municipal services.

Access to this information empowers women with a stronger voice, enabling them to participate in public life, utilize public services, and make more informed decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities. In Nepal, the project has partnered with the city of Kathmandu.

Legacy

Democracy

We observed three landmark elections in 2008, 2013, and 2017 that transformed Nepal’s political landscape. Each time, we deployed large teams of international election observers. i In 2013, President Carter led the historic mission.

Impacts
Our decade-long election monitoring helped Nepal successfully transition from monarchy to federal democratic republic. By maintaining an international presence through postponements and challenges, we helped ensure the credibility of each historic vote, ultimately contributing to Nepal’s constitutional development and the strengthening of its democratic institutions.

More information about all of these elections is available in our publications section.

Legacy

Peacebuilding

From June 2009 to 2013, we deployed teams to monitor the peace and constitution-drafting processes, providing impartial information to political and civil society leaders.

We deployed teams to all five regions of Nepal; met with local officials, civil society leaders, and citizens; and produced more than 20 public reports.

Impacts
Our reports were widely distributed and reported in local and international media, helping keep stakeholders informed and accountable. The monitoring helped ensure the participation of marginalized groups in the peace process and constitutional development.

Beginning in 2004, we engaged in mediation efforts between various factions during Nepal’s civil conflict.

Our approach included:

Meeting with royal, government, and national organization representatives

Conducting conflict resolution training for political party representatives

Facilitating bridge-building sessions with Maoist representatives

Impacts
Our sustained engagement helped create space for dialogue between conflicting parties, contributing to the 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement. This foundational work evolved into our long-term democracy support as Nepal’s political dynamics transformed.