Nepal’s Dalit Activist Suvash Darnal Joins The Board of Advocacy Project in Washington
October 29, 2008, Washington, DC- Suvash Darnal, a prominent activist for Dalit rights in Nepal has been selected as a member of the Board of a Washington DC based non-profit organization The Advocacy Project (AP). He is joining the Board along with two other new board members, Soren Jessen-Petersen, who served as the United Nation’s Special Representative in Kosovo during the run-up to the country’s independence, and Devin Greenleaf, a former AP Peace Fellow in Nepal.
Suvash Darnal has played a leading role in exposing caste discrimination against the Dalit in Nepal, and insisting on social change. He founded the Jagaran Media Center (JMC) in Kathmandu and served as Coordinator of the Collective Campaign for Peace (COCAP), a network of over 40 Nepalese human rights groups. Mr Darnal is currently a Fellow at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) in Washington DC.
“I feel very proud to be the first AP Board member from a partner (organization),” said Mr Darnal. “AP is doing fantastic work in many conflict-affected areas, and partners are key toward achieving the goals of AP.”
Devin Greenleaf brings the perspective of AP fellows to the Board. He spent last summer as Peace Fellow with the JMC in Nepal and helped to train the JMC’s network of field reporters.
“During my fellowship I experienced the exhilaration of working with grassroots organizations on the ground, but also the inherent challenges that come with it,” he said. “I relate to the concerns of AP’s fellows and I look forward to advising the Board on how to best guarantee their success.”
The selection of three new members of AP Board, each representing an important AP constituency, signals an increased role for the Board as the organization prepares for 2009. Mr Jessen-Petersen will explore synergies with the UN system. Mr Darnal will represent AP’s community-based partners. Mr Greenleaf will speak for AP volunteers (Peace Fellows).
The three new members join Mr Scott Allen, Ms Teresa Crawford, Her Excellency Claudia Fritsche, Mr Iain Guest and Professor Susan Martin on the AP Board.
Congralution
Great to know about becomming a member of AP.He played a significant role on uplifting the rights of Dalit. As a result he got this opportunity. We should be proud on Mr. Darnal. Well done Dornal.
I wish you all the best.