The NLS carries out various programs and projects in various areas based on three-pronged intervention strategy: policy support; law making; and capacity building.
Constitutional Development
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Supported the drafting of constitutions of 1990, interim constitution 2007 and 2015 – all at the request of then governments/parliament.
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Provided national and international expertise support to the constitution making process to ensure democratic and inclusive constitution.
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During both constituent assemblies NLS engaged with the citizens on public opinion and literacy engaging 500,000 people directly and 1.5 million people indirectly.
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Helped enhance capacity of the CA members and secretariat officials
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Published 38 volume of Essays on Constitution
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Produced over 50 booklets on various constitutional issues like the fundamental rights, women rights, dalit rights, citizenship etc.
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NLS also produced an Expert Draft Constitution based on reports of CA committees to provide a reference to then CA.
Federalism/Governance
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Provided technical support to the making of rules for Provincial Assemblies
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Provided provincial outreach programs on major draft laws to provincial assembly members and officials
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Provided policy support in drafting Local Self Governance Act 1999
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Contributed in the drafting Local Level Governance Act 2017
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Capacity enhancement of elected officials of local bodies
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Supported the alliance of VDCs, DDCs and municipalities for effective local service delivery.
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Formulated Sectoral Devolution Strategies for the Ministry of Local Development,
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Published manuals, handbooks and booklets on issues of effective local service delivery.
Independence of Judiciary/Rule of Law
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Supported the Supreme Court in drafting and implementation of Case Management Guidelines 2017 to facilitate the scientific case management of the courts in Nepal
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Capacity enhancement of judges/officials of Supreme Court, Appellate Courts and District Courts for effective justice delivery
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Published collection of Supreme Court verdicts on habeas corpus and election related cases
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Supported policy draft for establishing Revenue Tribunal
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Supported in the drafting of more than 100 important laws including company act, tax laws, contract laws etc.
Social Inclusion, Women Empowerment and Human Rights
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Supported the women Caucus for its programs and activities during the first CA
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Conducted Literacy programs for promoting gender friendly laws during the operation of new constitution,
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Capacity enhancement of elected women local body officials; potential women leaders; civil society women leaders; women teachers; and CA women leaders,
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Supported the incorporation of women, Dalit, Muslim, Madhesi issues in the constitution through the publication of model constitution based on women/ Dalit/Madhesi/Janajati/Tharu/Muslim perspective to act as reference for constitution making
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Helped bring together Dalit CA members and Muslim CA members to identify their major constitutional concerns. Mobilized these members for general awareness to the citizens.
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Raised awareness of general public through human rights literacy programs – in all then 75 districts covering almost one hundred thousand people.
Election Governance
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Support for the improvement of electoral governance for the consolidation of successful/sustainable democracy
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Supported the drafting of election related laws such as Voters' Registration Act, Political Parties Act, voting rules, manuals etc.
Capacity building of election commission officials and returning officers.