WelCome to FOHRID Human Rights and Democratic Forum : Human Rights : Conflict Management : Strengthen democratic process : Capacity Building of FOHRID : Hira Kumar Maharjan

¤ About Us ¤
Genesis / history:

Though a large number of NGOs were established in Nepal after the restoration of democracy in 1990, there are still many issues to be addressed and intervened. Information dissemination and implementation of the commitments of His Majesty’s Government of Nepal in the UN and other international forums is still insufficient. Right based approach and knowledge based approach are necessary in the development and upliftment of the under privileged and deprived people. These approaches are effective for conflict management and strengthening inclusive democracy in the present Nepalese context. For instance, Nepal has already entered into WTO but the general public is still unaware of its implications in protecting human rights of the general public and food sovereignty of the farmers. In this backdrop, it is indeed necessary to ensure that trade rules are developed and applied in ways that promote an equitable economy. Senior HR defender Advocate Mr. Nutan Thapaliya, who is ex-UN Committee Member on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, furnished invaluable guidance to this organization pointing the need of an organization to work for the people with praxis approach. FOHRID Human Rights and Democratic Forum aims to address the contemporary issues of human rights, democracy, peace and conflict management.

Vision:

A dignified and peaceful society where there will be an understanding, respect, practice of human rights, democratic process and culture according to the international standard and practice.

Mission:

FOHRID, as a dynamic organization, aims to materialize democratic process and culture through protection, promotion and respect of human rights by planning and implementing advocacy, education, conflict resolution, networking, collaboration, and capacity building activities according to its faith, commitment and vision.

Overall objectives and working areas:

Protection, promotion and respect of human rights according to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights-1948 and other relevant international instruments,
To establish culture of peace in conflict management,
To strengthen democratic process and culture through institutional capacity building at all levels,
To enhance institutional infrastructure and capacity building of FOHRID.

FOHRID Modality:

FOHRID has developed a modality over the years of its activities and experiences in grass root and local level. It conducts studies, research, organizes seminar, workshop, interaction, public hearing and symposium to accumulate knowledge and professional skill for future action or intervention. Plan of intervention or action are mainly implementation work at primary stakeholder or grass root level of beneficiaries, which are meant to organize the target groups for their own needs. This is the modality of FOHRID: RESEARCH–ACTION– ORGANIZATION model.

Principal achievements in the past three years:

Development of an organization with knowledge and skills as well as the development of a membership representing the resources and work on democracy and human rights related humanitarian concerns.
An identity of a national level non-governmental organization.
Advocate for democracy, peace and human rights with specific focus on diversity, fundamental rights and freedom.
Development of quality in work.
Linkage with national and international organizations and resources.

Fields of activity:

The principle thematic approaches of the organization are:

Co-ordination, Facilitation and Networking
Knowledge Center and Study
Representation, Advocacy, Dissemination and Policy Debate
Promotion of Professional Standards

FOHRID is a service provider in the non-profit sector. The benefits of its activities are directed at:

Empowering people in need regardless of ethnic, gender, political, or religious backgrounds, especially the marginalized communities and vulnerable groups;
Promotion of dialogue for inclusive democracy and non-violent conflict resolution;
Provision of empowerment and assistance through community based participatory approach in the protection and promotion of human rights, strengthening inclusive democracy and peace; and
Promotion of the principle of service and professionalism in the non-profit sector.

Organizational Structure:

General Assembly, Executive Committee / Steering Committee, Advisory Council, Executive Director, Board of Directors, Audit Committee, Volunteer Cell.

Decision making procedure:

(a) According to Article 6, Sub Article (Cha) of FOHRID Statute, General Assembly formulates policy and work plan,       amends the Statute, appoints Auditor, passes Audit Report and the Annual Budget. The General Assembly is       held every year.
(b) Meeting of full Executive Committee / Steering Committee is held every three months for the formation and       monitoring of programs, evaluation of expenditure, distribution of responsibility and other important issues.       Quorum for the meeting is 51 percent.
(c) Executive Director and Board of Directors are free to implement their responsibilities independently; however,      they are accountable to the General Assembly for their designated duty.

Executive Committee / Steering Committee of FOHRID: The seven member Executive Committee of FOHRID is led by President Mr. Nutan Thapaliya, who is Associate Professor (Political Science), Advocate (Supreme Court of Nepal) and Former UN Committee Member for the Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

Employment and official infrastructure:

There is a four member Board of Directors comprising Executive Director, Human Rights Coordinator, Peace Program Coordinator and Democracy Strengthen Program Coordinator. There are Administrative Officer, Account Officer and Information Officer, among others, to carry out day to day office work.

There is enough office infrastructure for the above working staff to work smoothly. We have felt it necessary to increase size of staff and add official infrastructure to work according to the five years plan of FOHRID.

Field Coordinators:

There are four Field Coordinators working at local level in Morang, Banke, Rupandehi and Dailekh districts.

Membership scheme:

Currently, there are 25 members representing different walks of life in FOHRID, out of which 40 percent positions are occupied by women. There are 7 Founding Members. FOHRID provides following types of membership to eligible interested individuals:

Life Members, Honorary Members, Associate Members, Ordinary Members.

Financial management:

(a) Financial resources: Financial resources of FOHRID are as follows:

(i) Grants and aids, (ii) Monthly Levy from Executive Committee / Steering Committee, (iii) Membership renewal fees, (iv) Membership fees, (v) Publication sale, (vi) Other miscellaneous resources.

(b) Financial System:

Bank account of FOHRID is run according to the provision in the FOHRID Statute. Chairperson, General Secretary and Treasurer sign the cheque. All financial decisions are made by Finance Committee. Finance Committee is chaired by Treasurer and Chairman, General Secretary and Project Accountant are members. It is obligatory to submit the decisions of the Finance Committee in the Executive Committee / Steering Committee meeting that sits every three months and the decisions of the Executive Committee / Steering Committee are submitted to the General Assembly.

(c) Accounting System:

All the capital and liabilities of FOHRID are kept under double entry book keeping system of accounts. Weekly and monthly trial balance of income and expenditure are prepaid and approved by Finance Committee.

(d) Auditing / Transparency:

General Assembly of FOHRID appoints registered auditor for the period of one fiscal year. Accounts is audited and report is submitted to the District Administration Office, Social Welfare Council and other relevant authorities. Necessary tax, if applicable, is paid according to the advice of the auditor.