Global Peace Festival South Asia 2010

Nearly thirty thousand Nepalis from different religious, ethnic, and political backgrounds joined in celebration at Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu at the Global Peace Festival South Asia 2010 on October 2, 2010. A Peace March around the stadium featuring ethnic, religious, civic and cultural organizations representing the diversity of Nepali society opened the Festival. Nepal is undergoing an historic transition from a Hindu monarchy to a parliamentary democracy, and one significant highlight was the signing of a pledge by representatives of the main political parties to bring the Constitution-drafting process to a peaceful and successful conclusion.

Representatives of Nepal’s major religious traditions also expressed their common commitment to work in unity for the cause of peace.

The Global Peace Leadership Conference (GPLC) on October 1 in Kathmandu, “One Family Under God: Reconciliation, Peace and Development.,” attracted delegates from 12 countries including the United States, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, India, China, and the Philippines, as well as prominent speakers from Pakistan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

The Global Peace Festival has been endorsed and supported by partners from government, business, and civic organizations, including the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction, the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, the Nepal Tourism Board, the UN Association of Nepal, the Nepal Scouts, the Private and Boarding Schools Organization of Nepal, HISSAN, the Nepal Media Society, the Human Rights Organization Nepal, and the Community Police Coordination Council.

• Photo gallery - Global Peace Festival South Asia 2010
• Video report - GPF South Asia