Following the conclusion of the Phase-1 of Nepal Project in June 2004, a number of consultations were held during Phase-2 both in Nepal and Switzerland. These consultations showed that the immediate need to the ongoing military escalation was the transformation of the conflict through innovative and alternative methods. The approach in Phase-3 will focus on strengthening the major political parties of Nepal by enhancing their capability to face widespread national crises and transform and prevent conflicts – shifting the venue from the battlefield to the political arena. In particular, the activities in Phase-3 will focus on training cadres and leaders of the political parties in order to get them involved in the peace dialogue and then put an end to the ongoing standoff regarding the peace process.
In addition to working with the political parties, Phase-3 will also involve the publication and dissemination of a Monograph (This will include an expanded version of the PSIO Occasional Paper including the research papers written by Nepalese scholars, the comments presented at the February 2004 workshop in Nagarkot and the annotated chronology of the main events). Furthermore, an Annotated Bibliography will be also published and posted on the project website. In order to organise, co-ordinate and conduct the project activities during Phase-3, two small offices (one in Geneva and one in Kathmandu) will be established. The majority of the work will be done in Nepal and the HEI-PSIO in Geneva will co-ordinate the monitoring process and define the overall strategies.
