On the auspicious occasion of the historical journey of 70 years of WFTU, CONEP organized a two days Trade Union Seminar and Youth Training Program in Kathmandu on December 29-30, 2015. As per the main slogan of the WFTU for 2015, the theme of the seminar was on ” 70 years of WFTU, 70 years of struggles”. Inaugurating the opening session, the Chief Guest of the program, Minister of Youth and Sports of Nepal Government Honorable Purushottam Poudel remarked that “the youths are emerging leaders of future movement. The social change cannot be possible unless the youths come forward to take the initiative role and face the challenges of ongoing social movements.”
Likewise the special guest from the WFTU, Dy General secretary Comrade H. Mahadevan, addressed the inaugural session. In his inspiring greeting message, he shared the knowledge of the glorious journey of 70 years of WFTU, its continued courses of actions and the role it has been playing for the protection and dignified life of the workers in global context. He expressed anxiety over the measurable life of the migrated youth workers and their compulsion to work in precarious condition. He further pointed out that the LPG is the prescriptions of the WB, IMF and WTO which not only created massive unemployment situation but also widening depth between rich and poor people. As a consequence, a large number of unemployed and low wage workers are facing very hardship today than ever been before.
On the occasion, guests and leaders from friendly trade union organizations of Nepal : Cde. Bishnu Rimal (Pres. GEFONT/JTUCC), Cde. Khila Nath Dahal (Pres. NTUC), Cde. Ganga Ram Khadgi( Pres. NTUF), Cde. Tilak Thapa Magar (Pres. FENEPT), Cde. Ganesh Regmi(GenSec. ANTUF), Mr. Narayan Bhattarai (ILO ACTRAV) Cde. Kedar Sanjel (C.Advisor/Member of Parliament), Cde. Prabha Devi Bajracharya (VP/Member of Parliament) were also presence and extended their greeting message and appreciated the program. Almost all speakers emphasized and showed serious concern over the unemployment problems and migration of youths in large scale from the country.
Earlier, the 1st VP/WPCM, Cde. Premal Khanal had clarified the objectives of the Seminar and youth training program. In honor of guests, welcome speech was given by the next vice president Cde. Dipak Subedi and a vote of thanks were given by the Dy-General Secretary, Cde. Udaya Sharma. The program was chaired by the President of CONEP, Cde. Biswanath Pyakurel.
The program was divided into two parts. After the end of the opening session, the participants were provided trainings on different topics in 2nd part. The subject matters of trainings were; the Role of Youth in Social change; Marxism and Dialectical Materialism; 70 years of WFTU and World Trade Union Movement; CONEP’s Plan, Policy and Ongoing Programs, and Participation of Women Workers in Trade Union Movement, Problems and way out of solutions in which trainers were Cde. Yoges Bhattrai (Secretary, CPNUML), Cde. Beduram Bhushal (PBM/ Chief School Dept. CPNUML), Cde. Premal Khanal (1st VP/WPCM), Cde. Shiva Kumar Adhikari(Gen- Sec/CONEP) and Cde. Sita Ojha (Secretary, Women Dept. CONEP) respectively.
At the end of the two days program, a closing session was also briefly arranged. CONEP President, Cde. Biswanath Pyakurel provided certificates to trainees. Cde. Pyakurel, wished all youth participants of their growth of leadership development and active participation in future trade union movement. The two days seminar and youth training program grandly concluded. The program was facilitated by Cde. Lalbahadur Pakhrin, the Head of the CONEP International Department.