National 8 (Spotlight Weekly)

Cultural Liberty In Today’s Diverse World

By NICHOLAS BROWN, UNDP Resident Representative a.i

It gives me a great pleasure to launch the Human Development Report 2004 and introduce its theme –“Cultural Liberty in Today’s Diverse World.”

Perhaps the best introduction I can give you to this report is to quote what the UNDP administrator, Mr. Mark Malloch Brown has written in the Report’s foreword: “If the world is to reach the Millennium Development Goals and ultimately eradicate poverty, it must first successfully confront the challenge of how to build inclusive, culturally diverse societies.” This report evaluates the importance of the identity and role of multicultural societies and asks the questions “Do cultural differences necessarily lead to social, economic and political conflict?” and “Should cultural rights supersede political and economic rights?” Consider some of the many different cultural groups that there are in the world – the Kurds in the Middle East; the Hispanics in the United States, the Tamils in Sri Lanka; the Romas in the Balkans. Whichever country you look at today, it contains groups, which differ from each other because of ethnicity, religion or language. The question this report debates is: ”If a country is to achieve and maintain political stability and economic prosperity, is it necessary to have a national unity that is build on cultural uniformity?”

In Nepal, for example, the problems of social exclusion, structural inequality, discrimination have been commonly attributed as the root cause for the current conflict. Does that mean that the solution is to make everybody the same? Or, can active recognition of Nepal’ rich cultural diversity lead to progress in development, democracy and human rights?

The report also examines the relationship between cultural liberty and human rights. Which should take precedence – tradition and historical practice or the rights of women? For example, does a man’s claim to a cultural right for religious or other reasons prevail over his daughter’s right to education?

The issues that we are talking about today are:

Do people have the right to maintain their ethnic, linguistic and religious identities? If the answer is yes,

How should we manage the different aspect of multiculturalism – race, religion and ethnicity? Will legislation provide the protections and guarantees for minorities, indigenous people and all culturally diverse groups?

How should we encourage and benefit from diversity? Is it necessary for citizens to think, feel and act in ways that genuinely accommodate the needs and aspiration of others? And,

How can we utilize inclusion of our cultural diversity to advance democratic values and economic progress?

You will reach, I am sure, and have your own opinions – all of them very interesting, I hope the Report generates much debate and discussion. This Human Development Report, like its predecessors, is deliberately intended to do that.

Nepal is a country so rich in culture. I am convinced that what it has to say on this subject should be not only of great interest but also of great value.

(Excerpts of the statement delivered at the ceremony launching the 2004 Human Development Report)

Petrol Exploration License

The cabinet meeting of Monday (July 26) has decided to award the license to undertake petroleum exploration operation in areas around Chure hilly region in the country to a British multi-national company called Cairn Energy PLC.

The cabinet made the decision after studying the proposal by the company, which is active in petroleum and gas exploration in India and Bangladesh. The company has been permitted to explore in the areas around Dhangadhi, Karnali, Lumbini, Birgunj and Malangawa.

Even though the amount of ‘hydrocarbon’ was found to be ‘encouraging’ in Chure and Mahabharat range, no exploration could be undertaken in the absence of investment. The chief officer of the British company, who is currently in a visit to India, is expected to come to Nepal on Wednesday (July 28) upon learning about the permission granted to his company. He will meet with ministers and officials. The company had successfully explored gas reserves in Bangladesh as well.

“This company is active in similar exploration in India and Bangladesh, so we submitted its proposal to the cabinet,” said Bharat Mani Gyawali, chief of the petroleum exploration project at the Department of Mines and Geology.. After repeated attempts, this was the only company that showed interest for such exploration in Nepal.

A huge portion of foreign exchange is used for importing petroleum products. Nepal Oil Corporation spends Rs 1.5 billion rupees every month for the purpose. According to the officials, the risk of exploration will be borne by the company itself. However, if petroleum products are found, the company and the government will divide the profit fifty-fifty.