Bamboo and rattan Society of Nepal along with Department of Forest Research and Survey (DFRS) government of Nepal, INBAR and GTZ/PSP-Nepal is organizing an International workshop on "Bamboo for Economic Development" in Kathmandu, Nepal from 10 to 12 April 2007. Save the Children / US, ICIMOD, NSCFP/SDC are the co-organizers of the event. Details are also available on INBAR web site: http://www.inbar.int/

Objective:The objective of the proposed workshop on the topic 'Bamboo for Sustainable Development' is to review the over all development of the bamboo sector and to build the regional strategy and alliance for wider scope.

• To introduce all the bamboo stakeholders in one platform
• To review the development of bamboo sector in South Asia especially in Nepali context
• To develop strategy and alliance for the wider development of bamboo sector in South Asia and in Nepal
• To create awareness among people about bamboo and its importance both in regional as we as national level.
• To draft baseline national strategy.

Expected outputs: The workshop comes with the following expected outcomes:

• All the bamboo stakeholders gathered in one platform including the government of Nepal.
• The regional and national development of bamboo sub sector reviewed.
• National alliance in Bamboo sub sector formed.
• National issues on bamboo and framework for the bamboo national policy prepared.
• Baseline national strategy formed and handed over to the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation Nepal.
• Future South Asian regional strategy and alliance developed for the wider development of the bamboo sector.

Duration of the Workshop: Three days

Venue and time: April 10-12, 2007, Kathmandu, Nepal

Call for papers (Themes)

Bamboo in employment generation and poverty reduction

Bamboo product and market development

Bamboo as a renewable energy source

Bamboo and value chain development

Bamboo for environment, water and soil conservation

National policy(ies) on Bamboo sector development

Submission of papers: Before 31 March

• Mr. Ujjwal Raj Pokhrel (ujjwal.pokhrel@gtz.com.np), Advisor, Sub sector promotion, GTZ/PSP RUFIN, Nepal.
• Mr. Shyam Poudyal (spaudel@inbar.int),Senior Programme Officer, International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR), Beijing, PR China
• Dr. Annapurna Nand Das (dasannapurna@enet.com.np ), Under Secretary, Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation, Department of Forest Research and Survey
• Mr. Vijay Prasad Kesari (resnepal@wlink.com.np), President, Bamboo and Rattan Society Nepal

Languages: English

Registration fees, Accommodation, Food and Travel:

Registration fee - Free

Travel Expenses: The entire travel expenses (international/national) to/from Kathmandu City, Nepal - covered by the participants.

Local transportation for seminar proposes - covered by the organizers.

Accommodation, food and travel (April 10-12, 2007) - covered by the organizers

For Details Contact: Mr. Vijay Prasad Kesari

President

Bamboo and Rattan Society-Nepal

Email: resnepal@wlink.com.np, vpkes@yahoo.com