User:Bedu baral

--INTRODUCTION-- There are seven Bhutanese refugee camps in the eastern lowlands of Nepal, where the population has grown from 80,000 in 1992 to 105,000 in 2007.

Since 2008 many thousands of Bhutanese refugees have left the camps as part of the resettlement programme, moving to start new lives in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway.

As of the beginning of 2010 there was a population of approx. 85,000 still living in the camps.

According to UNHCR, through the 1990s and 00s at least 40 percent of the population in the camps was under the age of 17. These young people had spent most, if not all, of their lives living as refugees.

--CAMP INFORMATION-- There are seven Bhutanese refugee camps holding an estimated population of 105,000. The camps are located in the south eastern part of Nepal, in the districts of Jhapa and Morang.

When first established in the early 1990s the camps were hailed by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UHNCR) as models of good practice. From the beginning, high levels of participation from the refugee community meant that a highly effective infrastructure was put in place. The education system and general living conditions were seen as some of the best for refugee camps around the world.

However, as the Bhutanese refugee situation has become more protracted, standards in the camps have become worse.

A combination of donor fatigue, which has resulted in cuts in the budget, and the exodus of the young and the educated, who have gone to seek work outside the camps, has meant that the quality of living conditions has dropped dramatically in recent years.

--CHILDREN'S FORUM-- 'I use my pictures to show Bhutanese people are kind, loyal and speak the truth. It is the only medium through which I can focus all my feelings about living a refugee life. Through this project I have come to understand the real objectives of taking photos. They can create awareness and co-operation amongst the refugee community and also with communities in other countries about our way of living and what it means to be a refugee.’ Indra

The Children’s Forum is the longest running and largest child-orientated project in the Bhutanese refugee camps. It was first established as a holistic, participatory child rights based programme by Save the Children in 1996. It has been run by LWF Nepal since 2000. PhotoVoice have been working in the Bhutanese camps since 1998 and have funded participatory arts, writing and photography activities in The Children’s Forum since 2002.

--MEET THE YOUNG PEOPLE-- Since 1998 over 3000 young people have been involved in The Children's Forum, through art workshops, contributing to the newspaper, taking photos or organising events and activities.

It is an impossible task to name every individual but The Children’s Forum could not exist without all these young people’s commitment, energy and creativity.

This website stands as a testament to their passion and dedication.

Many thanks to everyone involved for sharing their stories.

‘By seeing our pictures I hope people will not hate us but instead will understand, love and share our views.’ Group statement at a Children’s Forum exhibition

--IN BHUTAN: INTRODUCTION-- Much of the website focuses on the plight of Bhutanese refugees who have lived in exile outside of their homeland since the early 1990s.

This section of the website concentrates on the situation inside Bhutan and attempts to highlight some of the difficulties faced by the Lhotshampa population there.

Recent decades have seen many changes in Bhutan. Under Bhutan’s constitution, due to come into effect in 2008, it seems that difficulties will remain for Lhotshampas. Bhutan’s partners in development cooperation, UN agencies and bilateral partners, must work with the Royal Government of Bhutan to promote inclusion of those now marginalized in all development programmes.

Significant numbers of Lhotshampas are still living in Bhutan. There is ample evidence that the Bhutanese government continues to discriminate against them, and that they are a vulnerable section of the population.

King Jigme Singye Wangchuk propounded Gross National Happiness as the unifying concept for Bhutan’s development, yet many Bhutanese remain to be included in the project. --HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY-- Bhutan is a landlocked, mountainous country with an area of approximately 46,500 square kilometres. The land rises from an elevation of about 100 metres above sea level in the south an altitude of more than 7,550 metres in the north. Fast-flowing rivers provide water for hydro-electric power generation.

Most of the population is concentrated in the valleys. About 70% of Bhutan's people derive a living from agriculture, livestock rearing and forestry. Bhutan's developing economy has close ties with India as a result of its geographical position and historical relationship.

Bhutan has existed as a political entity since the 1600s. It was unified by Shabdrung Ngawang Namgyel, a Tibetan leader who took refuge in Bhutan in 1616. The Shabdrung established a dual system of government in Bhutan, by which control of the country was shared by a spiritual and an administrative leader.

The late 19th century in Bhutan was marked by civil wars between rival power centres. A monarchy was established in 1907 when the first king of the Wangchuk dynasty was crowned.

Bhutan embarked on planned development in the 1960s. Trade with India expanded and use of money became widespread. With the growth of the economy, education and social services have continued to develop, in parallel with transport and communication networks. Bhutan has made great strides in harnessing its vast hydro-electric potential, and electricity is its most important export.

Bhutan became a member of the United Nations in 1971. Development assistance flowed into Bhutan as it opened up to the outside world. Bhutan’s international development partners agreed in 2006 that they would gradually phase out long-standing development cooperation. Bhutan now has diplomatic relations with 22 countries (including the European Union), and is a member of 45 international organisations.

--POLITICS-- During his reign, from 1972 to 2006, one of the many achievements of King Jigme Singye Wangchuk was to set Bhutan on course towards democracy. However, challenges face his son, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk.

Although there are fears that Lhotshampas remain vulnerable under Bhutan’s new constitution, it may be found possible to regularise their nationality status.

Bhutan’s partners in development cooperation have a responsibility to promote the implementation of development programmes in a rights-based and inclusive way.

--PEOPLE-- Bhutan’s 650,000 people comprise three main groups, along with other small groups.

The Ngalongs of the western mountains and the central Bhutanese with whom they have intermarried form the elite. They form a minority alongside the more numerous Sharchhops (“easterners”). Both Ngalongs and Sharchhops are Buddhist.

The Lhotshampa, who live mainly in the south of the country, are the third largest group in Bhutan. Originally from Nepal, they speak Nepali and most practise Hinduism.

Analysis of population statistics provided by the Bhutanese government, in which the population is shown to have increased steadily despite the expulsion of more than 80,000 people in the early 1990s, can reveal that Bhutan has attempted to hide the exodus of a large part of the Lhotshampa community.

The figures also suggest the potential for further discrimination against the Lhotshampas in future.

Many Lhotshampas are vulnerable because of their precarious citizenship status. Even those recognised as Bhutanese citizens face discrimination.

--GROSS NATIONAL HAPPINESS-- King Jigme Singye Wangchuk propounded Gross National Happiness (GNH) as the unifying concept for Bhutan’s long-term development. A sense of what this may mean is given in the Bhutan National Human Development Report, 2000:

"If happiness is among the cherished goals of development, then it does matter how this happiness is generated, what causes it, what goes with it, and how it is distributed - whether it is enjoyed by a few or shared by all…

"Bhutan seeks to establish a happy society, where people are safe, where everyone is guaranteed a decent livelihood, and where people enjoy universal access to good education and health care. It is a society where there is no pollution and violation of the environment, where there is no aggression and war, where inequalities do not exist, and where cultural values get strengthened every day. (…) A happy society is one where people enjoy freedoms, where there is no oppression, where art, music, dance, drama and culture flourish.

Ultimately a happy society is a caring society, caring for the past and future, caring for the environment and caring for those who need protection…"

The challenge for Bhutan is to translate the aspiration to Gross National Happiness into realisable goals.

The Centre for Bhutan Studies has identified nine provisional GNH indicators:

.Standard of living .Health of population .Education .Ecosystem vitality and diversity .Cultural vitality and diversity .Time use and balance .Good governance .Community vitality .Emotional well-being Bhutan promulgates the concept of Gross National Happiness with pride.

Yet during the period in which GNH has been advertised and promoted, and received endorsement in international fora, Yet during the period in which GNH has been advertised and promoted, and received endorsement in international fora, tens of thousands of Bhutanese people, both inside and outside their country, have lived in insecurity and in fear for their future.

For GNH to become truly embedded in policy and planning, all Bhutanese must be included in the project.