Since 1996 Nepal has been experiencing violent conflict. The Communist Party of Nepal (Maoists) initiated an armed insurgency drawing support from other groups in society such as ethnic minorities thus enlarging their capacity as a fighting and political force. After having introduced multi-party democracy system in 1990 and drafted a new constitution Nepal went from an aspiring democracy to a state in internal turmoil. The current situation is that the internal actors: the Maoists, the monarch and the political parties, are locked in a tripartite conflict where the core issue to be addressed is the division of power. In addition to the internal political conditions, the geo-political position of the Himalayan kingdom results in that developments in Nepal are of direct interest to two regional hegemons: China and India. Thus the development of the conflict in Nepal is not only a question of national security, but that of regional stability. The main purpose of this project is to assist in creating a foundation for conflict management within Nepal.

Currently the project is conducting a comprehensive study of the conflict in Nepal, which will be published in as a volume in the spring of 2006. The book attempts to examine and analyse the Nepali conflict from the specific perspective of conflict management and conflict prevention. To this end it will present a comprehensive picture of the conflict formation with regard to its history and the parties to the conflict, both positive and negative for the prospect of peace. By critically examining the role and goals of all groups and interested parties to the conflict, their appropriateness with regard to different kinds of measures for conflict management and prevention can be more accurately determined. The insight provided can in turn lead to better and more effective conflict management and conflict prevention measures.

To further promote capacity building in conflict management the project will also to initiate and hold seminars and workshops on conflict management for different groups representative of political society in Nepal such as politicians, civil society and the military. In doing so the project will contribute to increased knowledge and capacity building in the fields of conflict prevention and management in Nepal. By creating a common language and understanding with regard to issues and concepts in conflict management and prevention the project aim to provide more favorable conditions for the parties to manage the conflict.

As a further way of disseminating knowledge and exchange experiences the project will also invite guest researchers to spend extended time at the Program in order to conduct studies on issues related to the situation in Nepal from a conflict management perspective.

This project is part of the by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs funded research on Conflict and Security in Asia.