Kantipur Conclave 2020
Kantipur Conclave 2020 - Reimagining Connectivity
Day 1 (Opening Ceremony)
2:00 pm - Conclave Registration
3:00 pm - Everyone is seated
3:30 pm - Welcome and Opening Remarks
Mr. Kailash Sirohiya, Chairman and Managing Director, Kantipur Media Group
3:35 pm - Keynote Speech
Mr. C. Raja Mohan, Director, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore
3:50 pm - Keynote Speech
Mr. Bruno Macaes, Senior Fellow (Non-resident), Hudson Institute
4:05 pm - Keynote Speech
Mr. Andy Mok, Senior Research Fellow, Center for China and Globalization
4:20 pm - Keynote Speech
Chief Guest
4:35 pm - 4:50 pm - Tea Break
4:50 pm - 5:50 pm - Key Session: Lessons from The East
Southeast Asia, after the European Union, is considered as the most connected region in the world. The region, which is booming with economic growth and prosperity, can unfold some valuable lessons for Nepal, which, in terms of consumer behavior, adaptability and outlook, resembles countries in Southeast Asia rather than South Asia. What learnings can Nepal derive from a region that has benefited from substantial connectivity?
Speakers:
• Gita Wirjawan, Chairman, Ancora Group
• Gwen Robinson, Editor-at-Large, Nikkei Asian Review
• Neeta Pokhrel, Unit Head, Project Administration, South Asia Urban, and Water Division, ADB Manila
• Valentino S. Bagatsing, President and CEO, ICCP
Moderator:
• Sujeev Shakya, Founder, and CEO, beed management
Day 2(All Sessions)
8:00 am - Conclave Registration
8:00 am - 8:30 am - Breakfast
8:30 am - Everyone is seated
9:00 am - 9:10 am - Keynote Speech
Mr. Hussain M Elius, CEO and Co-Founder, Pathao
9:10 am - 10:00 am Session - The Future of Digital World
Technology, social media and communication platforms are connecting the globe like never before. Every day, we wake up to breakthrough innovations in data, machine learning, fintech, cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence and beyond. Where and how does cyber security, defense capabilities and data privacy fit in this new technological reality? Where is the world headed with this unprecedented digital revolution and what is the role of Nepal amidst this explosion in connectivity?
Speakers:
Alberto Grignolo, General Manager and CEO, YOOX Net-A-Porter Group
Biswas Dhakal, President, F1Soft Group
Jaspreet Bindra, Founder, Digital Matters
Rajyeshwari Ghosh, Founder, Quantum Holistic Advisory Services
Moderator:
Dipta Shah, Managing Partner, 54i Ventures
10:10 am - 11:00 am - Session - Mitigating Climate Change- The Big Connector
If there is one topic that countries will have to think beyond boundaries, it is the threat from climate change. It is that which will shape our collective future and where all our destinies are bound together. When we discuss the future, the issue of climate change forms an integral part. Will the issue of climate change push us to connect with each other in constructive spirits and find ways to adapt to the rapidly changing future? Can Nepal take the leadership in this discourse as one of the biggest custodians of the Himalayas?
Speakers:
Arnico Panday, Trustee and Interim CEO, Ullens Education Foundation
Bindu Bhandari, Climate Change Campaigner and Policy Analyst
Smriti Basnett, Associate-Director, South Asia Regional Office of Future Earth
Thinlay Namgyal, Former Chief, Climate Change Division, National Environment Commission, Bhutan
Moderator:
Sneha Pandey, Program Officer, Clean Energy Nepal
11:10 am - 11:30 am Tea Break
11:30 am - 12:20 pm - Session - Bridging through Literature and Arts
The internet plays a monumental role in the democratization of knowledge and learning with its access to a wide variety of books, events and dialogues. More and more platforms like literary and art festivals are emerging for people to express their feelings, all of which uphold the fabric of connectivity in charming and inexplicable ways. In this context, what role does the world of literature and arts play in the broader discussions around connectivity? Can Kathmandu continue to thrive as the cosmopolitan capital of South Asia attracting artists, writers, musicians and creative folks from around the world?
Speakers:
Bhushita Vasistha, Writer
Namita Gokhale, Founder and Co-director, Jaipur Literature Festival
Raman Shresta, Owner, Rachana Books
Moderator:
Itisha Giri, Poet
12:30 pm - 1:20 pm - Session - Connecting Global Nepalis
In the last three decades, Nepalis have spread to more than 150 countries around the world. They have become successful entrepreneurs, politicians, professionals — no longer just immigrant workers and students. Instead of dwelling upon its brain drain, the time has come for Nepal to expand its influence and connect with its sprawling diaspora. What are the lessons that these influential figures bring to Nepal? How can Nepal leverage the knowledge and skills of this diaspora to achieve its targeted growth and prosperity?
Speakers:
Anushka Shrestha, Miss Nepal World 2019
Prajwal Parajuly, Author
Sagar Tamang, Managing Director, South East Asia, North Asia & Pacific, GfK
Moderator:
Prativa Pandey, Founder/ CEO, Catalyst Technology and Herveda Botanicals
1:30 pm - 2:45 pm Lunch Break
2:45 pm - 3:35 pm - Session- नेपालको 'मी टू' किन अगाडि बढ्न सकेन?
#MeToo, the global movement against sexual harassment, found its own swift entry to Nepal. However, it did not bring an impact as expected and rather led to more counter accusations. Even though women courageously stood up against their perpetrators, even well-known figures, it just faded away with some probing, social media shaming and the alleged making a quick comeback. Why did the #MeToo movement fall through in Nepal?
Speakers:
Akanchha Karki, Theatre Activist
Durga Karki, Lawyer
Manushi Yami Bhattarai, Political Activist
Moderator:
Bhrikuti Rai , Investigative Reporter, The Kathmandu Post
3:45 pm - 4:35 pm - Session- नेपाल अगाडि कि पछाडि ?
The political environment of Nepal has transformed positively post the peace process and the drafting of the Constitution. However, there is shrinking of liberal space with whiffs of authoritarianism. The current government has upped its ante making the state a vehicle of control with liberty throttling policies and regulations. What does the present politics really reveal? Pushing reforms behind and promoting myopia is certain to impact the economy. What would those impacts look like?
Speakers:
Gagan Thapa, Nepali Congress leader
Mohna Ansari, Member, National Human Rights Commission Nepal
Hon. Pradeep Kumar Gyawali, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nepal
Moderator:
Narayani Devkota, Sociologist
4:45 pm - 4:55 pm Tea Break
4:55 pm - 5:45 pm - Session- हात्ती, ड्रयागन र तरुलः बद्लिदो भू–राजनीतिमा नेपालको प्राथमिकता
The two strong neighbors of Nepal, China and India, have shone in the world as the emerging superpowers. With a strategic location between these countries, Nepal faces a dilemma either to leverage the opportunities of being a connector or to get ground between Elephant (India) and Dragon (China) like in the past.
Speakers:
Chaitanya Mishra, Sociologist
Mahendra Lama, Senior Professor, School of Interntional Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
Mahesh Maskey, Former Ambassador of Nepal to China
Moderator:
Mallika Shakya, Senior Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, South Asian University
5:55 pm - 6:55 pm - Session - प्रचण्डसँग परिसंवाद
Following the long armed conflict, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, the Maoist leader, entered into the mainstream politics and went on to become the Prime Minister of Nepal twice in 2008 and 2016. Prachanda now serves as the executive chairman of the ruling Nepal Communist Party. In this session, Sudheer Sharma, Kantipur Daily’s chief editor, will engage in a dialogue with Prachanda to unfold his political and personal journey, and understand his outlook on what the past, present and future hold for Nepal.
Speaker:
Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Former Prime Minister of Nepal, Chairman of the Nepal Communist Party
Moderator:
Sudheer Sharma, Editor-In-Chief, Kantipur Daily
6:55 pm - 7:00 pm - Closing Remarks (5 mins)