Annual Report 2007 - Observer Research Foundation

Last year, ORF hosted an interaction with the
Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist (CPN-Maoist)
Chairman, Prachanda and senior leader
Dr. Baburam Bhattarai
STUDIES &
INITIATIVES
the Nepali society. Therefore, the study will underline the challenges in building an inclusive state,
which is in the process of shaping up in Nepal.
The study will also critically examine the key issues of socio-politico-economiccultural
differences, which has been a major source for exclusion and resulted
in the Maoist uprising. Basically, it will identify and explain, how and why
things went wrong in the past. It will evaluate the source of political instability,
future role of monarchy, constituent assembly elections and the upcoming
new constitution. The study also attempts to assess the demands made by the
isolated and excluded groups, such as the Janjatis, Madhesis, Dalits, women and
other marginalized groups, seeking equal rights and representation in New Nepal.
In addition, it will critically examine the role of political parties, Maoists, civil society and
other stakeholders, in practicing inclusiveness to accommodate and accomplish the aspirations of
the excluded and marginalized groups. Lastly, the study will attempt to evolve and suggest means
to accommodate aspirations of the isolated and excluded groups to build a more inclusive state in
Nepal.
In November 18, 2006, ORF hosted an interaction with the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoist
(CPN-Maoist) Chairman, Prachanda and senior leader Dr. Baburam Bhattarai, who addressed a
distinguished gathering and staff members, and put forward their vision of building a New Nepal
by joining mainstream politics. The main points of the interaction has been documented and
published in the form of ORF Discourse and has been widely circulated among policy makers,
academia, media and keen observers on Nepal.
MYANMAR
Myanmar is part of the ORF Neighbourhood Studies Programme. The aims of Myanmar
studies include: develope a database on Myanmar, undertake research on Myanmar, organize
seminar and workshop on Myanmar-related issues, bring out publications on Myanmar, and provide
policy recommendations.
Myanmar is a close neighbour of India and bilateral relations between the two countries have been
growing since the beginning of 1990s. The country is critical for a number of factors including security
and development of India’s Northeast region, energy, cooperation with ASEAN, and as a neighbour
of China.
Currently, a project entitled “Contemporary Myanmar: From Isolation to Active Engagement”
is in progress. The project is exploring the political, economic and security dynamics of
contemporary Myanmar.
Over the past few years, the domestic politics of Myanmar and geopolitics of the region have
12 Observer Research Foundation ◆ Annual Report 2007