113 पटक हेरिएको 
Kathmandu: The Executive Board of Agenda for Change held discussions with senior officials of the Government of Nepal, including high level staff affiliated with the Ministry of Water Supply, as well as with the Nepal Chapter of Agenda for Change. Alongside the Executive Board, members from India, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Uganda also held separate discussions with government agencies and the Nepal Chapter.
During the discussion with government officials, Bethlehem Mengistu, Director of Agenda for Change, clearly outlined the organization’s goals and vision. Agenda for Change is a network of like-minded organizations (members) that have adopted joint principles and common approaches.
Bethlehem Mengistu stated, “Our members work collectively to promote and support national and local governments in strengthening the systems required to ensure universal and sustained access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services for all, as envisioned by SDG 6.”
The meeting was attended by Kamal Raj Shrestha, Director General of the Department of Water Supply and Sewerage Management (DWSSM), and Meena Shrestha, Joint Secretary and Chief of the Water Supply and Sanitation Division, among others.
Similarly, during the discussion and interaction with the Nepal Chapter of Agenda for Change, representatives from India, Malawi, Ethiopia, and Uganda shared updates on the work being carried out in their respective countries.
On behalf of the Nepal Chapter, Suraj Shrestha from CARE Nepal delivered a presentation on the activities accomplished so far, the challenges faced, and future plans.
Upcoming Plans:
• Expand the implementation of the WASH System Training Manual through the government’s training center (NWSSRICDC).
• Conduct Training of Trainers (ToT) on WASH System Strengthening for Development Partners (DPs).
• Scale up the WASH System Strengthening Guidance Document at the local government level.
• Orient staff of MoWS and DWSSM on the finer aspects of WASH System Strengthening.
• Support the Sector Efficiency Improvement Unit (SEIU) through MoWS for implementing Joint Sector Review commitments.
• Continue supporting DWSSM on the traffic light system for WASH regulation.
Agenda for Change Nepal has been developing and implementing a five-year roadmap, which was also discussed during the bilateral meetings.
Seema Rajouria, Lead of Agenda for Change Nepal, informed that the roadmap has been prepared by incorporating activities to be carried out under various pathways for strengthening water, sanitation, and hygiene systems.
She further shared that Agenda for Change Nepal has already published three documents related to WASH system strengthening, which were also introduced during the discussion.
Meanwhile, a WASH CoP meeting was also held during the visit, aimed at sharing experiences, learning, and discussing contemporary issues in the WASH sector.
Agenda for Change was established in May 2015. It is a collaborative alliance among organizations with shared objectives and vision, adopting common principles and approaches.
The organization works to advocate and support national and local governments in strengthening WASH systems as outlined under Sustainable Development Goal 6, focusing on sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
The headquarters of Agenda for Change is based in the United States, and the organization has permanent chapters in around 25 countries worldwide.
In Nepal, nine organizations are affiliated with Agenda for Change, including WaterAid Nepal, CARE Nepal, Oxfam Nepal, TDH Foundation, WHH, Helvetas Nepal, SIMAVI, FEDWASUN, and WASH Khabar.
The Nepal chapter is currently led by WaterAid Nepal, and its lead is Seema Rajouria, Head of Policy, Advocacy and Campaign at WaterAid Nepal.
