GCN, British Embassy host private sector disability inclusion breakfast meet

KATHMANDU: Global Compact Nepal (GCN) and the British Embassy Kathmandu hosted a Private Sector Disability Inclusion Breakfast Meeting at the UK Ambassador’s Residence in Kathmandu on Friday. 

The event brought together senior business leaders and people with disabilities to discuss the potential for a National Business and Disability Network (NBDN) in Nepal.

About 20 people attended the event at the Ambassador’s Residence in Lainchaur. The meeting combined a short networking session with a sit-down roundtable breakfast and drew on models from the UK and Australia as participants considered how GCN could support local businesses and adapt a similar network to the Nepali context.

UK Ambassador to Nepal, Rob Fenn, opened the meeting and welcomed guests. GCN Executive Director Krishna Shah moderated the roundtable and introduced the concept of an NBDN, asking participants to identify the challenges they face in disability inclusion at the workplace.

On the occasion, business leaders said they were keen to hire more people with disabilities but faced practical barriers. Himalayan Java Co-founder and CEO Gagan Pradhan said businesses “are keen to employ more Persons with Disabilities (PwDs), and find that their current employees with disabilities are excellent, but do not know where to look.”

Likewise, British Council Director Rustom Mody and Nabil Bank CEO Manoj Gyawali said disability inclusion often sits within corporate social responsibility (CSR) and that firms are eager to expand recruitment of PwDs. Standard Chartered Bank Nepal CEO Gorakh Rana also expressed willingness to support the initiative.

Likewise, speakers representing disability organisations and practitioners urged a holistic approach that considers the wider ecosystem of support PwDs need. Prasuna Saakha, country representative of Label Step, and Minita Ghimire, participant engagement manager at GCN, stressed that businesses must provide comprehensive support so PwDs can harness their full potential. Dipak Shrestha, a wheelchair user and tattoo business owner, said he had strong interest from other PwDs for training and mentorship but lacked funding to accommodate trainees.

Blind Youth Association Nepal Director Nir Shrestha highlighted the need for training to be relevant to the current job market. Sally Duncan, social development adviser at the British Embassy, echoed that point and urged attention to the shift towards digitalisation. Likewise, eSewa CEO Jagdish Khadka said, “Digital platforms must be accessible to anyone.” Kirti Thapa, social development adviser at the British Embassy, drew attention to safety and dignity at work, saying PwDs “also faced a lot of harassment and abuse, and we must ensure that places of work are welcoming and accessible, while creating safeguarding mechanisms.”

The tourism sector’s potential to serve disabled travellers was also discussed on the occasion. IMPACT Adventure Founder and CEO Pankaj Pradhan said attitudinal barriers are often low and people are welcoming, but infrastructure must improve and awareness must be raised that “Nepal is not only for young adventurers; it has far more to offer.” 

Ambassador Fenn underlined the value of storytelling in tourism, saying stories “are what makes the difference between a good holiday and the holiday of a lifetime,” and suggested connecting local storytellers with tourists as part of inclusion efforts.

The British Ambassador also pointed to political opportunity, noting the new government’s energy for change and suggesting that parliamentary engagement could accelerate progress on disability inclusion. He said the Westminster Foundation for Democracy could support the Nepal parliament if it chose to prioritise disability issues.

In closing, GCN Executive Director Shah outlined how GCN could support the creation of an NBDN, noting GCN’s international contacts and partners who could advise on a potential launch. Rashmi KC, programme manager at GCN, suggested GCN could provide training and capacity building until an NBDN is fully established. Shah and Ambassador Fenn thanked participants and the organising teams for their contributions.

The meeting concluded with participants agreeing on the need for continued collaboration between businesses, disability organisations and government to advance disability inclusion in Nepali workplaces. Organisers said the breakfast provided a judgement-free space for exchange, produced pertinent conclusions and renewed commitment among stakeholders to take the next steps.