Nepal Scouts has been a long-standing partner of the Guides and Scouts of Finland – collaboration between the two began all the way back in the 1970s. In 2023, the Scouts, Peace and Security project was launched with funding from the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. Its goal is to promote the agenda of UN Security Council Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace and Security. In this resolution member states for the first time recognized that lasting peace cannot be achieved without youth support and participation.
Peace and security are globally important themes. The project was built around topics that resonate in both Nepal and Finland, laying the groundwork for mutual learning and meaningful collaboration. The project is carried out in collaboration with the Timeout Foundation.
This blog features insights from Aino Halinen and Lotta Yli-Hukkala-Siira, volunteers of the Guides and Scouts of Finland, as well as six young adults from Nepal Scouts who have facilitated Timeout Dialogues. Our heartfelt thanks to Dipesh Adhikari, Affar Shrestha (Roman), Ira Singh Silwal, Bishal Pandey, Mukunda Ghimire and Prapti Bhatta for sharing your thoughts and experiences.
Timeout Dialogues across Nepal
As part of the project, Nepalese Scout leaders were trained as Timeout Dialogue facilitators by the Timeout Foundation. Using the method, they independently organized Youth and Peace 2250 dialogue events. In total, 64 discussions took place across all seven provinces of Nepal in Year 2024, with more than 3600 participants.
Young Scouts took full responsibility for planning and running the events: they selected the conversation topics, invited participants, and managed all practical arrangements. The themes reflected what felt most urgent and meaningful in each province – ranging from climate change and drug abuse to gender equality and the rights of people with disabilities.
The dialogues brought together not just youth, but also local decision-makers, police, community members, and marginalized groups. Each conversation was documented, and the reports were delivered to decision-makers. In addition, a final report will be compiled based on these records, with the goal of bringing young people’s voices to the ministry and strengthening their influence at the national level.
Dialogue as a tool for making an impact – Youth and decision-makers in the same circle
Nepal’s hierarchical social structure has often limited young people’s and marginalized communities’ opportunity to interact with decision-makers. Timeout Dialogues played a part in bridging this gap.
To ensure successful conversations, it was important that the Timeout Dialogues followed a specific framework that the youth could rely on during the conversation. Although the setup might have felt uncomfortable and unfamiliar at first, the conversations went smoothly – decision-makers showed interest in the participants’ thoughts, and the organizers received a lot of positive feedback. Moreover, there was a strong desire for the Timeout Dialogues to continue.
“When there is a clear structure in the dialogue, young people can rely on it without stepping on anyone’s toes. This creates a safe way to practice leadership and encourages participation. Therefore, the facilitation of the conversation is not personalized, and it provides a sense of security”, Lotta Yli-Hukkala-Siira, the Guides and Scouts of Finland
With the Timeout method, conversations can take place in settings where they wouldn’t usually occur. Even in Finland, it’s not very common for young people to meet decision-makers in everyday life – let alone in Nepal. However, dialogue provides an opportunity for this. Politics is made for today’s youth, so it’s important that they are involved in shaping it”, Aino Halinen, Guides and Scouts of Finland
For many young participants and marginalized groups, the opportunity to discuss with decision-makers has been a significant and empowering experience. Through the dialogues, participants have felt heard and involved in making a difference. The conversations have created space for equal interaction and increased understanding of oneself, others, and the topic discussed.
In some areas people are not willing to express their ideas and thoughts, so Timeout Dialogues encouraged people to express their thoughts and feelings and requirements,” Bishal Pandey, Nepal Scouts
The discussions have already had tangible benefits. In some areas, the dialogues have led to collaboration with local authorities, and some have even committed to funding youth-led projects.
Some local governments have been eager to work with us on the topic of drug addiction. They are collaborating with us through the use of the Timeout Dialogue method. They are also planning to provide funding for the programs, which has had a very positive impact in our province,” Dipesh Adhikari, Nepal Scouts
The youth have had a lot of responsibility in organizing the dialogues, and as one might imagine, organizing the events has been not only interesting but also required a lot of work and at times felt challenging. Despite the challenges, the facilitators I interviewed describe the experience as both educational and rewarding.
We would like to express our sincere thanks to every Nepalese youth who has been involved in organizing the Timeout Dialogues. It is a great joy to hear that they have been so successful in such an impactful way! Hooray!
Towards the project’s final phase and long-term impact
Through the Timeout Dialogues, participants have gained peacebuilding skills, a sense of agency, and concrete tools for civic engagement. The events have also sparked growing interest in joining the Scouts and exploring new ways to make an impact.
We witnessed significant growth in interest in scouting, and we believe this has empowered youth leaders. I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Guides and Scouts of Finland and the Nepal Scouts. We have empowered the youth and succeeded to build a stronger and more inclusive province”, Prapti Bhatta, Nepal Scouts
The project is now in its final year. The next steps include finalizing the report based on the dialogues and planning the closing event. But the work doesn’t end there. Both the young people I interviewed and many of those who participated in the dialogues hope that the Timeout Dialogues will continue. The method has clearly proven its value as a tool for youth empowerment.
The year 2025 is particularly significant as it marks the 10th anniversary of the UN Resolution 2250 on Youth, Peace, and Security. There’s no better time to elevate the role of youth in peacebuilding. Are you in?
What is the Timeout Foundation?
The mission of the Timeout Foundation is to increase dialogue in Finland and abroad. We support public trust, civic engagement, democracy, and resilience. The Timeout Foundation does this by collaborating with different organizations, training new Timeout facilitators as well as by organizing and facilitating Timeout dialogues. We are a not-for-profit organization.
Written by: Eveliina Alho
