International Conference of Mother Tongue Journalism ends in Nepal with seven-point Kathmandu declaration

The two-day International Conference of Mother Tongue Journalism 2024 has concluded in Nepal with the issuance of a seven-point resolution. The conference was organised by the Newa National Journalists' Association in collaboration with the SAARC Journalist Forum and the Federation of Nepal Indigenous Journalists (FONIJ).

Speaker Devraj Ghimire inaugurated the conference on June 13, and it was concluded by Madhyapur Thimi Municipality Mayor Surendra Shrestha on June 14. Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mayor Shrestha said that the conference played an important role in promoting mother tongues, according to a press release.

At the closing ceremony, chaired by Nripendra Lal Shrestha, President of the SAARC Journalist Forum Raju Lama urged all stakeholders to take the resolution seriously and ensure its implementation. He also called on all governments of the SAARC region to support the organisation of mother tongue journalist conferences.

FONIJ President Lucky Chaudhary, Secretary General of the SJF Md Abdur Rahman representing Bangladesh, President of the SJF Bihar Chapter Shashi Bhushan Kumar from India, conference coordinator Sunil Maharjan, and Secretary General of the NFNJ K K Manandhar expressed their views on the importance of mother tongues and the necessity of their protection.

The declaration includes provisions such as submitting the resolution to the heads of SAARC countries, demanding necessary budgetary support from governments for capacity building of mother tongue journalists and promotion of mother tongue media houses, and raising awareness about mother tongue journalism through regular discussions with stakeholders.