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*Two steps forward, one step back: Nepal’s peace process* *Accord report presentation and panel discussion* Date: Monday 3 April Time: 5.30 p.m. Place: SOAS University of London [Scholars and Alumni Lecture Theatre, Paul Webley Wing] Speakers: Deepak Thapa (Social Science Baha, Kathmandu) Dr. Alexander Ramsbotham (Conciliation Resources) Dr. Mara Malagodi (City University) Chair: Prof. Michael Hutt (SOAS) 'Opinion differs as to whether Nepal is ‘post-conflict’, or if the decade-long transition since the Comprehensive Peace Accord (CPA) represents another phase of struggle, animated by the attempt to radically overhaul a system that has marginalised large sections of society. Given the episodic violence that has gripped parts of the country over the past 10 years, there is a strong argument in favour of the latter. But, that would also ignore how fundamentally the Nepali state has been transformed.' *Two steps forward, one step back: Nepal’s peace process* is the 26th issue of Conciliation Resources’ *Accord* series. It focuses on the progress of inclusion and the function of power in Nepal’s peace process, and how peace and political negotiations in various forms and forums have tried to support transition from negative to positive peace. With over 30 articles and interviews by Nepali and international experts, practitioners, activists and ex-combatants, the publication explores three core themes of the peace process, the political process and inclusion, with an additional analysis of the political repercussions of the 2015 earthquakes. The publication’s editors, Deepak Thapa and Alexander Ramsbotham, will present its findings, followed by a panel discussion and Q+A session. It can be accessed online at Conciliation Resources' website later in March, and hard copies will be available at the event. The publication is an output of the Political Settlements Research Project ( www.politicalsettlements.org) which explores how international and national interventions can more effectively support inclusive political settlements in fragile and conflict-affected states. *Speakers:* *Deepak Thapa *is the Director of Social Science Baha, a research organisation based in Kathmandu. He has written extensively on Nepal’s contemporary political developments and is also a columnist with *The Kathmandu Post*. In 2006, he was a Visiting Fellow at the Center for International Conflict Resolution, Columbia University, as The Asia Foundation’s inaugural William P. Fuller Fellow in Conflict Resolution. His book publications include *Understanding the Maoist Movement of Nepal* (2003) and co-author of *A Kingdom under Siege: Nepal’s Maoist Insurgency, 1996-2004* (2005) and *Gender and Social Exclusion in Nepal: Update* (2013). *Dr Alexander Ramsbotham* is Director of Accord at Conciliation Resources. He joined the organisation in August 2009, before which he was a research fellow in the international programme at the Institute for Public Policy Research. He worked as specialist adviser to the House of Lords European Union (EU) Select Committee in its inquiry into the EU Strategy for Africa, before which he was head of the Peace and Security Programme at the United Nations Association-UK. He has also been an associate fellow in the International Security Programme at Chatham House. Alexander completed a PhD in July 2011. *Dr Mara **Malagodi* is a Lecturer in Law at the City Law School, University of London. She is a comparative constitutional lawyer with a linguistically-informed specialism in South Asian law and politics (in particular Nepal, India, and Pakistan), human rights law, and legal history. Mara has previously taught at the London School of Economics and the School of Oriental and African Studies. She is the author of ‘*Constitutional Nationalism and Legal Exclusion: Equality, Identity Politics, and Democracy in Nepal (1990-2007)*’ (Delhi: Oxford University Press) *About Conciliation Resources* Conciliation Resources is an independent international organisation working with people in conflict to prevent violence, resolve conflicts and promote peaceful societies. It provides practical support to help people affected by violent conflict achieve lasting peace, and draws on its shared experiences to improve peacebuilding policies and practice worldwide. www.c-r.org *About Accord* The *Accord* publication series informs and strengthens peace processes by documenting and analysing the practical lessons and innovations of peacebuilding. Accord examines specific conflicts and common peacebuilding themes, and presents the experiences and insights of local and international experts, as well as people affected by conflict. www.c-r.org/accord -- Professor Michael Hutt Director, SOAS South Asia Institute [image: Inline image 1] <http://www.soas.ac.uk/ssai/> <https://www.facebook.com/SouthAsia.SOAS> <https://twitter.com/SOAS_SAI>