Years: 1999 (Project run through Boston University)

Funder: UNDP

Project: While in Bhutan, the Seidmans conducted a one week mission to Nepal’s Ministry of Justice, at the UNDP’s suggestion, to design a program to strengthen Nepalese law to combat a ‘culture of corruption.’

Participant number and learning method: Four people from Ministry of Justice came to BU for the four month training program, but have no knowledge of whether workshops were held. One Nepalese provincial judge joined the BU Distance Course.

Political Environment: With the assassination of royal family members in 1999 the project was put on hold. No further work has been undertaken.

Bills drafted: A bill on anti-corruption in the judicial system, viewed as central to enforcement of legislation, was drafted to reduce officials’ opportunities to engage in corrupt behaviors.

Current Status:

Workshop Training led in country by former participants: Using legislative theory and methodology to analyze the documents and conduct interviews with relevant Nepalese personnel, the Seidmans submitted a proposal for institutionalizing a legislative drafting program, which the Nepalese officials adopted, but have no information on follow-up.