Robin Sitoula

International Development Week takes place from February 3 - 9, 2009 and provides a great opportunity for Canadians to:

• increase the awareness of the role many Canadians play in international development;
• learn more about life in developing countries; and
• find out how they can become global citizens, actively involved in international development.

This new profile is part of a series of youth making a difference around the world.

Biography

Robin Sitoula became involved in youth activism in 1997. In 1999 he joined Youth Initiative (www.youthinitiative.org.np) as a co-founder of the organization. Since then, he has been designing, developing and conducting programs at Youth Initiative to bring leadership and awareness programs to young students and young politicians in Nepal. He has also been one of the active people designing programs and websites for the campaign of MDGs in Nepal.   He has remained General Secretary of Youth Initiative and has been a delegate to the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) of the Department of State. He  has also remained a visiting fellow at the Atlas Foundation, Virginia, USA.

Robin graduated in Investments and Financial Management (MBS Program) from Tribhuwan University (TU) of Nepal. He has co-authored Research Papers on Youth Employment Status in Nepal and Youth Political Organizations and their Influence in Nepal. His areas of interest are public policy and youth empowerment and development. 

At present, Robin is President of Samriddhi, The Prosperity Foundation—a public policy institute based in Kathmandu, and Program Director of Youth Initiative. 

Interview

AisB: What music are you listening to / art do you find interesting these days?

RS: I've a growing liking towards improvised folk (fusion) Nepali music and Jazz
music these days. There are phenomenal developments happing these days in
Nepali Music. More and more young people are getting into serious
experimentation of eastern and western fusion music. It is also interesting
to see that many Nepali Bands are coming up with interesting fusion
instrumentals that are gaining popularity throughout the world.

AisB: Why should people, especially youth, vote?
RS: Voting is not only a fundamental right, but also a fundamental
responsibility of citizens. It is one of the strongest means of supporting
or not supporting certain policies, individuals or parties. This is
especially important for young people because politics has a long term
consequence. And if young people do not vote to approve or disapprove
certain policies or individuals or parties, than they are not participating
in the making of a society that they would have to own in the coming years.
In short, they are running away from their fundamental responsibility as a
citizen.

AisB: For you, is there a connection between art and democracy? What is it?
RS: Democracy and art are very much inter-connected. Art is a means of
expression. In fact, a very important form of free expression and it is
always better possible in a democratic system. For, freedom of expression is
the basis of democracy. Only in a democratic system, the artists are FREE of
the fear and tension of being punished or prosecuted for expressing
themselves honestly. Where there be democracy, I believe, art prospers.

AisB: Why do you care about community, when it is so easy not to?
RS: Caring about a community or not is a choice between benefitting a larger
number of people or your self only. Being able to bring smiles in many faces
and families certainly does bring greater happiness and contentment than
only personally being able to smile. I think, every individuals experience a
call from their hearts to work for the greater good of greater many.
However, it is a choice whether to go with your heart's calling?

AisB: What do you look for in a politician? What do you expect from your elected officials?
RS: A vision, commitment and responsible action are what I look for in a
politician. I expect elected officials to be able to live up truly to their
commitments to the people. They should take responsibility of the
consequences of their actions.

Keep an eye out for information about the 8 Goals Speakers Tour on the Apathy is Boring website! http://8goals.ca