7 August 2022
New York City, New York, USA
Since its inception in 2011, the World Newah Organization (WNO) has been promoting, preserving, and endeavoring to conserve the unique cultural heritage, language, and legacy of the Newah people and to support the continued contribution of the Newah people to the community in Nepal and globally. Newa Guthi New York and WNO USA Chapter jointly hosted the three-day Fourth Convention of the World Newah Organization on 5–7 August 2022 in New York City, New York, USA. As an outcome of various speeches, presentations, and discussions, and also in affirmation and continuation of the London Declaration (2011), Baltimore Declaration (2016), and Nepal Declaration (2019) the Fourth Convention unanimously adopted the following.
World Newah Organization New York Declaration on 7 August 2022:
- Newah heritage land has been facing grave issues of encroachment historically. We are highly concerned about ongoing issues in areas like Khokana and Paleswan Pukhu in ThanBahi, as well as the endangered Hiti system which has resulted in the crisis of drinking water in the Kathmandu Valley. We strongly put our voice for the conservation and restoration of our built heritage in Nepal through urban planning which considers the existing local heritage.
- The historic Guthi Bill protest of 2019 still needs addressing for the long-term resolution to give the local communities their rights to operate their Guthi systems. We strongly put our voice to protect the historic rights of Newah people to continue their Guthi traditions.
- Newah communities have faced the challenges of recent COVID-19 pandemic within their closed settlements, which has also resulted in their displacement from several rural areas of historic Newah settlements. We strongly put our voice in the support of all those victims of COVID-19, who should be protected by the government of Nepal and their re-settlement and economic security should be prioritized.
- The preservation of our language – Nepalbhasha needs new and innovative techniques, which we have been addressing through our lipi, language and art classes, online quiz contests, and Google Translate project. We strongly put our voice for overall support from all Newah communities around the world, to provide continuity, wider outreach and knowledge-sharing for mutual empowerment.
- WNO Daily Broadcast is our flagship project to archive and promote Newah expertise and knowledge, transfer for the future research and development, and explore hidden Newah talents and professionals from various sectors. We strongly put our voice for overall support from all Newah communities around the world, to provide continuity, wider outreach and knowledge-sharing for mutual empowerment.
- The growth in youth involvement is one of our prime concerns in order to give continuity for the development of future leadership, and inter-generational connection in knowledge and experience through meaningful and effective global networking. We make an appeal to the youth community to come forward and actively participate in the Newah activities.
- We are strongly committed to the growth of women’s involvement in Newah organizations and activities, and we encourage all Newah organizations around the world to create an appropriate environment in making it possible.
- We make an appeal to support the economic growth of the Newah community through building the required platform for entrepreneurship and investment funds by the collective effort of global Newah communities.
- We strongly support all Newah organizations who are dedicated to the preservation of Newah language, literature, arts and heritage in Nepal and globally.
- This Declaration appeals to all Newahs residing in 130 countries across the world to organize and to support the aims and objectives of WNO, including the theme of 4th World Newah Convention: Unity within Diversity.
GunLaaThwo Dashami NS 1142 – August 7, 2022 Sunday
News Coverage on the declaration by NepalbhashaTimes here.