From Jan. 11 to Jan. 17, 2025, the Calabrian Institute of International Policy (IsCaPI), led by President Dr. Salvatore La Porta and Director of International Relations Dr. Fabiana Andrea Bellina, conducted an official mission to Nepal as part of the institutional tour to South Asia.
The main objectives of the mission were to consolidate the Summer Peace University (SPU), sign new academic protocols and develop innovative projects in the areas of education, culture, environment and economic relations.
Crown Institute of Kathmandu
The Crown Institute, directed by Prakash Sharma and supported by Samyukta Bhandari, is IsCaPI’s strategic partner in Nepal. The collaboration, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in Rende in March 2024, was further strengthened during the mission.
Crown will play a central role in coordinating IsCaPI’s local activities, serving as an operational bridge between Nepali and Italian institutions. It will also be the focal point for the UnaSasa Project and the implementation of SPU programs in Nepal.
Nepal Open University
On Jan. 12, the IsCaPI delegation met with Rector Prof. Shailu Manandhar Bajracharya and Prof. Dinesh Raj Bhuju of Nepal Open University.
During the meeting, an MoU was signed that provides:
- NOU’s entry into the Summer Peace University network,
- The development of online courses dedicated to peace and development,
- The initiation of student and faculty exchange programs with Italy.
Mid-West University
A protocol for academic cooperation under the Summer Peace University was signed with Mid-West University, signed by CEO Upendra Sharma Ghimire.
The agreement strengthens the international dimension of the university and creates opportunities for joint research and training with Italian universities.
Kathmandu Technical School
Kathmandu Technical School has signed an MoU with IsCaPI, signed by Prof. Dr. Dhruba Kumar Gautam, Vice Chancellor.
The agreement is directly part of the UnaSasa Project and involves the selection of students, the management of preparatory Italian language courses and the issuance of final certifications.
Thanks to this collaboration, young Nepalis will have access to training programs and professional internships in Italy and Nepal in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
UnaSasa Project
The UnaSasa Project – Pythagoras Mundus Program was one of the highlights of the mission. Coordinated by IsCaPI and Crown Institute together with Kathmandu Technical School, FNCCI and Nepal’s Ministry of Youth and Sports, the project aims to train Nepalese professionals in tourism and hospitality.
The course includes:
- Italy phase (2025): intensive Italian language and culture courses and paid internships at Italian facilities;
- Nepal phase (2025-2026): six-month internship in local companies to apply the skills learned;
- From 2026: establishment of Italian language and culture courses in Kathmandu and training of certified teachers in Italian L2.
The goal is to train at least 100 Nepalese youth each year with an employment rate of more than 80 percent within 12 months of the end of the program.
Ministry of Youth and Sports of Nepal
The delegation met withHon. Teju Lal Chaudhary, Minister of Youth and Sports.
The minister expressed full support for the UnaSasa Project and expressed interest in traveling to Italy to further develop bilateral collaborations in youth, sports and education.
Nepal Scouts
At the Nepal Scouts headquarters, IsCaPI met with Mr. Santosh Thapa and Ms. Indu Subedi, Joint Chief Commissioner.
Discussions revealed a willingness to develop an exchange program between Nepalese and Italian scouts aimed at strengthening youth leadership and joint educational activities.
Thimi Municipality and World Gate Project
Thimi Mayor Mr. Surendra Shrestha, along with Dr. Dinesh Raj Bhuju and Dr. Kamal Raj Gosai, welcomed the IsCaPI delegation to discuss the city’s involvement in the World Gate Project.
Thimi, renowned for its ancient ceramic tradition, was chosen as the creative hub for the project and will officially representAsia in this international art initiative that unites creatives from five continents in the creation of identical and shared works, a symbol of global dialogue and cooperation.
The visit allowed the delegation to meet two leading figures in Nepalese ceramic art, Laxmi Kumar Prajapati and Ramesh Pradhan. Both artists, heirs to a tradition rooted in the millennia-old history of the Kathmandu Valley, are also innovators capable of reinterpreting traditional languages in a contemporary way.
Laxmi Kumar Prajapati, considered one of the most influential masters of Nepali ceramics, illustrated the link between art, spirituality and community identity, emphasizing how Thimi’s ceramics represent not only a cultural heritage but also an economic and social resource for new generations.
Ramesh Pradhan, an artist internationally recognized for his exhibitions and collaborations, on the other hand, highlighted the importance of building bridges between traditional crafts and global art circuits, making ceramics a medium for cross-cultural dialogue.
The meeting had a strong symbolic value: placing the Thimi community and its artists in the context of the World Gate Project means opening a window to the world for a local tradition, turning it into a universal message of peace and cooperation.
FNCCI – Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry
IsCaPI met with President Mr. Chandra Dhakal, along with officials Mr. Arun Kumar Shrestha and Mr. Hari Poudel, at FNCCI.
The meetings strengthened economic collaboration and emphasized FNCCI’s role in including Nepali businesses in the training programs of the UnaSasa Project. The opportunity to attract Italian investment, including in the hotel and restaurant sector, was also discussed.
Resource Himalaya Foundation – SiNEA Project
IsCaPI signed an MoU with the Resource Himalaya Foundation to initiate the SiNEA Project (Sila-Nepal-Argentina).
The project connects Sila National Park with Shivapuri and Chitwan parks, as well as with Argentine protected areas, focusing on scientific research, conservation and the creation of a Silence School for the environmental education of new generations.
Federation of Nepal Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI)
Strengthened dialogue with FNCCI: IsCaPI delegation met with officials Arun Kumar Shrestha and Hari Poudel, then President Chandra Dhakal.
Mr. Dhakal stressed the potential of strategic partnerships to drive economic growth and improve business opportunities for both nations.
He also discussed the opportunity for Kathmandu Technical School to collaborate with IsCaPI, particularly in the areas of technical training and skills development, aligning with broader goals of international cooperation.
In addition, Mr. Dhakal stressed the possibility of bringing one of the best Italian hotel chains to Nepal, emphasizing the growing impact of Italian business activities in the country and the best cuisines and further solidifying the importance of bilateral collaboration.
Conclusions
The Nepal mission was a historic step for IsCaPI, consolidating the Summer Peace University, strengthening the partnership with the Crown Institute, launching the UnaSasa Project, and initiating projects with institutions, ministries, universities, business entities and local communities.
Italy and Nepal thus build a solid foundation for a lasting, multilevel and sustainable collaboration based on culture, education and shared development.