IPPNW South Asian Students’ Meet Report

[medico_iom]

South Asian Students’ Meet – A Call from Medical
Community for the Prevention of Small Arms Violence
BACKGROUND
The student chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, Nepal (PSRN)
organised a two day South Asian Students’ Meet – A Call from Medical
Community for the Prevention of Small Arms Violence on August 28‐29 in
Bhaktapur, a historical city of Nepal. Bhaktapur lies to the east of capital city
of Nepal and it is about 45 minute‐busride from the capital city.
Aiming for prevention is the top priority programme of IPPNW. The spectre
of small arms violence has been haunting our region these days. The
independent studies carried out by Geneva based organisation, Small Arms
Survey, has studied numerous aspects of small arms tragedies. And WHO
has emphasised that public health approach has much to do with its solving.
The ever burgeoning use of small arms has challenged our efforts for peace
and development. So, genuine efforts for controlling violence and
underlying ills that come courtesy of sociopolitical malfunction are
essential.
PARTICIPATION
The students from different medical colleges and public health colleges of
Nepal, India, Bangladesh and Germany had active participation in the
programme.
Professor Dr. Mathura Prasad Shrestha, the President of PSRN and eminent
figure of civil society, inaugurated the programme by his meticulously
prepared speech highlighting on holistic approach to world peace and
condemning on the prescriptive and patchy approach.
Er. Dr. Rajan Suwal praised the students’ role for the cause of social
responsibility. Dr. Mahesh Maskey, the former Vice President of IPPNW for
South Asia and currently the Chairperson of Nepal Health Research Council,
expressed his views on the issue and highlighted on the role of public health
approach of solution to small arms violence. Dr. Khagendra Dahal, IMSR of
IPPNW, expressed his commitment for supporting IPPNW student activities
fully.
Mr. Chudamani Giri, the National Student Representative of PSRN,
highlighted the programme objectives and expressed his commitments to
work for the IPPNW philosophy.
All the delegates were warmly welcomed by a Nepali cultural performance.
STUDENT PAPERS
There was a paper presentation session. Nepali students presented the
IPPNW student activities in the country. Indian delegates had a paper on
Global Warming and World Congress Preparation. Similarly delegates from
Bangladesh and Germany also presented on IPPNW student activities in
their country. Mr. Ashok Bhurtyal from Nepal had a picture presentation
depicting a comparative study of socioeconomic productivity and health.
One bullet story of a case of 15 year old girl injured during tussle between
police and civilians made the whole environment sobering. The expenditure
after the bullet injury was beyond the affordability of her family, let alone
the psychological trauma and mental scar that will remain throughout her
life. Though she was fortunate enough to get the treatment, nothing in the
world could compensate her lifelong suffering.
The next paper was presented by public health students from Nepal on
topic “Humanitarian and Public Health Consequences of Small Arms”. The
meticulously prepared paper depicted the gravity of the problem, its public
health consequences and identified poor, women and children as the most
vulnerable groups.
INTERACTIVE SESSIONS
On both days, delegates were divided into 5‐6 groups and each group was
allocated different issues ranging from health professionals role in
protecting human rights to small arms violence, drafting letter to the
President of USA calling for stoppage of war to finding solutions to regional
ailments. Each group had a poster presentation after their discussion.
EXPERT PAPER
Professor Indrajit Rai, conflict specialist, clarified different dimensions
regarding small arms and light weapons, experiences of arms management
in countries undergoing conflict in special references to Nepal. Prof. Rai
expressed his warmest thanks to health science students for their unique
affection for social responsibility beyond academic dimensions.
SOLIDARITY FOR PEACE
Finally, all the delegates agreed on the Solidarity for Peace and signed the
following draft of Solidarity for Peace:
“The South Asian Students’ Meet was held in Bhaktapur on 28th and 29th of
August, 2007. The meeting enjoyed enthusiastic and active participation
of students from India, Bangladesh and Germany besides Nepal. The
meeting provided a forum for exchange of ideas, dissemination of
information and discussion on common health related issues among
students.
The presentations and discussions held in the meeting helped us get an
insight into small arms violence in its various forms, the causes that lead
to such violence, the magnitude of problem and the consequences. At the
end of the session, we came up with following conclusions:
1. Small arms violence is a grave threat facing the world. There are health
related, humanitarian and economic dimensions to its consequences.
2. It exists in various forms in all parts of the world.
3. Addressing the root causes is the only way to prevent the small arms
violence.
4. In our capacity as health science students, we can play important role
in prevention and impact minimisation of small arms violence by:
• Raising public awareness about the hazards of small arms violence
and encouraging its denouncement.
• Playing role in lobbying and pressure building at policy making level
to reduce the investment in defence sector and enforcing stong laws
to prevent such violence.
• Encouraging and participating in research works on small arms
violence and its prevention
5. We have decided to increase the interaction among the students by
holding similar international meetings more frequently to build solidarity
among the students of the region, to act for the prevention of small arms
violence and for other common health related social and political ends.”
The program came to end with the concluding remarks from the National
Student Representative of PSRN.
South Asian Students’ Meet‐A Call from Medical Community for the Prevention of Small Arms Violence
Miss Abha Kiran K.C. hosting the Inauguration Ceremony
Prof. Dr. Mathura with the Inauguration Speech
Dr. Mahesh Maskey addressing the Meet
The Participants of the Program
Delegates enjoying the Lunch
Nepali Cultural Dance
Dr. Khashru from PSR, Bangladesh
Milard from IPPNW, Germany
Group Discussion on Prevention of Small Arms Violence
Prof. Dr. Indrajit Rai discussing on Issues on Small Arms Violence
Students presenting "One Bullet Story"
Students presenting on the Humanitarian Consequences of Small Arms
Mr. Chudamani Giri from PSR,Nepal, Dr. Khashru from PSR, Bangladesh & Mr. Gaurav from IDPD
(from right to left)
Chudamani Giri, NSR of PSR, Nepal concluding the Program
Delegates cheering in the Photo Session
The Venue: Bhaktapur– A Call from Medical
Community for the Prevention of Small Arms Violence

BACKGROUND

The student chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility, Nepal (PSRN)
organised a two day South Asian Students’ Meet – A Call from Medical
Community for the Prevention of Small Arms Violence on August 28‐29 in
Bhaktapur, a historical city of Nepal. Bhaktapur lies to the east of capital city
of Nepal and it is about 45 minute‐busride from the capital city.
Aiming for prevention is the top priority programme of IPPNW. The spectre
of small arms violence has been haunting our region these days. The
independent studies carried out by Geneva based organisation, Small Arms
Survey, has studied numerous aspects of small arms tragedies. And WHO
has emphasised that public health approach has much to do with its solving.
The ever burgeoning use of small arms has challenged our efforts for peace
and development. So, genuine efforts for controlling violence and
underlying ills that come courtesy of sociopolitical malfunction are
essential.

PARTICIPATION

The students from different medical colleges and public health colleges of
Nepal, India, Bangladesh and Germany had active participation in the
programme.
Professor Dr. Mathura Prasad Shrestha, the President of PSRN and eminent
figure of civil society, inaugurated the programme by his meticulously
prepared speech highlighting on holistic approach to world peace and
condemning on the prescriptive and patchy approach.
Er. Dr. Rajan Suwal praised the students’ role for the cause of social
responsibility. Dr. Mahesh Maskey, the former Vice President of IPPNW for
South Asia and currently the Chairperson of Nepal Health Research Council,
expressed his views on the issue and highlighted on the role of public health
approach of solution to small arms violence. Dr. Khagendra Dahal, IMSR of
IPPNW, expressed his commitment for supporting IPPNW student activities
fully.
Mr. Chudamani Giri, the National Student Representative of PSRN,
highlighted the programme objectives and expressed his commitments to
work for the IPPNW philosophy.
All the delegates were warmly welcomed by a Nepali cultural performance.

STUDENT PAPERS

There was a paper presentation session. Nepali students presented the
IPPNW student activities in the country. Indian delegates had a paper on
Global Warming and World Congress Preparation. Similarly delegates from
Bangladesh and Germany also presented on IPPNW student activities in
their country. Mr. Ashok Bhurtyal from Nepal had a picture presentation
depicting a comparative study of socioeconomic productivity and health.
One bullet story of a case of 15 year old girl injured during tussle between
police and civilians made the whole environment sobering. The expenditure
after the bullet injury was beyond the affordability of her family, let alone
the psychological trauma and mental scar that will remain throughout her
life. Though she was fortunate enough to get the treatment, nothing in the
world could compensate her lifelong suffering.
The next paper was presented by public health students from Nepal on
topic “Humanitarian and Public Health Consequences of Small Arms”. The
meticulously prepared paper depicted the gravity of the problem, its public
health consequences and identified poor, women and children as the most
vulnerable groups.

INTERACTIVE SESSIONS

On both days, delegates were divided into 5‐6 groups and each group was
allocated different issues ranging from health professionals role in
protecting human rights to small arms violence, drafting letter to the
President of USA calling for stoppage of war to finding solutions to regional
ailments. Each group had a poster presentation after their discussion.
EXPERT PAPER
Professor Indrajit Rai, conflict specialist, clarified different dimensions
regarding small arms and light weapons, experiences of arms management
in countries undergoing conflict in special references to Nepal. Prof. Rai
expressed his warmest thanks to health science students for their unique
affection for social responsibility beyond academic dimensions.
SOLIDARITY FOR PEACE
Finally, all the delegates agreed on the Solidarity for Peace and signed the
following draft of Solidarity for Peace:
“The South Asian Students’ Meet was held in Bhaktapur on 28th and 29th of
August, 2007. The meeting enjoyed enthusiastic and active participation
of students from India, Bangladesh and Germany besides Nepal. The
meeting provided a forum for exchange of ideas, dissemination of
information and discussion on common health related issues among
students.
The presentations and discussions held in the meeting helped us get an
insight into small arms violence in its various forms, the causes that lead
to such violence, the magnitude of problem and the consequences. At the
end of the session, we came up with following conclusions:
1. Small arms violence is a grave threat facing the world. There are health
related, humanitarian and economic dimensions to its consequences.
2. It exists in various forms in all parts of the world.
3. Addressing the root causes is the only way to prevent the small arms
violence.
4. In our capacity as health science students, we can play important role
in prevention and impact minimisation of small arms violence by:
• Raising public awareness about the hazards of small arms violence
and encouraging its denouncement.
• Playing role in lobbying and pressure building at policy making level
to reduce the investment in defence sector and enforcing stong laws
to prevent such violence.
• Encouraging and participating in research works on small arms
violence and its prevention
5. We have decided to increase the interaction among the students by
holding similar international meetings more frequently to build solidarity
among the students of the region, to act for the prevention of small arms
violence and for other common health related social and political ends.”
The program came to end with the concluding remarks from the National
Student Representative of PSRN.