KU's Tribute to Dr. Toni Hagen: Symposium on 'Decentralization and Development: Visions of Toni Hagen'

Kathmandu University and HimalAsia Foundation tribute to late Dr. Toni Hagen, an eminent Swiss geologist and development planner for his pioneering work for geological survey in Nepal, and his visions of development through decentralization in a symposium organized at Russian Cultural Centre, Kathmandu, on 29 March, 2012.

The program was organized for introducing his recent released book - Decentralization and Development: The Role of Democratic Principles’. The book discuss about some possible geographical lines for effective political power delegation and development models for enhancement of democracy of Nepal.

Chief Guest Ms. Kalpana Dhamala, Minister of Science and Technology inaugurated the program. Minister Dhamala said that Decentralization and Development are very significant topic for discussion in present context of Nepal. Due to autocratic rule in the country, it took long time to incorporate Hagen’s concept in Nepal, she said.

Vice-Chancellor of Kathmandu University Dr. Suresh Raj Sharma said that 1950’s observational tour was not the first time visit only for Toni Hagen, it was indeed the pioneer experience for Nepalese people who were little aware about sustainable development and decentralized approach of democratic system.  His concept was excavated through his experience that he observed on his 14,000 km walking-tour on foot across the country, he said. Furthermore, Dr. Sharma expressed that Toni Hagen not only opened the door of development of Nepal rather introduced the country and the people in global community.

In the program five distinguished scholars made presentations and spoke on Toni Hagen’s dynamic personality and his concept of democracy, development and decentralization of Nepal. Mr. Sambhu Ram Simkhada presented Dr. Hagen’s democratic concept in the topic ‘The Role of Democratic Principles in Developing Nepal referring Dr. Hagen’s statement that it took more than 50 years to evolve a functional democracy in Switzerland, he opined that we should not be pessimistic about slow pace of political transformation of Nepal.

Mrs. Ambika Shrestha expressed that Toni Hagen’s contribution for enhancement of tourism sector is remarkable. Like Switzerland, tourism can be a potent source of national development; and ecological tourism is the way forward, she recalled Hagen’s statement in her presentation: Tourism through the eyes of Toni Hagen. Mr. Deepak Gyawali presented a paper on ‘an alternative approach to water and energy development in Nepal: Some speculations on the ‘Swiss Model’ and its efficacy for Nepal’s case’.  He explained Dr. Hagen’s development models which focus to reverse scenario like flow of energy sources from rural to urban area instead of urban to rural. He also uttered that Hagen had presented a development model in Nepal by developing ropeway rather than connecting roads in the mountain areas.

Dr. Promod Kumar Jha presented Dr. Toni Hagen’s thoughts on agricultural and ecological issues. Dr. Megh Raj Dhital presented a paper entitled – Contribution of Toni Hagen regarding Geology in Nepal. He presented Hagen’s geological and geographical maps of Nepal.

The program was organized by the Kathmandu University and the HimalAsia Foundation. His Excellency Thomas Gass, Ambassador of Switzerland to Nepal delivered his remarks in the program. Dr. Susanne von der Heide, Director of HimalAsia Foundation, and Dr. Sanjay N Khanal moderated the program. The program was conducted by Mr. Khagendra Acharya. About 150 participants attended the program. A documentary on Toni Hagen prepared by NAST and Film 'Uhileko Nepal' taken by Toni Hagen during 1950-1960 was also shown in the program.