U.S. ASSISTANCE SUPPORTS KATHMANDU SCHOOL OF LAW

January 30, 2007

U.S. Ambassador James F. Moriarty today inaugurated the Kathmandu School of Law’s newly expanded library and computer facilities.  USAID/Nepal, as part of the U.S. Mission to Nepal, provided The Asia Foundation (TAF) a grant of $84,675 to support the strengthening of these facilities.  As a counterpart contribution, The Asia Foundation is providing $250,000 worth of books through its “Books for Asia” program. 

This one-year program has provided more than 4,500 books including law-related materials, reference books, and other social science texts of interest to the Kathmandu School of Law.  The School has already purchased 1,243 books from India and will purchase another 1,200 on conflict, constitutional law, marginalized and indigenous groups, and other current affairs applicable to Nepal.  The reference section of the library is now stacked with judgments from U.S., India, and Nepal.  The funding has also allowed the School to procure 20 computers and other technical equipment, which are used by both students and faculty members.  Wireless internet which can be used on laptop has been connected. Additionally, a Moot Court for students to practice pleading in a courtroom setting has also been established and moot sessions are part of a trial advocacy class held every Friday.

Established in 2000, the Kathmandu School of Law provides students with an innovative legal education based on classroom instruction and clinical legal experience.  Following six years of rapid growth, much of the collection in the library was outdated, making it difficult for students and faculty to obtain information on recent national and international developments in the field of law.  There was a shortage of specialized legal books and journals as well as general reference materials.  In answering this need, USAID/Nepal is working to improve the school’s ability to provide quality legal education, which in turn supports the development of legal professionals with a strong commitment to rule of law and access to justice throughout Nepal.

                                                          

The U.S. Government, through USAID, extends assistance from the American people to peoples of other countries struggling to build better lives. This support ranges from helping to recover from a natural disaster to working to create a free and democratic nation. For 56 years, USAID/Nepal has provided assistance to the people of Nepal in the areas of conflict mitigation and peace building, democracy and governance, health and family planning, economic growth, and disaster and humanitarian aid.