Call for Quotation: Colloquium on Principles of Liberalism

Terms of Reference

1. Background

Winds are changing in Nepal. While the years immediately following the promulgation of the new Constitution and the successive governments that were formed showed (and continue to show) a growing affinity towards populism and authoritarianism and towards curtailing liberties of Nepali citizenry, a new trend that has begun to appear in the intellectual circles and in the social media of all demographics of Nepalis is that a voice in favour of liberties and liberalism are also beginning to be seen. Samriddhi Foundation has also had a small role to play in this. Colloquiums on fundamental principles of liberalism are preparing a cohort of young generation that knows of these principles and brings them into the discourses they engage in or blogs and articles they author; localization of classical liberal texts that Samriddhi Foundation has focused on over the past half a decade is brewing a critical mass of intellectuals that was erstwhile exposed only to the idea of a planned state and command-and-control economy; and popular names like George Orwell are entering Nepalese parliamentary discussions through political leaders that understand, defend and promote liberal values. Most importantly, these are not just phenomenon that are being seen in the federal capital. Like-minded organisations that Samriddhi Foundation has been able to inspire across the country have also been introducing the lens of liberalism to the social, political and economic discourses at sub-national levels.

In the year 2022, Samriddhi Foundation aims to leverage the momentum and work towards building a stronger critical mass in both political and apolitical circles of stakeholders. As an organization whose ideals are rooted in freedom, and who has over a decade of educating policymakers in the federal level by having them engage with intellectuals, bureaucrats, non-elected political leaders, locals and the private sector, we intend to play the role of a watchdog to sensitize the civil society regarding the spread of anti-liberal practices as well as educate policy makers to create liberal policies that can actually pave the path for the economic transformation of the country. Samriddhi strongly believes in the creation of a free society in Nepal because it is only in a free society with different value systems that one can freely contest their ideas in the public sphere and policy can be robustly formed without any undue influence.

2. Program –  Colloquium on Principles of Liberalism

2.1. Objective

  • To encourage the exploration of ideas through informal, yet serious, discussion among a group of both partisan and non-partisan young intellectuals 
  • To immerse the participants in the values of a liberal society who can then act as the ambassadors of liberalism in Nepal
    • Outputs
  • A reader which will be a compilation of 30-40 articles on classical liberal ideas around the theme ‘Liberalism’ that will be shared with all participants at least two weeks prior to the event.
  • Four colloquiums of 12 sessions each of moderated discussions on key principles and insights of liberalism
    • Outcome
  • Participants will be aware and knowledgeable about basic principles of liberalism.
  • A network of likeminded young intellectuals from both political and apolitical backgrounds which could be leveraged to promote ideas of a free society in Nepal.

3. Methodology

The colloquium will be a political education program whereby it will engage with 20 young intellectuals (both political and apolitical) by bringing them on the same platform to partake in a rigorous discourse over the key principles of liberalism like individual freedom, rule of law, limited government, property rights, and so on in a Socratic discourse manner.

Participants who believe in the philosophy of liberty will engage with one another over 12 discussion sessions discussing specially selected classical liberal texts with experienced and knowledgeable session moderators. The program will intend to encourage the exploration of ideas through informal, yet serious, discussion among a small group of individuals from a range of disciplines and expertise. Participants will be shared a list of articles around the theme of Principles of Liberalism, which will be further sub-divided into twelve sub themes, which they will read and sit at an informal setting to have a moderated Socratic discussion on.

Same reader will be used for all four colloquiums such that by the end of the year, a cohort of 96 young individuals who are aware of principles of liberalism and who promote the values of liberalism at individual/group level will have been prepared.

4. Timeline

The program will last for twelve months (including reporting) from January, 2022 to December, 2022. 

Call for quotations

In order to deliver this project, Samriddhi invites quotations from interested consultants for the following tasks and responsibilities. Interested individuals or consulting agencies are requested to send in detailed quotations including estimated costs, and detailed resumes to:

Either [email protected] via email, or, hand deliver the quotation to Samriddhi premises at 664, Bhimsengola Marga, Minbhawan Kharibot, Kathmandu, Nepal.

The quotations should reach Samriddhi by 8 July, 2022, no later than 5.00 PM Nepal Standard Time. Contract award will be communicated by 12 July, 2022 to all the applicants.

Position: Discussion Series Coordinator (X1)

The Discussion Series Coordinator will be responsible for:

  • Compiling reading materials and all videos and other reference materials to be used throughout the discussion series
  • Coordinating the organisation of the discussion series including participant sign-ins and management of break-out sessions
  • Coordinating with the discussion moderator, communicating discussion’s expectations with him/her and make necessary arrangements as per the moderator’s session plans.
  • Conducting pre and post-tests of the participants
  • Ensuring record-keeping of all sessions
  • Handling participant queries and issues throughout the discussion series
  • Overall logistical support of the discussion series

The consultant should have the following qualifications:

  • Have a Bachelor’s degree or higher in Social Science,
  • Have prior experience of organizing and coordinating workshops and trainings,

Preference will be given to candidates who have worked with public policy institutes in the past

Duration: The Consultant will work on this project for 32 person-days in total, which will be divided equally into a total of four colloquia that will be organized in 2022.

Remuneration: Negotiable. The Consultant is required to offer their quotation first.