The 12th Arthalaya took place from 23 March to 28 March, 2011 at Dhulikhel, Kavre. There were 24 participants and had a total representation of 19 colleges.
The program of Arthalaya is structured to be informative and interactive at the same time. Discussions revolved around key issues inclusive of: the Role of State, Civil Society and Market in delivering basic services, the impact of policies such as taxation, licensing and subsidies on the business environment and entrepreneurs, the requirements to become an entrepreneur and the need for economic freedom and promoting ideas of economic freedom. These carefully chosen ideas kept participants intrigued throughout the residential workshop.
Ranjit Acharya, a well-known name in the advertising field of Prisma Advertising, shared how he channeled both his creative and entrepreneurial spirit into one field of vision and successfully managed to combine the two. The participants found his session easy on the ears as he had given music to some evergreen jingles. Other speakers such as Anil Chitrakar, Dr. Bhola Nath Chalise and Dr. Bhimarjun Acharya spoke on a number of topics related to economic freedom and free market policy which the students lapped up.
The program also included the Arthalaya Enterprise module, a simulation tool whereby all participants need to start up a business individually or in a group of four on the first day of Arthalaya. Businesses were quite unique with both service and product sales being promoted and conducted in various creative ways. Also, simulation on taxes, controlled market, bandhs and other various issues were put up as hurdles to make participants understand the basics of running a business in the current scenario of Nepal, which generated enthusiastic participation from the students.