More than 400 people including Ministers, Constituent Assembly member, the diplomatic corp, UN Agency heads, media and civil society gathered on 16 October 2009 at the office of the President of the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal.

The President, Dr. Ram Baran Yadav read the Stand Up pledge. The participants were invited to stand up, while the President read the pledge against poverty: "we are standing up today to express solidarity with people all over the world to fight against poverty and inequality. We want an end to poverty and inequality. We want to create a society where mothers don't die while giving birth. Children will have the right to quality education. No one will die due to diseases. Overall environment justice and sustainable development will be ensured by conservation and proper use of natural resources. The decisions made by the policy makers will not be for their personal gain but for the benefit of the poor and marginalized people as well", he said.

He further added: "We are committed to build a just society through a new constitution. Let's all commit to achieve the millennium development goals not only for today but for every day".

Speaking on behalf of the government of Nepal, Dr. Yubaraj Khatiwada, Vice Chairperson of the National Planning Commission reiterated the government's commitment to end poverty in the country. He said that the government has taken efforts to streamline poverty alleviation in the national development planning process to meet the Millennium Development Goals.

On the same occasion, the Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator of the UN System in Nepal, Mr. Robert Piper, addressed the gathering and highlighted the conscientious efforts of the UN System in adding value to the Government of Nepal's efforts in meeting the MDGs.

At another event held at the open theatre, eight Constituent Assembly members representing all parties, read the Stand Up pledge and proved that some issues are beyond and above politics.

Around 5,000 people enjoyed a musical program while urging their leaders to keep up to the promise of achieving the MDGs.

United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Kathmandu participated in an intensive three and half day International Executive Media and Television Workshop (IEMTW) in Bangkok from 26 to 29 January 2009. The workshop was developed in cooperation with the United Nations System Staff College. It has established a successful track record in training UN and other international agency personnel and private sector representatives in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and the United States. The Centre for Development Communication’s methodology has been used to train diplomats, new UN Representatives, nongovernmental leaders, and private sector representatives.
The International Executive Media and Television Workshop (IEMTW) was developed and conducted by CDC to train UNIC representatives in the following areas:
1. Guidelines to better prepare for a media encounter (interviews, press briefings, press conferences, etc).
2. Advice on using the media strategically to build credibility and visibility for UNICs, issue or argument.
3. New trends in the media, and how UNICs can take advantage of them.
4. Improving UNIC's management to make it more media friendly and effective.
5. Individual coaching to improve NIOs ability to deliver UNIC’s message effectively.
Besides, UNICs’ NIOs also attended a half day long workshop on ethics organized by UNIS Bangkok.

United Nations agencies and their partners launched UDHR60 in Kathmandu on 1 December 2008, a week-long programme to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The programme began with the inauguration of the UDHR60 Film Festival at the Russian Cultural Centre, by H.E. Gilles-Henry Garault, Ambassador of France to Nepal. Richard Bennett, Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights also addressed the audience. The Festival began with a showing of Maina, the film made about the arrest and killing of Maina Sunuwar, in the custody of the Royal Nepalese Army in 2004. The event continued with each day devoted to a specific theme, including forced displacement, women’s rights, child rights, and ending impunity for human rights violations. United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Kathmandu participated in the event by distributing relevant materials on Human Rights and by supplying the posters. A photo exhibition A l’epreuve du monde was also held at the Russian Cultural Centre until 5 December and at the UDHR60 in Kathmandu concert at Basantapur Durbar Square on 6 December.

United Nations agencies and their partners launched UDHR60 in Kathmandu on 1 December 2008, a week-long programme to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). The programme began with the inauguration of the UDHR60 Film Festival at the Russian Cultural Centre, by H.E. Gilles-Henry Garault, Ambassador of France to Nepal.

Also speaking was Richard Bennett, Representative of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. The Festival began with a showing of Maina, the film made about the arrest and killing of Maina Sunuwar, in the custody of the then Royal Nepalese Army in 2004. The event continued with each day devoted to a specific theme, including forced displacement, women’s rights, child rights, and ending impunity for human rights violations. United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) in Kathmandu also participated in this event by distribution relevant materials on Human Rights and by putting up posters on the theme. A photo exhibition A l’epreuve du monde was also held at the Russian Cultural Centre until 5 December and at the UDHR60 in Kathmandu concert at Basantapur Durbar Square on 6 December 2008.