CSDS Workshop

A delegation from the Centre for Sustainable Development Studies (CSDS) of the HKBU School of Business conducted a field study in Nepal from 5–9 April 2025 to gain deeper insights into international development cooperation in the Global South. During the trip, the team also organised a workshop in collaboration with the Nepal Development Initiative (NEDI) for Nepalese researchers and practitioners, which served as a cross-border platform to foster exchange and knowledge transfer on practices of aid projects in the Global South.

During the multi-day programme, the delegation visited a wide range of social enterprises, government units, academic institutions and NGOs. An on-the-ground case study was undertaken at partnering schools of the Nepal Smiling Children Project. Funded by China under the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the project aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by aiming to address hunger and poverty and promote quality education through the provision of nutritious meals to children during school hours.

Another highlight of the tour was the convening of a full-day workshop on 6 April 2025, with participants from universities, think tanks, foundations, social enterprise associations, international NGOs and local civil society organizations (CSOs). Prof. Yuk-Shing Cheng, Director of CSDS, and Mr. Man-Kit Chung, Research Fellow of CSDS, shared about China’s evolving institutions in international development cooperation. They also introduced the objectives and focuses of China’s Global Development Initiative (GDI), which has adopted a new approach and funding mechanism to prioritise small-scale projects aligned with the UN SDGs. 

The workshop morning session featured presentations by climate change researcher Dr. Rojy Joshi, veteran civil society practitioner Dr. Sarba Raj Khadka, and Country Director of the dZi Foundation Mr. Rakesh Karna, who shared their insights on the management and operational practices of Nepalese NGOs and CSOs in aid projects. In the afternoon, the focus shifted to international development cooperation with China and other Global South countries, with Mr. Arjun Bhattarai, President of the NGO Federation of Nepal, providing an overview of Nepal’s aid project landscape and CSO contributions, followed by Dr. Kalyan Raj Sharma, Chairman of the Nepal–China Friendship Forum, who offered a historical account of the deepening strategic partnership between China and Nepal since 1955. 

Established in July 2022, CSDS focuses on how institutions, policies, and practices affect the achievement of selected sustainable development goals (SDGs) in global and local contexts. It also facilitates the organisation of educational activities related to sustainable development in collaboration with community partners. Visit the CSDS website for more details.