Young IT students and graduates from across the country put their skills to test at the Human Rights Appathon this weekend. Over three days, 100 coders responded to the challenge: develop applications and websites that could be used to help solve human rights problem.

Team Right Avengers bagged the top prize of Rs200,000 for their app that links victims of human rights violations with the right authorities who can help them.

“We found it was very hard for people to connect with authorities. Our app is a smart app that everyone in Nepal can use,” said the winner Naseev Thapaliya.

Chairman of Nepal Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and former Chief Justice Anup Raj Sharma was on hand to judge the winner.   

“Today is the age of information and technology,” said Sharma. “NHRC believes that we should use this app for the promotion of human rights. The apps could be made more effective and advanced using the database that we have. We are always ready to work with you.”

The Appathon was a joint competition with the United Nations Development Programme, Microsoft Innovation Centre Nepal, The National Human Rights Commission and the Ellaine Memorial Foundation.

“The energy and creativity that you young people have demonstrated in this Appathon is great. The more time spent with you, the more I think Nepal’s future is brighter,” said Renaud Meyer, UNDP’s Country Director addressing the participants in Dhulikel. “The future is in your hands.”

 “I am really amazed by the level of creativity and imagination that you have shown here. That shows how the younger generation of Nepal can make better use of technology,” said Andreas Roetteger, head of Cooperation, European Union delegation and finalist judge.  

With over 500 applicants, the field was narrowed down to a final 100 from 18 districts. Second place scored Rs 100,000 and third place took home Rs 50,000.

This event was part of UNDP’s global efforts to promote the engagement of youth in innovation and development. Since 2012, UNDP has been investing in exploring innovation by providing seed-funding to initiatives with the belief that innovation happens through practical explorations of new ways to address old problems.