A book titled Federalism, Devolution of Power, and Inclusive Democracy: Nepal's Constitutional Context was officially launched in Kathmandu on Friday. Academics, scholars, civil society members, and key stakeholders involved in Nepal's federalization process participated in the event.

Kathmandu University Vice Chancellor, Bhola Thapa, formally launched the book and commended the proactive role of the Kathmandu University School of Law (KUSOL) in contributing to the federalization discourse in Nepal.

“I am confident that it will serve as an inspiring document for policymakers, scholars, students, and stakeholders in the days to come,” he said.

Thapa highlighted the importance of deeper discussions on the challenges and opportunities of federal governance to make it more inclusive and people-centric.

The book, edited by Bipin Adhikari, professor at KUSOL, compiles revised papers from the two-day international conference on federalism that the School of Law organized, supported by the Australian Embassy and The Asia Foundation. The discussions focused on three main themes: intergovernmental coordination and cooperation in federal systems, equitable distribution of fiscal and state resources, and inclusion in decentralized governance. In his acknowledgement of the book, Adhikari also mentions that “the discussions also highlighted the significance of the political economy aspects of these themes in shaping governance outcomes.”

Rishikesh Wagle, dean at KUSOL, expressed gratitude to all contributors and participants, while Registrar Achyut Wagle provided insights into the book’s key themes, especially on fiscal federalism. Acting Dean of the School of Arts, Ekkumaya Pun, emphasized the book's relevance for marginalized communities, urging inclusive democratic practices in Nepal’s federal structure.

Senior Advocate Dinesh Tripathi and Parshuram Upadhyay, Senior Governance Advisor at The Asia Foundation, also addressed the gathering, praising the book as a critical resource for policymakers and practitioners navigating Nepal’s evolving federal system.