Nepali runs for Finnish council position

A Nepali-Finnish resident has announced his nomination for the Finnish council elections scheduled for October 28.

Prakash Dhakal, who hails from Kamalamai-5 of Sindhuli district, filed his nomination as a Social Democratic candidate in Jarvenpaa municipality located in the outskirt of the Finnish capital, Helsinki.

Dhakal who lives in the municipality with his Finnish family, wife and a son, is the first Nepali to run for the council elections in Finland.

A former journalist in Nepal, Dhakal pursued his university education in international community development and international social welfare and health policy in Finland and Norway respectively. As a student, he had served as an elected member of student union in Finland and as the president of international student union in Oslo.

On completion of the studies he took up teaching in a local university of applied sciences and has been active in the local community. Currently he is working as a social worker.

Speaking to Nepalnews, Dhakal said his place in the council will be to win more respect to immigrants and contribute to the beauty of diversity, within the city of Järvenpää.

“I expect support from both the local Finnish and the small international community we have here," Dhakal said adding, “The Finns particularly have taken my candidacy very positively, particularly the commitment of an immigrant."

Dhakal also said he accepted the offer from the SDP as a chance to learn, observe how Finnish democracy, often cited as one of the best in the world, at a practical level. "The learning experiences are very enriching," said he. Non-citizens but permanent residents can participate in the municipal elections in Finland. The municipal elections are held every four years. About 40,000 people reside in the city of Järvenpää. nepalnews.com