There used to be a time when the main pastime at all Nepali gatherings abroad was a discussion on how corrupt Nepali politicians were and how difficult it was to change the country.

The Third Global NRN Conference over Dasain demonstrated that overseas Nepalis have not only stopped complaining but have become proactive and more assertive in seeking a role in Nepal's transformation. The meeting was attended by approximately 400 global Nepalis from 40 countries, proving that Nepalis dispersed around the world are more connected with each other and concerned about the wellbeing of Nepal.

No matter how attractive it may look in terms of personal benefits and affluence, migrant communities appear to resist the so-called 'melting pot' theory. The desire to have a distinct identity, fuelled by aggressive globalization of the last decade, is the driving force behind the latest wave of international diaspora networks.

The Nepali diaspora has learnt from its Asian, African and Latino counterparts that through social (networking), intellectual (skills and know-how), political (lobbying), cultural and financial (remittances and direct investment) capital, diasporas can have a lasting developmental impact on countries of their origin.

The Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) Association was formed at the first global conference in 2003. The network now has 38 national chapters all over the world, and has also brought direct financial investment and charities to Nepal.

The two previous conferences of 2003 and 2005 were held in the politically- charged war years. The country is still plagued by instability. The constituent assembly elections were postponed on the eve of the Third Global Conference on 15 October in Kathmandu.

Despite this, global Nepalis had an opportunity to assess the diaspora's role and place in an emerging New Nepal. They identified the role and potential contributions of the Nepali diaspora, looking into legal obstacles that need to be minimised to ensure a total engagement of the two-million-strong overseas Nepali community.

The government has agreed to amend the recently promulgated NRN Bill to incorporate recommendations of overseas Nepalis. The government has transferred the NRN Desk from the Ministry for Industries and Supply to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, symbolizing the shift in its perception by the Nepali bureaucracy, which in the past was more inclined to see the NRN community only as a source of financial investment.

The 15-point Kathmandu declaration at the conference expressed commitments to explore new employment destinations for Nepali youth in developed countries, utilize skills obtained by returnee migrants in trade schools, establish workers' welfare funds for people on short-term employment, and establish a $100 million Nepal Investment Fund within a year.

In addition, overseas Nepalis will help in the 'Send Home a Friend' campaign introduced by the government, operate at least one welfare project on behalf of each national chapter of the organization in conflict-affected areas, and mobilize overseas Nepalis to highlight Nepal's cultural heritage and help uplift the flagging tourism industry.

The political establishment in Nepal appears to have finally recognized the collective potential of the extended family abroad for Nepal's development. The organization needs to reap the benefits of this positive situation both in Nepal and abroad and show concrete and tangible progress on commitments made in global conferences.

From now on there will not be any more complaints of lack of favourable laws, dual citizenship and political instability to hold things back for the global Nepali.

The author is the spokesperson of the NRN Association (www.nrn.org.np)