It is my pleasant duty to present before you a summary of the Resume Sheets I have received from the participants from South Asia Region at this Congress. It appears the lectures and the workshops have been useful to them in evolving meaningful plans and programmes for their areas and countries. IARF in South Asia has two Country Chapters, viz. India and Sri Lanka at present. Pakistan and Bangladesh also come under its jurisdiction, though they are not regular chapters as yet. For this Congress, countries like Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and People's Republic of China (Taiwan Province) have also been brought under the South Asia Region.

I have received a total of 20 Resume Sheets from the different workshops. The break-up of the Resume Sheets from each workshop is as follows:

1. Strategic Planning ------------- 3

2. Designing Programmes ------ 9

3. Voluntary Code ----------------- 3

4. Interfaith Workshop ------------ 4

5. Teaching Tolerance ------------ 1

Countrywise, I have received 13 Resume Sheets from India, three from Sri Lanka, one from Bangladesh, two from Philippines, one from Indonesia and one from People's Republic of China (Taiwan Province). What is heartening to note from the Resume Sheets is that there are as many as eight project proposals from the Young Adults. I very much look forward to work closely with my young friends in the Region.

In the Regional Meeting the Resume Sheets were discussed briefly. The participants felt that the project proposals prepared in the workshops and presented through the Resume Sheets needed to be improved upon before being forwarded to IARF and later for implementation. They were of the view that concrete proposals can only be formulated with the involvement of all the partners concerned in the respective areas. Most of them want to go back and further work on their ideas and resources required and also prepare a definite budget. They also want to include more ideas and activities, with inputs from IARF, that would help develop a clear Regional Strategic Plan.

Considering the vast geographical area in which the countries are spread out and their diversities in terms of religions, cultures and nature of issues, the participants felt that a comprehensive approach through the Strategic Plan involving all the countries in the region would be difficult at this stage. For developing a Regional Plan, they felt, it is better to start working in their own local areas and chapters/countries and then link-up with other chapters/countries in the region through co-ordination from South Asia Co-ordinating Council (SACC), Regional
Co-ordinator and IARF Secretariat.

Nevertheless, the participants were informed of the various project proposals that had emerged for the region from the workshops. They agreed broadly and in principal to network, work jointly and help each other develop better programmes and activities connected to promotion of religious freedom and interfaith understanding and co-operation which would also fit into their Regional Strategic Plan.

The Ideas that have emerged from each country under the IARF South Asia Region are as follows:

1. Indonesia:

Creating opportunities for young people to meet and interact with people of other religions and ethnic background. This would promote religious understanding and harmony. The proposed activities include youth camps, exposure tours, seminars and conferences.

2. Philippines:

There are two proposals, both focussing on establishing a harmonious relationship between the Tri-people of Philippines ( Indigenous people, Muslims and Christians ). The participants from Philippines have been requested to work together on the proposed programmes as they are similar.

3. Sri Lanka:

The project proposals focus more on social development and economic empowerment of poor people and working with the government machinery to indirectly promote religious understanding, peace and equality. The participants from Sri Lanka have been requested to make the required modifications in their proposed activities to bring them in line with IARF's Strategic Plan.

4. India:

The Resume Sheets from Indian participants show programmes with major thrust on two broad areas. One, developing appropriate curriculum/material and promoting interfaith education among children and youth and two, organising camps, conferences and workshops to bring people, NGOs and organisations of different religions together for consultations, dialogue and interaction. They have been requested to contact each other through a network involving IARF SACC and the Co-ordinator and explore the possibilities of working jointly.

Another interesting feature of the Resume Sheets from South Asia is that friends staying in other IARF Regions are keen to take-up projects, sponsor them and work jointly with the IARF network in South Asia. They are:

1. One participant from the USA is interested in establishing a strong IARF presence in Bangladesh, increase interfaith harmony and protect minorities. She has a special concern for Buddhists in Bangladesh.

2. IARF's Geneva representative is planning to organise a workshop/consultation meeting for inter-religious educational strategies to maintain and promote conditions for supporting freedom of religion and belief. He proposes to do this in collaboration with the IARF SACC Chairman in Bangalore, India. He has indicated his project requirement of approximately $ 3000/- in his proposal.

3. An IARF Council Member is interested in organising a conference in India for IARF Member Groups and local religious organisations/groups.

The participants from South Asia have been requested to send their improved and new, if any, project proposals to SACC Chairman, Regional Co-ordinator and IARF Secretariat at the earliest and also to start initiating and implementing the proposed activities and programmes with their own available resources. They have also been requested to network with each other to share and help each other.

The participants from countries in South Asia where IARF is just beginning to take roots have been requested to be in close touch with SACC, Regional Co-ordinator and IARF Secretariat for information and guidance from time to time.

Thank you very much and my best wishes for success in all your future endeavours.

ZULFIKHAR AKRAM
CO-ORDINATOR, IARF SOUTH ASIA.