International Conference on Social Transformation in the Gandhian Ways

8/3/2019 International Conference on Social Transformation in the Gandhian Ways

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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE

onSOCIAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE

GANDHIAN WAYS

Always aim at complete harmony of

thought and word and deed. Always

aim at purifying your thoughts and

everything will be well.

Mahatma Gandhi


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Concept by: Er. Satya Narayan Shah

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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCESOCIAL TRANSFORMATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE

GANDHIAN WAYS

To see the universal and all pervading spirit of truth, we must be able to love even themost miserable creature the same as we love ourselves. And that one, who strives for

this goal, cannot venture to turn away from any possible area of life. Therefore the

devotion to truth brought me to politics; and I can say with all the modesty that those

who say that religion doesnt have anything to do with politics, dont know what thereligion is.- Mahatma Gandhi

Background

Since the early 1980s, a number of political and social trends and events have strengthened

efforts to reaffirm human rights and democracy in many parts of the world as the denial ofhuman rights has been the root of many conflicts. Recent civil wars, conflicts and acts of

genocide showed that human history still witnesses the continuation of discrimination based

on race, religion and color at all different levels of individual, national and internationalbehavior. Millions of people around the world look to different national and international

institutions to resolve problems that affect their daily lives while the change in the nature of

conflicts from international to internal has made the link between peace and security,economic and social affairs, democratization, development, good governance and

humanitarian issues more obvious.

Civil society organizations concerned with tolerance, respect and freedom of religions,cultures and nationalities as well as development of human values and dignity play alegitimate role in ensuring and promoting human freedom, progress, prosperity, peace,

justice and security in national and international levels.

Conference ActivitiesThe conference is to be organized through several activities:

Conference on international level in which will be made a common agreement andconclusions on possible solutions in resolving the present situation in regard to the

social disturbances in the world.

Publishing of multilingual publication based on conference outcomes Production of promotional materials for follow-up activities Cultural program Media presentation Visit program (visit typical places)

The conference is aimed to gather prominent experts in the fields of Human Rights andHuman Values, Social Scientist, Social Activists, Politicians, Leaders of Civil Societies,

Problems of War Victims, Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons as well as of

Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection politicians, diplomats,representatives from inter-governmental, governmental and non-governmental organizations,


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religious, scientific and cultural associations and organizations and international delegates to

share their knowledge and experiences in order to promote mutual cooperation andunderstanding as a contribution to Social Transformation.

Publishing of multilingual publication based on conference outcomes is aimed to record allconclusions and recommendations from the Conference and will be distributed throughout

Europe, India, Australia, New Zealand, America and Africa.

Production of promotional materials for follow-up activities includes distribution of

extracts of Conferences conclusions and recommendations.

Cultural program Classical Dance and Cultural Shows will be organized under the

patronage of the Ambassadors of different countries as a contribution to interculturalrelations.

Media presentation There will be two types of media presentations; one will be different

film shows, documentary shows and other media presentations based on the unique

examples of the social transformations and other social issues for the participants and theguests. The other one will be organized by press conference which is going to be heldbefore and in the end of the conference, as well as by different radio, TV and pressprograms and presentations.

ObjectivesShort-term objectives:

1. Promoting cooperation among civil society organizations as well as amongprominent experts, governmental representatives, religious, scientific and culturalassociations and organizations from Nepal and abroad in order to promote World

Peace.2. Facilitating cooperation between different ethnic, religious and cultural groups for

the Transformation of the Society to achieve sustainable development.3. Creating space for dialogue and mutual cooperation aimed to preserve tolerance,

understanding, justice, security and peace in society.

4. Strengthening the need for peaceful solutions of conflicts.5. Sharing experiences.

Long-term objectives:

1. Strengthening cooperation with organizations working in other regions of theworld with the same goals and objectives.

2. Sharing a good practice of promotion of human rights and human values,environment protection, sustainable development and internationalcooperation in preserving and promoting the World Peace throughout the

world.3. Initiating conference follow ups to build up a consciousness of the

brotherhood among mankind without any differences.


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Target groups

Governmental and non-governmental representatives, religious, scientific and culturalassociations and organizations, leading peace advocates, scholars, policy makers, and

media experts and prominent experts with different ethnic, religious and cultural origin as

well as all persons engaged in Social activities for the transformation, world peace andprotection of the environment.

Conference duration

The Conference will be organized at the following places for the duration as stated below.

Kathmandu: 4 days

Janakpur: 1 dayLumbini: 1 day.

The tentative time for the Conference would be January/ February 2009.

THEMES OF THE SEMINAR:

Main Theme:

Social Transformation for Sustainable Development in the GandhianWays.

Sub Themes:

1. Sustainable peace in critical issues such as conflict prevention, post-conflictreconciliation, and pursuit of post-conflict justice against impunity.

2. Understanding of social transformations; establish sustainable links betweensocial science researchers and decision-makers; strengthen scientific, professionaland institutional capacities, particularly in developing countries; encourage the

design of research-anchored policy.3. Globalization and governance; Multicultural and multi-ethnic society.4. Urban development and governance; Poverty eradication.5. Sustainable development and governance.6. International migration7. Dismantling the Culture of War8. Living with Justice and Compassion9. Living in Harmony with the Earth10.Promoting Human Rights and Responsibilities11.Nurturing Intercultural Understanding and Solidarity12.Cultivating Inner Peace.

Finally let me quote Truth is God; Non-violence is Love in Action; and Peace, the result of enduring conflict

resolution, is the Fruit of Satyagraha.

Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood. -- Helen Keller

International Conference on Social Transformation in the Gandhian Ways

Documents

Transcript of International Conference on Social Transformation in the Gandhian Ways