Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed.

Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well. Mahatma Gandhi

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE on SOCIAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE GANDHIAN WAYS

Concept by: Er. Satya Narayan Shah

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE SOCIAL 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 the most 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 the religion 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 of human 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 international behavior. 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 a legitimate role in ensuring and promoting human freedom, progress, prosperity, peace, justice and security in national and international levels.

Conference Activities
The conference is to be organized through several activities: Conference on international level in which will b made a common agreement and e conclusions 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 and Human 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,

Concept by: Er. Satya Narayan Shah

religious, scientific and cultural associations and organizations and international delegates to share their knowledge and experiences in order to promote mutual cooperation and understanding as a contribution to Social Transformation. Publishing of multilingual publication based on conference outcomes is aimed to record all conclusions 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 intercultural relations.

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 the guests. The other one will be organized by press conference which is going to be held before and in the end of the conference, as well as by different r dio, TV and press a programs and presentations.

Objectives
Short-term objectives: 1. Promoting cooperation among civil society organizations as well as among prominent experts, governmental representatives, religious, scientific and cultural associations 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 the world with the same goals and objectives. 2. Sharing a good practice of promotion of human rights and human values, environment protection, sustainable development and international cooperation 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.

Concept by: Er. Satya Narayan Shah

Target groups
Governmental and non-governmental representatives, religious, scientific and cultural associations 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 and protection 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 day Lumbini: 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 Gandhian Ways.

Sub Themes: 1. Sustainable peace in critical issues such as conflict prevention, post-conflict reconciliation, and pursuit of post-conflict justice against impunity. 2. Understanding of social transformations; establish sustainable links between social science researchers and decision- makers; strengthen scientific, professional and 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 migration 7. Dismantling the Culture of War 8. Living with Justice and Compassion 9. Living in Harmony with the Earth 10. Promoting Human Rights and Responsibilities 11. Nurturing Intercultural Understanding and Solidarity 12. 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