Morning of Day 2

Day 2: March 16, 2007 (Friday). The group gathered at the garden around the Temple of the Universal Spirit on the hill where the day’s activities was opened by a body-silencing exercise led by Orlan and followed by a simple ceremony of symbolic offerings to Mother Earth led by Ms. Yoland Trevino who is an indigenous Mayan. Interfaith prayers were then offered by each participant around the circle.

Taking advantage of the fair weather the delegates were encouraged to walk around the garden to take pictures, and enjoy the fresh, tranquil atmosphere constantly serenaded by the songs of the birds perched on the peace trees and world peace poles found there.

Committee reports, Regiona coordinator reports, and responses from the hub

The meeting resumed at the conference hall around 10:00 am with discussions on regional matters starting with the regional committee reports. In the absence of the trustees (Dr. Ratnam and Rev. George) in charge of the Public Relations and CC Building Committee, Regional Coordinator Dr. Shakun Vaswani shared updates on the upcoming CCs being formed in progress around the region. Activities of Public Relations were also mentioned and this triggered a lively discussion on some of the current local issues on interfaith relationships around the region.

Discussions on the ADHOC committee for Annual Regional Meeting & the 2007 Malaysia conference centered around how Dr. Amir worked towards hosting the Regional Meeting in KL. While on this topic, representatives from the URIKLCC were then invited to express their sentiments about hosting the event.

On Fundraising & Outsourcing or Sustainability committee, Sr. Sandra pointed out how the region should work towards creating resources (human or financial) starting within the CC level, working towards self-sufficient, self-sustaining CCs.

While on a working tea break, the meeting proceeded with the Regional Coordinator’s 2006 Report. After Dr. Shakun presented the proposed plans and budget for 2007 several queries raised by some URIKLCC members were discussed and clarified.

Afterwards responses from the URI main office were shared. URI-GC Chair Ms. Yoland started off with an invitation to stand up, stretch and walk break around the room before she proceeded with her sharing. Just before lunch break URI Exec. Dir. Rev. Charles shared his thoughts and suggestions for the regional assembly.

After lunch and prayer break for the Muslim members, the meeting resumed in the afternoon while foregoing the viewing of the DVD-documentary from The Peacemakers’ Circle CC due to technical difficulties. Sally and Barbara from the URI hub office then shared their reports, opinions and suggestions for the group.

Regional Planning led by incoming chair

Having been formally introduced by outgoing chair Dr. Amir, incoming regional chairperson Sr. Sandra took over to preside over the Regional Planning for 2007 & 2008. The regional participants (save the URI hub group) were divided into two groups, Philippines group and Malaysia-Australia group, to discuss among themselves the proposed programs/activities and suggested organizational structures within the context of the region’s three main areas of concern (PR & CC-buidling, CC-nurturing & Bonding, and Finance & Sustainability).

Regrouping after the working break, the assembly discussed and deliberated the ideas and suggestions raised. It was emphasized that youth involvement should be the focus of CC-building in the region. On a country-level, it was suggested that each country identifies: a country representative (for countries with only one CC) or a country coordinator (for countries having more than one CC); and point persons for each of the three committee areas. An annual country meeting is suggested alongside the Annual Regional Meeting.

Closing ceremonies

The afternoon’s closing ceremonies was capped with the planting of a URI tree at the garden of the Pure Life center.

As promising as the continued growth of a seedling that has been transplanted from germination to its designated place where it shall rightly take root—the 3rd Regional Meeting concluded with promising plans, blossoming hope, and deepening roots of relationships for the growth of the URI family in the Southeast Asia-Pacific region.

Epilogue

After the regional meeting proper the delegates continued to enjoy a wonderful stay in KL with visits cum dinner at different faith centers, namely: The Sikh Gurudwara, The Buddhist Maha Vihara, The Islamic NGO center. A one-day interfaith conference organized by the URIKLCC on the 17th March (Saturday) was also attended by the delegates, after which they were treated to a city tour on the next day (Sunday the 18th).

A million thanks is cheerfully offered together by the URI-SEAPac delegates to the interfaith community hosts, staff and family members of URIKLCC, most especially to Dr. Amir and Mother Mangalam, for all their commitment, support, love and kindness!