I take this opportunity to thank you for the generous offer you have given to us, the journalists and would be journalists of this region.
Within the South Asia Foundation, an ambitious educational project, called the South Asia Foundation Learning Initiative or SAFLI in short, was established in September 2002, linking a number of Open Universities in SAARC countries.
I have heard that the SAF has decided to award 100 scholarships from next year. I am so happy to know this and I feel it is a very great decision taken by SAF.
I have been studying journalism at the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai, with the SAF Madanjeet Singh Scholarship, from the Bangladesh chapter.
To be able to understand, learn and enjoy life in an environmental friendly atmosphere became possible through the kindness of Madanjeet Singh, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and founder of South Asia Foundation, who managed and sponsored the 2nd Friendship Camp second time and ensured the continuation of such annual camps.
Video-recorded message from the Director-General of UNESCO to the Second General Conference of the South Asia Foundation, to be inaugurated by Her Excellency Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga, President of Sri Lanka Colombo, Sri Lanka, 18th February 2003.
Time-bound plan of action adopted by SAFLIs Academic Council and approved by SAF Chairpersons at the Second General Conference of South Asia Foundation.
Minutes of the Second meeting of the Steering Committee, SAFLI held on 12th-13th December 2002, at BRAC University (Dhaka, Bangladesh).
The meeting, after a formal inauguration by Shri I K Gujral, Chairperson SAF India, began with a formal welcome by Ambassador Madanjeet Singh.
SAF-UNESCO Regional Conference for the SAARC Countries on Youth in the Contemporary Information Society- Needs, Role & Policies.
The 1st meeting of the Steering Committee (SC) of the SAF Learning Initiative was held to discuss the initial academic programme offering. The SC discussed the minutes of the meeting of VCs held on September 28th 2002, and approved them with minor changes.
Resolutions adopted by Chairpersons of South Asia Foundation chapters - Mr. Kamal Hossain Bangladesh), Mr. Lyonpo Sangay Ngedup (Bhutan), Mr. Inder Kumar Gujral (India), Mr. Ibrahim Hussain Zaki (Maldives), Mr. Bhekh B. Thapa (Nepal), Ms. Salima Hashmi (Pakistan), and Mr. Lakshman Kadirgamar Sri Lanka) - at the meeting on 9th-11th April 2002, at Beaulieu-sur-Mer, France.
SAF IT Coordinators successfully completed their training at Reading in the U.K. (4th - 12th March 2002), organized by Art Technology Group (ATG), based at Cambridge, Mass., U.S.A..
The SAF-Scout Friendship Camp held in Bhutan from 20th - 26th February 2002 was organized by the Pakistan Boy Scouts Association along with South Asia Foundation.
Contingents of Indian Scouts had the opportunity to participate in the SAF-Scout Friendship Camp, the first of which was held in Thimphu, Bhutan. The scouts were provided with free email addresses for the duration of one year to enable them to exchange views.
The first Conference of the South Asia Foundation was attended by the South Asia Foundation Chairpersons and members of their Advisory board.