------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ACHA PEACE BULLETIN

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.groups.yahoo.com/group/ACHAPeaceBulletin

A publication of

Association for Communal Harmony in Asia (ACHA)

www.asiapeace.org & www.indiapakistanpeace.org

Editor: Pritam K. Rohila, PhD pritam@open.org

Subscription is free.

To SUBSCRIBE, email a request to ACHAPeaceBulletin-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

To UNSUBSCRIBE, email the request to ACHAPeaceBulletin-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

Volume X, No. 4, April 15, 2006; Next Issue, May 15, 2006

CONTENTS

INDIA-PAKISTAN PEACE DAY 2006

PEACE & HARMONY NEWS

PEACE AWARDS

*Dr. Asghar Ali Engineer

PEACE EDUCATION & TRAINING

*The Rotary Peace And Conflict Studies Program

*The School for International Training

PEACE EVENTS

*May 12-14, Wellington, New Zealand: DISARMAMENT CONVENTION

*June 10, 2006, London, UK: STOP THE WAR ANNUAL CONFERENCE
PEACE ORGANIZATIONS

*Bangladesh - Bharat - Pakistan People's Forum

CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS

*Changing approaches to fieldwork in India in the age of globalization,

SLIDE SHOWS

*Another bus to Pakistan

VACANCIES

*Vice Chair (Academic Coordinator), Center for South Asia Studies, University of California, Berkeley

________________________________________________________________________

INDIA-PAKISTAN PEACE DAY 2006

We at Association for Communal Harmony in Asia (ACHA) believes that peace between India and Pakistan is essential for improvement of the human condition not only in these two countries, but also in whole of South Asia.

Therefore, as some of you would recall, in 2004, we started a campaign to encourage friends of peace to organize celebrations of India-Pakistan Peace Day everywhere, any day between August 1 and October 31.

In 2004 our campaign focused on the 1947 Partition and our core project was a petition for JOINT memorial at Wagah crossing for ALL the victims of the Partition-related violence on both sides of the India-Pakistan border.

The celebrations in 2005 were centered on the shared cultural heritage of India and Pakistan, and the core project was a petition to ease travel between the two countries.

Now we are ready to start planning for the India-Pakistan Peace Day 2006. We request you to please send us your suggestions regarding this year’s theme and core project. Please send your suggestions soon to us at pritamr@open.org.

Also please let us know if, along with your families, friends, neighbors, and associates, you can organize a celebration of India Pakistan Peace Day 2006 at your home, work, educational institution, neighborhood, or town.

We will help you publicize announcements and reports of your celebration through our website www.indiapakistanpeace.org, which is dedicated this campaign,

Best wishes,

Pritam K. Rohila, Ph. D.

Executive Director

pritamr@open.org

PEACE & HARMONY NEWS

*From Pakistan with love, Live Pakistan.com, April 05, 2006 (Received via Sanjay Tulankar sanjaytulankar@yahoo.com

Students from Lahore Grammar School, the Convent of Jesus and Mary, Aitchison College for Boys, Beaconhouse and SOS village were among the hundreds of children who gathered at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore today to sign the golden strip of behind the “World’s largest love letter” they had received from India, before it is returned there.

*Lessons in harmony, the Bengal madrasa way, Reuters Posted online: Tuesday, April 04, 2006 at 1127 hours IST (Via Yogi Sikand)

Kolkata, April 4: In this part of India, madrasas are emerging as beacons of tolerance….
In 1977, they started reviewing the Islamic schools, introducing history and social science to the staple of Koranic study. And after 2002, on the recommendation of a specially appointed committee, students had to study science, geography and computing. There are plans for foreign languages soon. The changes have been credited with bringing about a change in the social outlook of the state's various faiths, and have attracted both teachers and students from other religions to the madrasas. School boards have recruited non-Muslims in a bid to find the best tutors for their students.

*Art gains as borders soften, Parul Sharma in New Delhi, Rediff.com, April 04, 2006 12:30 IST http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/apr/04art.htm

With the softening of borders between the two countries, artists from India and Pakistan are probably gaining the most. The latest to benefit are the Pakistani father-daughter duo, who recently unveiled their maiden painting exhibition in Delhi.

*Pak committed to peace and harmony in region: Musharraf, Rediff.com, April 04, 2006 18:21 IST http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/apr/04pak.htm

Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has reiterated his country's commitment to continue contributing positively towards peace and harmony in the region keeping in view its geo-strategic location.

*Message of Love to Pakistan from Indian Schoolchildren, India West, March 24, 2006

AMRITSAR, Punjab, India: Friends Without Borders set out March 20 to Lahore in Pakistan carrying what is being called the world's largest love letter. Their teams had traveled throughout India collecting signatures and messages on the letter. At their last stop at Jalianwala Bagh in Amritsar, on March 19 local schoolchildren added their signatures and messages.

*Siachen demilitarisation accord in June THE NATION |Monday, March 27,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=281069&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India will sign the landmark agreement on demilitarization of Siachen glacier during the forthcoming visit of Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to Pakistan in June, this year.

Both the sides were also close to another vital pact on the demarcation of maritime boundary in Sir Creek area, he added.

*Militants returning to Kashmir, unarmed Indian Express |Monday, March 27,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=281109&category=Frontend&Country=INDIA

SRINAGAR: After last October’s devastating earthquake that left thousands dead in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), 27 active militants have crossed the LoC and surrendered before the troops. JK Director General Police recently had said that over 1,500 Kashmiri militants are in PoK and many are looking for an opportunity to give up weapons.

*Pakistan to support Lankan sovereignty SUNDAY OBSERVERSunday, April 02,2006 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=283086&category=frontend&Country=main&pro=0

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan reaffirmed its support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka and also towards the ongoing peace process in the country. President Mahinda Rajapakse and Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf agreed to combat terrorism which is the great challenge of the times as both Pakistan and Sri Lanka have been victims of terrorism.

*'India, Pak mulling intra-Kashmir trade' THE NEWS |Sunday, April 02,2006 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=283072&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad and New Delhi are actively considering initiating trade of goods between Indian Administered Kashmir and Pak Administered Kashmir, and the two sides would shortly hold a meeting to this effect.

*Pakistan, India to launch goods train DAILY TIMES |Sunday, April 02,2006 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=283023&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India are preparing to launch a goods train service, the home minister of the Indian state of Rajistan said on Saturday. The minister said people-to-people contacts between the two countries have increased and efforts are underway to run a goods train, the Voice of America reported.

*India to offer mily package to Maldives TIMES OF INDIA |Thursday, March 30,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=282092&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

NEW DELHI: Defence minister Pranab Mukherjee will be travelling to Male in mid-April to "transfer" INS Tillanchang, a 260-tonne fast-attack craft commissioned in 2001, to Maldives to help it in its operations against smugglers, gun-runners and terrorists. The military package will also include Rs 6-crore for training, material and technical assistance. Moreover, an Indian Navy survey ship, INS Darshak, will conduct a hydrographic survey in the waters around Maldives.

*Sri Lanka President Rajapakse arrives in Islamabad on 31st DAILY NEWS |Thursday, March 30,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=282087&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

The leaders are expected to discuss the complete range of Pakistani-Sri Lanka relations. Several agreements will also be signed during the visit. During his visit to the country, the President will also visit Lahore and Karachi.

*Pak, BD direct shipping line proposed DAWN |Thursday, March 30,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=282268&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

KARACHI: A strong Bangladesh trade delegation on Tuesday held a meeting on the sidelines of Expo Pakistan 2006, with Minister of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Sikandar Hayat Bosan and identified areas of interest for boosting bilateral trade.

*Pakistan, India to ease business visas DAILY TIMESThursday, March 30,2006 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=282131&category=frontend&Country=main&pro=0

ISLAMABAD: According to the joint statement issued by the Foreign Affairs Ministry on Wednesday, Pakistan and India pledged to ease visa procedures for businessmen for better trade and economic relations. The two countries agreed to ink a new shipping agreement in the near future at New Delhi and expedite talks on air services. The two sides also agreed to open bank branches in each other’s countries and to get their central banks to facilitate such applicants.

*Pak to give India the Saarc treatment THE NEWS Wednesday, March 29,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=281739&category=frontend&Country=main&pro=0

ISLAMABAD, Flanked by his Indian counterpart, SN Menon, Pakistan Commerce Secretary Asif Shah told a press briefing on the first day of composite dialogue on economic and commercial cooperation here on Tuesday that Pakistan has ratified Safta and: will extend India treatment at par with other Saarc countries under the South Asia Free Trade Agreement (Safta) from July 1, this year.

*India, Pakistan agree to patent basmati FINANCIAL EXPRESS March 29,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=281776&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

ISLAMABAD, NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan have agreed to jointly file for intellectual property rights over Basmati rice. Officials of the two countries who met in Islamabad on Tuesday decided to jointly set up a sub-group of experts to discuss the matter and suggest steps for the protective registration of the Basmati brand.

*Pakistan and India sign trade pact DAILY TIMES |Tuesday, March 28,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=281492&category=Frontend&Country=PAKISTAN

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan-India Joint Study Group (JSG) on Monday decided to ink a Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA) to facilitate bilateral trade. Under the agreement, both countries will accept each other’s laboratory reports on industrial goods as well as agricultural products. They will also accept the findings and reports on technical issues for resolving bilateral trade issues.

*Lanka to cut tariff on Indian imports NDTV PROFIT |Monday, March 27,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=281097&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka will relax its import tariff on over 2,000 Indian goods from next month as part of a the Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement, which requires the tariffs to come down to not less than 70 per cent of the general customs duty rate this year.

*Beyond the religious divide, Luv Puri, The Hindu, March 19, 2006  http://www.hindu.com/mag/2006/03/19/stories/2006031900030200.htm

The recent earthquake in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) demonstrated the umbilical bonds that exist in spite of religion…There are many Muslim families in PoK who have either Hindu or Sikh blood relations in J&K

*Indian PM offers peace, security pact to Pak, Onkar Singh in Amritsar, with PTI | Rediff.com, March 24, 2006 12:08 IST

http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/mar/24pm1.htm

Taking another important step to normalise ties with Pakistan, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today offered a "treaty of peace, security and friendship" to Pakistan as a culmination of the ongoing peace process.

*Pakistan welcomes Singh’s peace offer DAILY TIMES Saturday, March 25,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=280577&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Friday that it welcomed Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s peace treaty offer as a “positive acknowledgment” of the need to move forward on Kashmir and other bilateral issues. In a separate comment, former foreign secretary Niaz A Naik said that while Dr Singh’s offer should be welcomed, no bilateral treaty could be concluded unless it addressed the issue of Kashmir. “Now it is for our side to explore back channel contacts to ascertain what proposals he has in mind regarding this treaty.”

*Bangladesh, India to boost trade ATIMES |Saturday, March 25,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=280650&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

DHAKA: The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) have signed a memorandum of understanding to boost bilateral trade and investment through applying a problem-specific approach to overcome any hurdles.Six taskforces have been set up under the MOU to promote bilateral trade, Indian investment in Bangladesh, developing trade-related infrastructure, removal of trade disputes, non-tariff barriers and activating programs of the Bangladesh-India Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

*India gives Holy Scriptures to Bhutan BBS |Saturday, March 25,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=280527&category=Frontend&Country=BHUTAN

THIMPHU: The institute of language and cultural studies received a complete set of the Holy Scriptures Kanjur from the Indian government today March 24.

.

*Sri Lanka allows duty-free import of Pak rice DAWN | Saturday, March 25,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=280691&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

ISLAMABAD: Sri Lanka has allowed the private sector to import duty free rice from Pakistan under the free trade agreement (FTA).

*Lanka relaxes import tariffs from India LANKABUSINESS ONLLINE |Saturday, March 25,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=280535&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

COLOMBO: Under the Indo-Lanka Free Trade Agreement, for imports of finished goods from India, tariffs will drop from 28 percent to 8.40 percent and from 2.5 percent to 0.75 percent for industrial raw materials and machinery. India has lowered all trade barriers as agreed under the Indo-Lanka free trade deal in 2003, except for 400 odd goods on its negative list.

*'Hudood Ordinance of no use to control crime,' Council of Islamic Ideology, Pakistan DAILY TIMES |Saturday, March 25,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=280664&category=Frontend&Country=PAKISTAN

ISLAMABAD: The Hudood Ordinance has not been effective in controlling crimes falling under its ambit, concluded a report by the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII). The number of registered cases shows that the number of Hudood-related crimes has not decreased, the report added. The report said that the ordinance had remained controversial since its enforcement with a considerable critical literature questioning the punishment of Rjam, ambiguity about Zina-bil-Jabr, traditional criminal procedure and definition and identification of Hudood crimes.

*Indian Prime Minister likely to visit Pakistan in July DAILY TIMES Friday, March 24,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=280383&category=frontend&Country=main&pro=0

NEW DELHI: Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will visit Islamabad late July or early August, an Indian newspaper reports.This will allow Singh, to be in Islamabad for a one-on-one meeting with President Pervez Musharraf to discuss what more could be done for better neighbourly relations, the paper reported. This will be Singh’s first visit to Pakistan after becoming the prime minister.

*Nankana bus to make maiden voyage today DAILY TIMES Friday, March 24,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=280324&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

LAHORE: The Nankana Sahib-Amritsar bus service, the fourth transport link between Pakistan and India, will be inaugurated at Amritsar by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Ijaz-ul-Haq is scheduled to receive the first passengers at Wagha border. After a brief stopover at Wagha, the bus will proceed to Nankana Sahib, the Sikh community’s holiest site. Their return journey to Amritsar is scheduled for March 25.

*Bangladesh Prime Minister Zia's India visit 'turning point' in ties: Dhaka, Rediff.com, March 23, 2006

http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/mar/23bangla.htm

Describing the of as a 'turning point' in bilateral ties, Bangladesh said Prime Minister Khaleda Zia's just-concluded India visit was characterised as “a testimony to the highest priority attached by both sides to the promotion of their bilateral relations in all aspects," Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Hemayetuddin told reporters on Thursday in Dhaka. He said it infused a renewed spirit for strengthening cooperation between the two sides to address issues of common concern.

*First Safta ministerial meet on April 20 THE DAILY STAR Thursday, March 23,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=280005&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

DHAKA: The first meeting of Safta Ministerial Council of Commerce Ministers is proposed to be held here on April 20 to take measures for making operational the South Asian Free Trade Area that has been given legal effect since this January. Besides the stocktaking of progress, the officials said, other regional trade-related issues, including arbitration council, promotion and protection of investment, and customs cooperation would also be discussed at the meeting.

*India, Pak agree to dispose Interpol references (PTI), Rediff.com, March 22, 2006 18:44 IST

http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/mar/22cbi.htm

A joint statement read out by CBI director Vijay Shanker after talks with his Pakistani counterpart Tariq Pervez said the two sides decided to have periodical meetings at short intervals between the Interpol nodal points. 'All efforts will be made by both sides for expeditious disposal of pending Interpol references', the statement said. The statement said the talks, held after a gap of 17 years, were 'constructive and held in a cordial atmosphere'.

*India, Bangladesh sign two accords TIMES OF INDIA |Wednesday, March 22,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=279708&category=frontend&Country=main&pro=0

NEW DELHI: Following talks between Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his visiting Bangladesh counterpart Khaleda Zia, India and Bangladesh on Tuesday signed two agreements on bilateral trade and mutual cooperation in combating cross-border smuggling of narcotics.

Earlier in the day, at a ceremonial welcome for Zia at the forecourt of Rashtrapati Bhavan, Manmohan Singh told reporters "A strong and prosperous Bangladesh is in the interests of India, South Asia and the Asian region as a whole.”

*India and Pakistan consider SAARC police DAILY TIMESWednesday, March 22,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=279654&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

NEW DELHI: Top investigation officials of India and Pakistan began two-day’s of technical level talks here on Tuesday for the first time in 17 years. A statement issued by Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) headquarters said the deliberations focused on institutionalising cooperation in tackling human trafficking and counterfeit currency. Both sides also discussed the possibility of appointment of nodal officers in both countries for quick exchange of information on criminal matters, and the possibility of the formation of a SAARCPOL (SAARC Police) on the pattern of EUROPOL, that fights cross-border crime in Europe.

*Pak Navy Frigate on visit to Sri Lanka TAMIL NET |Wednesday, March 22,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=279780&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

COLOMBO: A Pakistan Navy Frigate will call on Colombo port on March 23 on a good will mission. During its 3-dy visit, the PNS Shahjahan will take part in joint exercises with the Sri Lanka navy (SLN) and the Commander of the ship will meet senior officials of the Sri Lankan navy to strengthen professional linkages between the two forces, a press release issued by the High Commission of Pakistan Tuesday said.

*Bhutan, India to launch Postal Union KUENSEL ONLINE | Sunday, March 19,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=278841&category=Frontend&Country=BHUTAN

THIMPHU: Six remote gewogs of Lunana, Shingkhar Lauri, Merak, Laya, Menjiwong and Serthi have been connected to the rest of the country using VSAT terminals. The VSAT/e-post project jointly implemented by the International Telecommunications Union, Universal Postal Union, the government of India, and the government will be formally launched on Monday, March 20. The information and communication minister, Lyonpo Leki Dorji, Indian ambassador to Bhutan, Mr. Sudhiir Vyas, the directors of Telecommunications Development Unit and International Telecommunications Union, and the Regional Advisor will be attending the launch in Thimphu.

*Pak, India trade crosses $1 billion mark DAILY TIMES Monday, March 20,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=279052&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

NEW DELHI: Bilateral trade between Pakistan and India almost doubled to cross the one billion dollar mark this year, an industry body said on Sunday. The 400 million dollar increase in the year ending March 2006 was attributed to the opening of rail and road links last year, the launch of a South Asian Free Trade Area Agreement (SAFTA), and Pakistan’s scrapping of import duties on 13 commodities from India, including garlic, onions, potatoes, tomatoes and livestock, that were scarce in its local markets, the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry said in a statement.

*Madrasas start classes on patriotism Deccan Chronicle |Friday, March 17,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=278313&category=Frontend&Country=INDIA

HYDERABAD: Darul Uloom Nomania and Madarasa Anwarul Uloom Latifiya in Hyderabad and Darul Uloom in Jedcherla have decided to teach Muslim youth, in more than 100 madrasas in the State, lessons in patriotism to prevent them from falling prey to the designs of terror networks. Also subjects on ‘peace, brotherhood and social service’ have also been introduced. The 135-year-old Jamia Nizamia has taken the lead by making ‘patriotism’ a compulsory subject in the Alim training course.

*India to resume work on Salma dam in Western Afghanistan PAJHWAK |Friday, March 17,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=278442&category=Frontend&Country=AFGHANISTAN

KABUL: In an interview with Pajhwok Afghan News, Eng. Muhammad Amin Munsef, deputy minister for Energy and Water said on Wednesday that India will resume construction work on giant Salma hydroelectric and irrigation dam in the western Afghanistan in the first month of the new Afghan year (which starts on March 21), as agreed earlier. He added India would be funding construction of the dam on Harirood River between Badghis and Herat provinces.

An Indian company first started building the dam in 1988, but long wars till topple of Taliban regime in 2001, the construction work left incomplete.

*India committed to closer Lanka ties THE HINDU |Friday, March 17,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=278231&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

NEW DELHI: India is committed to maintaining closer economic and cultural ties with Sri Lanka, said Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee here today, while
welcoming Sri Lanka's new High Commissioner C R Jayasinghe. He added that India and Sri Lanka shared several common problems and greater interactions between the Parliamentarians of both the countries would help in solving them.

*The 2nd Kashmir roundtable: Open to all, Rediff.com, March 16, 2006 19:16 IST

http://in.rediff.com/news/2006/mar/16jk.htm

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Thursday invited the hard-line Hurriyat leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani to participate in the second roundtable conference on Kashmir in May saying Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is ready to talk to him separately.

"The next roundtable conference will be held in May in Srinagar and I extend an open invitation to political parties, militants, underground and legitimate organisations for the resolution of Kashmir issue," Azad told the Assembly during question hour. "Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is ready to talk to the hard-line separatist leader (Geelani) even if he likes to talk separately," he said. "The issue of Kashmir cannot be settled in isolation in jungles and we have to interact and find out the settlement across the table," the chief minister said.

*Intra-Kashmir moot continues in Male PAKISTAN TIMES |Thursday, March 16,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=277933&category=Frontend&Country=MALDIVES

MALE: The Intra-Kashmir moot of Kashmiri civil society members, belonging to different walks of life, from both sides of the Line of Control (LoC) continued in Male, on the third consecutive day Wednesday. The participants shared ideas and experiences for building an environment of sustainable dialogue among the Kashmiri people for strengthening the ongoing efforts for peace in the South Asian region. The five-day meeting has been planned in such a way that it lasts five days as brainstorming sessions on the flashpoint of South Asia—the Kashmir dispute.

*Jalalabad bus in Peshawar after 27 years THE NATION |Thursday, March 16,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=277881&category=Frontend&Country=MAIN

PESHAWAR: The trial bus carrying 23 passengers arrived here from Jalalabad Wednesday under the Pak-Afghan agreement to re-open this road link after a period of some 27 years….According to the agreement, Afghanistan and Pakistan would open the Quetta-Qandahar road link soon. A bus of Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation will also travel from Peshawar to Jalalabad after the formal start of the service, which is expected in mid of next month.

*Delhi invited to join TAP gas project DAWN |Thursday, March 16,2006

http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=278012&category=frontend&Country=main&pro=0

ISLAMABAD: Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan have formally asked India to become a partner in the $5 billion TAP gas pipeline project and take a decision to this effect latest by May 15.

PEACE AWARDS

*Dr.Asghar Ali Engineer has recognized with Prof. Shah Sahid Award by the Institute of Mappilas Studies, Thrichur, Kerala (India) for his work on Islam and interfaith harmony.

PEACE EDUCATION & TRAINING

*The Rotary Peace And Conflict Studies Program, of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is accepting Rotary District-endorsed applications on a rolling basis for its next session. The last date for applications is anticipated to be 15 June 2006.. More info from http://www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/rpcsp/index.html or Jenn Weidman, Coordinator, Rotary Peace & Conflict Studies, The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, One Rotary Center, 1560 Sherman Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201- 3698 USA, Phone: 847.866.3374, Fax: 847.866.0934, jennifer.weidman@rotary.org

*The Elementary School Conflict Resolution Bibliography lists children's books that help teach conflict resolution skills and reinforce positive behaviors on topics such as bullying prevention, diversity, etc.  The Bibliography in PDF format is at www.disputeresolution.ohio.gov/schools/curriculumintegrationscm.htm. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0 or 5.0 to access it

*United States Department of Education (USDE) Course on Bullying Prevention - The link to all of the USDE distance learning courses offered at no charge - including bullying prevention and social and emotional learning can be accessed by linking to this URL: http://www.k12coordinator.org/events_online.cfm

*The School for International Training offers the following programs in Conflict Transformation Across Cultures (CONTACT) for the coming year. More info about fees, funding, scholarships, and applying to CONTACT, at www.sit.edu/contact or contact@sit.edu.

Summer Institute (May 29-June 16, 2006

Graduate Certificate Program

Onsite-, organization-, and region-specific programs

*TRANSCEND and the Romanian Peace Institute invite you to be involved in “Youth for Positive Change”, a two-weeks (August 1-14^th 2006) international peace camp for young (ages 16-28) peace workers and youth activists for positive change from around the world! More information can be found on our website at: www.patrir.ro/peacecamp

PEACE EVENTS

*May 12-14, Wellington, New Zealand: MAJOR DISARMAMENT CONVENTION of individuals and organisations with concerns about peace and disarmament, featuring outstanding speakers from Japan, Brazil, French Polynesia, Australia and New Zealand. A rock concert is being planned for the eve of the workshop (Friday 12 May) with participation by leading NZ bands. More info from www.nccd.org.nz or NCCD Peace Convention Publicity, PO Box 5129, Wellington, New Zealand.

*June 10, 2006, London, UK: STOP THE WAR ANNUAL CONFERENCE
 including a wide range of workshops led by keynote speakers, at Friends Meeting House
Euston Road, London WC1. The conference is open to delegates from groups affiliated to Stop the War Coalition and to paid up individual members who wish to attend as observers. More info from http://www.stopwar.org.uk/new/Conference.htm

PEACE ORGANIZATIONS

*Bangladesh - Bharat - Pakistan People's Forum, Address of the Bangladesh Committee, 225 Fakirapool (3rd Floor), Motijheel, Dhaka – 1000. Contact Persons: Raju Ahmed, Member Secretary rahmed@asean.mail.com, Abul Hossain, Convener ifhup@yahoo.com

The National General Meeting of Bangladesh Chapter of Bangladesh - Bharat - Pakistan People's forum was held on 7th March, 2006, at Sahid Asad Milonayatan, Dhaka, Bangladesh. A National council of 51 members including 13 Members ad hoc national steering committee was formed comprising Raju Ahmed as member Secretary and Comrade Abul Hossain as convener.

The adhoc committee decided to organise a National conference in the month of May 2006, and Mahamilon Yatra from Dhaka to Islamabad in the month of November 2006, subject to the preparation of Pakistan's Committee.

The General meeting unanimously endorsed the MURSHIDABAD RESOLUTION adopted the conference of (formerly known as) Bangladesh - Bharat - Pakistan Mahamilon Yatra Preparatory Committee on 2nd, 3rd,and 4th July 2005
at Murshidabad, West Bengal, Bharat.

Murshidabad Resolution

1. Without avoiding any International forum Convention proposed the Govt. of Bangladesh, the Govt. of Bharat and the Govt. of Pakistan must form a joint forum
without any delay, where without interference of any fourth Country all disputed bi-lateral and tri-lateral issues will be resolved through protracted, systematically and peaceful discussion.

2. Initiative will be taken to unite into an united peoples' Organisation / Forum of all genuine Democratic, Peace lover, Liberation hunger, Patriotic People of Bangladesh, Bharat and Pakistan.

3. This Convention invites all the Organisations, Parties, Groups, and any Individual already working or willing to work in this issue, to take part and join in this initiative.

4. To implement this resolution, Convention propose a tri-national united peoples' Committee to be formed in this Convention named may be as Bangladesh-Bharat-Pakistan Peoples Union/Forum. Convention Propose a Co-ordination Committee consisting of 15 Persons, 5 from each Country.

5. Convention decides that one Milan Yatra ( Unity Mach ) will be organised
starting from Dhaka to reach Islamabad via New Delhi through roadways with an appeal of Unity, Prosperity, Democracy and Peace in the year 2006.

CONFERENCES & WORKSHOPS

*Changing approaches to fieldwork in India in the age of globalization, a workshop being organized by Prof. Shalini  Randeria (from the University of Zurich) and Paolo Favero (from the Dept. of  Social Anthropology at Stockholm University, Sweden) invites paper-proposal for a panel which will  be hosted at the coming 9th European Association of Social  Anthropologists Conference to be held at the University of Bristol,  UK - 18th-21st Sept 2006. More info from http://www.easaonline.org/

SLIDE SHOWS

Another bus to Pakistan

http://specials.rediff.com/news/2006/mar/24slide1.htm

VACANCIES

*Vice Chair (Academic Coordinator), Center for South Asia Studies, University of California, Berkeley, a full-time position, beginning July 1, 2006. More info from http://ias.berkeley.edu/SouthAsia/