ARF 10th. Anniversary and Council Report 2006

Introduction:

ARF Council, 2005 decided to celebrate ARF 10th anniversary in a modest way and planned a series of programs leading to the culmination of the 10th. Anniversary.

Programs included:

1. Children's ART Works:

A working group was setup under the Chairmanship of Prof. Glen Knowles. Guidelines and specification details were sent out to the project partners.

Children from ARF/LOMEF supported projects including Tsunami affected children participated in the program from 8 countries.

On the occasion ARF 10th Anniversary an exhibition was held on 17th. February in Bangkok. Prof. Knowles in his opening remarks explained the significance of the Art works. Each one of them is the expression of imagination, feelings, dreams and aspirations he added. He congratulated all child artists and thanked all the partners and volunteers who assisted in the process.

Wichai Damkul, a child from Ranong , Tsunami affected areas who participated in the art works. He was glad to see his own art work got a place in the exhibition along with many others who were in pain due to loss of their loved ones during Tsunami but now trying to recover from trauma and hoping to regain confidence and strength to start a new life.

LOMEF USA is now working on holding a series of exhibition in different parts of the United States.

2. Documentary:

A Team consists of Mr. Staffan Bodemar, Ms. Lisa Schenk, Ms. Patporn Phoothong and Mr. Singtho planned the documentation work. A short documentary on ARF works was prepared by Mr. Singtho, a staff member from Tsunami project which was shown during the celebration. A printed report in Thai was prepared by a team led by Ms. Patporn Phuthong.

3. Honoring the Outstanding Contributors:

ARF Board discussed and decided to present 10th. Anniversary Trophy to those who have made expressing outstanding contribution to ARF. Following persons are the receipients of ARF 10th. Anniversary Trophy.

Prof. Chaermsri Dhamabutra- The Founding President of ARF
Dr. Anwar Fazal – Malaysia
Rev. Tan Chi Kiong- Hong Kong
Prof. Buddhadeb Chaudhuri- India
Prof. Masaaki Ohashi – Japan
Dr. Clarence Dias – Adviser – India
Mr. Rogar Robinson- USA
Mr. Anthony Coughlan and Ms. Kathleen Coughlan, USA
Prof. Glen Knowles and Ms. Pamela Knowles, USA
Ms. Dang Anh Phuong- Vietnam
Ms. Lisa Schenk- Australia
Prof. Dr. Pirom Chantaworn- Thailand

4. Charity Dinner and Cultural Program

This year charity dinner was dedicated to the children education in earthquake affected Azad Kashmir. Over hundred delegates from 20 countries joined the program.

On behalf of ARF Dr. Imtiyaz Yusuf welcomed all delegates and invited guests. Mr. Anthony Coughlan from USA , Dr. Nguyen Tuan from Vietnam, Mr. Darwish Mowad from Palestine delivered their messages. Dr. Anwar Fazal gave the 10th. Anniversary keynote speech. Ms. Noi Ton , on behalf of ARF board extended vote of thanks.

Children of Pravet Community school and Kincaid International school in Bangkok, Elizabeth from LOMEF, USA, Tilottom Poudel and Kiron Bohra from Nepal presented excellent cultural performances.

Handicrafts from different countries were exhibited and sold during the charity dinner.

5. ARF Council 2006:

Round Table: The Next Ten Years of ARF: Chair: Rev. Tan Chi kiong

Country delegates, advisers, board members, invited guests and ARF volunteers and staff members attended the round table to discuss future concerns, challenges and issues to be addressed in coming years.

Issues and Challenges:

  • Poverty, unemployment, lack of opportunities for education of poor children and youth, women participation and dignity.
  • Conservation of nature, sustainable lifestyle, ethics of development, access to resources and marketing opportunities for the primary producers groups.
  • Overcoming extremism, conflict, inter-religious, inter-cultural dialogue and understanding , communal harmony, human rights and culture of peace.
  • Resisting negative aspects of globalization and utilizing wider opportunity of information technology to share information, promote networks, increase democratic space, cooperation and solidarity.
  • Corruption, lack of ethics and accountability in governance affect over all environment of peace, progress and development.
  • Utilization of creative media to reach out and ensure multiplying positive impact of programs.
  • Human resource development with moral, ethical and spiritual emphasis, opening heart to share, care and uphold universal principle of humanity.

      • Three Working Groups:

      All delegates were divided in three working groups and they shared their recommendations in the plenary.

      A. Major Programs and Direction: Chair: Mr. Staffan Bodemar

      Working group felt that ongoing program of ARF is in the line of priority concerns but suggested to explore new creative ways and means to ensure effectiveness.

      Core Programs:

      1. Quality Education Program for Poor and Disadvantaged Children
      2. Youth Program to Promote Culture of Service through Volunteerism and Develop Leadership
      3. Program for Empowerment of Women
      4. Poverty Reduction through Local Initiatives for Sustainable Development
      5. Peace and Human Rights
      6. Health including Prevention of Drug Abuse, HIV/AIDS and Avian Flue
      7. Emergency Relief Assistance

      Support Programs:

      1. Mobilization of Human and Financial Resources
      2. Media Center , Website, information Exchange and Networking
      3. Research and Evaluation
      4. Administration, Coordination and Networking

      B. Institutional Development: Ms. Kathleen Coughlan
      Principles and Guidelines:

      1. ARF remains receptive to new ideas and committed to participatory, democratic and decentralized decision making process.
      2. While raising funds from outside international funding agencies, ARF must continue efforts to mobilize Asian human and financial resources towards greater degree of self reliance and sustainability
      3. Forging partnership with international agencies, foundations, community groups and NGOs based on mutual respect, dignity and shared goals.
      4. Maintain flexibility and build capacity in order to respond to the urgent needs.
      Core Program:
      1. Enhance professionalism through staff development training and exposure.
      2. Develop adequate facilities for office, meetings, trainings and workshops.
      3. Initiate gradually ARF country representative and country offices in selected countries.
      4. Launch a Media Center and Resource Pools
      5. Establishment of Fund Raising Department
      6. Volunteer Development Desk
      7. Marketing Outlet and Network for Primary Producer's Groups

      ARF/LOMEF Partners Program: Chair: Prof. Buddhadeb Chaudhuri

      Principles:
      Partnership is based on participation, mutual respect and sharing of resources. Support will be given to local groups and community initiatives to share cost and towards gradual self reliance.

      Program Areas:
      1. Formal Education:


      Priorities would depend on particular country within following possibilities:

      I. Nursery , primary , high school and university levels

      Form of Assistance:
      I. Subsidy for teacher's salary (Nursery, community primary school)
      II. Books and teaching aids (Nursery, primary and high school)
      III. Scholarships (For college and university student and encourage them to do voluntary works for communities)
      IV. Subsidy for management and Follow-up


      2. Non-formal Education:
      Form of Assistance:
      I. Subsidy for salaries of teachers, volunteers and social workers
      II. Learning Center for drop out children and youth, additional teachings
      III. Counseling and life skills for young detainees, street children


      3. Self-employment and Poverty Alleviation
      Form of Assistance:
      Grants and Revolving Funds.
      I. Skills training for women
      II. For equipments and materials for occupation/production
      III. Seeds fund for marketing outlet, shops and small business

      Concluding Plenary:
      1. ARF Activities and Financial Report:
      Activities report was circulated through the Council documents. Financial report was presented briefly. Income was less than expenses in 2005 financial year. Explanation was given that it was not a shortfall because of unspent funds from 2004 and some funds were received in early 2006 for program in 2005.

      2. Integration of three working groups report:

      I was recommended to do further editing work to ensure consistency and better flow.

      3. Some important Issues were raised for clarifications:

      A. ARF Structure and its Relationships with Core Partners: AMAN, LOMEF and YCCI

      There are confusions about exact relationships and accountability among the four.

      Explanation: All four are independent entity. Each has its own focus and program activities and board. Among four only ARF is legally registered body.

      ARF's mandate is to promote a spirit of caring and sharing in light of Asian cultures and universal humane and spiritual values. It supports holistic development in order to assist poor, marginalized and vulnerable groups.

      ARF partners include groups and local national NGOs, faith based organizations, academic and research institutions. It collaborates with government and inter-governmental agencies.

      AMAN emphasizes on progressive approach to Islam and build awareness and participation of Muslims in peace and development process . It also promotes interfaith dialogue and understanding.

      LOMEF is primarily engaged in mobilizing financial resources and supporting education for children and youth in Asia and contribute towards women empowerment.

      YCCI is a network of youth groups and organizations. It addresses issues affecting youth and provide leadership development, promote voluntarism and exchanges.

      One of the mandates of ARF is to help build capacity of new and small NGOs and networks. Based on that, ARF has been providing support to these three organizations and reaching out wider constituencies. In future if other three are registered then cooperation will continue on mutually agreed framework.

      Recommendations: Council meeting recommended that in ARF mission statement and in the brochure these relationships should be stated clearly.

      B. Relationship with program partners and LOMEF Fund Management: Distribution of responsibility at National level.

      LOMEF fund is managed through ARF secretariat. For last two and half years we have been fortunate to have a volunteer from Australia. Since program is expanding, in order to ensure follow-up, monitoring, reporting we need a full time Program officer.

      Funding is mainly coming through LOMEF USA. Asian share is still very small. We need to make efforts to increase Asian contribution.

      Every year we received many proposals but can not accommodate due to limited funds. We continue to support old partners and can add only one or two from new ones.

      Among partners some are well established and we support only children education components. But for some of them LOMEF-ARF is only source. There is a need to build capacity so that they can find alternative sources.

      Funding should not be only criteria for partnership. It is more on common concerns, shared vision, mutual respect.

      So beyond funding each partners shares program responsibility to promote common vision.

      Country level representative could be a good step to decentralize proposal screening , follow-up and monitoring and also to raise funds but that will involve cost and we have see how to proceed.


      C. Culture of Service: Council meeting repeatedly emphasized on the importance of promoting the spirit of culture of service for the communities.

      Short term youth volunteer program within and inter country level may be launched. Some partners will be able to take care of food and accommodation.

      It is also important to work with high school so that it can become an integral part of education.

      D. Role of Media At this digital age, education can be spread through creative media. There are many knowledgeable resource persons in Asia. We should make serious efforts to launch a media center to produce CD, VCD and documentary for effective education, experience sharing, networking.

      Concluding prayer

      The celebration of council meeting and the tenth anniversary was concluded with a prayer from Cambodian school teacher and a song was sang in hand in hand. energy and ideas generated through the discussion and experience sharing, understanding and friendship strengthened through human touch and renewed commitment for a caring and peaceful world, will continue to inspire every one.