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ORIENTATION, INTRODUCTION AND OPENING WORSHIP

The arrival day prior to the formal opening of the HRD '85 programme was in many ways most exciting, both for the participants and organisers. Yet unspoken expectations of making new friends and the long-awaited programme.

The next day participants gathered for orientation. This programme was the first of its kind in the HRD. It had two thrusts. Firstly, to orientate participants to each other and secondly, to orientate them to the entire three-week programme. Ms. Jane Leong and Rev. Chan Wing Hon, both staff persons of SCM in Singapore and Malaysia respectively led these sessions.

It began with a general introduction followed by a series of icebreaker games. Later in the afternoon, the group went into deeper personal sharing. In small groups of about 5-6, participants were asked to share on their background (family, education); reflect on personal development as girl/boy within the family; and to note important events and turning points in their development.

The evening session concentrated on getting participants to be comfortable among themselves and the group. Creative games such as "people sculpturing" were played. These helped participants to be attuned to the theme of Women's Struggles. Still and moving life scenes were role-played by different groups on the issues of i) Women at home, ii) Women at work, iii) Women in industry, iv) Women in prostitution, v) Women in agriculture, vi) Women and service sector.

A moving life scene of women (& men!) at home.

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At the introductory session, the Asia Secretary and the Local Committee briefed the participants on the programme and some housekeeping affairs. Two Steering Committees were also elected for the whole duration.

The speaker, Rev. Dr. Denis C. Dutton, President of the Trinity Methodist Annual Conference (English-Speaking) in Malaysia, and General Secretary of the Council of Churches of Malaysia, addressed the participants at the Official Opening Service.

The Worship was participatory in nature. Worshippers were called to celebrate life! Made in the image of God, participants are to create in society imaginative and new styles of relationships and new structures of existence in which liberated women and men can join together as one humanity.

This was followed by dinner cum fellowship with invited guests and friends. Then there was a time of spontaneous "cultural exchange", through songs and dances from the various countries.

Our Speaker for Opening Worship, Rev. Dr. Denis C. Dutton

chatting with Ms. Nargis Basu from India.