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RECOMMENDATIONS FOR WSCF PROGRAMMES AND CONCERNS

Having made their evaluation of the SCMs in the region, the participants were then asked to make their recommendations for possible programmes and concerns of the WSCF. They were divided into the four sub-regional groupings and came up with the following reports.

 

Southeast Asia:

1. That the WSCF adopt an international position on the following issues: nuclear weapons, presence of foreign military bases in the region, human rights, women's issues, foreign domination, environment, fundamentalism and poverty.

2. That the WSCF come up with tools of analysis which would provide a common understanding of the realities in the region specifically on such issues as the church, women, educational system, fundamentalism.

3. That the SCMs develop bilateral/multilateral relationship for the sharing of resources, money and materials, programme support and sharing of major movement developments.

4. That the SCMs hold regular dialogue with the respective NCCs and other youth and student organizations associated with the WSCF.

5. That the WSCF adopt September 16 as "International Protest Day" against foreign military bases in the region.

6. Suggested activities for the next HRD are: exposure at the first week of the programme; workshop on student empowerment; brief country situationer from each partici­pant. It was further suggested that the next HRD venue be at a smaller SCM.

 

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North Asia:

1. To have more student programmes on the following: educa­tional system, men-women partnership (e.g. marriage and pre-marital sex), the pressure to have religion, teenage rights and young adult rights.

2. That there be increased exchange programmes.

3. That the next HRD have increased input and discussion on the Asia-Pacific region, increased interaction between SCMs, and more sub-regional groupings.

 

South Asia:

l. That forthcoming programmes highlight women-men part­nership through: in-depth analysis of partnership, awareness sessions for men on women's issues, providing guidelines for preparing paper regarding women's issues and men-women partnership before the programme, and using concrete situations from local levels for analysis.

2. Sub-regional cooperation can be increased through more involvement in each other's programmes, supporting each other, tackling together common issues in the region (e.g. male-female issues, nuclear threat, environmental degrada­tion, foreign power and domination).

3. Extend sub-regional cooperation and coordination to the regional level.

4. To improve relationship with the church, the SCM needs to have greater involvement in the life of the institutionalized church and contribute theologically to the church.

5. At the regional level, programmes must be based on current trends and problems of the region although more awareness about problems of each country could also be raised.

 

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6. For the next HRD, participants should be provided with guidelines on preparing paper on male-female partnership. This issue must also be given more time in the next HRD.

 

Pacific:

1. To hold a separate consultation for their sub-region.

2. To be able to tap networks and resources to see to it that the momentum keeps going on.

3. To hold a consultation on women-men partnership.

 

 

ASSESSMENT OF THE HRD '91 PROGRAMME

After all the sharing of reports, participants made an evaluation of their experiences during the whole HRD'91 programme -- its contents, processes, atmosphere and dynamics. Following is a summary of their assessment/evaluation.

 

* Most participants said the HRD'91 was a learning period for them as it gave them a chance to analyze themselves and their own movements critically. It also gave them an oppor­tunity to analyze their roles as staff or member of the movement.

* Many said it was also a chance to learn different cultures, languages, food, etc., thus, widening their experiences and horizons.

* For the first timers to travel abroad, however, there was some kind of a culture shock, thus making the first few days a little bit difficult.

* Many were impressed with the workshop on student empowerment and expressed that they could implement it in their own SCMs to improve the quality of leaders and evaluate their movements.

 

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* Breaking into smaller groups proved to be helpful in enabling many participants to express themselves freely. They said they felt they could contribute more in smaller groups than in the large group.

* According to some participants the inputs and Bible study sessions were helpful for them to understand the issues of the region and the basis of their faith reflection.

* Many participants had difficulty in expressing themselves as English was not their first language. They said that even with the help of interpreters, there were times they felt frustrated as they were not able to put forward their real feelings.