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Programs
Please note that in our first Communication Coordinators' meeting on 21st March 2006 in Birmingham, England, I thought that as women carry an extra burden in the world, the IABRS should focus its advocacy attention on them in 2007. Dwight and I thus agreed for three IABRS women to be advocates for issues of their particular countries in two IABRS countries out of three possible choices. We noted that there will be future advocacy possibilities for other countries in the IABRS. On this occasion, the selected women will carry out speaking engagements in their two chosen countries over two weeks in 2007. On returning to their country, we would like for the women to write an article on either (i) their chosen issue or (ii) their experience in the two countries they visited, and in it, to address the IABRS mission statement 'Another World is Possible'.
The three women chosen are:
Leela (India) to visit two countries from either Australia, England and Ghana.
Anne Pattel Gray (Australia) to visit two countries from either South Africa, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Musa (Botswana) to visit two countries from either Brazil, Jamaica, Cuba and to focus on the HIV/AIDS issue.
In the case of Dalits and Aboriginals we are leaving Leela and Anne to decide what they want to speak on/to do in their host countries, when they arrive.
IABRS will cover travel to and from the women’s country and cover for accommodation will be negotiated. However, it is expected that the receiving countries deal with all other domestic costs. In consultation with the host countries the three women will arrange dates and schedule and notify the International Communication Coordinators.
We would very much hope that you would be able to accept this invitation and write an article. In the first instance, please can you inform me if you would be able to accept the invitation. Other matters mentioned above will then be discussed and arranged between all persons concerned, accordingly.
In accordance with our agreement to focus on youth and student exchanges as an educational action point in our Cape Town conference, Dwight and me agreed the following in our first IABRS International Communications Coordinators' meeting last month:
- For the youth/student exchange to take place in 2007.
- For one male and one female 18-25 years of age inclusive to be selected from each of the eleven IABRS countries. 1 should be a youth and one should be a student. One must be a Chrisitan and 1 must be from another religion.
- For country exchanges to be India & UK, South Africa & India, Australia & Jamaica, Cuba & Zimbabwe, Brazil & Ghana, Botswana & USA. Two youths-student will exchange will the countries they have been paired with. In the case of India, UK & South Africa, one youth or student from India will exchange with one youth or student from the UK, the other youth or student from India will exchange with a youth or student from South Africa. The other youth or student from the UK will then exchange with the remaining youth or student from South Africa.
- That as the youth-student exchanges are for educational purposes, the youth will be expected to keep a daily journal/diary of their experiences in the countries they are exchanged with and will respond to the IABRS motto 'Another World is Possible' in relation to religions and spiritualies. More details concerning this shall be given in due course.
- For the IABRS to cover travel to and from the student-youth’s country. However, the receiving countries will be responsible for all domestic costs. We are suggesting that the youth-students stay with families.
- For exchanging countries to arrange dates and schedule and, in consultation with the international Communication Coordinators, agree and finalise these arrangements.
Should you have any questions or matters concerning the youth-student exchanges, please feel free to contact the international Communication Coordinators.