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Letter from The
SEACSN Regional Coordinator
As the year 2002 draws to a close, I should like to take
the opportunity to reflect upon a busy year for the SEACSN.
Firstly, I should like once again to acknowledge our
gratitude to the Swedish International Development and
Co-operation Agency (Sida) through its Department of
Research Co-operation (SEREC) for enabling the SEACSN
to be established.
Secondly, we can be proud of our achievements:
- Two Regional workshops – in Malaysia and
Vietnam, have been held, permitting the exchange
of ideas and allowing the opportunity to meet and
hear from academicians in the field of peace and
conflict resolution – who are based within
Southeast Asia.
- National Workshops have been held in Cambodia,
Indonesia, Lao P.D.R., Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand
and Vietnam.
- The Conflict Mapping Project for Southeast Asia
has been drafted. Initial training workshops were
held in February and August. The data collection
for this project is due to commence in 2003.
- “Bridge Builders”, a book project organised
by SEACSN has been commenced.
- The Network Directory for each member country is
due for completion by early 2003. This will provide
an invaluable resource in the future.
- The “Research and Exchange Programme” for
young academic researchers to spend a short term
placement within another member country has become
established with 10 researchers being awarded scholarships.
- A range of publications has been produced including ‘Workshop
Proceedings’, ‘Academic papers from the
Workshops’, The Bulletin, National Newsletters,
Peace and Conflict Research Report series.
Despite these achievements, we must not become complacent;
2003 must be a year in which we build upon and consolidate
our achievements.
I leave you with a quote to reflect on:
“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that defenses
of peace must be constructed” Constitution of UNESCO, 1948.
May I wish you all a very peaceful and happy 2003!
"ZAM"
Kamarulzaman Askandar
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