URI-GLOBAL COUNCIL MEETING-2014

URI-GLOBAL COUNCIL MEETING-2014

One more Global Council and staff meeting is over. We all met at Santa Clara University, California  from 20-30 June, 2014. It was special in so many ways-- the first GC without Charles Gibbs; the first meeting with Rev. Dr. Victor Kazanjian, the new Executive Director; first meeting of the newly elected GC; first batch of the GC members elected for four years and so on. The only staff member who has seen the initial days of URI and who is still at the SFO office is Sally Mahe.I often wondered how it would be without Chares! It is proved that Victor is the right choice. There is lot of enthusiasm and the vibrations are strong. Bishop Bill and the President's Council made it clear that the future of URI is bright. We could meet many of the embers of the President's Council during the special banquet and the dine out in their homes was exciting.

We had a wonderful discussion about how URI would be in 2020. Bishop and John Weiser were very attentive when we began to share our dreams:

                1. There will be about 10,000 CCs all over the world

                2. President William Swing will be addressing members in 250 countries through the URI TV channel prior to the Global Assembly in Bangladesh; Strong communication channels including URI radio will become a reality.

                3. URI ambassadors will be posted in every country capital to negotiate with nation heads

                4. Golden rule will have become a common word in every tongue

                5. Donor agencies will come in search of URI offices around the world to offer their contributions.

                6. Travelling Peace Academy and URI  Interfaith University will attract large number of takers

                7. URI units will be established in every school and college

                8. URI colouring books will be handed over to all beginners in schools

                9. The number of regional coordinators will be three times more

                10. UN will send representatives to the URI Board

                11. There will be a fund raising week and collection centres will be established in all continents.

                12. Global Indigenous conferences will become a regular feature

I could not capture every dream that was aired during that session, but these will give you a feel of the wave length of the dreamers from around the globe. Is not the future of URI bright?

The first URI Global International Indigenous Conference has already commenced here in San Francisco. So much more in the offing.

                           Dr. Abraham Karickom

                                   Prof. John Kurakar

URI SOUTH INDIA-SRI LANKA REGIONAL ASSEMBLY AT BANGALORE

URI SOUTH INDIA-SRI LANKA

REGIONAL ASSEMBLY AT BANGALORE

U.R.I South India- Sri Lanka Regional Assembly was held on   1^st and 2^nd April,2014 atDharmaram  College, Bangalore.  Daramaram College is an ecclesiastical institution of higher learning established by the Syrian Catholic congregation of the Carmelites of Mary Immaculate India, it is a pontifical athenaeum with degree-granting authority validated by the Vatican.Dharmaram Vidya Kshetram was established at Dharmaram College, the Central Study House of the CMI, an indigenous religious congregation founded in 1831. The Study House which was originally founded in 1918 at Chethipuzha, Kerala was moved to Bangalore in 1957. By December 8, 1965, it became affiliated to the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, which was later made into an autonomous Pontifical Athenaeum, under the direction of the Congregation for Catholic Education, Vatican, and is empowered to award academic degrees up to PhD in Philosophy and Theology, and Licentiate in Philosophy, Theology, Canon Law, and Formative Spirituality and Counselling.Counselling now has various specialist canters and affiliated institutes.The U.R.I South India Sri Lanka Regional Assembly was held at the beautiful  Dharmaram College, Bangalore.  The Theme of the  Asembly is “ Interfaith Harmony for Justice and Peace” The Leaders of the Assembly was Swami Chaturvedi, Koshi Mathew, Ravi Khandage (Sri Lanka) C.N.N Raju, Soumya Ayyar, Abraham Karickom and John Kurakar. The Inaugural Session of the Assembly started at 9.30 am on 1^st April,2014 Mr. C.N.N Raju welcomed the deligates from India  and Sri Lasnka. Dr. Abraham Karickom inaugurated the Regional Assembly. Swami Chaturvedi, Chairman, Ramanuja Mission Trust, India) gave the Key-note address. Koshy Mathew, Management Consultant, Bangalore spoke on the occasion. After the Lunch the Corporation Circles of U.R.I presented their annual reports. Mr. Kannankara, Sri Lanka was the moderator of the 2^nd session. After the Tea Break Video Presentation and group discussions was done. Cultural Programme presentation was at 5.30 P.M. 2^nd day Programme was began at 7.30 A.M.. The delegates visited Holy Places and Interfaith Centers.

                                                                   Prof. John Kurakar