Regional problems could be resolved through trust and awareness, conflict management and a process of peaceful coexistence with neighbouring countries through closer cultural links. Addressing the press prior to the conference, Ms Cour said, "The Foundation perceives that a greater degree of understand is needed to combat globalisation issues, nuclear threats, arms race, terrorism, threat to lives, religious intolerance, racial discrimination, women's rights and the rights of minorities and ethnic communities. The Foundation recognises that the written word is an important transportation tool of creativity and unity, as it does not recognise political boundaries." She extolled the literature of the region for its awareness of human suffering and for giving ear to suppressed voices, most importantly, of women and the marginalized sections of society.

Action Aid Pakistan, Pakistan Academy of Letters, Hawwa Associates and the Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature, New Delhi hosted the Lahore conference. The central theme of the conference was "Understanding and Synergy through Literature". The conference was held in the salubrious and aesthetically pleasing environs of the Lahore Arts Council. A list of the participants is at Annexure: 1.

The conference was inaugurated by the Minister of Education of the Federal Government of Pakistan, Begum Zobaida Jalal. In her inaugural address, the Minister reiterated Pakistan's firm commitment to the principles and objectives of SAARC and said that no stone would remain unturned to secure its goals. Referring to the outcome of the 12th SAARC Summit in Islamabad, she said that the most important achievement of the summit was the evolution of a future-oriented road map for member countries and the creation of an environment of hope in the region that would go a long way in promoting meaningful cooperation and economic development for all regions of SAARC. She concluded with the hope that the deliberations would give muscle to the efforts of civil society in the region.

Ms Ajeet Cour challenged the audience to "stand up and be counted" against the gross inequalities of the world. "Wars are only won by governments, People always lose them." Calling for unity in the region, she said, "We cannot help but converge and feel concerned with each other's problems and postures, because we share skies, we share waters, we share winds, we share monsoons and we share poverty".

Dr. Fozia Saeed, Country Director, Action Aid Pakistan called for changes in the sub region that would strive towards a South Asian identity, divorced from a religious one, where each country retains its uniqueness and respects the diversity of the others - a solidarity to stand up to chauvinism in all its manifestation.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Dr Mubashar Hassan (Pakistan) who said that the destiny of a nation was measured in the light of its potential to kill people and added that "nationalism is the root cause of all conflicts". Dr Javed Iqbal (Pakistan) said that the SAARC countries had different cultures, languages and thinking, but they had one thing in common - poverty. Mr. Ahmed Faraz (Pakistan) insisted that the language of the heart is best spoken in the native tongue and added that he had long stopped planting flowers on the banks of rivers, for "ere long the waves wash them away". Mr. Tashering Dorji (Bhutan) referring to our troubled times bore the hope - "the darker the night, the nearer the dawn". Mr. Tissa Abeysekara (Sri Lanka) said that he hailed from a deeply troubled country, adding "when culture is politicised, things begin to fall apart".

The inaugural session concluded with a brief but eloquent play on harmony by Mohammed Waseem and his young troupe of artists.