The Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature organised the Seventh SAARC Writers and Translators Conference at Kathmandu (Nepal) in collaboration with Tribhuvan University and Royal Nepal Academy from 21-23 August, 2003. Incidentally (and significantly too) this is the third time a SAARC Conference was held in the idyllic, mountainous region of Nepal and the outcome of the conference fully justified the faith that SAARC writers have in the historical and cultural traditions of Nepal and the creativity and hospitality of the Nepali writers community writing in different Nepali languages.

SESSIONS

The Inaugural Session was held in the Memorial Hall of Tribhuvan University which was packed with prominent writers, scholars, young writers, mediamen, and literary cognoscenti from Nepal besides the visiting SAARC delegate-writers. Mr. Q.A.M.A. Rahim, Secretary General of SAARC Secretariat, was the Chief Guest.
In her welcome address, Ms Ajeet Cour, Chairperson and the spirit behind FOSWAL, said that the writer must speak out against whatever was wrong and whatever caused suffering to the humanity. “ We should light a little lamp of human solidarity and fight against the darkness that is trying to engulf our world. It is a question of human survival with dignity and the SAARC writers have to play their positive role effectively, “ she said.