The foundation of SAARC writers and literature brings eminent policy makers, intellectuals and litterateurs from all countries of south Asia to the capital of India, new Delhi. 

 This fourteenth SAARC writers conference is being organized by the  foundation of SAARC writers and literature – a SAARC recognised body – the only unique cultural initiative in the SAARC region.

 The foundation has successfully convened thirteen SAARC writers conference in all countries of south Asia.

This conference is unique because it will be the prelude and precursor to a major Afro-Asian writers conference to be held in early 2006.

The conference is being inaugurated by the hon’ble minister for external affairs , Mr. Natwar Singh.

Dr. Jaipal Reddy, minister of culture and tourism, GOI, will be the chief guest.

Former prime minister Mr. V. P. Singh, the chief advisor of the academy, will be the guest of honour.

Eminent writers and scholars, diplomats and opinion makers, artists and intellectuals, academicians and media persons, performing and visual artists, folklorists and historians of the unique civilization of the region, theatre artists and cultural activities, peace and gender activists, film makers and the creative-intellectual fraternity from all the seven SAARC countries will participate in this conference.

Ambassadors and representatives of the embassies of the countries of south Asia will participate.

This conference has been envisioned with the specific objective to provide recommendations for cultural exchanges in south Asia and will be tabled during the SAARC summit to be held in Dhaka in November 2005.

The overarching vision of the foundation and its national centres in each of the SAARC countries is that the problems in the SAARC region can be resolved only through creation of trust and understanding of cultural linkages.

The foundation is convinced that it is the civil society that must take lead in advocating and lobbying for peace in the region. And the importance of language, written and oral, as a primary vehicle of creativity which can create bonds beyond political boundaries, must be recognized and encouraged.

The Conference seeks to focus on the growing concerns about the importance of cultural connectivity in South Asia for understanding and respecting the neighbours and their culture, which is so very essential for peace and tranquility in the region. 

The Conference intends to promote Multi-Sectoral engagement to increase awareness and pave the way for tangible outcomes that are sustainable because they evolve from a common understanding of each other’s cultural ethos in the seven SAARC Countries, which has a common civilization link.

The Conference will provide specific recommendations for cultural exchanges among the seven SAARC neighbours for the SAARC Summit being held in Dhaka in November 2005.  

The dialogue to be initiated through the Fourteenth SAARC Writers Conference, has at its core the Foundation’s concerns for the fundamental mission of promotion of peace, understanding, intellectual solidarity and human unity among the people of South Asia. This dialogue aims at learning to know values, culture and heritage of others so that there is constant openness and respect for diversity. Human rights have to be promoted all over the region, and cultural bonding needs to be promoted for strengthening dimensions of regional polices. 

Through these exchanges of creative ideas and luminously objective vision, writers’ effort can help the people of their respective countries  transcend petty divisive conflicts and suspicions in favour of a larger regional pride and strength, of  healthy exchange of views and mutual regard for differences.

The Foundation’s aim is to evolve a SOUTH ASIAN CULTURAL IDENTITY which transcends religious beliefs, considerations of regional and ethical short-sightedness, and evolving a broader vision which know that we can never divide Sheikh Farid, Nanak, Nizamuddin Aulia, Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti, Data Sahib Hajweri, Kabir, Khwaja Bakhtiar Kaki, Amir Khusro, Ghalib, Iqbal, Rabidranath Tagore, Faiz Ahmad Faiz, Ismat Chugtai, Shamsur Rehman, and others who all belong to our common cultural heritage which forms, moulds and chisels our cultural sensitivity. Nobody can divide our folk tales and folk songs which have the same simplicity, same depth and same spirit.


Conference Objectives

• Increase mutual understanding, tolerance and respect for cultural diversity.
  
  

• Contribute to and promote the pursuit of a peaceful and harmonious society through understanding the depth and vastness of our cultural heritage.
  
  

• Facilitate access to cultural resources and strengthen regional  cultural networks, and 
  
  

• Develop and strengthen international contributions to the discourse on cultural dimensions in South Asia.