Greetings! This is an exciting time for the organization as we look forward to our 22nd International Conference and 75th Anniversary of Pan Pacific Southeast Asia Women’s Association. In less than two months, our delegation will be leaving for Singapore to participate and enjoy what surely is going to be a stimulating and inspiring conference, “Sharing a Culture of Peace.”
It has been awhile since our last meeting and I would like to bring you up-to-date on PPSEAWA activities. Our Fall Board meeting was hosted by our Minnesota chapter in October. After the morning meeting, we visited the Peace Garden in the courtyard of the United Cambodian Association building that houses the Cambodian Museum. The Peace Garden is a project of the Minnesota Chapter which is also raising money to purchase various Cambodian artifacts for the museum. The Board voted to make a donation of $300 to the Peace Garden project.
As a reminder of our commitment to Peace, the Board hopes that each chapter will take the opportunity to plan an activity on September 21st, in observance of the United National International Day of Peace. Individuals and organizations, working in concert, do make a difference and helps to unite us despite our diverse ways.
I am pleased to report, too, that we have agreed to endorse the Global Campaign for Peace Education, sponsored by the Hague Appeal for Peace. The Hague Appeal for Peace is an international organized network promoting peace education among schools, families, and communities to transform a culture of violence into a culture of peace. Reports and more detailed information on the Global Campaign for Peace Education and the UN International Day of Peace appear elsewhere in this newsletter.
Our spring board meeting will be held in Singapore during the conference. Our fall conference will be Friday, September 10, 2004 in New York. This would be an opportune time for members to attend the 57th Annual DPI/NGO conference scheduled for 8-10 September 2004 at UN Headquarters. Registration forms will be mailed in July to members who are interested in attending the DPI/NGO Conference. You will receive more information on this event as well as the annual meeting. Meanwhile, please save the date, SEPTEMBER 10, for our Annual Meeting in New York.
Total membership for our six chapters is 285. From the reports I’ve received, our chapters are thriving and doing great work. I certainly appreciate the cooperation of our chapter presidents in having their reports ready on a timely basis and sending in needed information when requested. Thank you.
Finally, it is with great sadness that I report the deaths of two of our longtime members, Li Ling Ai and Grace Iijima, both in their 90s. We will miss them very much.