URI-NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

MINUTES OF THE AEC MEETING HELD ON 22 NOVEMBER, 2015

A meeting of the Asia Executive Council of URI was held at 6 P.M on Sunday, 22nd November, 2015 at the Ecumenical Christian Centre, Bangalore, India. Secretary General Dr. Jin Wol Lee was on the chair. The meeting commenced with prayer by Ven. Jinwol Lee. The following members were present:

1. Ven. Dr. Jinwol Lee

2. Prof. Dr. Kazi Nurul Islam

3. Biswadeb Chakraborty

4. Ravi Kandage

5. Mrs. Qutub Jahan Kidwai

6. Swami Vrajapathi Das

7. Swamini Adityanadaji

8. Sadanand Biswas

9. Prof. John Kurakkar

10. Prof. Dr. Abraham Karickam

Apology for absence:

Fr. James Channan ,Pakistan

Executive Secretary reported that the necessary quorum for a meeting is 50% and all members except Fr. James Channan were present. Quorum was almost 90%. Chairman declared that the meeting was in order.Secretary welcomed all the members. In his presidential remarks, Dr. Jinwol thanked all the members for the excellent support that he received in the past and hoped to have a very fruitful time ahead. He praised all members for their commitment and sacrifice for the cause of URI.

Chair asked the Executive Secretary to read the bye-law for the knowledge of all the members and the agenda was also approved. After that Ven. Jinwol donated 500 dollars towards the conduct of the Asia Assembly and it was received by the Secretary.Minutes of the previous meetings sheld at New Delhi ( available members), Pakistan(available members)  and Double Tree Hotel San Francisco were read and passed.

Resolutions:

1. It was resolved to have an Asia Assembly from 23 to 26  November, 2016  in Dhaka, Bangladesh with around 150 participants. Opportunities will be given for regional meetings during the Asia Assembly and hence, there will not be a National Assembly in India in 2016. A coordination committee was selected for the Asia Assembly with Dr. Kazi Nurul Islam as Chairman, Biswadeb Chakraborty as Convener and Mrs. Azizuman Mahar Kazi and Dr. Saifudeen as members.2. Resolved to extend support to the TPA/IPRI Peace Building Institute scheduled to be held in Kerala during September, 2016.

3. It was decided to have a URI Asia face book page           and also to update URI Asia web page.

4. Authorised the secretary to explore possibility of an International Youth Camp to be held at Bangalore at a convenient date.

5. Resolved to appoint Dr. Kazi Nurul Islam as the Chairman of URI, Bangladesh so as to facilitate proper conduct of the URI Asia Assembly.

Election of Office Bearers for next three years:

There was a detailed discussion of all possibilities regarding new office bearers and it was resolved to consider only members who are present and voting.

Then Swami Vrajapati Das moved a resolution to have a post of a Secretary General  Emeritus and the motion was seconded by Ravi Kandage. After detailed deliberations, the motion was accepted unanimously. Then the following office bearers were elected unanimously for the next three years:

1. Secretary General Emeritus -- Ven. Dr. Jinwol Lee (Korea)

2. Secretary General -- Dr. Abraham Karickam

3. Executive Secretary -- Biswadeb Chakraborty

4. Deputy Secretary Generals -- Ravi Kandage (Sri Lanka ) and Qutub Jehan Kidwai

5. Treasurer -- Sadanand Biswas

Funding for URI AEC

It was resolved to look for possibilities of funding for the Asia Assembly and to request Global office for a token budget for AEC functioning. Originally there was a proposal for an yearly grant of 10,000 dollars and we have not received any assistance so far.

Handing Over the Funds:

Secretary handed over the 500 dollars donated by Ven. Jinwol Lee to the newly elected Treasurer Mr. Sdanand Biswas.

Swamini Adityanandaji thanked all the members for their exemplary unity and commitment. The meeting concluded with prayer by Swamini Adityanandaji.

Dr. Abraham Karickam