SECOND CONFERENCE – NEPAL, 2000
FOSWAL organised the four-day SAARC Writers Conference in Kathmandu from November 21-24,2000. The major ideas evolved during the Conference were intellectually profound and were developed through several rounds of discussions in which writers from different SAARC countries and Afghanistan exchanged views and experiences.1.Inaugral session at the SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu.
Excellency Mr. Nihal Rodrigo, the then Secretary General, SAARC Secretariat, organised and hosted the Inaugural Session at the SAARC Secretariat, with important guests and writers, including Ambassadors of SAARC countries. Excellency
Nihal Rodrigo hosted the Inaugural Session on November 21, 2001, with Ms. Ajeet Cour co- chairing the Literary Interaction. Ambassadors and political analysts of SAARC countries,and important writers and intellectual from the creative fraternity actively participated.
2. Interaction of Delegates with Writers, Poets, Translators, Media Persons, Creative Artists from Academy, Kathmandu.
.H.E. Mr. Nihal Rodrigo, then Secretary General SAARC Secretariat, with Ajeet Cour and Mr. Kamleshwar
This interaction, held on November 22, 2000, was chaired by Mr. Mohan Koirala, one of the most eminent Nepali poets, with an intense discussion about the need and importance of preservation and enrichment of national languages. Many writers, who perceived translation as the only means to achieve unity in diversity, stressed the need of good translated texts to bring people closer to each other.
Ajeet Cour with H.E. Mr. Nabeen Prakash Jung Shah and Dr. Tirtha Prasad Mishra at Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu
3. Discussion and Literary Interaction in Tribhuvan University with the participation of academicians, scholars and students.The discussion and literary interaction was based on the Seminar Theme—‘The Challenges of Literary Dialogue in South Asia’.The Seminar highlighted the challenges to creative writings and stated that creativity, which goes beyond political boundaries, should be encouraged by the Governments of South Asia.
The Foundation’s special achievement during this seminar was the Agreement by the University for launching of a Special Department of Comparative Literature of the SAARC countries in Tribhuvan University. The Department has been established and is functioning within the Tribhuvan University.
4. Interaction at the then