chapter9

CHAPTER-IX

COOPERATION WITH REGIONAL NGOs IN SOUTH ASIA
A. SAARC Regional Apex Bodies
-SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI)SAARCLAW

B.SAARC RECOGNISED BODIES
-South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation of Architects(SAARCH)
-Association of Management Development Institutions (AMDISA)
-SAARC Federation of University Women (SAARCFUW)
-South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA)
-SAARC Association of Town Planners
-SAARC Cardiac Society
-Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians

COOPERATION WITH REGIONAL NGOs IN SOUTH ASIA

SAARC has emphasised the need for strengthening inter-governmental efforts with increased people-to- people contacts through greater participation of NGOs, including professional bodies in the private sector, to promote socio-economic and cultural development of South Asia. In appreciation of the contributions of the NGOs and professional bodies to the official SAARC process, SAARC has set in motion a process of granting recognition to such deserving bodies. These organisations fall under two categories: (a) SAARC Regional Apex Bodies, and (b) SAARC Recognised Bodies.

A. SAARC REGIONAL APEX BODIES

1. SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI)
The SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI) was granted the status of SAARC Regional Apex Body in December 1992. The SCCI brings together the national chambers of commerce and industry of the seven SAARC countries under one umbrella.

The SCCI has played a significant role in promoting the core area of economic and trade cooperation in the region. It was instrumental in bringing into fruition the SAARC Preferential Trading Arrangement (SAPTA).

SCCI has been very active in the promotion of trade and interaction of business community of the SAARC region. It organises the SAARC Economic Cooperation Conferences on a regular basis and so far has held two such conferences in New Delhi (November, 1996), and Islamabad (March, 1998). SCCI has also been organising SAARC Trade Fairs in Member Countries, the first of which was held in New Delhi in January 1996. The Second Fair was held in Colombo in 1998 and the next SAARC Trade Fair is expected to be held in Islamabad in 1999.

SCCI has established a permanent Secretariat, headed by a Secretary-General, located in Pakistan.

2. Saarc Law
SAARCLAW is an Association for persons of the legal communities of SAARC countries. It was established in 1991 and was accorded recognition as a SAARC Regional Apex Body in July 1994. It was established with the twin objectives of bringing together the legal Communities of the region for closer cooperation and developing law as a source of social change for development. SAARCLAW has been convening periodic conferences covering important areas of common interest to Member States.

These conferences focused on themes such as : law and development in the region; law as an instrument of social justice; law as an instrument of economic change; law and justice for the common people; and development through law; legal education; public interest litigation; money laundering; child abuse and violence against women and investment climate in the region.

Since 1995, a parallel meeting of the Chief Justices of the Member States has also been held to coincide with the SAARCLAW conference. SAARCLAW aims at, inter-alia, exchange of legal professionals, establishment of SAARCLAW libraries, and harmonisation of laws which offer mutual assistance within the judicial process.

The Secretariat of the SAARCLAW is located in Sri Lanka.

B. SAARC RECOGNISED BODIES

1. South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation of Architects (SAARCH)
The SAARCH was founded in 1991 in Colombo with the objective of assisting the development of national architectural bodies within the South Asian region so that it would provide opportunities for consultation on holding of conferences of architects to discuss professional matters and interchange ideas. SAARCH was granted SAARC Recognised Body status in May 1997. It has held several conferences in the region and also publishes a newsletter SAARCH . The SAARCH Secretariat is located in Sri Lanka.

2. Association of Management Development Institutions (AMDISA)
AMDISA was established in June 1988 for the promotion of management education and management development activities in South Asian region. It has brought under its umbrella the leading institutions, both public and private, involved in the teaching, training and research in management and development oriented fields. SAARC Recognised Body status was granted to AMDISA in May 1997 in recognition of its contribution to management and development education fields. AMDISA has held several fora on management development related topics. Its general office is located in India.

3. SAARC Federation of University Women (SAARCFUW)
SAARCFUW was established in July 1995 in Colombo with the objectives of, among other things, bringing together the university women of the region to promote understanding and cooperation and share responsibility in society for the social upliftment in the region. SAARCFUW was granted the status of SAARC recognised body in May 1997.

At present, it has national chapters in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It publishes a newsletter SAARCFUW. SAARCFUW Secretariat is currently located in Sri Lanka.

4.South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA)
SAFA was established in 1984 with the objective of developing a coordinated accountancy profession in the region .

Its membership is open to accountancy bodies in the South Asian region. At present the Institutes of Chartered Accountants and/or the Institutes of Cost and Management Accountants in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are the members of SAFA. SAFA was granted the status of SAARC Recognised Body in May 1997.

Its Secretariat is located at South Asian Federation and Accountants, Institute of Chartered Accountants of India.

5. SAARC Association of Town Planners
SAARC Association of Town Planners was granted SAARC recognition in August 1998. The main objective of the Association is to promote coordinated town planning in the region.

At present, its country chapters are in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Its headquarters is located in Colombo.

6. SAARC Cardiac Society
SAARC Cardiac Society was granted the status of SAARC recognised body in November 1998. The main objectives of the Society is to foster cooperation and exchange of information in the field of cardiovascular science including its research, training and rehabilitation programmes.

It has country chapters in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Its headquarters is located at Dhaka.

7. Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians
The Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians was formally launched in 1992 in Kathmandu. The Heads of State or Government at their Seventh SAARC Summit (Dhaka, April 1993) welcomed the initiative of the Speakers of Parliaments of SAARC countries in forming the Association.

The Association has so far held two conferences, in New Delhi (July 1995) and Islamabad (October 1997). The next Conference is scheduled to be held in Dhaka in 1999.