The last workshop of the Alliance for a Responsible and United World (Asia) that was held in Bangalore (India) in December 1997 was an attempt to focus on a few themes related to Globalisation and efforts to make a critique and propose alternative scenarios (See Caravan, September 1998).

The Bangalore meeting also discussed the nature and role of the Alliance. There was general agreement that the Alliance was a significant process of networking, of solidarity and exchange of perspectives. It was felt that the Alliance should organize a series of meetings in the region to facilitate the sharing of ideas and experiences and work concretely towards clarifying the objectives of the programme for the year 2000.

Keeping these objectives in mind, Julio Xavier Labayen (Bishop-prelate of Infanta, Philippines) and Siddhartha (Pipal Tree, India), two founding members of Asian Rainbow - an initiative that aims to explore the role of the spirit in social transformation, convened a workshop of Alliance partners from Asia and Pacific in Tagaytay (Philippines) between 28th and 31st of October 1998. In anticipation of the publication of the report of the meeting, we are reproducing here the presentation made by Bishop Labayen to introduce this workshop on " Interwovenness and Sustainable Societies ". [A full report of both the Bangalore and Tagaytay meetings can be requested from PIPAL TREE, 188, 5th B cross, Domlur Layout, Domlur, Bangalore - 560071, India; or E-mail to: pipaltre@blr.vsnl.net.in]

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