The Ashram’s partnership with the World Conference and Peace spans for over two decades. Dr. Kezevino Aram continues to serve on the Executive Committee of WCRP/Int. She has actively participated in the governance and programming initiatives launched by WCRP, world-wide. This year, the Ashram also helped in organizing WCRP activities at the South Asia level, particularly for the Regional Summit on HIV/AIDS.

As preparatory work was under way to rebuild WCRP/India, the Ashram lent its resources, physical, human and financial, to contribute to this important mission. Ashram’s representatives also participated at the two national meetings held in New Delhi and Bangalore. The communication section of Shanti Ashram also helped in the launch of the web page for the Women’s Section of WCRP/India.

It is of great joy that Shanti Ashram also has WCRP as one of its partners in the country-wide project, Prathiba – Engaging Women of Faith in HIV/AIDS……

Since the visit of Madam Chaira Lubich to India in January 2001, successive Round Tables have brought together members of the Focolare Movement and the Sarvodaya Gandhian Movement, to discuss issues and themes of common concern.

1. The 6th Sarvodaya Focolare Round Table was held on 23rd July – 2005. The theme of the Roundtable was ‘Trusteeship: Building an Economy of Sharing’. Dr. S.R. Subramanian, Program Coordinator, welcomed the gathering. Mrs. Minoti Aram, President, Shanti Ashram, in her opening remarks spoke about the relevance of revisiting our paradigms of economic development. She also said the opportunity of thinking together through the roundtables were valuable. Dr. M. P. Guruswamy, Director, Kumarappa Research Institution delivered the special address on “Trusteeship in Modern Contest – Economy of Sharing the 21st Century”. He outlined Gandhian philosophy on Trusteeship. This was followed by a presentation on the economy of sharing from the Focolare Movement.

2. The Seventh Focolare Round Table was held in February 2006 at Shanti Ashram. The theme for this Round Table was Suffering, Love and Unity. Dr. M.R.P. Guruswamy, Trustee, Shanti Ashram presented the Gandhian – Indian Perspective on Sufferings, Love and Unity. Ms. Maria Pracchia from the Focolare Movement Mumbai discussed the Focolare Perspective on the same topic. A collective sharing by the participants on the theme was the highlight of the program. Further, time was also spent to plan the theme and scope for future Round Tables.

3. Art Akilam
A creative addition to the on-going Sarvodaya Focolare Round Table was the meeting of artists. This event was called Art Akilam and the theme chosen by the participating artists was The Child in Every Person. In the coming together of the artists, a new dimension was added in the form of colours, sounds, rhythm, art, and photographs. The artists later, presented their work at a public meeting where Shri Krishnaraj Vanavarayar was the Chief Guest. He addressed the gathering on the theme, Art as a medium of contribution for human development.

4. Youth Exchange: Three batches of young people from Shanti Ashram and the Focolare Movement, participated in the Youth Exchange Program. Two were held at Shanti Ashram and one in Mumbai.

Global Network of Religious Organizations for Children :                                                      ^top

Shanti Ashram has been a Member Organization of GNRC since 2000. Dr. Kezevino Aram has contributed to the preparation of the Interfaith Ethics Education Module and also served as a Resource Person at the International Workshops held in November 2005, in Sweden and March 2006, in Brazil. The Ashram will have the honour to host the South Asia Workshop for Ethics Education for children in August 2006.

South Asia Inter religious Council :                                                                                                      ^top

Shanti Ashram has been a member participant of the South Asia Inter-religious Council since 2004. Membership for SAIRC is drawn from all the South Asian countries. Besides collaborating on joint projects, seminars and discussions, it was also our honour to participate in the first Study Tour of South Africa, organized in March 2006, co-organized with UNICEF.

Marjorie Sykes Memorial Trust :                                                                                                           ^top

Since the holding of the Marjorie Sykes Centenary Lecture at Shanti Ashram in February 2005, the activities of the Trust have been supported by us. Besides Secretarial and administrative assistance, the Ashram also helped in organizing in the annual programs of the Marjorie Sykes Memorial Trust.

Ashram Day :

Shanti Ashram Day was celebrated on 9th August 2005. This in-house meeting of the Ashram members was marked by community prayer, reflections, fellowship and celebrations. It helped provide space for the members to take stock of the work accomplished during the year and suggest ways to strengthen the work of the Ashram.

Founder’s Day :

The Eighth anniversary of our Founder President, Dr. M. Aram, was held on 24th May 2005. The program commenced with an interfaith prayer. All the Ashram members took part in this interfaith prayer. Aram Anna, as he was fondly called, was remembered though personal sharing by Dr. S. R. Subramanian, Thiru S. Panneerselvam and Thiru Ranganathan. Mrs. Minoti Aram, President, Shanti Ashram, spoke at the end, recalling the fond memories of Aram Anna.