“ It was a great educative experience to be in the Conference. I was amazed at the creative force coming from various directions. Very impressive. ” — Ela R. Bhatt, SEWA

“ That was without doubt the best, and most satisfying, conference I have ever been to.

“ I asked myself afterwards why it had been so good, and it seemed to me that the success was not just in the theme (such a rich and varied one) but very much in the planning and the selection of people and activities; and it generated real warmth between people. It certainly gave me a few ideas about how to improve what are so often ritualistic and formal affairs, especially academic conferences where everyone is showing off.

“ I think the most special features for me were: the diversity of people from many countries, working in such different ways for the same broad cause; the involvement of young people — which was real and not token, and crucial for the future success of this movement; the pleasing mix of global/national with local/community issues; the quite tangible sense of the spiritual and non-material issues and how to give them proper place, because they are usually only given token recognition; the marvellous social and celebratory events, musical, theatrical, film (I'm only sorry I had to miss so much: I vowed at the start I would forgo the films because I could see most of them back in Australia, but they were all the kinds of films you have to see).

“ For me, there were some really productive, and I hope, lasting friendships, networks and outcomes. ”
— Professor Michael Salvaris of Victoria University, Australia