The Mission

The Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation (CDR) hopes to serve as an initiative that links the issues of dialogue with justice and equity and through this integral link, begins to serve as a catalyst for both internal and external peace and reconciliation in South Asia. Several groups already exist to assist the goal of South Asian concord, but given both the enormity and complexity of the task a body with such a perspective, that of justice, peace and reconciliation, may also play a useful role.

Gruelling poverty, politicised manipulation of religions, gender disparities and caste-based oppressions coupled with excessive militarisation -- that has today taken the form of potential nuclear anhilation -- have combined to give an edge to the conflicts within the region, severely warping and wounding the daily life of South Asia's nearly one and a half billion people. Economic advancement has been blocked; health, universal education and employment remain out of bounds for the vast majority of the people.

Elsewhere in the world, enmities and divisions have been overcome or encouragingly addressed -- conspicuously in Europe, and bravely in seemingly intractable situations in South Africa, the Middle East (with all contingent problems) and Northern Ireland. Nearer home, Southeast Asia has witnessed a successful process of regional cooperation.

Yet South Asia has remained locked in conflict. Considering the region's legacy of ancient wisdom, that thrived on dialogue and discourse among vastly differing points of view, present-day South Asia's failure in concord is both tragic and ironical, but discord's worst face is represented by the misery and hopelessness it perpetuates in our people.

The CDR as a fresh initiative in the region will be ready to serve either as a platform for those earnest about dialogue and reconciliation in the region, or as an instrument to foster dialogue among the region's influential players, or as a catalyst for peace and reconciliation. It will also be willing to support initiatives in the same direction by other groups, organisations or individuals.

Conflicts within a South Asian country, whether related to caste, religion, gender, language or other factors, and conflicts between South Asian countries will equally concern CDR. Any progress in reconciliation within a country is likely to help the regional atmosphere, and vice versa.

CDR is being set up in the belief that India and her neighbours can only gain from a culture of genuine dialogue and its corollary, a culture of listening to points of view differing from one's own. A culture of dialogue differs in several respects from a culture of debate. Debate can succeed in sharply identifying different points of view. With dialogue, a further process opens up, that of accepting injustices, seeking to put them right, thereafter reconciling differences and hopefully engendering lasting peace. South Asia is familiar with debate, maybe the time is right for calm, reasoned, informed and genuine dialogue. CDR will endeavour to foster and spread a desire for dialogue as well as skills in dialogue. The path to reconciliation is often toilsome and painful but CDR is driven by a belief in the fruits of such concord once reached and hence is prepared, whatever and however long it takes, to work for it.

How We get There ....

1. Lead and foster initiatives that genuinely create a need and understanding for honest social, political and economic dialogues
2. Assist and facilitate, wherever possible dialogues between violently torn or divided groups with a view to restoring trust
   
3. Promote a genuine respect for the right to dissent from dominant points of view and a respect for opposing points of view
   
4. Encourage and develop the skills of dialogue and listening
   
5. Organise events and meetings and publish and disseminate material to promote all the above objectives

The process of registering CDR as a not-for-profit Section 25 company is expected to be completed before the end of the 2000. Its founding members, whose different experiences include governance at senior levels and work in the areas of human rights, law, conflict resolution, motivational training and community networking, are.....

1. Mr Rajmohan Gandhi, New Delhi
   Author, commentator and former Member of the Rajya Sabha.
2. Mr B. G. Deshmukh, Mumbai
   Director, Tatas, and former Cabinet Secretary, Government of India.
3. Ms Sushobha Barve, Mumbai
   Associated with initiatives for reconciliation in Mumbai and elsewhere.
4. Mr Amit S. Chadha, New Delhi
   Lawyer, High Court and Supreme Court.
5. Dr Syeda Hameed, New Delhi
   Author, associated with initiatives for South Asian understanding and former Member. National Women's Commission
6. Mr Niketu Iralu, Shillong
   Associated with initiatives for rehabilitation and reconciliation in the Northeast.
7. Ms Teesta Setalvad, Mumbai
   Editor, Communalism Combat, Mumbai
8. Mr Hemen Varma, Mumbai
   Management and Training Consultant

In its activities, CDR seeks and welcomes the association and participation of every concerned citizen of India and resident of South Asia, and also of other groups and bodies interested in amity in South Asia. The CDR director, Sushobha Barve, and other founding members would be glad to answer any queries, which can be addressed to...

Centre for Dialogue and Reconciliation
10, Worli Sea Face, Mumbai 400 018.
Tel: (022) 492 9858, Fax 91-22-4931642
e-mail: sushobha@vsnl.com

J-1346 Palam Vihar,
Dist. Gurgaon, Haryana 122 017.
e-mail: rugandhi@satyam.net.in

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