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IPPNW South Asia Conference
to be held
in Kathmandu
The
physicians,
healthcare students and the civil society leaders for peace and
democracy are
meeting in Kathmandu this April 27-30 on the occasion of South Asia regional conference. The Physician's
for social
Responsibility Nepal (PSRN) and International Physician's for the
Prevention of
Nuclear weapon (IPPNW) are jointly organizing the conference themed
"Working together for peace in South Asia".
A statement
published by
the PSR, Nepal (PSRN) states that the nuclear tests in South Asia have unleashed a resurgence of
nuclear insanity in the region
that also bears the history of various kinds of violent political
conflicts
with direct repercussion on health of its people. It further adds,
"Responding
to the nuclear challenge, over the years, People, civil society leader
and
politicians of India, Pakistan and region as a whole have worked to
raise
awareness about the disaster that nuclear arm race can bring and foster
understanding between the two nations. As a result in recent times we
have
witnessed a halt in the nuclear arm race and a fresh initiation for
confidence
building measures. However the growing intent in the use of nuclear
energy and
importation of nuclear reactors in India may pose substantial
threat
to the gains made so far."
PSRN, an
affiliate of
IPPNW, believes that the promotion of understanding of the destructive
effect
of weapons of mass destruction on human health, working for social
justice and
conflict management are the best guarantee for halting the nuclear
race,
abolishing the nuclear weapons, and preventing wars in general. Nepal
is most favorably situated for forgiving understanding in this tensed
region,
where medical and other professionals from different countries could
come and
interact. The proposed Regional Conference of IPPNW, jointly organized
by PSRN
and IPPNW is an expression of actualization of this role of physicians.
It is hoped
that
conference will provide an ideal forum for exchange of useful
information and
concepts, and for developing advocacy for peace, development and health
among
health professionals in South Asia Region. Danger of nuclear conflict
in the
region, small arms and mines, escalation of conflict between India and Pakistan, Conflict
management and
people's peace initiatives will be some of the topics that will be
covered in
the scientific sessions.
The
tentative program
consists of a pre-conference meeting on April 27 which is followed by
the
students' pre-meeting on 28th and the regional business meet and
scientific
program on 29th. The last day is reserved for sight-seeing for the
foreign
delegates while the PSR, Nepal
plans to hold its national conference on that day.
You
are welcome to help organize this or participate. If you need more
details,
please contact: Dr Mahesh Maskey, the regional vice-president of IPPNW
(mmaskey@healthnet.org.np) and Prakash Poudel, the Medical Student
Representative of PSR, Nepal
(iom_prakash@yahoo.com).
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