WEL COME TO SERVAS PAKISTAN

Are you: Friendly? Curious? Open-Minded?

Would you like to visit foreign countries and take part in everyday life?

Would you like people from other countries to join in your daily life for a short time?

Do you try to overcome your prejudices to communicate with others?

Do you believe that peace is possible if everyone truly wants it?

Then, SERVAS is for you. 14,000 families and individuals in over 130 countries on 6 continents will welcome you in their homes.What is SERVAS ?SERVAS is ... an international, non-governmental organization.

... Based on understanding, tolerance and world peace.

... An organization of hosts and travelers.

... Based on volunteer work.

... Founded in 1949.

... Non-profit.

... Divided into nine areas around the world. Each area has its own coordinator.

" Our object should be peace within & peace without, we want to live peacefully & will

gladly make our full contribution to the peace & prosperity of the world "

QUAID-E-AZAM MUHAMMAD ALI JINNAH

Editor’s FolderBeing the first editor, I congratulate all of my Servas members on the first issue of Servas Pakistan Newsletter. I think it is an effort in the field of Journalism. Most people in this world don't even have the real freedom that we are enjoying here in the Pakistan. The world is facing many serious problems like overcrowding, starvation, disease, poverty, illiteracy and terrorism. We can solve these by our efforts on the platform of Servas.

I would like to welcome you to send your articles / essays / poetry and other types of written material related to these topics like peace, hospitality, tourism, culture, disaster management, environment, research, poverty alleviation, governance, education, rural development, human rights, health, advocacy, children, child labour, child rights, women rights, youth rights, Drug Abuse, Communication & Media, information technology and infrastructure development.

Servas members from all over the world are invited to send their views, suggestions and also articles. I hope you will contribute with me.

Yours in ServasChief Editor: Faisal Naveed Toor

SERVASSERVAS PAKISTANPAKISTAN

FOR MEMBERS OCTOBER - DECEMBER N E W S L E T T E R

http://pages.intnet.mu/servas/pakistan.html

http://pages.intnet.mu/servas/Pakistan.html

pakistan@servas.org Vol. 01

“Peace comes when noise goes out of your life and mind.”

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ContentsPage 2 – Message of NS PakistanPages 3, 9 – Events of Servas PakistanPages 9, 10 –Messages of ExcoPages 10, 12 – Letters from TravelersPages 13, 16 – Coming Events of Servas InternationalPages 16, 19 – Servas International Conference 2001Pages 19, 21 – Servas Committees / Peace ArticlesPage 21, 23 – The Peace problem /The LogisticationPage 24 – Servas Song

Servas Pakistan National CabinetNational Secretary: Mr. Muhammad NaseemDeputy Secretary: Mr. Muhammad Arshad KhanHost List Officer: Ms. Munazza NaseemInformation Secretary: Mr. M. Waheed ButtNews Bureau Incharge: Ms. Humaira F. QureshiChief Editor Servas Pakistan Newsletter:Mr. Faisal Naveed Toor

Regional CoordinatorsCoordinator for Punjab: Mr. Waseem ShahzadCoordinator for NWFP: Mr. Aman ullah KhanCoordinator for Sindh: Mr. Sohail Akhtar SyedCoordinator for FATA: Mr. Hameed Hassan

International Executive Committee (Exco)President: Roger Martin, NorwayVice President: Bibendra Pradhananga, NepalSecretary: Frits Stuurman, NetherlandsTreasurer: Gyongyver Kudor, HungaryHost List Coordinator: Laura Ragucci, Argentina

Message of National Secretary

Higher education is very essential for future progress and development of any society. It contributes towards the training of professionals as well as good citizens.

It is a great pleasure for us about this Newsletter. On the bases of my experience which I have gained from Servas International Conference in Thailand and with the meeting of Exco and the National Secretaries. We have decided to publish the Servas Pakistan newsletter. With the help of this Newsletter, we can display our projects to our members in a good way. We want to display that what the events of Servas are running in other countries. And it is very encourage able for all our members & Servas families abroad to write articles on different burning issues. It is very progressive step in Servas. Mr. Faisal Naveed Toor had joined SERVAS Pakistan in December 2001. He provided me some material for Servas Travel Guide of Pakistan and then I realized that he is an able devoted and volunteer member of our organization. Once he displayed a suggestion before me about the Servas Pakistan Newsletter, and I agreed with his suggestion. Now, as the editor of the Newsletter, he has composed, edited and arranged all material for Servas Pakistan Newsletter.As the National Secretary of Servas Pakistan, I congratulate all of my Servas team on the first issue of Servas Pakistan Newsletter. I am confident that Servas Pakistan will continue to excel in the field of volunteer work and higher peace building projects to meet the challenges of the 21st

century. We need your suggestions about this first edition of Servas Pakistan Newsletter.

In Peace & Love,Muhammad NaseemNational Secretary,SERVAS Pakistan

"At the approach of danger there are always two voices that speak with equal force in the heart of man: one very reasonably tells the

man to consider the nature of the danger and the means of avoiding it; the other even more

reasonable says that it is too painful and harassing to think of the danger, since it is not a man's power to provide for everything

and escape from the general march of events'; and that it is therefore better to turn

aside from the painful subject till it has come, and to think of what is pleasant. In solitude a

man generally yields to the first voice; in society to the second."Leo Tolstoy War & Peace

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Events of Servas PAKISTAN (1999-2000-2001)

Avari Hotel Lahore (10-10-1999)National Secretary is presenting Golden Jubilee Shield to chief guest Mr. Zia Haider Rizvi

On the event of 50th Anniversary celebration of SERVAS International and 4th Regional Meeting of SERVAS Pakistan at

Avari Hotel Lahore

Golden Jubilee of Servas International

FDC of Golden Jubilee with Special Post Mark issued on 10-10-99(1949 – 1999)

51st Anniversary report of Servas Pakistan

Members of Servas Pakistan met at Café-999, Lahore on 10-10-2000 to celebrate the 51st Anniversary of Servas International, and it was presided by the National Secretary of Servas Pakistan Mr. Muhammad Naseem.

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Café 999 Lahore (10-10-2000)A German Servas member Ms. Silke is presenting shield to chief guest Mrs. Zile Huma

The chief guest was Mrs.Zile Huma, Principal Lahore Model School, Lahore; she highlighted the prospects of education and tourism in Pakistan and gave valuable proposals for the promotion of education and tourism in the country, she also congratulate to all the Servas members on the occasion of 51st Anniversary of Servas International.

This meeting was held as Servas International Anniversary day and to review the activities of last meeting.

Pakistan travel guide/host list edition 2001 distributed among the members and special memento was given to the chief guest on behalf of Servas Pakistan.

All members actively participated and proposed suggestions to uplift the activities of Servas Pakistan.

A German Servas couple Mr.Martin Schillinger and Mrs.Silke Flieger also attended the meeting and highlighted their Servas experiences in Pakistan.

1st Report of Year 2000Our first meeting of year 2000 was held at Hotel Avari, Lahore on 27th Feb 2000, attendance of the members were 90% whereas some new faces were also seen. Programme was started with recitation of Holy Quran followed by National Anthem of Pakistan. Programme coordinator congratulate the new elected members, welcomed the participants and chief guest.

One of the member briefly introduced Servas International and its activities worldwide. Some members also gave their valuable proposals for the promotion of Servas in Pakistan. Most of them emphasized on office of the Servas in Lahore to improve person-to-person contacts, one announcement from one of the Servas members who offered 50% discount on computer courses for Servas members only.

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The programme coordinator noted all suggestions and proposals. National Secretary Mr. Muhammad Naseem made a speech in which he highlighted the activities of Servas Pakistan including success story of our two projects of 1999 which were medical aid to orphanage houses, free medical dispensaries, free glasses to the deserving patients and marriage fund for a poor girl. National Secretary also briefed the members about his trip to Bangladesh for attending the Second South West Asia Conference at Dhaka,

"There never was a good war or a bad peace." --Benjamin Franklin

which was held in Dec 1999. In the end National Secretary thanked all of those who helped in this regards. He also proposed to extend membership and its activities for the peace of the world.

National Secretary is presenting shield to chief guest Mr. Naseem Labar

At this occasion director of Tourism Services (Ministry of Tourism & Information) Mr. Naseem Labar was invited as chief guest who thanked Servas Pakistan and highlighted the activities of his department for the promotion of tourism in Pakistan. The National Secretary presented Servas memento to the chief guest.

At the end, following announcements were made.

Nomination of peace mission to India.

Language classes, which are scheduled to start on 25th March 2000 at Paragon.

Computer College Lahore.

Advertisement request for travel guide/host list.

Agreed for office premises for Servas.

One-day trip to Harrapa on 8th April on the invitation of Ch. Abdul Hadi.

Announcement of Servas Award for the project to make visible activities of Servas Pakistan.

At the end tea was served with formal discussion and fellowship among the members.

REPORT OF 2nd SERVAS PAKISTAN MEETING –2000Second meeting of Servas Pakistan year 2000 was held on 14th May, 2000 at the beautiful hall of Ambassador Hotel, Lahore presided by the National Secretary Mr. Muhammad Naseem. The keynote speaker was Syed Zulfiqar Hussain who is consultant of anti narcotics campaign against drug abuse prevention program and Chief coordinator of Youth Council for Ant narcotics.Program was started with the recitation of Holy Quran and National Anthem of Pakistan, after that National Secretary Mr. Muhammad Naseem presented the report of Servas Pakistan and Deputy Secretary introduced Servas International and its activities worldwide.

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Our Chief Guest was Mr.Humayun Fareed (Honorary Consulate of Bangladesh at Lahore) but due to an emergency meeting he left to Bangladesh Embassy at Islamabad & unable to attend our meeting. Our guest speaker Syed Zulfiqar Hussain highlighted on the latest situation on drug abuse in Pakistan and its

prevention program with different Government Organizations and NGOs. He gave statistics showing drop of cultivation of poppy crops from 265 mt to 16 mt from 1975 to 1998, which will be eliminated within two years more, and it was a healthy sign for this nation. He visited himself with his team in the different poppy cultivated areas of NWFP province with the help of Narcotics affairs Section of USA Embassy are astonish to see the development with the help of UNDP. In this regard he has arranged many training seminars and public awareness program against drug abuse, treatment & rehabilitation program with the help of Pakistan Narcotics Control Board. On the whole it was an excellent awareness program for Servas friends.

Previously we had announced an award for making & launching extraordinary web site for Servas Pakistan, which was unanimously presented to Mr. Joseph Rey of Servas Mauritius for his kind services regarding Servas Pakistan.

Other award was announced & presented to Mr. Daniele Pasalacqua of Servas Italy for launching Urdu Servas introduction page on website. We again thankful for their services, Mr. Saleem Akhtar said vote of thanks for our guest speaker and Servas momento were presented to our Chief guest & guest speaker.

At the end following announcements were made:

Request to all the Servas friends to join language classes.

Asked to deposit Rs.50.00 for Servas Identification Card.

An essay competition among the school students about "PEACE IN THE REGION".

Finalization of travel guide / Host list which will be delivered in June.

Hotel Holiday Inn, Lahore (10-10-2001)

Group Photo of Servas Members with Chief Guest Mr. M. Abdullah Shahid

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52nd Anniversary Celebrations - Servas PakistanMembers of Servas Pakistan met at Hotel Holiday Inn, Lahore to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of Servas International.

“Peace comes through an attitude of detachment you cultivate towards the things and events in your life. The more detached you are the easier it is to

establish in your mind and in your life”.

More than 35 members attended the meeting from all over Pakistan. Foreign delegates from Korea and Japan was also supposed to attend the meeting but they changed their programme due to the current war situation in the region.

Meeting was started with recitation of verses from Holy Quran. All the participants sang national anthem and Servas Song.

Chief Guest of the meeting was Malik Muhammad Abdullah Shahid (Deputy Secretary Admin) Labour & Manpower Department, Lahore (Punjab)

Mr.Tariq Ilyas, Managing Director, Shariah Computer College, and Ms.Humaira F.Qureshi, Incharge News Bureau of Servas Pakistan addressed to the meeting regarding peace and war between Afghanistan and USA. They said we should have to do work only for the peace.

Mr.Muhammad Naseem, National Secretary of Servas Pakistan also addressed to the members regarding Servas activities around the world and within Pakistan. He said with the quotation of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah: “Our object should be peace within and peace without we want to live peacefully and will gladly make our full contribution to the peace and prosperity of the world”. National Secretary also briefed the members about his trip to Thailand for attending the SI conference conference & Servas experiences with foreign Servas delegates & members at Sida Resort near Bangkok, which was held in July, 2001.He also talked about the war between Afghanistan and USA. He said that war is not a solution of a problem or terrorism we need the peace in the world and we have to work hard to get this noble objective. At the end he thanked to all members and visitors who attended the meeting.

The honorable Chief guest Malik Muhammad Abdullah Shahid addressed the meeting and stressed the need of peace for humanity. He also said that we have to help those peoples who help the others, like

Servas. At the end National Secretary presented a shield to Honorable Chief Guest on behalf of Servas Pakistan.

Chief Guest presented first two shields to our foreign delegates (who did not attended the meeting due to the over mentioned reason)

Mr. Eum Jae Ryang National Secretary of Korea.

Mrs. Huh Kab Won of Servas Korea.

The Chief Guest presented some other shields to the following members on behalf of Servas Pakistan.

Muhammad Arshad Khan: Deputy Secretary

Muhammad Waheed Butt: Secretary Information

Munazza Naseem: Host List Officer

Ch. Abdul Hadi: Regional coordinator (Punjab)

Sohail Akhtar: Regional Coordinator (Sindh)

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Two shields were also presented as complimentary to:

Mr.Tariq Ilyas Managing Director (Shariah Computer College) who prepared the title of the Host list of Servas Pakistan 2002.

Mr.Nadeem Ahmad who composed the Host List of Servas Pakistan for 2002.

At the end of meeting an Anniversary Cake with Hi-tea offered to the participants.

A relief fund had launched by Servas Pakistan to help the refugees & war victims of Afghanistan, Servas Pakistan request the Servas family all over the world to donate warm cloths, medicine, food stuff, blankets & tents or cash amount to help the innocent Afghani citizen.

Report by Miss Humaira F. Qureshi (Servas Pakistan News Bureau Lahore)

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Messages of EXCO and other members of Servas International about the first volume of Servas Pakistan Newsletter

Message of President

SERVASMs.Munazza Naseem

Life is a mysterious mixture of pain and pleasure, and in this fast far word period where every body is looking for its own interest & working on personal motive & trying to fulfill their own gratifications.

"Servas" is here as a sign of satisfaction, where some noble & peace loving people are busy to flourish the smell of beautiful flowers of love, friendship & peace along with traveling.

I really appreciate them to devote their precious life & time for a unique mission with zeal. Their volunteer & devoting efforts make the "Servas" significant which has its own marvelous attitude & now it is recognized by its own versatility in the world, according to Gertrude "A rose is a rose is a rose".

I salute its members who are working for its prosperity & are promoting a message of peace & friendship through traveling in a different & excellent style.

May God keep, in the hearts of its members the light of its sacred mission that is nothing except love, humanity & peace, which should be the motto of all the people living in this beautiful world.

The South West Asia Regional Conference, Dhaka, Bangladesh 1999

This Servas International Conference was held in the Conference room of Bela at Dhaka from 10-11th Dec.99. The following were present in the meeting: Mohd.Ataur Rahman was the Chief Guest who was also the pioneer of Servas Bangladesh. The others were Bibendra. B. Pradhananga (Nepal), M. B. Adhikaram (Srilanka), Abu Taiq (Bangladesh), Muhammad Naseem (Pakistan) and Shankar. K. Sanyal (India) Plus several other observers. The Chairman of this meeting was Mr.Bibendra. All the delegates gave their views and future plan.

Dear Muhammad Naseem,

Thank you for your invitation to write for your newsletter. I heard from Frits Stuurman, our General Secretary that he had already written an item for the newsletter, and I totally support what he writes to you. In (Exco) we try not to duplicate work, and we support the words and actions of each other.

I congratulate you on your decision to produce 4 issues of a newsletter each year, and hope it bears fruit. I endorse what Frits has written, and I would be glad to write something for a later issue.

I hope that is OK with you. If you feel strongly that you need more from me, please let me know and I will give you a couple of paragraphs.

Yours,

Roger Martinpresident@servas.org

Message of General Secretary

Dear Friends in Servas,

I feel very privileged that your National secretary, our Servas friend Muhammad Naseem, asked me for a message from Exco.

Let me assure you that we all, like many people, feel with you concerned about the difficult situation in which your country finds itself. Not only had the tensions with your neighboring country India, which ask much patience and wisdom from you to let a peaceful situation prevail. It is also a constant challenge to deal with so many refugees. But be assured that all those efforts, to bring these things nearer to a good solution, are valued. The 10 October you will celebrate in Lahore the 53rd Anniversary of our International Servas organization. We wish you a very good meeting and hope new peace initiatives will be born in the group. At the same time we wish to thank you for the initiatives already taken, and of which we would like to be kept posted.

We heard that Servas Pakistan decided to publish the Servas Pakistan Newsletter four times a year from now; this is a very valuable initiative, because it maintains the contacts between the members (hosts and travelers alike). And with four times a year it can be very timely. I know that several other countries do it like that. The (Exco) members would certainly appreciate to receive the First issue if this might be convenient to you.

Communication has, as a matter of fact, been a main concern of this (Exco) in the first year. It is impossible to keep an organization informed without good contacts. That is technically speaking no problem in these days. But in practical situations it is not that easy as we have found out. If not a permanent attention is on the wish to communicate it can be very difficult to find the right way to talk.

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_________________________________________________________________________________Exco is very happy with the development of the Servas website www.servas.org. If any of you have never visited that site, you are invited to do so. And members can go to www.servas.org/login.php to ask for a password to enter the members’ area.

An important decision was that the next Servas International conference Will be held in Spain in 2004. This again will be a meeting where we expect to meet Servas friends from West and East, South and North.

Dear Servas friends, let us not forget that Servas is an organization committed to peace building. The well being of the world is the result of all efforts together for a peaceful world.

In Peace,

Frits StuurmanGeneral Secretary

Message of Servas Canada

Dear Muhammad Naseem,

Hearty congratulation on the production of the first Servas Pakistan Newsletter, It’s a great idea to coincide the issue with the anniversary of Servas.

Newsletters can be a positive force in keeping members of your organization up to date on what is happening in the Servas world.Servas Canada sends your organization its best wishes for the success of the Newsletter & the celebration of the Servas anniversary.We shall look forward to receiving a copy.

In peace,

Gerry Staring,NS Servas Canada

Message from Servas India

Congratulation on the first Servas Pakistan Newsletter and Servas International Day Greetings to Naseem Muhammad and all members of Servas Pakistan.

Gurdev Singh PannuServas India

Letters of Travelers from Report FileDear Mr.Naseem,

We Torben & Kristian send you our deepest thanks for your great hospitality. It was a very rewarding experience staying at your house. We will never forget the hospitality that you & the other Servas

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_________________________________________________________________________________members of Lahore showed us. We hope that you will come to Denmark one day; so that we will be able to receive you in our homes...Please bring this thanks to all the nice persons you introduced to us.After Lahore we traveled to Rawalpindi from where we also book a flight to Karachi the 17th of this month, so unfortunately we will not come to Lahore again, but then we will probably be able to visit Mr.Suhail, Servas regional coordinator for Sindh in Karachi, we will call him today. After Lahore we went up to Lake

Saif-ul-Maluk where we camped. Hereafter we took an interesting jeep ride from Naran to Chilas, where we at the moment are preparing to go trekking at Nanga Prabat, after this we will go to Karimabad & Peshawar.We will keep you updated.Once again:THANK YOU ALL

Torben & KristianServas Denmark03-07-01E-mail: aagaarddahl@hotmail.com 

Dear Servas Fellows,

Servas Lahore Pakistan is very active and there are many Servas hosts nowadays, especially in Lahore.  I first visited Haibat in Islamabad who picked me up from the hostel and had some nice talks with him and his family. It is good to speak openly with women in a country where you expect not to speak with them. I stayed in the Youth hostel in Islamabad. I tried to contact (phone) every host in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, but mainly in vain. A couple of days later, I was picked up by Mrs. Nasreen Iqbal, a school director. I got her e-mail address via another Servas host I met in Japan. She was in the host list, but not with phone or e-mail.  Here I was able to speak in front of two classes in two different schools. I spoke about Environment and Peace and the kids were asking questions as well. Very interesting and surprising that the kids could repeat all the things I taught them. This was the best experience in Pakistan. I stayed with the school director and could talk with her colleagues and her family also. The men were not there so I spoke mainly with the women. These people were really active within the spirit of Servas.

In Lahore the people from my stay in Rawalpindi arranged everything. Mr. Arshad Khan met me at the Lahore railway station. He lived just west of the river and he showed me his garment factory. Next day I met several of his friends. One of them accompanied me to church. He did not join me, but waited outside. This was very kind of him. On Monday he had me driven to Mr.Naseem, the coordinator in Lahore. We went to the museum first and later he showed me many Servas people over the next 5 days. It was a good experience and I got to know Pakistan much better in this way. Traffic is horrible, but the city is fascinating. I visited his family and also many places of interest including a spring factory, the World Wildlife Foundation (for my work) and a hockey match. I wanted to leave after three days, but Naseem insisted I stay longer because I had not seen everyone yet.

After 7 days in Lahore I left in the evening by train for the Indus Valley city of Moenjoaro (3500 BC).

Peter Boers. Servas Netherlands (This was part of a round-the-world trip traveling for one year).

Dear Mr.Naseem,

It is already a long time Magda and I are back in our own country (four months!) now I send you some

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_________________________________________________________________________________pictures. Pakistan is deep in my mind & I will never forget the nice time we spent in your beautiful country. It was very fascinating to travel in a Muslim country where women are not a part of public life, what a difference with Europe!

On our trip we met all kind of people & we avoid meeting tourists, only in Gilgit there was no other way. I hope the people of Mingora & Rawalpindi became Servas members and they were very interested.

Here in Belgium it is still winter, cold & rain & sometimes a little bit snow. With my husband I went to Austria for skiting. It was a nice time together. Next summer we will travel to Finland & we will meet some Servas families. I participated at the Servas meeting in Askov (Denmark) in 1999 your name is also on the list but I wonder if you have been there.Mr.Tanveer Guddu sent us the name cards; he was so kind to us.

Greetings to all Servas members,

Rita Dessauvage,Servas Belgium20-02-01E-mail: lucvdg@hotmail.com

Dear Sir,

Our host, Mr. Latif Rashid took us to an unpretentious shop located in the back premises of a bazaar. Of the overall merchandise we could choose the Pakistani dress we should wear from then on. Little by little the shop filled up with other Servas members who shared in common one passion: stamps.

We thought that as western Servas travelers, we would not count upon anything but a good conversation and a bed. We were wrong. Pakistani hospitality didn't let us down. On a puffing rickshaw, Mr. Muhammad Naseem brought us into the heart of Lahore, a disaster area of belching black exhaust gases and in between pulled or pushed carts, horses, bikes and an equal number of pedestrians who all claimed their place in this highly polluted city. Mr. Naseem turned out to be an excellent guide knowing well the complicated history of his city and he felt at home in the complex labyrinth of the bazaar. At "home" we followed the daily rhythm and habits of our host family. We moved around the navel of the house.

On request, we were brought to a wealthy owner's farm, which reminded us in all aspects of the feudal system. In a house that gave the impression of being a castle we laid down our tired bodies, but satisfied and grateful. Many thanks to you Mr.Naseem.& Mr.Rashad of Lahore & other You did not only reach out your hand, but guided us as well, to personal unknown realities by showing us the many distinguishing marks of a very different society.

The colors of Peshawar were different. Away from Servas, away from rich and less rich people, Mr. Nasruddin Sherzai helped us peer through the reality of the Afghani refugees. We will never forget the two days we spent with his wife and their ten children. Being two women, we got so many chances. Time after time we were invited for dinner, wedding festivities and to stay for the night with diverse local families. Although space in houses was often very limited and mostly occupied by extensive families with many children, we always received the best place in each house. The above-mentioned encounters helped to reconcile us with our own culture and life style.

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Magda Biesemans, Servas Belgium

E-mail: m.biesemans@worldonline.be

Coming events of Servas International

Servas pakistanPakistan celebration of the 53rd Anniversary of SERVAS International

"The Earth is but one country and mankind its citizens".

Hotel Holiday Inn, Egerton Road, Lahore, Pakistan 10 Oct 2002

Servas members from all over Pakistan and foreign delegates are invited to attend the meeting. During the meeting a LUCKY DRAW will be held among the participants to present two medals of Gold (18-Karat Gold) one for Pakistani Servas member and other for Foreign Servas member.

Please send a bank draft of Rs. 500/- in favour of Servas Pakistan to the National Secretary for the confirmation of the meeting and entertainment charges, before 05th of October 02. If you do not want to participate in Servas Gold medal lucky draw please send a draft of Rs. 250/- as entertainment charges for each person.

We are cordially inviting you.

For more information, please contact Muhammad Naseem

Servas GermanySERVAS Germany National Conference

18 - 20 Oct 2002 SERVAS Germany National ConferenceStapelfeld / Cloppenburg, Germany

deputy@servas.de.

For more information, please contact to your National Secretary

Servas Spain

Marcha nocturna Sabadell-Montserrat

Sabadell (near Barcelona), Spain 19 - 20 Oct 2002

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SERVAS SPAIN Nat. Secretary

For more information, please contact to your National Secretary

World peace and ServasMr. Faisal Naveed Toor

World peace is a goal of most peoples and many nations. It's an idea we hear a lot of, especially these days, but how to get it? It seems there are as many ideas for how to get peace on earth as there are mouths calling for it. The Servas vision of world peace is long-term and immediate, global in scope and individual, practical.

Peace is the major focus of the Servas Faith, therefore there is a lot in the Servas about it. It begins with the idea that true peace is not an absence of war; it is a commitment that individuals make to peace-building thoughts, words, and behaviors. When enough individuals are on this wavelength, then real progress is possible. There are numerous components to peace building, many of which are spelled out in the Writings of the Servas. Others will have to be dealt with in the future, as the need arises.

Some of the necessary elements at the individual level are:

Elimination of prejudice of all kinds (racial, gender, national, economic, religious, etc.). Prejudice and the hatred or coldness behind it is the cause of many conflicts.

Recognition of the fundamental unity and fellowship of all the peoples of the earth. This is not only a mindset but ties in to the Golden Rule, found in all major religions and philosophies. We all want and need to be accepted into society.

Acceptance of our individual responsibilities, such as holding a job, being an informed citizen, being loyal to our government while participating in approved avenues if we wish laws or procedures to change, and taking charge of our own spiritual progress by regularly saying prayers, reading scripture and participating in the spiritual community's activities.

Establishing a world tribunal that the nations may take their cases to for judging; this would include a court and a lawmaking body at the international level.

Making sure that education is part of every person's upbringing. Ignorance is a monster in the making.

Maintaining only the armaments necessary for internal conflicts and to join with other nations in handling international threats.

Choosing a language that will be the Universal Secondary Language around the world. It

"Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness."

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SERVAS Spain national meetingCordoba, Spain 01 - 03 Nov 2002

For more information, please contact to your National Secretary

Servas TurkeyEurasia Meeting

Istanbul, Turkey 24 - 27 Oct 2002

Get-together at Hotel Pierre Loti, in the center of Istanbul (walking tour, dinner with Turkish hosts, Bosphorus boat tour,)

Peace means love and we can find it in ServasM. Waheed Butt

Flowers are lovely, love is flowers likeFriendship is a sheltering tree!

Servas is an organization for development of peace and relations through mutual relations and understanding in the entire global society. We are the members of Servas. Now, it is our duty to live peacefully and let others to live peacefully. If we insist on our rights only and ignore the rights of other people, this will create frustration among us, which is a major cause of disturbance in our society. The founder of Pakistan, Qauid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah expressed his view regarding peace in a very impressive way, “Our object should be peace within and peace without, and we want to live peacefully and will gladly make our full contribution to the peace and prosperity of the world”.

Peace of mind is very important for human health. Most of the physical and mental diseases are due to the lack of peace of mind. We should always try not to interfere personal life of other people. This will help us to maintain our own peace of mind. Peace is possible and it is our aim, if we think that we are united and no difference between us, then we can bring peace in this world.

General observations about Islam and religious extremism, Muslim communities around the world and in Pakistan are deeply fractured along sectarian and ideological lines. Overlooking this, observers often make binary distinctions between "good" and "bad," "liberal" versus "illiberal," and "rational" versus "irrational" Islam that blur the complexity of the situation.

Consequently, we can say that with mutual understanding and friendship, we can bring PEACE between different countries and Servas is a gateway for it. Now it is our duty to invite more people to join the Servas and get knowledge about Pakistan as well as other countries.

Learn to love unconditionally if you want to establish peace in your relationships.

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Together with your registration please send a deposit of Euro 30. - Per person to

Dorothea Schelch*, PSK (Oesterreichische Postsparkasse), Bank code 60000, account number 6857082 As soon as your registration and deposit has arrived you will be sent detailed information.

*I am an Austrian Servas member, currently living in Istanbul. Postal Address: Dorothea Schelch, Avusturya Lisesi Kart Cinar Sokak 2-10 TR-80020 Istanbul-Karakoy, Turkey

For more information, please contact to your National Secretary

SERVAS Germany

SERVAS Germany National Conference 2003River Rhine Valley, Germany 03 - 05 Oct 2003

SERVAS Germany e.V. Annual National Conference including the general assembly of all ordinary members and interviewer conference. Main thematic topic: to be arranged.

For more information, please contact to your National Secretary

SERVAS INTERNATIOANAL CONFERENCE THAILAND 2001

EXCO Members with National Secretary of Pakistan

(Left to Right) Frits Sturrman, Laura Ragucci, Roger Martin, Bibendra Pradhananga, Gyongyver Kudor and Muhammad Naseem

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As happens every three years, Servas members from all over the world met to elect a new executive committee (Exco), discuss financial matters and developments in the ever-changing world and to renew the Servas spirit. . Of the 135 countries in Servas International, 52 were at the conference. 48 of these were formal delegates (from countries with more than 10 hosts). The total attending was 176. New features were: The two-day pre-conference meeting for the area-coordinators and other interested persons, organized by Servas Canada, discussed proposals to the General Assembly. The Youth Forum introduced a set of proposals that assured all of us that Servas is in no danger of graying.

GENERAL SECRETARY'S REPORT

SERVAS INTERNATIOANAL CONFERENCE THAILAND 2001 (Group Photo)

International Conference and the General Assembly

One of the most important things of the conference is the General Assembly, where representatives of the

National Servas Groups meet and discuss important items on the organization of Servas activities in the world. In 1998 this was in Guatemala. Last year, at Sida Resort, Thailand, 48 voting representatives met with the Executive Committee, the nine Area Coordinators, smaller national groups, committee members and visitors.

Opening and working order

President Chris Slader opened the assembly on Monday 16 July. He read two statements illustrating what is necessary in the world. As there is not enough space here for these statements or for a detailed report of the meeting, I draw your attention to the website below. We discovered at the outset that differences of opinion within the Exco1998- team had led to ineffective preparation and there was no workable structure for the next days. Therefore, a group of about 10 National Secretaries developed a system of workshops to prepare the various items for the General Assembly. These workshops were fitted in between and around the regularly scheduled sessions.

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National secretary is awarding shield to NS Servas Thailand for hosting the Servas Conference.

Matters discussed

There were the following workshops: Nominations Committee, Job Descriptions, Complaints Committee, Criteria Committee for the site of the next conference, Information and Technology, Budget, Structure of EXCO, Development. Whereas the time was very short, the groups worked enthusiastically and it was sometimes incredible what good ideas came out. The GA discussed these reports more or less intensively.

Most groups gave a vision on developments to be worked out later. But sometimes we felt the pressure to take decisions that were of major importance, like the budget. There are less and less travelers and therefore less and less stamps are used. This means less income for Servas International, and a bankruptcy threatened if we did not take firm measures. The possibility of a GA once in four years instead of three was rejected, as well as various ideas about changing the stamp fee system. Finally we decided on an increase of two Swiss francs per stamp.

Information and communication

"Let us endeavor to live that when we come to die even the undertaker will be sorry. "

For communication within Servas the Info Com Team is doing very important work. An information website is under construction for Servas members and the general public. With communication by telephone being very expensive and normal postal services very slow and in many places unreliable, the Internet is a fast growing means of communication we need. In the near future, everyone can become acquainted with meeting reports and agendas of conferences, the Servas Handbook, pictures of the Thailand meeting and much more. Also direct communication between groups will be easy and national groups can be hosted in the Servas International website.

Youth

My impression is that many people really appreciated the activities around the youth, who had their own

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programe. There were 40 under the age of 25, eight were younger than 18. This article gives only a general idea of what took place. For a more complete picture, visit the website: www.servas.org contact the person who represented your National Group, and read on.Frits Stuurman

YOUTH FORUM

The Youth Forum of 27 people, aged 18 to 25, from 10 countries was a vital part of the conference. Some of the people had met the year before at the first ever Servas youth conference, which was a part of the European get-together in Kent, England. The following reports, some from people wishing to remain anonymous, give a new point of view.

The main aims of this forum were "to be a part of it", that is, to establish relationships with national and international leaders of the organization, put forward suggestions, and represent young people's points of view and concerns. Of course, having fun was also on the agenda. We were staying with local people in a home stay programme. Thai young people helped us to communicate with our host families, who were not Servas hosts but gave us an equally warm welcome in their simple but clean village homes in the middle of a wonderful fruit plantation (...)

At the main conference were bumps and misunderstandings and even significant problems, as there always is when more than a hundred people from some fifty countries gather. Good will, positive attitudes, helpfulness and smiles were hardly ever lacking though, especially on the part of the Thai hosts and organizers. After International Conference Welcoming speech the formal sessions and hard work in the deep-frozen conference room, it was touching and uplifting to see so many people chatting informally at dinner, learning Thai and Irish dancing together, admiring each others' national costumes, sharing experiences and opinions, trekking in the jungle in small groups and apparently having a great time.

We started by interviewing delegates about the situation of Servas youth in their countries, compiling leaflets aimed at young members and potential members and making suggestions about youth involvement and development. We also listened to the formal sessions and joined smaller discussion groups. At the end we reported our ideas and plans to the General Assembly, had a discussion with the newly elected EXCO and made friends with "older" conference participants. There was no clear-cut segregation or conflict between the generations. We sometimes speak different languages, have different ways of looking at things or doing things, but it was clear all the way through that we all cherish the same ideals of peace, cooperation, communication, friendship and understanding. And we all clearly agreed that children and young people growing up in Servas families are very important for the future. We would like to encourage all Servas families to think of ways to involve their children more, so that they feel that Servas has a message for them If we all add one tiny little piece to the jigsaw puzzle, we can make a big bright picture for the future - together.

"Civilization is a stream with banks. The stream is sometimes filled with blood

from people killing, stealing, shouting and doing the things historians usually

record, while on the banks, unnoticed, people build homes, make love, raise children, sing songs, write poetry and even whittle statues. The story of

civilization is what happened on the banks."

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Appeals committee of SERVAS InternationalFormerly: Complaints committee. By request from Exco, the name of this committee has been changed.

Members:

Don Fawcett, USA (convenor)

Marisa Contini, Uruguay

David Asher, Britain

“ Peace starts with a smile ”

Audit committee of SERVAS InternationalMembers:

1. Markus Kappenberger, Germany (chairperson)

2. Alex Dali, Singapore (vice chairperson)

3. Colette Marteau, France

4. Mineswar Sibsurun, Mauritius

5. Gustavo Molina, Bolivia

Development fund committee of SERVAS InternationalMembers:

1. Vibeke Matorp, Denmark (convenor)

2. Muhammad Naseem, Pakistan

3. Mullai Pathy, Singapore

4. David Roll, Columbia

5. Abhay Shaha, India

"Great spirits have always found violent opposition from mediocrities. The latter cannot understand it when a man does not thoughtlessly submit to hereditary

prejudices but honestly and courageously uses his intelligence."Albert Einstein

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The peace problem how to tackle with?Mr. Ijaz F. Bhatti

Every one around the globe is aware of the fact that the peace problem is no longer a parochial issue. It impinges upon all the nations in this conflicting and changing world. No country is an island unto it self-.as the earth, its more than 6 billion in habitants and more than 200 independent states are immerging into a global village. Crises in one country often cross the borders and affect the other parts of the world as well. A conflict between two countries has the potential of expanding into a world confederation. It has been observed through the history of mankind that the history of the war is as old as the history of civilized world. Tribes, nations, and groups of nations have resorted to the use of force to settle conflicts and disputes.

War seems to be in the blood of man, thus becoming a necessity for human being there are two kinds of reaction to this question and they represent two points of view. One regards war as a biological necessity and hence an integral part of the human condition the other question this theses and subscribes to a belief in pacifism. Intellectuals and philosophers, like Nietzsche, believe war to be a part of human nature and range them selves on the side of the concept of the super man the hold might to be right and consider peace to be a negative virtue. Churchill, for instance, portrayed peace as an interval between the two wars. On the other hand, philosophers, like Bertrand Russell and Leo Tolstoy condemn war and have indignity faith in the good ness of human nature. They consider peace to be a positive power capable of subjugating the evil side of man.

With the march of time through the history the moods of warfare have kept on changing and the change has been towards more and more destruction. Beginning with stones, bows and arrows and moving towards firearms and artillery, the war now means a clash of atomic, and biological, and hydrogen and neutrons bombs. Modern war is synonymous with colossal death and the people of the world saw devastation. It during the first and second world wars, gulf war and most recently the so-called war against terrorism in Afghanistan.

Some day children will learn words whose meanings they do not understand.

Children in India will ask, "What is hunger ?”

Children in Hiroshima will ask, "What is an atomic bomb?" Children in Alabama will ask, "What is segregation?"

And we will say to them: "These are words that no longer have meaning, so we have removed them from the dictionary."

The Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Judging from the effect of two world wars as well as the gulf war and war against terrorism firstly against the Taliban regime in Afghanistan and how expanding towards other countries of the world, a third war could mean a virtual annihilation of the human race.

Admitting the fact that war is a biological necessity and an integral part of human nature.For the satisfaction of man’s ego of being supreme of all, hi checking the factors most likely to destroy world peace should check s barbaric urges.

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So, in this conflicting and changing world which may create the whole world into a theater of war, the need of establishing peace in the world arises, in stabling peace moral ideas should be adopted along with the following measures need to be taken immediately to for stall warand strengthened the basis of peace.

1 The United Nation could be made more effect after all it has been founded on the hope of a better order, harmony & peace among the nations of the world.

2 Establishment of permanent peacekeeping force under UN super vision giving equal representation to member nations with out discrimination as veto power has been conformed to the five powers of the world which may use this in their own interest and not to keep peace in the world

3 The widening gape between the haves and the have notes should be remove by giving aid instead of loans by the developed nations to the developing nations.

4 Disputes like Bosnia, Palestine, Somalia, Chechnya, Northern Ireland, Cyprus and Kashmir should be settled with an immediate action by United Nation and the influential powers of the world.

5 Propagation of peace the principles of peaceful coexistence among warring nations so that, peace may exist

6 And the most important the imposition of checks on nuclear powers and the race of massive armament among the nations of the world under the supervision of a world organizations like UNO, with discrimination and prejudice by compelling the nations to sign the agreements like NPT and CTBT.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: Indeed it's the only thing that ever has."

Margaret Mead

OBITUARY NOTICEWe regret to inform you that our Punjab Coordinator of Servas Pakistan,

Chaudhry Abdul Hadi of Chichawatni, who expired in the month of July 2002.We never forget his services and contribution for Servas volunteer work.

“May the departed soul rest in Peace, “Ameen”.

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Servas SongBy Barbara Whitehead (1972)

Arrangement by Roger Martin

Chorus:Fratoj, ni servas tutta la mond’,

Ni estas pacistoj, pacema nia rond’!

Good friends in Servas, these are my kin,Where the door opens, I’m glad to walk in.

All the world over, we feel the same,Love is our method and peace is our aim.

Work, study, travel - learn as we go,So much to help with, and so much to know!

Good friends of Servas, help me to roam,When you come my way, I’ll give you a home!

The LogisticianMr. Faisal Naveed Toor

Logisticians are a sad and embittered race of men who are very much in demand in war, and who sink resentfully into obscurity in peace. They deal only in facts, but must work for men who merchant in theories. They emerge during war because war is very much a fact. They disappear in peace because peace is mostly theory. The people who merchant in theories that employ logisticians in war and ignore them in peace are generals.

Generals are a happy blessed race who radiates confidence and power. They feed only on ambrosia and drink only nectar. In peace, they stride confidently and can invade a world simply by sweeping their hands grandly over a map, point their fingers decisively up terrain corridors, and blocking defiles and obstacles with the sides of their hands. In war, they must stride more slowly because each general has a logistician riding on his back and he knows that, at any moment, the logistician may lean forward and whisper: "No, you can't do that." Generals fear logisticians in war and, in peace, generals try to forget logisticians.

Romping along beside generals are strategists and tacticians. Logisticians despise strategists and tacticians. Strategists and tacticians do not know about logisticians until they grow up to be generals--which they usually do.

Sometimes a logistician becomes a general. If he does, he must associate with generals whom he hates; he has a retinue of strategists and tacticians whom he despises; and, on his back, is a logistician whom he fears. This is why logisticians who become generals always have ulcers and cannot eat their ambrosia.Beauty Tips of Audrey Hepburn

Mr. Muhammad Bilal

Audrey Hepburn who was asked to share “beauty tips:” wrote the following

For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge that you never walk alone. People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed and redeemed; never throw out anyone. Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of each of your arms. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others. The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure that she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mode, but the true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the caring that she lovingly gives the passion that she shows

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Peace means love and we can find it in ServasMr. M. Waheed Butt

Flowers are lovely, love is flowers like Friendship is a sheltering tree!

Servas is an organization for development of peace and relations through mutual relations and understanding in the entire global society. We are the members of Servas. Now, it is our duty to live peacefully and let others to live peacefully. If we insist on our rights only and ignore the rights of other people, this will create frustration among us, which is a major cause of disturbance in our society. The founder of Pakistan, Qauid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah expressed his view regarding peace in a very impressive way, “Our object should be peace within and peace without, and we want to live peacefully and will gladly make our full contribution to the peace and prosperity of the world”.Peace of mind is very important for human health. Most of the physical and mental diseases are due to the lack of peace of mind. We should always try not to interfere personal life of other people. This will help us to maintain our own peace of mind. Peace is possible and it is our aim, if we think that we are united and no difference between us, then we can bring peace in this world.General observations about Islam and religious extremism, Muslim communities around the world and in Pakistan are deeply fractured along sectarian and ideological lines. Overlooking this, observers often make binary distinctions between "good" and "bad," "liberal" versus "illiberal," and "rational" versus "irrational" Islam that blur the complexity of the situation.

Consequently, we can say that with mutual understanding and friendship, we can bring PEACE between different countries and Servas is a gateway for it. Now it is our duty to invite more people to join the Servas and get knowledge about Pakistan as well as other countries.

Send your suggestions, comments and articles on these following addresses before 31st of December 2002

Muhammad NaseemNational Secretary,SERVAS PAKISTAN

GPO BOX # 516, Lahore – 54000 PAKISTAN

MOBILE: +92- 300- 9414105E-MAIL: pakistan@servas.org

Faisal Naveed ToorChief Editor,

SERVAS Pakistan NewsletterToor House, Main Bazar, Jamil

Town, Lahore – 54780 PAKISTANMOBILE: +92- 333- 4231935

E-MAIL: faisaltoor@sahil.org