First Virtual Dialogue to Address Asian Tsunami

Approaching the one month anniversary of the catastrophic tsunami in South East Asia, some groups of students, general citizens, national leaders, professionals, religious bodies and aid agencies are going to meet in cyberspace for interactive dialogue.

The dialogue is hosted by Partners for Progress, an international coalition initiated by the Americans for Informed Democracy, the United Nations Foundation, Action Against Hunger, the Centre for Global Development, Church World Service, the Democracy Collaborative, the Global Interdependence Initiative, International Relief and Development, Inc., NetAid, Refugees International, the OrangeBand Initiative, and the Women's Edge Coalition.

The aim of the dialogue is to strengthen public awareness of the need for development in South Asia and ensure that the generosity inspired by the disaster continues even after the region leaves the headlines.

On 26th January, exactly one month after the tsunami, 11 cities will gather online from 8:00am to 10:00am EST (0:00 am - 2:00 am GMT). From the World Bank Office Washington D.C., the website will be linked via live video with Colombo (Sri Lanka), Bloomington (Indiana Univ.), Chicago (Northwestern University), Dallas (Univ. of Texas), New Brunswick (Rutgers), New Haven (Yale), New Orleans (Tulane), Philadelphia (Univ. of Penn.), London (World Bank), and Oxford (Oxford University).

While various kinds of relief work are being launched to support the aftermath of the tsunami, ranging from on-site emergency support to online donations, the videoconference is a ground-breaking idea. Additionally, the videoconference will be held as an on-going series.

The videoconference is the brainchild of the Associate Director of the Global Interdependence Tarek Rizk, who said, "Our emergency aid is so critical at this moment, and support for aid surges in the face of tragedy... Can we find a way to craft a message about the relief work we are doing now that also speaks to the importance of long-term core support to help these countries help themselves in the face of future calamity?"

The diversity of the coalition is expected to capture a wider scope of viewpoints. On one hand, it will allow citizen to citizen dialogue; on the other hand, it is to inform that dialogue with cutting-edge research and up-to-date information from the ground, according to the organisers.

The first videoconference on 26th January will feature opening reports by Sri Lankan leaders and citizens, including Mr. Lalith Weeratunga, Secretary to the Prime Minister and Member of the Task Force to Rebuild the Nation; Dr. Kan Tun, World Health Organization; and Dr. Lalith Wikramanayake, Chairperson, Environmental Foundation Ltd. (Sri Lanka).

After these opening reports, American and British students and citizens will be able to ask questions and share comments.

For further information, please visit Partners for Progress website.