Report on VI th World Congress of Jesuit Alumni/ae

The VI th World Congress of Jesuit Alumni Associations was hosted at Calcutta between 22^nd January 2003 and  concluded on the 24^th January,2003. 

The Congress got registrations of 655 delegates (622 primary delegates and 33 accompanying delegates) from 27 countries including India. Out of the 655 delegates, there were 571 male and 84 female registered delegates. Of the 571 male delegates, 96 were jesuits and rest 475 were the lay alumni. The various countries that participated in the Congress are: (with the no. of delegates in brackets) 

Australia (8), Austria (2), Bhutan (1), Belgium (8), Cambodia (1), Chile (2), China-HK (3), Columbia (3), Congo (1), France (20), Germany (5), India (518 ), Ireland (6), Italy (11), Japan (1), Lebanon (3), Luxemburg (2), Mexico (2), Nepal (14), Nigeria (2), Peru (2), Poland (1), Rwanda (1), South Africa (2), Spain (25), U.K. (8) and U.S.A. (3). 

On the home ground, the country saw representations from 12 states:

Andhra Pradesh (17), Assam (1), Bihar (6), Delhi (8), Gujarat (15), Jharkhand (59), Karnataka (8), Kerala (5), Maharashtra (33), Nagaland (4), Tamil Nadu (92), West Bengal (268). 2 others although in India but belong to foreign nationality had themselves registered as Foreign Delegates. 

PROGRAMME: 

The first half of the Inaugural Session was the focus centre as the Congress was inaugurated by non other than His Excellency the President of India Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam. Presence of H.E. as a jesuit alumnus made the delegates identity themselves with the dignitary as a part of the fraternity and it provided a different dimension to the Congress. The address of His Excellency was more of anecdotes of his experiences emphasising on secularism, solidarity and humanitarian values. Words seemed to be flowing right from his heart and  the audience in the jam packed auditorium heard him in apt attention. The Guest of Honour Hon’ble Governor of West Bengal Shri.Viren J Shah and the Minister In Waiting Md.Salim chose not speak as there was paucity of time. The Welcome address was made by our Organising Committee President Gen.Shankar Roychowdhury (Retd.). The Congress was formally announced inaugurated by H.E. Dr.Kalam by lighting of the lamp amidst presentation of a dance which was something very unique and symbolic. The Chief Guest was presented a portrait of Mother Teresa painted by Prof.Nemai Sengupta, teacher of St.Xavier’s and a memento in silver with the Kolkata skyline etched in it as a token of remembrance and gratitude. Mementos were also presented to Hon’ble Governor and Minister in Waiting. 

In the second half of the inaugural session after the VVIPs had left, the audience were addressed by the FOJAAI President Mr.Conrad Gonsalves and WUJA President Mr.Fabio Tobon and Vote of thanks delivered by the General Secretary of the Organising Committee Mr. Jeetu Rampuria. 

The following day had 2 important highlights- Address of Fr.Superior General Rev.Fr.Peter Hans Kolvenbach S.J., wherein he called upon the alumni/ae to “being open to grow”, “deciding to act” and bringing younger alumni/ae into active participation in the respective associations, and the  Keynote Speech of Mr.Fali S Nariman. 

The Focus Sessions on Education, Business, Environment and Empowerment of Women were chaired and presented by eminent personalities from the respective fields. The Parallel Group Discussions subsequent to the focus sessions also attracted active participation from the delegates. However, the presentations of the outcome of the GDs did not provide enough input material for the general assembly to comprehend them and formulate strategies and adoption of resolutions as a direction for the alumni/ae movement to surge themselves in pursuit of some common objectives and goals until reassembly in the next congress.

The field visits to the Projects at Lansdowne Medical Centre, Paikhala and Dasghara were some of the highlight of this Congress as observed by some of the delegates. The arrangement for the visit to the Mother House and Sishu Bhawan were also highly appreciated by the delegates.