SAARC in the Twenty-First Century: Towards a Cooperative Future

SAARC is the only regional organisation for South Asia. If regional cooperation is the key to future progress and prosperity it is imperative that this institution be strengthened. From its mid teen years, SAARC is now poised to arrive at maturity in the new millennia. How should it shape itself in the future? First, is the need for a shared vision. What should be done to develop a common vision that is shared by all its constituents? How should we best harmonise this in keeping with its charter? Where should it look for its ideological moorings and inspiration? These are the initial questions that challenge the South Asian intellectual community and which it should consider in order to evolve mechanisms to make the organization more effective and provide it with a considered plan of action. The book goes on to address issues related to developing economic co-operation, social sector cooperation and strengthening SAARC’s institutional structure. How should its noble objectives be realised in practice? How can positive interaction in the region be speeded up to make these goals possible in a time frame that meet the aspirations of the people? This book provides many of the answers, but more important raises the questions that need to be asked. The eminent scholars and practitioners gathered at the conference, supported by the Ford Foundation, have provided a very important frame of reference to address these issues.