'India-FAN' formed to develop Liberal Network

Ms. Lamm with Dr. Desai

The main role of India-FAN is to develop a liberal network domestically and strengthen ties between FNF and the alumni. The first task of India-FAN will be to strengthen the network by sharing information about the alumni's fields of activities and by enhancing skills of the members.
About 45 FNF India Alumni participated in the event. IAF director Ms. Birgit Lamm and FNSt South Asia Regional Director Dr. René Klaff were also present.

India FNF Alumni are those who at one time or another have participated in an International Political Dialogue Programme of the Foundation in Germany – for instance, at the IAF in Gummersbach – or at other places in Europe or elsewhere organised by FNSt.

Working group session

During the meeting, the alumni had a participatory discussion on the network’s vision, objectives and activities. They also discussed the constitution and the communication system of the network.

At the end of the meeting it was agreed that concrete action should be taken and, subsequently, the alumni agreed to form an Executive Committee.

As a result, a 4-member Executive Committee headed by Ashraf Shaikh Ahmed was formed.

The members of the executive are:

• Coordinator: Mr. Ashraf Ahmed Shaikh, Mumbai

• Deputy Coordinator: Mr. Rajesh Singh, Patna

• Secretary: Ms. Syeda Afshana, Srinagar

• Treasurer: Mr. Barun Mitra, New Delhi

Executive Committee members

On the appointment, the Executive Committee stated: "We hope that we can serve the network well and strengthen ties between FNF and the alumni, and to promote liberalism in India."

The Executive Committee further discussed its basic organisational structure and outlined several main agenda for the year 2007-2008 during the final session of the meeting.