CAPTION: Minister for Health Dr Neil Sharma. File Photo.
Preparations for the first Pacific Regional Economic conference organised by the World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF) are well under way. Dr Neil Sharma, the Minister for Health, Government of Fiji will inaugurate the conference.
WHEF Pacific Regional Forum will be held at Sheraton Fiji Resort, Denarau, Nadi, Fiji on Saturday, 4 May 2013. The theme is “Making the South Pacific community prosperous”.
Key people presenting papers at this Forum include Prof Gautam Sen from the UK, Swami Vigyananand from India, Dr Ganesh Chand, Dr Mahendra Reddy and Prof Biman Prasad from Fiji.
Prof Gautam Sen, who has taught “Politics of the World Economy” at the Department of International Relations, London School of Economics, will speak on the pressing need that Hindu economy organises, not only for creating wealth but also for promoting economic equity across the world and help underdeveloped countries, and communities. An existential principle of the adherents of Hindu Dharma is “Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam” (world is one family), and this principle has often guided Hindu economic activity in the more than 5000 years of Hindu culture.
Swami Vigyananand, the founder of WHEF, will give the background of the movement. The WHEF promotes activities to make society prosperous, primarily through the generation and sharing of material wealth in a manner that does not cause environmental destruction.
In a statement, Swami Vigyananand said, “The primary objectives of WHEF are to promote activities for developing enterprise and entrepreneurship globally; to develop solutions for the most crucial of the issues confronting the world economy such as sustainable development, education, eradication of poverty, climate change and infrastructure development; and to promote a value based corporate governance system through organising seminars, conferences and research activities.”
Dr Ganesh Chand, Vice-chancellor of Fiji National University (FNU), will speak on how Hindu businesses could help tertiary institutes through student sponsorships. Dr Chand will also chair a panel of international speakers. Dr Mahendra Reddy, Dean of College of Business, Hospitality & Tourism Studies at FNU (and also the Chairperson of Fiji Commerce Commission) will speak on “Prosperity & business ethics in Fiji: an exposition and challenges”.
Prof. Biman Prasad, Chair of the Oceania Development Network and Professor of Economics at the University of South Pacific, will speak on Business environment and opportunities for cooperation in the Pacific region.
“The aim of the Pacific Regional Hindu Economic Forum is to connect well established and newly establishing business-persons of the South Pacific and to facilitate sharing of knowledge through reputed economic thinkers,” said Jay Dayal, one of the coordinators of this forum.
“We are aiming to improve networking for youth and women in business. Indeed, we are encouraging more youth and women to participate in this forum,” Mr Dayal added.
“The Forum also provides a common platform for strategic and management professionals, industrialists, traders, bankers, investors, technocrats, scientists and economists to share their business knowledge, experience, and expertise with their fellow business people with the aim of generating surplus wealth and contribute to the economy of the Pacific Region countries.”
The conference will also feature group discussion sessions to discuss industry success stories, challenges and opportunities. The number of registrations will be limited to 150.
A number of Hindu businesses in the South Pacific Region and academics from around the world have responded positively to the conference.
The Hindu business community contributes significantly to trade, commerce and industry in South Pacific countries, especially in New Zealand, Australia and Fiji.
If you are interested in attending this Forum, and for more information, please email whef.pacific@gmail.com or contact Mr Jay Dayal on (679) 992 9605.