Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University Preparing To Host The 7th Conference of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2010 under the theme “Global Recovery: the Buddhist Perspective”

              Venerable Professor Dr. Phra Dharmakosajarn, Rector of Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University (MCU), announced yesterday after a meeting with the International Council of United Nations Day of Vesak (ICUNDV) at the President Building, MCU Wangnoi Campus, that, “Thailand and Japan have been nominated to co-host The 7th Conference of the United Nations Day of Vesak 2010, which will occur on 23-25 May 2010. The opening ceremony will commence on 23rd May 2010 at the 48 Years Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn Conference Hall in MCU Wangnoi Campus, Ayutthaya. The actual conference will continue at the same venue, which can hold up to 3,000 participants. In addition, four other smaller conference rooms will be used in the stated building, as well as four others at the Classroom Building. We are expecting up to 1,500 participants from more than 80 countries.

             The Venerable Rector also added that the ICUNDV meeting concluded that the 2010 theme will be, “Global Recovery: The Buddhist Perspective”. Furthermore, there will be 5 sub-themes, for 8 participants to submit papers, which include: Global Recovery through Mental Well-being, Global Recovery through Harmonious Co-existence, Global Recovery through Buddhist Ecology, Global Recovery through Buddhist Education, and Global Recovery through Engaged Buddhism. The conference will also contain workshops on the International Association of Buddhist Universities (IABU) and Common Buddhist Texts.
 

             “The last day of the conference will be held at the United Nations Office in Bangkok; participants will then transfer to Buddhamonton for a Candle-lit Procession. To sum up, the conference will be held from 23rd to 25th May 2010, comprising three days. Japan, our co-host, will be sending 600 fully subsidised participants as well as sharing various financial responsibilities in hosting this event in Thailand. As for the reason for co-hosting the event in Thailand, our Japanese partners have reasoned that the prime venue, the United Nations Office, is situated in Bangkok. The ICUNDV meeting has also selected the lead lecturer as well as cultural performances that involve Buddhism by various participating countries.

              The details, however, will be finalised again in future meetings. This is an early preparation measure by the executive committee. We have been receiving sponsorships from many Thai organisations such as: the King’s Scholarship Project and the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). With consistent support from both domestic and international organisations we expect that the outcome of the conference will be most fruitful,” stated the Ven. Rector Dr. Phra Dharmakosajarn.