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Past three decades have seen a dramatic growth in our ranks and the future growth should be a planned one. Long Range Planning committee (LRP) of JAINA has produced excellent position papers under the title Vision 2020. Their group of dedicated volunteers have surveyed over 500 people and organizations like JAINA, YJA, YJP, local Jain Centers and Jains in small towns and large cities. They have studied functioning of Swaminarayan and Jewish communities and drawn a vision that could be the most useful tool as we chart our future. A four step plan prescribed by the LRP for JWOL - "Jain Way of Life" is a studied and sincere path to our future.
In addition to the services to various segments of the community described above, JAINA must prepare for the future by making some structural changes. As our numbers grow and we have more centers and more Temples, we must constantly reinvent ourselves. JAINA should have a physical facility: a North American headquarters in a large metropolitan city. It should offer frequent seminars on the core Jain principles of Ahimsa, Aparigrah and Anekant in various cities. JAINA should join hands with like-minded organizations such as Vegetarian Society of America, PETA and participate in more interfaith activities. JAINA can encourage our centers to open their doors to the local communities with programs like Yoga and community activities.
There are many independent Jain activities like JAIN WORLD web portal, International School for Jain studies or JIVDAYA magazine doing excellent work in their chosen area. A close relationship with these fine institutions can further JAINA's goals and multiply benefits to the community by way of avoiding duplications of efforts and streamlining all our resources. Now is a good time for all of us to come together.
The core theme of JAINA - unity of Jains in North America, has made it the center of attention for Jain organizations throughout the Jain universe. JAINA stands out as the largest such organization in the world and that status brings with it certain special obligations. In this age of free flow of people, capital and ideas the whole world is our stage. To fulfill the manifest destiny of JAINA- a leader in unifying all the Jains everywhere, JAINA must participate in more international conferences and have active relationships with non-sectarian Jain organizations worldwide. To bolster its humanitarian activities everywhere, JAINA must seek an NGO status with the United Nations and a liaison office in India.
Transformation of JAINA into a service organization will take some time but as a first step, JAINA should hold town hall type meetings at various centers and get the pulse of the community. I have attended several such meetings over the years and community response was always very strongly in favor of JAINA. We need to have many more such meetings. May be a web based forum - a discussion group - for members to give their input and JAINA to respond should be tried. To consider planning for senior citizen communities, a census of seniors and survey of their needs can be started with the help of member centers. The survey may also identify volunteers who will help make the project a reality. JAINA (education Committee) can develop national test or examination of Jain Pathshala a curriculum and curriculum for adult pathshala as it is developing JAINA E-Library consisting of Jain scriptures, Shastras, ancient and modern literature, stories, rituals, audio and video files etc. We should also supply University libraries with Jain literature.
14th Biennial JAINA Convention 2007
Jilin Education Infamational
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To fulfill the manifest destiny of JAINA- a Leader in unifying all the Jains everywhere, JAINA must
participate in more international conferences and have active relationships with non-sectarian Jain organizations worldwide. To bolster
its humanitarian activities everywhere. JAINA must seek an NGO status with the united Nations and a Liaison office in India.
PEACE THROUGH DIALOGUE
www.jainelibrary.org
