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in the process of looking at programs at Stanford University and the University of Pennsylvania. JAINA became a member of Religions for Peace-USA to help better fulfill its interfaith mission. This past May JAINA graciously hosted a meeting of the Executive Council of Religions for Peace-USA in the beautiful new Jain Centre of America in Flushing, Queens. Nearly 30 persons in attendance were treated to a tour of the Temple and introduction to Jainism. JAINA has also been working closely with Religions for Peace International in preparation for the villth World Assembly of Religions for Peace in Kyoto, Japan.
Diasporic Jains are particularly keen to pass on their social values and cultural heritage to the next generation. Towards this end the JAINA had established in July 1991 a “committee” called Young Jain Association (YJA) that puts emphasis on projects relating to Jain youth between the ages 14-29. The mission of the YJA is "to be recognized as a national and international umbrella youth organisation for establishing a network to share Jain heritage through young people” (www.yja.org/aboutyja). The objectives of the YJA are: (1) to create a forum for sharing Jain religion; (2) to instill a sense of pride among Jain youth about their heritage; (3) to address the problems, difficulties, and concerns facing Jain youth; (4) to assist and to promote charitable community activities; (5) to prepare Jain youth to become successful Jain leaders of tomorrow; (6) to foster and strengthen local Jain youth groups. The YJA administrative setup includes an executive board and committees for education, publications and the website. The 9th biennial convention of YJA was held in July 2010 in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Judging by the performance of the YJA and the interest shown by various diasporic Jain youth in its activities, the future of the YJA appears to be very bright. In fact the "Young Jain” movement has already spread into many other countries, besides the U.S. Thus we now have associations like Young Jains UK., Young Jains of Singapore, Young Jains of India, Young Jains of Nairobi, etc. there is not only an association named Young Jain Professionals in the U.S., Jain associations have also come up among the university students (e.g. Cambridge University Young Jain Society, Young Jain Students Oxford, Young Jain Students Warwick, etc.). The first national convention of
101 Jains in India and Abroad
