by Brian White:
I attended this conference in Bangkok from 4 to 6 May 2009. There were approximately 1300 attendees from over 70 countries. There were 36 names on the attendance list from Australia.
Bhikkhu Brahmavamso, Brian White, Bui Thi Tuyet Mai, Dorothy Welton, Dr Mimi Minh Le, Dr Theresa Thuy Thu Nguyen, Graeme Lyall Am, Henry Hien Dang, Hoang Thuy Binh, Le Chuyen, Michael Welton, Most Ven Thich Quang Ba, Mrs Aida Fde Murashkin, Mrs Hannah Hanh Nguyen (Thi Hanh Nguyen), Mrs Nina Yee, Naotunne Vijita Thera, Nguyen Thi Phoung, Nguyen Van Dung, Pham Thi Nga, Phra Ratsilaporn, Phramaha Chamnan Gu-Nang, Prof Colin Butler, Prof Dr Padmasiri De Silva, Tang Katie, Tang Kim My, Tang Tuan Anh, Tran Hung Nhu, Tran Thi Hoang, Truong Thi Phung, Ven Dr Yanathero, Ven Panyavaro, Ven Phrapalad Sudhammo, Ven Thich Pho Huong, Ven Thich Dao Hien, Ven Thich Dong Thanh, Ven Thich Giac Tin
There were 6 conference streams as follows:
1. Buddhist Approach to Environmental Crisis
2. Buddhist Approach to Economic Crisis
3. Buddhist Approach to Political Conflict and Peace Development
4. IABU Workshop
5. Common Buddhist Text project
6. Buddhist E-resources and Network
During the panel for Buddhist Approach to Environmental Crisis, I presented an overview of the growth of Buddhism in Australia and the work of the FABC and state Buddhist councils. The paper can be downloaded from http://www.icundv.com/seminar_detail.php?smt_id=23
I also spent time in the Common Buddhist Text project workshop, which is attempting to open the door to the Buddhist scriptures to a broad audience and make the words of the Buddha accessible to people with little knowledge about Buddhism. This project is attempting to develop a prototype document in time for the next UNDV conference.
The full list of papers presented at the conference can be downloaded at http://www.icundv.com/speaker_panelist.php