Presented 18th March 2007
The report will be short, as I have only held the position for a short time. I would like to thank past President Mohini Gunesekara for her commitment and work for the FABC and for Buddhists here in Australia and internationally.
Since I took over in the acting-president's position the main agenda has been getting the FABC known to federal politicians, overseas governments and Buddhists organisations overseas. Letters of introduction have been sent to more than 230 federal MP's and Senators, 11 Embassies, newspaper religious reporters and about 7 overseas Buddhist organisations. The FABC has also been made a member of the Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations (APRO).
The FABC is moving ahead in 2007 with a partnership project with the Australian Sangha Association. This project will be a major Policy Forum to be held in Canberra in late 2007. This forum will present to the government and wider public the Australian Buddhist view on contemporary and religious views of Buddhists.
The FABC will continue to establish links and partnerships with Buddhists Councils/Unions and organisations in the Americas, Europe and Asia. Good relations are in place with the European Buddhist Union and discussions are being conducted with the Buddhist Council of the Mid-West in the USA.
The FABC this year will encourage the ACT and Tasmanian Buddhists to establish a Buddhist Council. This will complete the major States and Territories in Australia.
I look forward to a productive 2007 and hope the newly elected FABC committee will work hard for all Buddhists and people of Australia.