YAD NZ Joint Preparation of 2017 ANZBYC

The first 2017 ANZBYC preparation meeting was held on 12th November in Fo Guang Shan South Island Buddhist temple, attended by both North and South Island Buddha’s Light International Association Young Adult Division (BLIA YAD) in preparation to achieve the mission of “2017 Australia New Zealand Buddhist Youth Conference”, which will be hosted by BLIA YAD South Island. The meeting was attended by New Zealand ‘s BLIA North Island President, Steven Yu, BLIA South Island Vice President, James Low, Senior BLIA YAD North Island President, Melody Cai, South Island President, Zhang Dong and total of 21 YAD member. Also attended by Fo Guang Shan New Zealand Venerable Abbess Manshin, South Island temple Minister in charge Venerable Jue Xi and North Island temple Minister in charge Venerable Rulian.

BLIA YAD South Island President Zhang Dong chaired the meeting. First of all, Venerable Abbess Manshin shared with attendees that ANZBYC was established in 1997 and ever since then it was hosted consecutively between Australia and New Zealand YAD and to this day has been successfully hosted 19 sessions and in year 2017 will be the 20th anniversary. To celebrate the 20th anniversary in a special significance way, the conference aims to invite former YAD member to attend to share their successful experiences and the journey to apply Buddhism wisdom in their careers and life. Venerable Jue Xi expressed that the conference is in collaboration between North and South Island BLIA YAD, which promote interaction and work closely to make the conference a successful event.

The meeting determined the line-up of speakers, which included Doctor of Philosophy from Griffith University of Australia/Senior lecturer of medical treatment and communication from School of Medicine, New Zealand Police Department Inspector/New Zealand Human Rights Commission Race Relations Strategic Advisor, and Professor of Business Studies from The University of Nottingham Malaysia. Various group and personnel in charge were identified in the meeting. Soon after, President Zhang Dong distributed the working progress list to assist each group to meet the dateline in order to complete the working schedule.

President Zhang Dong expressed that since he became the president, this conference is the largest activity he ever prepared. Even though he felt tense, however, BLIA YAD North, South Island members and Venerables gave him the confidence and strength; he will fully go all the way to complete the event. Lastly, the next meeting on 15th January, where BLIA YAD South Island will travel to Auckland to join for the second preparation meeting.