Asian Pacific Forum--What Is The Next Step?

In the last issue, we documented a history of the Asian Pacific Forum. Now, to balance this out, we are examining where we are going as a forum. Historically, the Asian Pacific Forum has met at World Service Conferences (WSC's) to exchange information. In between meetings, there has been some communication, but not a great amount. The founding of this newsletter is an attempt to create an exchange of information between meetings of the APF. Some Regional events have also contributed time and energy to host workshops and discussions on how the issues effect us in the Pacific Rim. Members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) have also visited many areas on the Pacific Rim, to exchange information. Many of these efforts are basically interim measures, as there exists a greater need for unity and service.

When considering what is the next step, an obvious choice comes to mind. It is not a unique one by any means; our counterparts in Europe have been doing it for years. What is this? We need an Asian Pacific Convention/Conference.

In the past, and even right now, communication has often been limited to trusted servants in the context of a World Service Conference. These servants are primarily there to focus on how their Regions will respond to World-level issues. By having an Asian Pacific Convention, the whole focus and context changes.

Instead of having to focus on how we relate to the "world" of NA, we can instead focus on how we relate between ourselves. Instead of having a short time to meet and express mutual concerns, we would have a time to dialogue these concerns.

Another benefit would be the convention aspect of the proposed APF gathering. There would be a lot of time for members who are not necessarily involved beyond the Area level of service to exchange ideas. Also, the potential for fellowship unity, such as friendships, mail correspondences, and visits, is greatly increased when we "break bread together".

How could we start this process? An optimistic timetable would place the first APF Convention/Conference in the fall of 1995. The fall is suggested, because it is the mid-point of the conference year, which begins in late April. At WSC 1994, there could be a working group formed, to select a site and examine the many issues that would arise, such as passports, airfare, centrality/accessibility of location, host language and translations. This could be completed by fall 1994. Then the selected local site can begin work on selecting a hotel facility and planning the events and workshops. At WSC 1995, flyers would be ready, and a significant portion of the APF working time devoted to fine-tuning the event. This would be a good time also to elect a set of officers to chair and administer the first Asian Pacific Service Conference.

There would be many difficulties, such as cultural and language challenges. But this writer believes that the potential for benefit far outweighs the initial difficulties posed by this idea.

How would we finance this project? Obviously, we would be creating a new service entity, one that hopefully will be self-supporting to some extent after the first event. In order to attain a pool of funds, local Areas and Regions could hold dances and other events. This, plus Seventh Tradition contributions, would form a pool of money to finance the APF Convention. A member of the APF can be elected to serve as Treasurer, in order to report on the progress of the gathering of funds for the event. This newsletter can be used as a vehicle for updates and reports.

As for the site selection, we should consider a number of factors. A non-English speaking site with an economy that would make the event affordable, plus a well-developed active local fellowship; would be one possible site. Since a lot of us would be flying in, we should examine the cost to individuals. Another option exists by asking WSC to sponsor the attendance of Trustees or other Conference participants to the events.

This event would last four days, with two or three days devoted to the First Asian Pacific Conference. There would also be a number of workshops on a variety of topics, as is usual with NA conventions. Thus, two purposes would be served. We would solidify the Asian Pacific Forum by formalising it with a service conference, and we would enhance the unity of the Pacific Rim by gathering addicts together.

This writer does not think that this is a bit of wishful thinking. There seems to be a lot of work and ideas that this kind of project would impose on those who would get involved. But should we carry that weight? This writer thinks that we should! We are at a decision point, and by going forward, we will actually create a foundation to serve us for many years to come. One of the aspects of our Primary Purpose is to come together when we carry the message to the still suffering addict. This is the unity discussed in the First Tradition, which lends itself to our Primary Purpose. We are in the position of being pioneers, the Asian Pacific Forum is still in its infancy, and we could nurture it into much more than it is now.

Ceven M.

Additional Resources

The World Service Office also provides a variety of services to addicts who are geographically isolated. They produce a phone line directory which lists all known NA phone line numbers in the world, as well as an International Meeting Directory, which lists all registered meetings outside of the continental United States. They also send out free Group Starter Kits and informational packages upon request. You can write or call to find out where the nearest NA meeting or office is. You can also get answers to a lot of other questions through the shared experience, strength and hope of NA groups around the world channelled through the World Service Office.

You might also find the Narcotics Anonymous Loner Group helpful. It is a means by which geographically isolated addicts communicate with one another through the mail. This unconventional meeting allows recovering addicts to share their experience, strength and hope through regular correspondence. The Loner Group publishes a bimonthly newsletter, entitled Meeting by Mail. If you wish to become involved with the Loner Group, write to the World Service Office, attn: Loner Group.

There are two other publications which are very beneficial to addicts in remote areas. The first one is the Newsline which is a bimonthly publication produced by the World Service Office. There is no charge for this publication, and you can have your name added to the mailing list just by writing to the WSO. You will then begin receiving the Newsline on a regular basis.

It contains notices of upcoming NA conventions, as well as articles written by the World Service Board of Trustees and various other newsworthy items.

This publication is very helpful in encouraging communication and unity by keeping you informed of developments in the worldwide Fellowship of Narcotics Anonymous.

The N.A. Way magazine is another helpful publication. This Fellowship magazine contains many articles about recovery written by addicts for addicts.

We suggest that you and other members of your group subscribe to the magazine so that you can receive issues on a monthly basis. You can obtain a subscription blank in the back of the magazine, or request one from the WSO.

The most important service NA offers is the recovering addict. Remember, the therapeutic value of one addict helping another is without parallel. So if it is possible, contact some other recovering addicts either by phone or by mail. If you contact the NA World Service Office they will assist you in reaching the nearest recovering addicts. Remember that you don't have to be lonely, even though you might be alone.

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The Asian Pacific Forum Newsletter is distributed free of charge by the Asian Pacific Forum to its members. We invite your input and suggestions. This newsletter is intended to be a place where the NA fellowship in the Pacific Rim can share experience, strength and hope in print. Send us your articles about recovery, opinions on NA matters, and features. All submitted manuscripts become the property of this newsletter.

The Asian Pacific Newsletter presents the experiences and views of individual members of Narcotics Anonymous. The opinions expressed herein do not represent the views of Narcotics Anonymous as a whole, the Asian Pacific Forum, or it's newsletter. Any publication of materials does not imply endorsement.

The Newsletter gratefully gives permission to any NA fellowship publication to reprint articles published in the Asian Pacific Newsletter. We request that when doing so, they cite the source.