Asian Population Association

A Farewell letter from APA First President

Dear Friends,

It is the end of the year and also the end of the term of the First Council of APA. While I wish each one of you a very productive coming 2011, I also wish to reflect on what we as an APA family achieved in the two years of the term of the first APA Council, what we promised to do but did not manage to do and what challenges are before us.

As you all know, APA did manage to conduct the on-line election the second time successfully. There was a bit of a concern some of us felt that unlike in the first election, the participation in the second election was somewhat lower. I hope that the members of APA will in future actively participate in the events of the organization, which can remain vibrant only with your support and active interest.

APA succeeded in organizing the first conference in New Delhi during 16-20 November 2010. In spite of some uncertainties about the venue, and difficulties many of you faced with regard to obtaining visa, most of you who could come, managed to arrive in Delhi well in time, stayed during the entire duration of conference. I hope you enjoyed the conference as much as we did. The quality of presentations was very good and the attendance on all days was also excellent despite Delhi and its environs offering many interesting escapades.

The Conference brought population scientists from 29 countries together. I am sure we all found the exchange and learning from each other exhilarating and stimulating. I also hope that this meeting of minds will result in some collaborative activities in the coming years.

APA had planned to organize in 2010 a methodology workshop for young scholars for which the Population Association of America had offered to support us. However, we could not manage to do it in the current year. I am confident that the new Council will take it up in 2011.? Similarly, the theme-based smaller seminars will also be on the agenda of the new Council.

Raising financial resources for a large international conference is a challenge in the present times. Nonetheless, the support for a good cause does materialize from many quarters and we were indeed lucky to be able to offer support, even if partial in many cases, to several of you. Your active participation made the whole effort of fund raising and attending to the minute details involved in organizing a conference worthwhile.

I wish the new Council for 2011-12 all the very best. I know it is a very competent and energetic group of individuals who will take the Council forward with your active support and participation.

Once again, wishing every one of you a very productive coming year.

Leela Visaria
31 December 2010