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Regional cooperation has assumed a pivotal importance in the process of
global economic integration. Hence, the seven countries of the region
founded the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SAARC in 1985
to formalise and advance the process of cooperation on regional basis.
While the process of socio-economic integration had to success in the face
of immense impediments on the political front, SAARC countries began to
recognise the role of non-governmental organisations, academia and people
to people interaction for creating ways and means to overcome political
challenges.
Encouraged by this, FES, with presence in most SAARC countries, launched a
multi-disciplinary research programme in close collaboration with
reputable institutions of the region in 1991. The study programme laid a
comprehensive and well-documented road-map for policy makers and
emphasised the role of non-governmental actors in exploiting the full
potential of cooperation.
Consequently in 1995, FES facilitated a group of eminent activists from
the region who lobbied and advocated for the implementation of recommended
action. This course of cooperation, though informally and with less
intensity, is still continuing.
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