28 March 2006

The World Subud Council
c/o Ossanna Vaughn - Chairman

The International Subud Committee
c/o Garret Thompson
Chairman

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We have been working since the Congress in Innsbruck to develop this proposal for the next World Subud Congress to be held in Christchurch, New Zealand in early 2010, building on our previous proposal. Before our initial exploration began, we were somewhat unaware of what conference facilities might be available. As we learned more, however, we realized that New Zealand was capable of hosting the next World Congress in a truly harmonious and exciting way. We hope that some of our enthusiasm is conveyed in this proposal.

To begin with, we would like to answer some of the questions put forward in your request for proposals.

Subud New Zealand is a Charitable Incorporated Society, registered in New Zealand. There are six groups and about 185 members in this country. Christchurch and Auckland are the largest of the groups.

The seeds of this proposal were sown initially at a National Congress in April, 2000 when Ibu Ismana and Pak Haryono visited Christchurch. At the end of this congress, Ibu Ismana made various suggestions about New Zealand becoming more active in the International Organization. Then in July in Bali, quite a large delegation from New Zealand attended the Congress. Initially at the start of Bali, there was a meeting of forty Kiwi's. At this meeting, they decided to investigate the possibility of hosting I.S.C. and having Raina McKechnie nominated as I.S.C. chairperson. After this, there was a meeting with Harun Murray to review what was necessary for this job, in terms of the responsibility of organising the congress and handling the I.S.C. role.

After their return to New Zealand, this was begun in earnest with a search for specific venues in the cities of Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. There were informal committees created for this purpose, and a group of nine individuals worked together to create this specific proposal. In all, more than six sites were closely examined. As it turned out, even though Christchurch is substantially smaller than Auckland, it did possess a wonderful venue for the next congress. Results of this search were presented to the Christchurch Subud group at a meeting, and it was unanimously accepted. Then in late November 2001 the entire National Committee assembled in Christchurch. A review of the conference site, and then a formal presentation was made by the organising committee to the National Dewan. Testing by the National Helpers and committee was unanimously positive, and the entire proposal was formally accepted by everyone.

The organising team for the congress will be created as soon as a decision is made by the World Subud Council about the location for the next congress. Presumably, this would be in mid-year 2006.

Relations between the Organising Committee and the National Committee are warm and harmonious. New Zealand is a small country, and the people are very unified in their feelings.

At Innsbruck we were approached by many brothers and sisters from Asia who expressed the hope that the next congress would be in New Zealand as this would make it easier for them to attend.

Conditions for this congress are as follows. A group of nine individuals worked together to create both the vision and form of this congress. It was envisioned to be an Indoor and Outdoor congress in the midst of the summer with a true feeling and flavor of the beauty and culture of New Zealand. All main venues and accommodations are located closely together, so that people could easily walk between them. The Christchurch Convention Center is immediately adjacent to Victoria Square and the banks of the scenic Avon River. People may choose to retreat to sit on the grass or beneath a tree in the park. Entire meetings could decide to meet in Victoria Square Park, rather than inside in a meeting room (See Aerial Photographs). The Child care location at Cathedral Grammar is a 5 minute walk away (two blocks) as are the planned cafe locations. Most accommodations are within a 15 minute walk, or accessible by a free City bus. Numerous restaurants are within several blocks, and the main city park, Hagley, is only 5 minutes by foot.

Main Venues for this Congress would be the Christchurch Convention Center, Christchurch Town Hall, and the Crowne Plaza Hotel. These three large buildings are all interconnected by corridors. Each morning Latihans would be held in the Convention Center A & B for the Women's Latihan, and in both the Limes Room of the Town Hall and Convention Center C for the Men's Latihan. This would give 1243 m2 for the women's latihan and a total of 1178 m2 for the men (split between two rooms close to one another). Once this latihan was finished in the morning, everyone wouldmove into the Town Hall auditorium for the Plenary Sessions. This auditorium can hold 2600 people. Should more space be necessary, there is a secondary auditorium, the James Hay Theater, with a 1000 person capacity. Both auditoriums would then be linked by audio visual equipment. Ibu Rahayu can stay in a suite in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which allows her to be secluded, yet within easy walking distance of the meetings. There are also a number of other, fine secluded choices.

For testing sessions we would utilize the Convention Center divided into three separate sections of 600 square meters each. These rooms would also be used for workshops as well as other spaces.Additionally in the Crowne Plaza Hotel (adjacent to the Town Hall) we have arranged for five additional conference rooms . These would be solely for small testing sessions. We could arrange for the rental of five additional hotel rooms in the Crowne Plaza Hotel. These five hotels rooms would have all the beds and furniture removed during the congress. If necessary, we could have more of these small rooms. Their cost is approximately $150 U.S per room per night. In the afternoon, workshops would be distributed among the various room locations.

For S.I.C.A. rehearsals, there are 10 locations. These are the Orchestra Assembly Room and the Choir Assembly room behind the main Town Hall auditorium. Also there are 6 small practice rooms in the same area. Additionally there is the Green Room, and the James Hay Theatre if it were not in use for a regular meeting. For S.I.C.A. performances, there is the main Town Hall auditorium, as well as the James Hay Theater. Small outdoor performances might be held in the Victoria Square amphitheater, a circular area just outside Town Hall (see aerial photograph).

S.E.S. displays would be in the pre-function area of the Convention Center. We have arranged for Child Care at a separate location 2 blocks away. This is at the Cathedral Grammar School, run by the Anglican Church. There is a pre-existing Day Care facility at that location. Youth would most likely assemble in the adjacent park, although an indoor room could also be assigned. We would also allocate one room in the Crowne Plaza Hotel for a S.I.H.A. nurse/doctor station. Additionally there is a conventional medical emergency care building about 5 blocks away.

At night we would have a second Latihan scheduled from 10:00 p.m. to midnight. This Convention and Town Hall facility is being rented until midnight each night. All of these locations are immediately adjacent to each other. One can walk from one room to another in just a few minutes.

For meals, there is to be a series of four separate locations. Each conveniently located, these will provide a variety of choice to everyone. They are designed to satisfy the budgets of all who attend the congress. Within the Town Hall, tables will be set up in the Limes Room after the morning latihan. At this site, meals will cost about $18 USD for lunch, or $27 USD for dinner. Although the most expensive of all the locations, it will be very convenient. The second location for meals is within the Caledonian Hall, only one block to the East of the Convention Centre. At the Caledonian Hall, meals will cost about $12 USD for lunch and $17 USD at dinner. Two hundred fifty people can be seated in the Caledonian Hall at a single sitting. A third location for meals is inside the Civic Centre, located about an 8 minute walk to the southeast of the Convention Centre. At the Civic Centre, meals will cost about $11 USD for lunch and $15 USD for dinner. Four hundred people can be seated in the Civic Centre at one time. Directly outside the Convention Centre, in the open air of Victoria Park, various vendors will serve lunch for about $6 USD.

Travel to Christchurch is through the International Airport, located about 8 km away from the downtown Convention Center. Most travelers would be able to directly fly into Christchurch from either Los Angeles, Singapore, Sydney, or Dubai. Others might first fly into Auckland, and then transfer to a flight onwards to Christchurch.

We welcome all our Subud Brothers and Sisters to come to Christchurch, New Zealand in January of 2010.

With Warmest Greetings,

Michael Chapman
for Subud New Zealand