Cobham Hall School Website: Round Square
Report on the 2007 Round Square Conference in India

Six students, accompanied by two members of staff, have just returned from the 2007 Round Square Conference, hosted this year by Daly College in Indore, India.

The theme of the Conference was 'The World is One Family' and the conference emblem represented the people of the world holding  hands and featured the religious symbols and national flags of the participating nations.  The Cultural Evening featured national dances, music and sketches, devised and performed by the students.  The host school put on a spectacular opening ceremony, featuring traditional Indian musicians, military horsemen and a traditional Indian fair in which students were able to participate.

Four excellent keynote speakers addressed the Conference

Montek Singh Ahluwalia - who has been a key figure in India's economic reforms from the early 1980's onwards.

One of India’s leading wildlife academics, Dr. R. S. Chundawat.

Smt. Jaya Row is the founder of Vedanta Vision, dedicated to the promotion of Vedanta, Indian philosophy, and the oldest management school in the world.

Manpreet Singh Badalis Finance & Planning Minister of Punjab.

The speakers addressed the economic, political, spiritual and environmental issues raised by the conference theme, which were then debated by delegates in discussion groups and workshops.

The trip has been an exceptional experience for our students - and staff.  In addition to participating in what proved to be an extremely thought provoking conference, the Cobham Hall party travelled to the Himalaya region, attending a festival at the Buddist monastery of Thiksey, and drinking yak butter tea as guests of the local village leader.

They visited a slum village in Nal Biketan Sangh, where they were welcomed by the staff and students of the village school, who share the belief that the way to escape poverty is through education.

Sightseeing included a drive over the highest road in the world - 300 feet higher than Everest Base Camp, a trip to Delhi as guests of the father of fellow Cobham Hall students, and the unforgettable sight of sunrise over the Taj Mahal.