Recent changes in international economic and social structures have paralleled varying modes of development and modernization in many Third world countries, precipitating deep socio-economic difficulties for most and posing new challenges to traditional ideas of the development process. Framing today's discussion around the role of development in the South Asian subcontinent, we plan to examine these varying patterns of development within the context of ecological issues, women and subculture, global trends, and the alternative models of modernization suggested by these forces. The South Asian Students Alliance, founded in Spring 1990 as the South Asian Unity Forum, is an organization of undergraduate and graduate students committed to fostering a constructive dialogue on social and political issues pertinent to South Asia and the Third World. Since its inception, SASA has published a newsletter, organized a forum on modes of cultural diffusion and assimilation, and is presently publishing a journal by and about South Asians. We hold weekly discussions at 6:30 p.m. on Thursdays in the East Madrone Room of the ASUC Student Union, UC Berkeley campus. 9:00 - 10:45 I. The Ecological Dimensions of Development: Shivsharan Someshwar, Planning Program, UCLA "Community and Social Forestry in Kolar, India" -- Vinay Gidvani, Forestry, UC Berkeley "Ecological Change in the Central Himalayas" -- Swadesh Mahajan, Physics Department, UT Austin -- Michael Watts, Geography, UC Berkeley // 10:45 - 11:00 BREAK // 11:00 - 12:30 II. Women and Development: Gerald Berreman, Anthropology, UC Berkeley "Women and Grass Roots Environmental Movements" -- Jasmine Amar, Overseas Development Network "An Experiental Look at Women and Family Planning in India's Development" -- Nahid Islam, Sociology, UC Berkeley -- Ved Vatuk, Anthropology, UC Berkeley // 12:30 - 1:30 LUNCH
