I was very encouraged to receive so many applications from BABA Fellows to attend BABA 9 which will be held for the first time in Japan in April 2011. So much encouraged that I decided to extend the deadline for a week. A total of 163 persons have attended the eight BABA retreats so far. We have allocated places for 40 persons for Nara which is almost double our usual retreat size. I wish we had the resources to invite more than 40 persons but this was not anticipated since budgets are always agreed upon long before the event. Another encouraging development is that Nara will integrate the two other retreats, “Blind BABA” and “Deaf BABA” with our “mainstream” BABA. This means that 4-5 persons who belong to these groups will be part of the Nara retreat. Nara will not only be exciting but challenging as well not only for the Fellows but for the resource people as well. I am glad to know that based upon your responses to my questions you are all willing to make presentations if invited. We will have to make sure that you will be given time to develop your thoughts to stimulate discussions on ideas that will be beneficial to humankind. There will be more opportunity to participate. I hope also that through the retreats and other means this BABA network can deepen and strengthen itself. The Academic Committee has also been most encouraged to know that BABA has met its goals and that it continues to be useful. The evaluation reports have by and large been positive. But like any other activity BABA has its share of shortcomings and these are being addressed. In looking at the larger picture we see an Asia that is committed to economic integration and deepening cooperation. When the plethora of trade agreements is in place there will be an enormous network of relationships that will allow people, commodities, and finance to move freely in the largest marketplace in the world stretching from India to Japan and down to New Zealand. Imagine, over 3 billion of humanity interacting more actively. Therefore, understanding the cultural, social, economic and political landscapes of our neighbours is critical for the future. BABA is playing that role. About two months ago I had received a note from Dr Chen Zhenya of PKU whom all of you know. He had referred to the fellows as the “promising generations of Asia” and went on to say that “BABA has actually in a certain sense affected positively on the image of Peking University, even of China”. I feel obliged to share his letter with you. This is attached. This blog has taken too long to start. I hope that it will not take too long to fill up with your wonderful thoughts.