HUA HIN: 13th March 2005 --  As the last wave of provincials and their councils swirled out and confreres from Thailand swept in for their annual retreat at Hua Hin, the EAO 'pond' had clearly changed - a welcome settling of surface waters after the intense work of the past week, but with greater depths, some yet to plumb, and strong nether currents now at work.

    In the wash-up, after the evaluations by the whole group, by provincial groups, after the Formation delegates' meeting, the YM delegates' meeting, it was clear that the notion of 'region' for EAO was now much stronger, 'a more concrete sense of Region and with clearer values' in the words of one provincial.

   The evaluation was positive overall - in the light of overwhelming hospitality on the part of THA, of the focusing and much appreciated presence of the Rector Major and his words, of general councillors, in the light of the communion and camaraderie created on-the-spot.  There were blemishes, as there must be - more could have been gained from bringing such high-powered persons together, a process that was powerfully effective in a left-brained logical manner could benefit from a little more right-brain, and a 'vision-mission' statement that might have been rather hastily summoned, pushed and pummelled into place at the end.

    But there was so much development of regional-level thinking which, if guided well, will benefit.  'Region' does not mean 'decision', but can mean empowering consultation and opportunity, to carry the 'left-brain' concept on a little.  Not every desire within the region could necessarily find an immediate response.  But the ebb and flow and the currents of regionalism were strongly promoted: the desire that provincial bodies benefit from information and materials emanating from regional level, and vice versa; the sharing of human resources.

    There were clear particulars on offer.  DBCS (Paranañaque, FIN) is available as an Ongoing Formation Centre for the region; VIE is now in a position to share personnel resources - formators, professors especially.  Guidelines for interprovincail cooperation (especially in Formation) are in the pipelines - expect clear directives from the Rector Major by December; a regional commission at least for consultation purposes in Formation to be set up; English language learning availability to be enhanced (details to come).

    And, a desire to strengthen the networking that can come via internet, bulletin boards and, yes, even austraLasia.