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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria University College, Wellington N.Z. Vol. 20, No. 4. April 18, 1957

Friendly Atmosphere

Friendly Atmosphere

Looking back on the conference, there is no doubt about its success. Delegates were housed in a student dormitory close to the conference site—the splendid, modern and air-conditioned auditorium of the Law School of the Ateneo de Manila, one of Manila's catholic universities. [unclear: Staying] together the delegates had the [unclear: advantage] of getting to know one another. This was significant, for good personal relations, formed outside the conference room, were important, not only in contributing towards the success of the conference itself, but also in laying the foundation for future increased cooperation and friendship between the national student unions the delegates represented.

Apart from the actual business of the sessions, it was this factor that provided the conference with much of its usefulness: a group of students from ten different countries discussing among, themselves, quite informally, general and mutual problems of all kwinds, everything from local student affairs to the present world situation. It is certainly true that there is no real substitute for personal contact; it was soon found that a great many misunderstandings could be removed when people come together in the friendly atmosphere that the conference provided in Manila. It would indeed be surprising if there were any delegates who came away without having gained a greater understanding and knowledge of the others' problems and aspirations, or having found that young people everywhere share similar hopes and fears.

David Stone, an A.U.C. graduate, former editor of A.U.C. paper "Craccum", President of the N.Z.U. Press Council, is now writing his M.A. Thesis at V.U.C. and has joined "Salient" staff. He here records impressions of the first Asian Student Press Conference, which he recently attended as a representative of the N.Z.U. Students' Association.