In contemporary global politics, international organizations play an enormous role. To most of the world, they symbolize the hope for international peace and security through global cooperation and mutual economic development. Regionalism is the concept which binds the states of a region to enter into an agreement for defence and other common purposes. Due to being close in location and surroundings, the states and their dependent areas come closer to each other from the point of strategy ad security of their other interest.South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (SAARC), organization of South Asian nations, founded in 1985 and dedicated to economic, technological, social, and cultural development emphasizing collective self-reliance. Its seven founding members are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan joined the organization in 2007.

1. A Presentation by:
Sanjana Bharadwaj,
IV semester
Regional organizations as the basis for
socio cultural unity of countries- a case
study of SAARC

2. .
 They consist of those
supranational institutions
whose members are
governments or monetary
authorities of economies that
are located in a specific
region of the world.
 Binds the states of a region
to enter into an agreement
for defence and other
common purposes.

3. Social Impacts of regional organisation
 Regional organisation has played a
tremendous role on the life and work of
people, families and societies.
 Deeply influenced the social structure
of different societies
 Challenged the social institutions of the
society mainly family.

4. Cultural Impact of Regional Organisation
 Regional organisation have
resulted in a rapid growth of social
relations and social organizations.
 Fosters diversity.
 Have helped in improving
standards of life.
 Diversity has become a global
value now.

5. SAARC- Introduction
 Founded in 1985 and
dedicated to economic,
technological, social,
and cultural
development
emphasizing collective
self-reliance.

6. OBJECTIVES OF SAARC
 To promote the welfare of the peoples of South
Asia and to improve their quality of life;
 To accelerate economic growth, social progress
and cultural development in the region and to
provide all individuals the opportunity to live in
dignity and to realise their full potentials;
 To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance
among the countries of South Asia;
 To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and
appreciation of one another's problems;

7. OBJECTIVES OF SAARC
 To promote active collaboration and mutual
assistance in the economic, social, cultural,
technical and scientific fields;
 To strengthen cooperation with other
developing countries;
 To strengthen cooperation among themselves
in international forums on matters of common
interests; and
 To cooperate with international and regional
organizations with similar aims and purposes.

8. PROMOTING PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE
CONTACT

9. SAARC Audio-Visual
Exchange (SAVE) Programme
 Aimed at increasing the awareness of SAARC
among the peoples of the region and
disseminating information about Member
Countries.
 SAVE programmes comprise regular TV and
Radio Programmes.

10. SAARC Scheme for Promotion
of Organised Tourism
 Initiated with the over-all objective of
strengthening people-to-people contact in the
region.
 The Scheme is specifically aimed at facilitating
intra-regional tourism.
 Provision of concessional air-fare, and
arrangement for limited convertibility of foreign
exchange through a travel voucher system.

11. .
 SAARC Chairs,
Fellowships
and Scholarships
Scheme
Instituted with the aim of
providing increased cross-
fertilization of ideas
through greater
interaction among
students, scholars and
academics in the SAARC
Countries.
 SAARC Youth Awards
Scheme (SYAS)
Established in 1996.
The aim of the Scheme is
to provide suitable
recognition to extra-
ordinary young talents
and encourage the
overall development of
youth in the region.

12. . SAARC Youth Volunteers
Programme (SYVOP)
Aimed at harnessing the
idealism of Youth for
regional cooperation
programmes.
The programme enables
young people to work in
other countries in the field
of agriculture and forestry
extension work.
 SAARC Visa Exemption
Scheme
Initiated in 1988 and
became operational on
March 1, 1992.
Under the Scheme, visa
requirements are waived
for specified categories of
persons to travel within the
region.
A process of simplification
of visa procedures for
businessmen.

13. South Asian Festival
To promote inter-cultural exchange,
understanding and friendship among
the artistes of the region.

14. SAARC CULTURAL CENTRE
SAARC Cultural Centre is a regional centre
established based on the decision made by the
heads of state or government of SAARC
Countries to promote cultural cooperation in
order to bring the people of South Asia closer
and to project the distinct identity of South Asia.
The Centre is intended to function as a major
meeting point for the artistic communities of the
member states.
It is intended to cater to all forms of art such as
performing arts (e.g. dance, music, drama,
theatre, puppetry and folk culture), visual art
(e.g. painting, sculpture, film making,
photography) and literature.

15. SAARC AGENDA FOR CULTURE
 Promotion of SAARC Culture online: Launching of a SAARC
Website on Culture
 Production of cultural source materials on South Asia.
 Cooperation with the Organizations with which SAARC has
MoUs.
 Cooperation in the field of product development and
promotion of cultural products
 SAARC Exchange Programme on Culture
 Establish linkage between Culture and other sectors in
attaining social and economic development.

16. CONCLUSION
 SAARC is the only regional organization at the
governmental level for the 8 member countries
to chalk out their differences and promote
welfare of the people, to improve quality of
their life and accelerate economic growth.
 In the last years, SAARC has made significant
strides to strengthen economic cooperation
and maximize the region's vast potential for
trade and development.