English Speaking Union’s ICM at Karachi from Oct 28

By Abdul Qadir Qureshi

(Pakistan News & Features Services)

The International Council Meeting (ICM) of the English Speaking Union (ESU) is a momentous occasion and the city of Karachi is set to host the mega event from October 28 to 30. 

 “The ICM is regarded as the main annual convention of the ESU where legislations are made and key policy decisions are taken. The elections are also held in one of its sessions. Around 25 international delegates from the various countries are expected to reach Karachi while many others would join this august gathering via Zoom,” Aziz Memon, the first Pakistani to be elected as Vice President of the august body, informed PNFS on October 20.

“We are all set to organize the prestigious ICM as we look forward to welcome the delegates, dignitaries and guests in Karachi which had previously hosted this event in 1997. We are ready to play host to the ICM again, after a gap of quarter of a century. We are looking forward to hold the grand event in a befitting manner with the lively interactive session of brainstorming which will be chaired by the USU President, Jonathan Callund, while the ESU Director General Jane Easton will conduct the proceedings,” he revealed. 

The ESU, an educational charity, was founded on June 28, 1918 at the initiative of an English writer and journalist, Sir Evelyn Wrench. During its long history, the ESU has played an important part in fostering cultural links between people of different nationalities. 

The original ties between Great Britain, the United States of America and Commonwealth countries have, in recent decades, been extended to most countries throughout the world.

It is an independent, non-political body, operating with the support of many distinguished public figures. Corporate members support the ESU’s activities through sponsorship of individual awards and events. The mission of the ESU is to promote international understanding and human achievement through the English language. 

These aims are achieved through scholarships, awards, debating and public speaking competitions that encourage speaking skills and a variety of educational programmes for young people from all over the world. 

School children, students and young professionals are their main focus while the centre of their activities happens to be the international headquarters at Dartmouth House in London, which not only manages the international programmes but also provides advice and support for ESU, both nationally and internationally.