Madrid (Fides Service) - With the objective of making known the realities of the Asian continent characterised by economic-political dynamism demographic weight and great challenges facing the West, amidst ambiguity and signs of hope. from 3-5 April in Madrid, the Forum Asia is taking place. The objective is to analyse the situation and prospect of the Asian continent. The meeting, organised by NGO for development Manos Unidas (ONGD) counts on the participation of qualified and well know speakers and it was opened by the Nuncio Apostolic of the Holy See in Spain, Archbishop Manuel Monteiro de Castro. Among the themes for reflection: historical and panoramic development of Asia today; cooperation for development in Asia; democratisation of credit: programmes of micro-credits; educaiton and health for development in Asia; a vision of hope: challenges and opportunities of development in Asia; priority sectors of the population (youth, refugees indigenous peoples); religion in Asia: path for peace etc. RZ (Fides Service 4/4/2003 EM lines 17 Words: 179)