World Congress

Wolfsburg, Germany 1975 Courtesy WSA Archives

A World Congress aims to understand the condition, both inwardly and outwardly, of Subud as an Association of nations and decide what new or amended programs and services should be implemented and supplied by the international organization to ensure the growth of Subud and the continuous spreading of the Latihan. As in all our congresses, the latihan is the most important aspect. It's also an opportunity to share experiences, renew friendships and discover what is happening in our Subud world. Since the pandemic isolated many of us, this congress may be of special significance. Behind the scenes, much work is being done. Since the first Subud World Congress in 1959 in the UK- when Bapak began setting up the International Subud organization - until today, the organization continues to develop and evolve.

What happens at a World Congress?

The World Subud Association is coordinated by the Chair, Deputy Chair, Executive Chair and Vice Chair and is supported by an administrative team.

The World Subud Council (WSC) is made up of the Chair, Deputy Chair, the Executive team, 8 zone reps., 18 IH, Wings Chairs including SDIA, SICA, SYAI, SESI, chair of the Muhammad Subuh Foundation (MSF), which also plays a role as the foundation of the WSA, while the International Helpers support its overall mission of supporting the latihan.

Between Congresses, country delegates discuss projects, direction, policies and guidelines. The outcomes become resolutions that are carried forward to the Subud World Congress.

At each World Congress, resolutions from the last congress are reviewed, future plans discussed, and recommendations from the member countries’ delegations are proposed and presented in the form of policies. In addition, the WSA positions are tested, as well as the site for the next World Congress and the Coordinators/ Chairs of the various wings.

Congress programme

The congress will be held in two locations: a hotel and convention center in Palangka Raya for large meetings and events and at the Subud Community, Rungan Sari, where Wings including Youth activities are planned. A fun programme for younger ones is also in the works. Latihans will be arranged at both locations. The programme promises to have something for everyone. WCOT is working with the WSA and WSC to help ensure activities in both locations are coordinated so everyone can take part in as many activities as possible.

The complete programme will be available shortly before congress.

Wings+

SDIA, SICA, SESI, SYA, SIHA, Subud Educators and MSF will be based in Rungan Sari and near the Subud community. Following the WSC meeting in February this year, it was decided to integrate activities as much as possible, so there will surely be something for everyone.

World Congress timeline 1959-2018

  • 1959 Coombe Springs, UK

    Bapak gave fifteen talks in which he clarified the role of helpers and committee members. He explained the need and purposes of enterprises as a way to raise money for Subud and its social work. Some 450 members representing 35 countries attended.

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    Photo courtesy WSA Archives

  • 1963 Briarcliff, New York, USA

    Bapak gave ten talks. A keynote was the introduction and reliance on testing as a way to guide the proceedings and resolve differences. Congress attendance was approximately 350.

    Photo courtesy WSA Archives

  • 1967 Tokyo, Japan

    This congress focused on strengthening the outer organization of Subud. World Congresses became a permanent institution to be held every four years. Subud Brotherhood International Foundation (SBIF) was established to administer Subud funds on a professional basis and the International Subud Council was formed.

    Photo courtesy WSA Archives

  • 1971 Wisma Subud, Jakarta, Indonesia

    About 2000 members from 80 countries filled the Wisma Subud village specially built for this congress. It was the largest international gathering ever held in Indonesia and was opened by the President of Indonesia. The Subud world was divided into eight zones with councillors to meet every two years. An administrative system was established on both the committee and kejiwaan sides that went from the international to national, regional and local levels. Bapak gave fifteen talks.

    Photo courtesy WSA Archives

  • 1975 Wolfsburg, Germany

    Bapak explained more about the relationship between the latihan and outer activities such as enterprises. A rapid increase and diversity of Subud activities were acknowledged and given a workable form. In the middle was the World Subud Association consisting of Bapak, the Congress, and the Council of International Helpers. Bapak gave twelve talks.

    Photo courtesy WSA Archives

  • 1979 Toronto, Canada

    Congress Chairman, Varindra Vittachi, summed up the themes as being “Subud minded” and equipping ourselves to “stand on our own feet”. More emphasis was placed on the Zonal structure, on the need to provide Bapak’s talks in languages other than English. There were recommendations to improve archives. SBIF became more clearly the social arm of Subud. Much time was devoted to enterprises and the functions of Subud Enterprise Services (SES) and Enterprise Associations. About 1600 members attended.

    Photo courtesy WSA Archives

  • 1983 Anugraha, Surrey, UK

    A separate organization, which Bapak named Susila Dharma Association, was set up to take over Subud's humanitarian activities. The Subud International Cultural Association (SICA), the Subud Youth Association (SYA), and the Subud International Trade Association were also established at this congress. Communications- were modernized and upgraded. SUBUDNET came into being. Bapak gave several talks.

    Photo courtesy WSA Archives

  • 1989 Sydney, Australia

    This was the first congress without Bapak, who had passed away in June 1987. There was an urgent need to prepare proper archives to preserve Bapak's documents. The constitution of WSA was accepted, replacing SBIF and giving a much clearer concept of the Subud organization and its roles and responsibilities. A permanent Endowment Fund was established. Bapak's eldest daughter, Ibu Rahayu, gave two talks.

    Photo courtesy WSA Archives

  • 1993 Amanecer, Armenia, Colombia

    This was the first congress where Latin Americans were strongly represented. Work proceeded on the formation of the Muhammad Subuh Foundation. The autonomy of Susila Dharma International was more clearly defined. ISC was responsible for a variety of service functions including publications, tapes, archives and communications. A number of Coordinators were appointed to take care of various functions such as Media and Archives. Ibu Rahayu gave four talks.

    Photo courtesy WSA Archives

  • 1997 Spokane, Washington, USA

    Attended by more than 3000 participants from 52 countries on all five continents. More open to the public than any previous Congress, it attracted a lot of publicity in Spokane, and it is believed about ninety people were opened as a result. Bapak's eldest daughter, Ibu Siti Rahayu, gave several talks. As usual, aspects of the organization were further refined. There was an emphasis on translating Bapak's talks and a plan to make a subject index to the talks.

    Courtesy WSA Archives

  • 2001 Bali, Indonesia

    Internal issues in Central Kalimantan prevented the congress from being held there. At short notice, the congress was moved to Bali. A day was devoted to the remembrance of Bapak. A series of days were dedicated to a geographical area of Subud, for example, Asia, Africa etc. Ibu Siti Rahayu gave two talks. Congress attendance was approximately 1,500.

    Photo courtesy Rachman Cantrell

  • 2005 Innsbruck, Austria

    Congress recommendations focused on further strengthening the organization, nurturing member activities and initiatives, improving finances, cross-border assistance for Subud houses, and formulating a privacy policy. The congress used several venues throughout the city for its various activities, such as Susila Dharma, Youth and so on. Ibu Siti Rahayu gave a number of talks and conducted testing sessions.

    Photo courtesy Rachman Cantrell

  • 2010 Christchurch, New Zealand

    This was the first World Congress hosted by New Zealand. The new World Subud Council, WSA Chair and Executive team, as well as new representatives or chairs of the wings and affiliates, began their term and, at this time, with the help of working parties, processed policy resolutions which were presented and voted on by the delegate assembly. Ibu Rahayu gave three talks. Congress attendance was approximately 1,700 +.

    Photo courtesy Rachman Cantrell

  • 2014 Puebla, Mexico

    About 1,700 members took part. There was a strong Subud Youth Presence at this congress. Subud affiliates and wings were very active at the congress holding workshops, presentations, performances and exhibits. Behind the scenes, planning and organizational meetings were held, with many new people taking up posts for the next four years. Delegates covered a number of issues, including membership, bylaws and helper support.

    Photo courtesy Livingston Armytage

  • 2018 Freiburg, Germany

    More than 2,000 members from 69+ countries gathered in Freiburg, Germany, for the 15th Subud World Congress. The theme was 'Unity', which reflected the integration and working together. The highlight of the congress was a last-minute visit by Bapak's daughter, Ibu Siti Rahayu, to the World Congress, where she gave a talk to members. She also made time to meet with longtime Subud members and the new WSA team.

    Photo courtesy WSA Archives