Embassy Holds Impressive Pakistani-American Community and Youth Convention
Washington, DC: Pakistani-Americans from different walks of life and all over the United States converged in Washington on Saturday, April 14, to attend the Pakistani-American Community and Youth Convention.
Hosted by the Embassy of Pakistan, the Convention brought together accomplished Pakistani-American entrepreneurs, academics, artists and public officials and office holders to share their ideas and experiences.
The Convention’s objective of synthesizing these different streams of accomplishment was captured in its theme: “Connecting the dots.”
Welcoming the participants to the Convention, Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States, lauded the role of the Pakistani-American community in bringing the two countries together by forging strong people-to-people relations. He hoped that young Pakistani-Americans would continue to enrich various facets of American society and life by excelling in their chosen fields of endeavor.
Ambassador Chaudhry stressed that an engaged and civic-minded expatriate community was key to enhancing mutual goodwill and understanding between Pakistan and the United States.
The daylong Convention was divided into panel discussions and presentations, which were punctuated by cultural and musical performances that showcased the diversity of Pakistan’s rich heritage.
The six panel discussions were focused on Youth Engagement; Role of Women; Voice in Academia and Think Tanks; Civic Engagement; Harmony Through Art and Literature; and Entrepreneurs. Each panel comprised Pakistani-Americans who had distinguished themselves in the subject area.
Ms Martha Patterson from State Department representing the US Government, in her remarks said that Pakistan and the United States have been partners for over 70 years. She stated that building on and improving this historical long-standing partnership is critical to both our nations. She also mentioned that two-way trade reached $6.4 billion in 2017, an all-time high.
Officials from the US State Department and USAID also made a presentation on the ongoing cooperation in various areas between Pakistan and the United States. Thanking the US officials for their participation, Ambassador Chaudhry acknowledged the United States’ historic contribution towards the economic and social development of Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Consuls General in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston were also present and participated in an interactive session on the provision of consular services to the Pakistani-American communities in their areas of jurisdiction.
Summing up the day’s formal proceedings, Ambassador Chaudhry said that an outcome document, to be issued after the event, will enumerate the key ideas discussed during the Convention. He stressed that the Embassy would continue to provide a platform for Pakistani-Americans to network and interact for articulation and attainment of common objectives.
The Convention concluded with the participants joining together in the spirited rendition of a national song.
Over 400 members of the Pakistani-American community from across the United States attended the event.
Youth Engagement: The first segment of the Pakistani American Community & Youth Convention (PAC&YC) 2018 was titled “Youth Engagement.” The theme for the segment was “What does it mean to be a Pakistani American Youth?”
During the first panel discussion, the panelists identified the challenges and opportunities that are associated with their identity as Pakistani-Americans. They also analyzed how the young generation of Pakistani-Americans could act as a bridge between Pakistan and the United States.
Youth panelists included representatives of youth organizations from New York, as well as representatives from DC, Maryland and Virginia.
The panel was attended by a large number of youngsters including students from leading US universities.
Role of Women: The second panel of the Pakistani American Community & Youth Convention (PAC&YC) 2018 was titled “Role of Women.”
The theme for the segment was “When Women Lead: Insights & Experiences from Successful Pakistani American Women.”
In the discussion, the panelists highlighted the important role being played by the Pakistani-American women in the United States and discussed the future roadmap to mobilize more women to take lead in their respective roles.
Women panelists included representatives of from Chicago, New York, and Pittsburgh as well as representatives from DC, Maryland and Virginia. They represented diverse fields including education, health, civic engagement, entrepreneurship, philanthropy, as well as art & culture.
Sharing his thoughts with the panel, the Ambassador said that while women are now gaining positions of responsibility around the world, men also share the responsibility to promote and encourage women to excel.
Voice in Academia & Think Tanks:The third panel of the Pakistani American Community & Youth Convention (PAC&YC) 2018 was titled “Voice in Academia & Think Tanks.”
The panelists advocated efforts to enhance the existing university-to-university connections between Pakistan and the United States in order to bring them closer to each other.
It was felt that the academia and think tanks offer avenues for further strengthening Pakistan-US partnership as sharing of knowledge is a win-win proposition. It was stressed that as a subject, Pakistan Studies needs to be taught at more American universities to attract US nationals, including those of Pakistani heritage, to better understand Pakistan.
The discussion concluded that while some Pakistani American scholars have distinguished themselves in various fields, there is a need to attract more youngsters to academic research as well as science and technology.
Eminent panelists included representatives of from Seattle, Baltimore, Washington DC, and Houston.
Expressing his thoughts, the Ambassador said that as seats of learning and research, the academia and Think Tanks have a tremendous capacity to influence and inform the policy formulation process. Having a significant presence in this field will empower the Pakistani American diaspora.
Civic Engagement: The fourth panel of the Pakistani American Community & Youth Convention (PAC&YC) 2018 was titled “Civic Engagement.”
The panelists discussed that Civic Engagement involves a desire and an effort to make a positive difference in the life of the community and the society as a whole.
The panel concluded that civic engagement is both individually life enriching and is of social benefit to society at large.
Panelists shared their own experiences in civic life such as campaigning for and contesting for public office at local, state and federal level. Discussion also included mobilizing community to think and act politically to deal with common issues. One of the panelists shared her experience as an electoral candidate. Another panelist spoke on volunteering services to help and mentor others.
The panelists represented regions from across the US including New York, Pennsylvania, Chicago, and Houston.
The Ambassador said that the first generation of Pakistani American community has worked hard and laid the foundations for their next generation to build upon. He said that in his visits to community gatherings across the country, he has seen that the younger Pakistani Americans are increasingly taking part in civic roles. A more active and engaged community will be better placed to help strengthen Pak-US ties.
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