*Schedule is tentative and subject to change
(Dress
Code For Conference: Business Casual)
Conference Program – Evening – Friday 24 September 2004
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Time:
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Friday 24 September 2004
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**Free
shuttle service will be available for pick-up and drop-off between hotel, Rock
the Vote event
and Caprice between
6PM
and12:30AM
Conference Program – Day #1 – Saturday 25 September 2004
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Time:
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Saturday 25 September 2004
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8:00 AM-
10:00 AM
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Registration
in Raffaelo Verdana and Breakfast in Ballroom Pre-Function
Slide
show of NAAP events, activities and members.
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10:00 AM-
10:45 AM
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Welcome
Address: Empowering Arab-Americans – Grand Ballroom
Addressing the growing
involvement and influence of Arab-American professionals
in all aspects of
society in the US.
Unveiling of Arab-American Filmmaker Award
Competition sponsored by NAAP and Tony Shalhoub - Hear Tony Shalhoub address NAAP from the
set of Monk!
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10:45 AM-
11:00 AM
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Networking
Ice Breaker – Grand Ballroom
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Panels: The panel schedule is
generally organized into four tracks:
Professional | Foreign
Policy | Civic Education | Film Screenings/Media
Panels will run fifty minutes with a 10 minute
break between each panel at the end of the hour.
Conference Program – Day #2 – Sunday 26 September 2004
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Time:
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Sunday 26 September 2004
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8:00
AM-
10:00 AM
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Breakfast and
Networking
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Panels:
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11:00 AM-
12:30 PM
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Town Hall Meeting – Grand Ballroom
"Civil Liberties vs. National Security"
**Taping by ART Channel**
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12:30 PM-
1:30 PM
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“Empowering the
Arab-American Community”
Address
by Palestinian American Playwright and Actress Betty Shamieh – Pavilion
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1:30 PM-
2:00 PM
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Closing Ceremony and Farewells – Grand Ballroom
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2:00 PM-
4:30 PM
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NAAP
General Member Meeting - Grand Ballroom
"Next
Steps for the Arab-American Community"
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Visit
our vendors at the Boston Harbor Souq in the Queen Mary Room
(Dress
Code For Conference: Business Casual) [back
to top]
PROFESSIONAL TRACK
Arts and Entertainment, Saturday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Hear
professionals in music, theater and comedy speak about their paths to success
within their chosen careers. They will
address the over-arching theme of redistributing Arab-American talent into these
under-represented fields, with a focus on achieving financial stability while
working in the arts and entertainment worlds.
The speakers will discuss their personal experiences and challenges they
have faced throughout their career, particularly from the perspective of
Arab-Americans. Panelists: Musician Karim Nagi Mohammad, Actress Najla
Said, and Comedian Maysoon Zayid.
Civil Rights and Non-Profit Law, Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Learn
how some lawyers are devoting their careers to helping and protecting those the
system has left behind. Hear from prominent lawyers on how to survive in the
non-profit world, how to start your own practice, and how to affect change and
help our community within the realms of civil liberties, international human
rights, and employment discrimination. Panelists:
Cynthia Fareed – Immigration Attorney, private practice; and George Naggiar – President of the American
Association for Palestinian Equal Rights.
Science and Technology, Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Transforming Individual Success in Science and Technology into a
Community-wide Phenomenon. Modern science and technology promise advancement, wealth and
prosperity for the individuals, communities and countries that successfully
engage in high-tech R&D activities. While many Arab-Americans
have achieved great success on an individual level as engineers, scientists and
high-tech entrepreneurs, we have failed to exploit those successes to
assert our collective presence in the field of creation and commercialization
of knowledge. The panelists will draw upon the stories and lessons
of their own professional experience to address the following issues:
* How can Arab-Americans in the high tech field help
each other achieve their personal goals as well as the goals of their
community?
* What strategies should NAAP and other Arab-American
Organizations adopt to facilitate success for Arab-Americans
working in science and technology and encourage more Arab-American
participation?
Panelists:
Dr. Iya Khalil – V.P. of Research and Development Gene Network and
Science; and Bob Buderi – Editor-in-chief of MIT's "Technology
Review" magazine
(Sponsored and Organized by
the MIT Arab Students Organization)
Medicine and Healthcare, Sunday 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Successful
physicians discuss various aspects of the medical profession. The panel will discuss means of setting up a
successful medical practice as well as volunteering medical expertise abroad in
much needed areas such as Gaza through the Palestine Children’s Relief
Fund. Learn how to use your success to
affect real change. Panelist:
Dr. Nader Hebela – Orthopedic Surgery Resident at University of Pennsylvania
and Advisory Board Member of the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund.
Entrepreneurship, Sunday 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Special
professional track panel sponsored by Babson College, ranked #1 by U.S. News
and World Report for entrepreneurship education in the nation. Three highly distinguished Babson professors
will bring the energy, excitement and creativity of entrepreneurship to the
Conference. If you are interested in
building a business or feel you have an entrepreneurial spark, this panel will
help you channel this energy into results.
Panelists: Dr. Shaker Zahra, Paul T. Babson Distinguished Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies; Les
Charm, Partner – Youngman & Charm; Edward Marram, Founder, President &
CEO – GEO-CENTERS, INC.
[back
to top]
FOREIGN POLICY TRACK
The Equation of Palestine: Adding up the Numbers, Saturday 11:00
AM – 12:00 PM
Do you know
how many homes in Gaza are demolished each year? How about the time it could
take to cross an Israeli checkpoint? What is the average ambulance response
time in the West Bank? This panel will
teach you on-the-ground facts that will astonish you. The panel will also focus on various ways that we can affect
change from here in the United States. Panelists: George Naggiar - President
of the American Association for Palestinian Equal Rights; and Leila Saad - Founder and Director of the American Institute
for Middle East Policy (AIMEP).
Iraq Under Siege: Eyewitness of a Priest, Saturday 2:00 PM –
3:00 PM
Join
a riveting presentation about the first-hand experiences of a clergyman who has
dedicated his life to humanitarian aid in Iraq. Panelist: Simon Harak – Voices in the Wilderness.
What’s Next For the Arab World? Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Many factors are
pressuring Arab governments to reform: globalization, foreign victims of
terrorism, local frustration with stagnation and lack of opportunity, and the
proliferation of the Internet and satellite TV. How much have these factors,
and others, affected life in Arab countries? Will Syria be treated as the next
Iraq? Learn how to prepare hour
community in the United States and abroad for what’s to come. Panelists: Dr. Najib Saliba – Middle East
Scholar, Worcester State College; and George Attallah – Seeds of Peace.
What Arab Women Want: Women’s Movements in the Middle East, Saturday 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Amidst
pressures Arab governments are feeling to reform, emerging and growing women's
movements across the Arab world are barely being noticed. How much have these
movements affected life in Arab countries? What influence will these women's
movements have on the political landscape in the years to come, and what can we
do to help them? Panelists: Sarah
Eltantawi – MPAC Director; and Elaine Hagopian – Civil Rights Scholar.
[back
to top]
CIVIC EDUCATION TRACK
ABC’s of Elections and Voting, Saturday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Ever wonder
how exactly the Electoral College works? Come learn the ins and outs of our
electoral process, the importance of civic participation in the American
political system, and how to organize voter registration and education in your
community. Panelists: Amel Ahmed –
PhD Student in Electoral Politics; and Sarab Al-Jijakli – Activist.
How To Run, How To Reach, Saturday 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Our
community needs more representation in both the state and federal system. Come
learn how you can become part of the system, how to run for office from those
that have done it successfully, and how to effectively lobby your government. Panelists: Saba L. Shami – politician;
and Mohammad T. Khairullah – Councilman, Prospect Park, NJ.
George, John, Ralph and Me: Where Do They Stand on Arab-American Issues? Saturday 3:00 PM –
4:00 PM
Independent
analyses of the presidential candidates' stances on issues that affect the
Arab-American community.
The Arab-American Vote in 2004, Saturday 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Wondering if
Arab-Americans can really affect the upcoming presidential elections? Come
learn about how to increase Arab-American visibility by exploring the effectiveness
of block voting, the possibilities of third party candidates, and assessing the
situation in swing-states with major Arab-American populations. Panelist: Abdallah Al-Zuabi – Arab
American Institute, and Albert Mokhiber – former President and current board member, ADC.
[back
to top]
FILMS AND MEDIA TRACK
Selves and Others: A Portrait of Edward Said,
Saturday 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Known as one of
America's great contemporary intellectuals and a prominent spokesperson for the
Palestinian cause in the United States, Said died in September of 2003 at the
age of 67. Shortly before his death, a French film crew spent several weeks
with him and his family. The result is Selves and Others, an
intimate documentary that offers a glimpse at some of Said's final reflections
on the themes that dominated his life's work. Edward Said’s daughter, Najla Said, will be
available for questions after the screening.
The Olive Harvest, Saturday 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Writer
and director Hanna Elias tells a complex love story in his first feature film,
The Olive Harvest, amidst the backdrop of intoxicating landscapes in Palestine.
Upon his release from an Israeli prison, older brother Mazen ( Mazen Saade )
develops romantic feelings for his childhood friend, Raeda ( Raeda Adun ).
However, Raeda is already engaged to Mazen's younger brother Taher ( Taher
Najeeb ), their love kept a secret because of the tradition for the eldest
brother to wed first.
T for Terrorist, Saturday 5:00PM – 6:00PM
T for Terrorsit is a new
and timely short film that explores one possible and darkly comedic ramification
of typecasting Arab actors in Hollywood. The story begins with meek character
actor Sayed, once again playing the “bad guy,” this time in T for Terrorist, a
studio production ruled by a dictatorial young Director. Pushed past his limit for
abuse and encouraged by a mysterious Man in White, Sayed takes over the set and
forces the Director to play the Terrorist, while Sayed himself finally gets to
play the hero, but will Hollywood let him get away with it? Starring: Sayed Badreya and Tony Shalhoub. Actor/Producer Sayed Badreya will be
available for questions and discussion.
Control Room, Sunday 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
As the
saying goes, there are always two sides to every story, but in a media managed
war where does the truth lie? With exclusive
behind the scenes access to Al-Jazeera, American Journalists, and the players
at Central Command, Control Room takes an unprecedented look at the business of
war.
[back
to top]
SPECIAL PANELS
NAAP 101: How We Organize, Saturday 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Learn how
thousands of young Arab-Americans are using NAAP as a platform for organizing
and empowering our community in every sphere of life, and how you can get more
involved! There's something for everyone in NAAP, and now is the perfect time
to join the movement!
Engaging the Mass Media, Saturday 2:00 PM –
3:00 PM
Explore the Arab-American
impact on entertainment, journalism, and other mass media outlets. Learn
how you can reach the media and affect real change in public opinion. Panelists:
Dr. Hussein Ibish – Washington Correspondent for the Beirut-based Daily Star;
and Dean Obeidallah – former attorney turned stand-up comedian.
Immigration 101: Your Ticket to the USA,
Sunday 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Prominent Immigration lawyers
that have represented the Arab community in the past will talk about current
immigration laws, how individuals can protect themselves, and what options they
have to gain citizenship. Panelists: Jeffrey Goldman, Immigration Attorney
at Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault; and Susan Akram – Boston University Clinical
Associate Professor of Law (Sponsored by Testa, Hurwitz & Thibeault)
Town Hall Meeting: Civil Liberties Vs. National Security, Sunday
11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Representatives
of Homeland Security, Justice Department, Local Police and Immigration will
meet with us to answer our questions, address our concerns and listen to our
feedback. ***This
event will be taped by NAAP's own TV show: the ART Network's "Downstairs
Cafe"!
(Dress
Code For Conference: Business Casual)
[back
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