|
|
|
|
|
NAAP-DC members helping out at the Children's Inn with cleaning the playroom for the children.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
January 2002
Vol. 3, Issue 2
|
|
In the Media
Annual Arab Student Association
Gathering To Tackle Post Sept. 11 Issues
Participants to Meet with Government Officials
in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Union of Arab Student Associations (UASA) will hold its Fourth Annual Arab American National Student (NAAS) Conference at George Washington University January 25-27.
Ralph Nader, who recently unsuccessfully sought the presidency of the United States, becoming the first Arab-American to seek that office, has been asked serve as the keynote speaker. (As of press time, Nader had yet to respond.)
Also scheduled to address the gathering are Amr Musa, head of the Arab League; Munior Fasha, founder of Qalib al-Omer (a global Arab youth magazine) and Bassam Hadad, an activist and professor at Georgetown University and American University.
"Nearly six years after its establishment, the UASA has been recognized as one of the leading Arab American organizations. It continues to grow and work on empowering the Arab American student movement," said Mais Abousy, UASA chairwoman. "Arab American students nationwide will gather to strengthen their dreams of serving their community."
Ghada Elnajjar, who will speak on the activism of Arab-American women, said among the topics to be discussed are Arab-American identity, the U.S. Census, upcoming elections, the aftermath of September 11th attacks, media coverage and civil rights. Elnajjar is one of the founders of the Network of Arab-American Alumni and Professionals (NAAP), a sister organization of the UASA.
(Although NAAP was established to support the UASA efforts, Elnajjar said it also has grown to serve as a channel through which alumni and professionals can become more active in political and social affairs. Currently, NAAP serves its members and the community by coordinating political action on the local and national levels, providing professional networking opportunities, promoting Arab heritage through cultural events and engaging in community outreach to educate the American public about Arab/Arab-American issues and culture.)
Hanna Hanania, founder of UASA, said that "the purpose of this conference ... is to reinforce the goals of the union and expand on its agenda, develop an action plan for the next year and provide a networking opportunity to Arab students across the nation as well as engage new members."
The three-day event, which expects to draw more than 500 people, will feature:
- Lobby sessions in which participants will lunch on Capitol Hill with Arab-American staffers, interns and other government employees. The Arab American Institute is helping organize the lobbying sessions.
- A meeting with other government officials representing the White House, the State Department and Justice Department.
- A Town Hall meeting led by Arab student leaders to discuss proposals for activism next year.
The conference will also feature a photo exhibit of some of the work of political caricaturist Naji Al-Ali, as well as non-political, festive events such as a party hosted by the George Washington Arab Student Association, a talent show and cultural performances. Established in 1996, the UASA is the only student-based organization that connects and unifies local Arab-American university groups. Currently, the organization counts thousands of members representing more than 40 universities across the United States.
|
|
|
|
|
|
