South Asian Summit 2011

SOUTH ASIAN SUMMIT 2011

April 1-4, 2011 | Washington, DC

South Asian Summit is a national conference to raise issues concerning South Asian communities, and collectively strategize for solutions and future collaborations.

Thank you for being part of the
South Asian Summit 2011!

Over 250 individuals including representatives of 29 South Asian community-based organizations gathered in Washington, DC to speak out, raise awareness, and collectively brainstorm solutions against growing xenophobia and discrimination in the United States at the third, national South Asian Summit 2011, hosted by South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT)

Summit Highlights:
Community Briefing on the Hill
ChangeMaker Awards Reception
Summit Sessions
It Doesn't End Here...

Community Briefing On the Hill

From loss and hopelessness, came stories of empowerment, activism and organization. At a community briefing on the impact of September 11th on South Asian communities, community members and policy experts shared personal stories and policy recommendations about the continuing impact of the post-9/11 backlash.

"Nine years ago, I lost my son, I lost my faith because of those hijackers, and now we are [under threat] to lose our nationality, our identity as Americans. And that's what we are fighting for... Since 9/11, American Muslims... have been involved since day one. We are at the frontlines fighting terrorism." - Talat Hamdani, from September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows, and mother of a firefighter who lost his life during the September 11 tragedy. Hamdani gave a powerful account of her ordeal following the attacks, especially during a time when her son, a 9/11 hero, was wrongfully accused of being a terrorist.

"It is so important for you to be at the Capitol at this time as we approach the 10-year anniversary of 9/11. It is so important for you to be here to fight against the worst policies that occurred due to 9/11 but also to ensure that even more egregious hate crimes do not occur as people are reminded of the horrors of that day." - Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), joined the briefing to provide closing remarks.

Missed the briefing? Watch the two-part video here.

ChangeMakers Award Reception

The ChangeMaker Award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made a significant impact on social justice.

"There is no other answer to organized oppression, racism, the xenophobia that we see unfold on a daily basis in this country - there is no other answer to that except organizing," - Bhairavi Desai, Executive Director and co-founder of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance (NYTWA) and keynote speaker at the ceremony, spoke passionately about the importance of organizing, and fighting for the rights of the working class.

SAALT congratulates our 2011 ChangeMakers:
Luna Ranjit, Executive Director, Adhikaar
SAMHAJ (Understanding)
Prerna Lal, Co-founder, DREAMActivist.org

Summit Sessions

The Summit was designed to bring together individuals, organizational leaders, advocates, students, young professional and community members to discuss best practices and collectively strategize for solutions.

"We learned something new in all the workshops we attended and met some incredible folks from around the country (and Canada!) doing great work. We're looking forward to putting everything we've gotten out of the Summit to use and building on these new relationships." - Moumita, New York.

"[Advocacy Day] was a truly unique opportunity to bring forth issues in our communities to lawmakers. Most of us, even as advocates, do not get the opportunity to have access to Washington, DC the way we do through SAALT. Thanks to SAALT for making that happen and for paving the way for real change, from the community to national policy!" Nadia, California.

It Doesn't End Here...

The Summit may be over, but the spirit isn't! Stay engaged, stay involved, raise your voice! Here are ways to keep the conversation going and keep the movement going:

Learn more about SAALT's campaign for the 10-year anniversary of September 11 - An America for All of Us. Join the campaign and raise your voice for our country and our ideals!
Share your experience! Read some of the blogs written by Summit participants, here and here! Don't have a blog? No worries, email us at summit@saalt.org, and we'll share your words through The SAALT Spot!
Keep in touch with our work through Facebook or follow us @SAALTweets on Twitter!

About the South Asian Summit
What?

A national conference to raise issues concerning South Asian communities, and collectively strategize for solutions and future collaborations. See snapshots from our 2009 Summit.

Who?

South Asian organizational leaders, community members, advocates, professionals, non-profit staff members, lawyers and students from around the country.

Why?

The Summit will give you an opportunity to: gain skills through interactive workshops; build or strengthen connections with your representatives; network with professionals, activists and community members.

The South Asian Summit 2011 is hosted by South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) and the South Asian Law Students Association at the Washington College of Law, American University, as part of the Founders’ Day Celebration (a series of events over a 3-month period to commemorate the founding of the Washington College of Law).

Got questions? See our FAQs or contact summit@saalt.org.

Summit Sponsors:


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