2012 National Seva Conference - Dharmic American Future: Seva, Innovation, and Tradition
White House and Hindu American Seva Charities cohost conference
Washington, D.C.July 20, 2012. Hindu American Seva Charities (HASC) is holding its fourth conference, on August 3rd - 4th, “Dharmic American Future: Seva, Innovation and Tradition” to
celebrate seva and civic engagement in the “Dharmic” (Buddhist Hindu,
Jain and Sikh) and interfaith communities. The briefing and conference
is co-hosted with the White Office of Public Engagement, Office of Faith
Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, and President's Interfaith and
Community Service Campus Challenge. On August 4th, it continues at
Georgetown University, with the Hindu Student Association and the Campus
Ministry. For additional information, please visit http://www.hinduamericanseva.
HASC
has received a positive response for its new Next Generation Seva
Leaders (NGSL) program, an innovative service leadership initiative to
empower and support the development of service projects through 2013.
At the request of many stakeholders we have extended the deadline for
registering for the Dharmic conference and NGSL program to Saturday,
July 28th. The cost of the program is $250. We request you to complete the application at register.hinduamericanseva.org
If
you have a qualified person who is unable to come because of funding we
will try to subsidize, but have only a few scholarships.
(Due
to a generous donation, HASC is providing scholarships to 22 Bhutanese
refugee students, the Class of 2013, from the American Vivekananda
Academy, NH.). We request you to support deserving students and youth.
On
August 3rd and 4th Senior Administrative officials, Dharmic educators,
social innovators, community activists and many more will be discussing
seva to alleviate current social justice issues such as poverty,
bullying, Bhutanese refugees, environment, health and well-being.
Speakers include Dan Nainan, Master of Ceremony; Varun Soni, Dean
University of Southern California; Vineet Chander, Princeton University;
Sonal Shah; Chinmaya Mission, M.A. Math (Amma organization), Ashoka
Foundation, and many others.
Members
of a community understand their community’s challenges and needs, so
the emphasis of the NGSL is to encourage next generation leaders to
envision sustainable, local engagement and put those ideas into action.
“Seva is a main component of our Dharma and sadhana (spiritual
practice). Seva unites and brings our diverse communities together.
What challenges do you see in your community? Your opinions and ideas
can be the starting point for social transformation. Our country needs
those of diverse faiths and talents to help build and maintain healthy,
pluralistic communities.” Siva Subramanian, HASC Founding Board member
HASC
will follow the projects for the next year and will invite youth
leaders to share their experiences at the next conference in 2013.
Faith plays a significant role in the political landscape
and moral values provide a common ground for diverse communities to
come together to develop solutions. Dharmic communities can contribute
to peace and harmony, and participate fully as Americans in civic
engagement, education, environmental awareness, human rights, poverty
alleviation, job creation, public health, foreign policy and global
development. All these issues begin with local, community awareness and
engagement.
We request your generous support to enable students to attend this landmark conference! You can click here to make your tax deductible donation.
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