Wednesday, July 25, 2012

White House and Hindu American Seva Charities cohost 2012 National Dharmic Seva conference

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.org/events/ngsl-program.

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.  We are pleased to announce that those who register for the conference by NOON, Thursday, July 26th will receive a tour of the White House on August 3rd. 

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. 


Contact:               Sevaevents@hinduamericanseva.org for additional informatio

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