The U.S. mission in Pakistan, Afghanistan and India with the support of PUAN provided the alumni of the U.S. Government (USG) sponsored exchange programs a platform to digitally connect and strengthen the cross-boundary network. The multiple online sessions held, provided regional USG alumni with an opportunity to build their professional international networks while serving as ambassadors of their own countries promoting cross-cultural learning.
Alumni of India and Pakistan came together to pay homage to late:
The alumni of the U.S. Government-funded exchange program came together in American Center Library New Delhi to honor Sabika Sheikh, a YES alumna, killed in the mass shooting at Santa Fe High School on May 18th, 2018.
The event included a musical and poetic tribute to the 17-year-old Sabika who hailed from Karachi. The alumni from Pakistan also joined the event through video link and fondly remembered Sabika, who wanted to be a diplomat and work for world peace.
The U.S. Public Diplomacy Officer in Pakistan, Yoon Nam, remarked that today is the day we will speak of nothing but love as Sabika Sheikh went to the U.S. as a messenger of peace and love from Pakistan. Mr. Nam emphasizing on the importance of cultural exchange program recalled the words of Jason Cogburn, Sabika’s host father, that “When Ramadan began, and she started fasting, my family did that with her because we did things together.”
The performance by Manzil Mystics, an alumni music group, touched everyone’s heart. The performance made audience emotional, as the group sang the poignant lyrics, “Aao hum dhondh lain Jeevan kay Saatho Rang,” (Let us find seven colors of life). Taimur Rehman, a peace activist from Pakistan, recited famous poem “Nisaar main teri galiyon peh,” by Faiz Ahmed Faiz as a poetic tribute to Sabika.
The event ended on a high note with the alumni of India and Pakistan vowing to continue their collaboration for the promotion of peace and harmony in the region.
Promoting Tolerance in Digital Age:
An alumni-led session on ‘Promoting Tolerance in the Digital Age,’ was organized to discuss challenges to pluralism and freedom of speech in the age of digital media. The event was attended by USG alumni and U.S. mission representatives in Pakistan and India. 
Sabir Jamal Syed, an International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) alumnus from India, introduced the participants with his project, Jahan ka Insaf (Universal Justice),’ a mobile application to counter- extremist narratives and create social awareness regarding the peaceful message of Islam. Dr. Balkrishna Damle, the Fulbright program fellow from India, explain how digital storytelling can be helpful in changing perceptions and
challenge preconceived notions of the social media users. Saba Khan, ICFJ alumna and co-founder at Media Matters for Democracy,’ discussed in detail the challenges and opportunities to the promotion of peace and tolerance in the digital age.
The event concluded on the note that alumni from India, Pakistan and Afghanistan will work for solidarity and peace in particular and the world in general.
International Women’s Entrepreneurship Day: Social Entrepreneurship Regional Alumni Capacity Building Workshop
To encourage and celebrate women in business, a capacity building workshop marking the International Women Entrepreneurship Day 2018. Women’s Entrepreneurship Day, observed on November 19, is a part of a worldwide movement that will continue throughout the year in support of female entrepreneurs on every continent. The primary goal is to empower women and their businesses.
To support this initiative, U.S. mission in Kabul, Mumbai, and Islamabad with the help of Pakistan-U.S. alumni network brought together female alumnae and their allies to discuss the challenges they have faced and share best practices and success stories.
The main topic explored was “social entrepreneurship,” the use of start-up companies and other entrepreneurs to develop, fund and implement solutions to social, cultural, or environmental issues. The Global Entrepreneurship Summit grantee and founder and CEO of Chefling Tales, Madiha Hamid (also read Madiha’s Tale of Taste and Technology in Silicon Valley) , shared her success story with the audience and gave the young entrepreneurs tips on digital marketing.
These events were made possible through American Spaces. To know more about American spaces in Pakistan visit https://pk.usembassy.gov/education-culture/lincoln-corners/.
