Convention Highlights

Convention Statement:

We, the participants of this convention on human development, believe that we must take control of our own future and work for an enabling environment for pro-poor and development-friendly public policy.

We pledge to continue working for a Pakistan where…

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Attendee Comments:

Professor Adil Najam, one of the panelists and speakers said “It was a wonderful convention and all of you deserve great praise and congratulations for it…Even those of us who are playing ‘conference-conference’ all the time, this was a stimulating and intellectually fulfilling weekend, so thanks for it…”

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Over 200+ people attend HDF 10th anniversary convention in Chicago
(Photos & video will be uploaded in few weeks)

10th HDF Chicago benefit dinner raises $421,000 to benefit needs in Pakistan projects
HDF Young professional attracts over 400 to fun filled event with JoSH

Summary of the 1st Human Development Convention - 2007

The inaugural convention on Human Development was held over four days—Friday, May 25 to Monday, May 28, 2007—at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Rosemont, Illinois.

Highlighting this year’s theme, “Dignity through Development,” a variety of unique activist’s speakers from around the globe gathered to inform and discuss finance, legislative transparency, and media activism.

In its inaugural year, more than 100 registered families attended the weekend long seminar, including a caravan of 15 families who made the journey from Michigan, and agreed that this was a unique forum where so many talented people from Pakistan were present and contributed to the discussions.

The success of the convention can be contributed to all of the dedicated volunteers, HDF staff, speakers, The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Embassy Suites, sponsorship organizations, vendors, as well as all of those who attended the convention. A heartfelt thanks goes to all of the convention planning committees, without whom this convention would not have been a success.

Friday, May 25, 2007—The Human Development Foundation (HDF) introduced its new network chapter of the parent foundation, HDF Enable. Surprised by the turnout of over 400 young professionals and students from local universities, 80 more seats had to be added to accommodate the young crowd at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center.

Many young professionals came to enjoy networking over a formal dinner and musical performances by The Category Killer and DJ Flawless, leading up to a very energetic musical set by the Toronto based group Josh, in addition of showing their support of “giving the younger generations a voice and platform to aid in the cause.”

The goal of HDF Enable is to mobilize young Pakistanis from all over the world to make a difference in the lives of many in Pakistan. Informative presentations were also made by Drs. Mehmood Khan and Khalid Riaz.

Saturday, May 26, 2007—The 10th Annual HDF Chicago Network Fundraising Dinner raised more than $421,000 for the Human Development Foundation of North America, which works toward generating a positive social change in Pakistan through mass literacy, enhanced quality of education, universal healthcare and grass roots economic development.

Almost 900 people attended the formal banquet held in the North Ballroom of the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center. The Annual Fundraising Dinner featured a silent auction displaying gorgeous donated art, jewelry, clothing and an array of other items.

Both Dr. Adil Najam and Ethan Casey were available to autograph copies of their books. It was a pleasure to see guests from the business, finance, healthcare and education communities, as well as many others come together under one roof to support an organization with dedicated cause; a cause which has impacted the lives of hundreds of thousands of the poorest and most downtrodden citizens of Pakistan.

After the guests were seated in the beautifully decorated ballroom, the formal proceedings began with the words from the Holy Quran recited by Zunaira Arshad.

The Mistress of Ceremonies, Arshia Hasnain, welcomed all of the attendees and laid out the program for the evening. She introduced the Honorable Aitzaz Ahemd, Consul General of Pakistan, who talked about how the work of HDF encompasses education, healthcare and economic development.

After dinner a fashion show dazzled the audience with beautiful bridal dresses, formal dresses and sarees from Pakistan. In between fashion show segments, Mehmood Khan conducted four live auctions which helped get the audience prepared for the most important part of the night, the fundraising.

One of the items up for bid, was a set of two cricket bats, one signed by the 2006 National Pakistan Team, and the other by the West Indies Team. The autographed set went for a total of $18,000!

Soon, Mehmood Khan was joined on stage by one of the pillars of HDF, Khalid Riaz. When the fundraising began, the goal for the evening’s fundraising was set at $300,000. Together, Mehmood and Khalid were able to motivate the audience and closed the night with a total of over $421,000. It was a proud evening for all of the HDF members and volunteers that worked tirelessly for many months.

The night was still young and the audience was anxiously waiting for the final portion of the program. The “One and Only” Munni Begum took center stage and mesmerized the audience with her captivating style and vocal magic.

The audience jumped to their feet when the talented Jawad Ahmed was invited on stage. His magical and soulful vocals transported the Chicago community into an evening of fun, dancing and loud cheers. The energetic crowd did not want Jawad Ahmed to leave and as an artist, what more could you ask for. The evening came to a close at 1:30 AM.

Overall, it was heartwarming to see the local community not only from Chicago, but also from other neighboring states like, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa and Minnesota involved in this very worthy cause. Thank you once again to all the members and volunteers, and especially the donors who helped make HDF exceed its goal. See you all next year!

Sunday, May 27, 2007—The Signature Event Banquet awarded individuals and organizations that have given their support, through generous donations and time, over the past ten years to make HDF successful in “helping people help themselves.” Both convention participants and speakers attended the award dinner. Tariq Banuri gave a thought provoking and stimulating key note address. A poetry reading by the infamous Ahmed Faraz moved the audience.

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Convention Picture Highlights
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Karen Hunt Ahmed Karen Hunt Ahmed is affiliated with the University of Chicago’s Department of Human Development and will speak on Micro-Finance as a tool for poverty alleviation. Top   Arshed Bhatti Arshed Bhatti is a well-known journalist turned civil servant turned activist who will speak on educational policies in Pakistan as well as on the use of alternate media in human development. Top   Ethan Casey Ethan Casey is a published author who has taught and lived in Pakistan. His empathetic book, “Alive and Well in Pakistan” captures the social transformation occurring in positive and activist terms. He will speak on the role of traditional media in propagating the message of human development. Top   Pervez Hoodbhoy Pervez Hoodbhoy has written and spoken extensively on education, science, and public policy and is one of the most articulate proponents of scientific rigor in social policy. His numerous awards are testimonial to his broad ranging talents and well reasoned views. He is a long-standing Professor of Nuclear Physics at Quaid-e-Azam University who combines academic analysis with the passion of activism. He is a frequently called upon by world media to analyze political and social developments in South Asia. Dr. Hoodbhoy will speak on political institution building in Pakistan Top   Syad Talat Hussain Syed Talat Hussain is at present Director News and Current Affairs of AAJ Television. He writes for Newsline and Time and has worked with CNN and ABC as producer. He has done extensive reporting for Los Angeles Times and New York Times. He established ARY’s Islamabad office and headed the team that launched PTV World News. He has held key positions of Director News & Current Affairs with Pakistan Television Corporation, Prime Television (UK) and Telebiz. He will speak on Media’s role in building social consensus and advocacy. Top   Zobaida Jalal Zobaida Jalal is presently Federal Minister for Social Welfare and Special Education with the Government of Pakistan. Her accomplishments in the areas of gender policy and social welfare reflect her long-standing commitment to the issues where today she sets government policy. She will speak on the impact of gender-based issues on progress in development. She will also present a policy initiative of the government titled Social Protection Policy which aims at removing gender issues that hamper human development. Top   Ahmed Bilal Mehboob Ahmed Bilal Mehboob is an activist of high stature and longevity who has founded PILDAT, an organization dedicated to building political awareness and practical political thinking in Pakistani society. He organizes workshops; tours in Pakistan and elsewhere etc so that Pakistani parliamentarians can see the day-to-day workings of the democratic political process and learn the same. His extremely worthy goal is the building/strengthening of political awareness in Pakistan, among politicians and the general public they should serve. That will be the topic of his speech. Top   Abdul Malik Mujahid Abdul Malik Mujahid is the founder and CEO of Soundvision, a successful media company founded to further Islamic concepts in books, and audio, video and alternate media. He is extremely active in integrating Muslims into American society and promoting the worthy cause of unity among all sections of American society and among all Muslims in America. He will speak on Zakat and Development. Top   Faisal Nisar Faisal Nisar is a Partner with the well-known New York-based private equity firm of Baker Mackenzie and is actively involved with making Pakistan in particular, friendly to investors. He will speak on how global investors view Pakistan and their role in building the economy and its indirect social impact. Top   Eboo Patel Eboo Patel is a much sought after speaker on issues of building advocacy networks, and was asked to deliver the keynote speech at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum with President Jimmy Carter. He earned his doctorate from Oxford University where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He is the founder and executive director of Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based international organization that brings young people from different faith communities together to build understanding and cooperation. He will talk on building advocacy networks. Top   Beena Sarwar Beena Sarwar is a journalist and documentary filmmaker from Pakistan, focusing on human rights, gender, media, and peace. She has extensive experience with the print media and television documentary in Pakistan and abroad. Since doing her Masters in Television Documentary (Goldsmiths College, University of London, 2001) she has made several documentaries. She is the Contributing Editor in Pakistan for monthly Himal Southasian, Kathmandu, and is currently a Fellow at Harvard University's Carr Center for Human Rights Policy, working on a book about democratic struggles in Pakistan. Top

Tariq Banuri (Sitara-e-Imtiaz) is the Director of the Asia Center of the Stockholm Environment Institute. He has extensive experience in policy development through research and analysis, organizing and leading multi-stakeholder participation. In general, his work focuses on conceptual as well as practical issues in sustainable development. He has served on national as well as international policy development bodies and research networks. Dr. Banuri will provide an overview of current trends in Human Development. Top   Nasir Ali Shah Bukhari Nasir Ali Shah Bukhari is the CEO of KAS Bukhari, the largest and most renowned brokerage company of Pakistan, where, among its other relationships, it represents the interests of Merrill Lynch. A compassionate capitalist, he will speak on using capital markets as a tool for raising capital for development. Top   Dr. Nadeem UL Haque Dr. Nadeel UL Haque is an economist affiliated with Pakistan Institute for Development Economics and the International Monetary Fund. He is well-published in the areas of macroeconomic policy among others. He will speak on the pivotal role of macroeconomic policies within which development can occur. Top   Munizae Jahangir Munizae Jahangir is a documentary filmmaker and the Country correspondent for India’s NDTV ( New Delhi TV) in Pakistan. She has produced and directed a number of well received films, which includes, “ Search for Freedom,” a feature length documentary on 4 Afghan women and “Baloch battlefield” on the recent insurgency in Balochistan. Search for Freedom was amongst sixteen films chosen from around the world to be screened at Amnesty International’s USA film festivals around the US. The film is now being distributed by Women Make Movies in North America and was broadcast on ABC ( Australia). The film has been screened at several festivals around the world. “The Baloch Battlefield” was broadcast on NDTV and was the final four nominees at Indian Television Award. Jahangir also produced and directed, “ Across the LOC: Kashmir” on Indian Administered Kashmir, which was well received at various festivals in India and Pakistan. Jahangir has reported on wide ranging issues in Pakistan from the destruction caused by the 2006 earthquake, insurgency in Balochistan, India Pakistan peace process, conditions of minorities in Sindh, judicial crises, foreign relations, sports and entertainment. Jahangir has also interviewed leaders such as Benazir Bhutto, Nawaz Sharif, Yasin Malik, The Dalai Lama and many others. She has also reported on the uprising against King Gayendra in Nepal and situation of sex workers in Hyderabad, India. Jahangir earlier worked as an anchor reporter for the ‘Current Affairs Channel,’ Pakistan National Television, where she directed and reported on environmental issues, child labor and Human Rights abuses. She has also worked with Pakistan’s national female film director Samina Peerzada on the Urdu commercial film ‘Shararat’. Jahangir is also directing a ‘work in progress’ experimental film on 16mm, which explores the life of a young dancer in New York City. She worked as a producer and supervising producer for talk shows on social and political issues at “GEO”, Pakistan’s independent news network. Jahangir holds a BA in Political Science and English from McGill University, Montreal, Canada and an MA in Media Studies, with a concentration in film and video from New School University, New York. Top   Khalid Mirza Khalid Mirza is presently head of the Competitiveness Commission in Pakistan with the broad-ranging task of making Pakistani businesses and entities more globally competitive. He is a former Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. Prior to that, he was the senior manager at the World Bank, responsible for finance and private sector development in East Asia. Khalid Mirza will speak on financial institution building and policies to help development. Top   Adil Najam Adil Najam is an Associate Professor at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. He has published a glittering list of books and articles on human development, besides being a true renaissance man in the field of social sciences, sports, arts and culture. His latest book is on Philanthropy in the Pakistani-American Community, published by Harvard University Press. He will connect current thinking on human development as it relates to Pakistan. Top   Sania Nishtar Sania Nishtar (Sitara-e-Imtiaz) was recently named as the International Health Professional of the Year 2007 by the International Biographical Centre, Cambridge, Dr Sania Nishtar is known best for her cutting edge contributions to global health policy and planning. She left a lucrative cardiologists career eight years ago to form an NGO think tank, which today is the most powerful health policy voice in Pakistan and recognized as a model for replication in other developing countries. Her work has been extensively profiled in the media, and she is the recipient of many national and international awards. She will speak on the delivery of healthcare to the masses. Top   Muhammad Waseem Muhammad Waseem is founding member of Punjab Lok Rehas and currently working as Director in IRC. He introduced Interactive Theatre in Pakistan and formulated 85 theatre groups that delivered more then 5000 performances. He was instrumental in raising human rights issues through theatre and media. He has introduced innovations in interactive theatre by including folk lore and music in theatre. Due to his efforts IRC was amongst four finalists of World Culture Open Award. This technique was also acknowledged in New Tactics for Human Rights. He has conducted numerous trainings on gender, interactive theatre and media in Pakistan and abroad. Top

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