Panel Discussions
Pakistan and Afghanistan: Analyzing Foreign Policy & The Future of the Taliban
The panelists will take the region's geo-political circumstances into account to discuss the state of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. The panel will touch on the situation in Afghanistan in light of the draw-down of foreign forces, attempts to bring the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table, anti-terrorism cooperation, and whether ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan are on the mend given the recent thaw between the two countries.
Pakistan's future relationship with Afghanistan is of utmost importance to stabilize the region. Previous arguments by Pakistanis related to achieving greater stability no longer qualify in this new geo-political landscape. Can Pakistan move beyond a relationship marred by interventionism to one that is more supportive and constructive of a young Afghan government? How can both nations work together to combat regional instability propagated by the militant groups on both sides of the border? Do there still exist "good" militant groups and "bad" militant groups for each nation state? Will other actors like the U.S and India influence these decisions? In other words, what is the short term end game and what will it look like?
The panelists will take the region's geo-political circumstances into account to discuss the state of Pakistan-Afghanistan relations. The panel will touch on the situation in Afghanistan in light of the draw-down of foreign forces, attempts to bring the Afghan Taliban to the negotiating table, anti-terrorism cooperation, and whether ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan are on the mend given the recent thaw between the two countries.
Pakistan's future relationship with Afghanistan is of utmost importance to stabilize the region. Previous arguments by Pakistanis related to achieving greater stability no longer qualify in this new geo-political landscape. Can Pakistan move beyond a relationship marred by interventionism to one that is more supportive and constructive of a young Afghan government? How can both nations work together to combat regional instability propagated by the militant groups on both sides of the border? Do there still exist "good" militant groups and "bad" militant groups for each nation state? Will other actors like the U.S and India influence these decisions? In other words, what is the short term end game and what will it look like?
The Role of Arts and Literature in a Future Pakistan
The recent explosion in the media industry of Pakistan has served as a very telling primer to its influence and reach. Within this burgeoning industry are niches of cultural reinvigoration and awareness and it is on these that this panel will look to focus. The content of Hum Tv’s dramas, the global reach of Shoaib Mansoor’s storytelling, to Ajoka theater’s local theater that manages to bridge the gaps not only in the South Asian region but the world over, Pakistani arts and culture seem to be on the upswing. This panel seeks to bring together a diverse group of experts in the arts and literature to enmesh their thoughts and help engender debate and discussion. How can art unite and what changes are possible through the arts? How can we make art and literature more accessible? How does one navigate the social and institutional challenges that are posed in an environment like that of Pakistan? This list of questions is not exhaustive but is indicative of the ethos of our conference, through which we seek to not only better understand the world around us, but be prepared to take the first steps required to change it.
The recent explosion in the media industry of Pakistan has served as a very telling primer to its influence and reach. Within this burgeoning industry are niches of cultural reinvigoration and awareness and it is on these that this panel will look to focus. The content of Hum Tv’s dramas, the global reach of Shoaib Mansoor’s storytelling, to Ajoka theater’s local theater that manages to bridge the gaps not only in the South Asian region but the world over, Pakistani arts and culture seem to be on the upswing. This panel seeks to bring together a diverse group of experts in the arts and literature to enmesh their thoughts and help engender debate and discussion. How can art unite and what changes are possible through the arts? How can we make art and literature more accessible? How does one navigate the social and institutional challenges that are posed in an environment like that of Pakistan? This list of questions is not exhaustive but is indicative of the ethos of our conference, through which we seek to not only better understand the world around us, but be prepared to take the first steps required to change it.
Entrepreneurship in Pakistan
A new wave of creative and confident Pakistani entrepreneurs has emerged developing innovative start ups both locally and abroad. To add to this, incubators are helping entrepreneurs develop ideas and financing is picking up. With a range of speakers from seasoned entrepreneurs to venture capitalists, this discussion will shed light on the nuts and bolts of setting up and financing entrepreneurial ventures both within Pakistan and in the United States. Questions will address include: What needs to be done to promote a culture of innovation? How can financing be incentivized and how do we create an ecosystem for development? The discussion will also look into the role entrepreneurship has to play in shaping the future of Pakistan. On a more local level, many attendees would be interested in starting a business in or outside Pakistan and could gain immeasurably from reflections and experiences from our panelists: what were their unique perspectives on starting a business, from navigating corporate structures, to obtaining funding both within Pakistan and in the United States? What are key factors to consider when deciding to take on an entrepreneurial venture? What were key lessons learnt in their respective fields?
A new wave of creative and confident Pakistani entrepreneurs has emerged developing innovative start ups both locally and abroad. To add to this, incubators are helping entrepreneurs develop ideas and financing is picking up. With a range of speakers from seasoned entrepreneurs to venture capitalists, this discussion will shed light on the nuts and bolts of setting up and financing entrepreneurial ventures both within Pakistan and in the United States. Questions will address include: What needs to be done to promote a culture of innovation? How can financing be incentivized and how do we create an ecosystem for development? The discussion will also look into the role entrepreneurship has to play in shaping the future of Pakistan. On a more local level, many attendees would be interested in starting a business in or outside Pakistan and could gain immeasurably from reflections and experiences from our panelists: what were their unique perspectives on starting a business, from navigating corporate structures, to obtaining funding both within Pakistan and in the United States? What are key factors to consider when deciding to take on an entrepreneurial venture? What were key lessons learnt in their respective fields?
Successfully Impacting Policy Change
This panel aims to integrate stakeholders in the varying yet related fields of healthcare, rights advocacy and policy-making, with a view to social reform. Leading off from the Keynote Address by Ms. Sania Nishtar, the ensuing panel looks towards bringing together highly acclaimed and well-grounded professionals to discuss and debate their experience in bringing about policy change, specifically in the context of healthcare and human rights. Some of the key questions we look to answer include: What are the social and institutional constraints on health care workers and human right advocacy groups? What creates such barriers? What policy measures can be adopted in order to reach the ideal levels of social reform our panelists strive for?
This panel aims to integrate stakeholders in the varying yet related fields of healthcare, rights advocacy and policy-making, with a view to social reform. Leading off from the Keynote Address by Ms. Sania Nishtar, the ensuing panel looks towards bringing together highly acclaimed and well-grounded professionals to discuss and debate their experience in bringing about policy change, specifically in the context of healthcare and human rights. Some of the key questions we look to answer include: What are the social and institutional constraints on health care workers and human right advocacy groups? What creates such barriers? What policy measures can be adopted in order to reach the ideal levels of social reform our panelists strive for?