Events

On October 4th, Convergence hosted an event to celebrate the organization’s achievements and those who made them possible. President Rob Fersh welcomed a crowd of 70 friends and supporters from the Washington, DC area, saying “Convergence is alive and well, having a breakthrough year in its projects and financial resources”. He thanked everyone for coming together around Convergence’s ambitious vision.

Click here to read more and see a clip of our featured speaker, Congressman Mickey Edwards.

Convergence, together with its partners, hosted the U.S.-Pakistan Leaders Forum on Media & Culture from June 17-19, 2012.  It was the second in a series of retreats bringing together American and Pakistani civil society leaders to form relationships and build partnerships.  This meeting focused on creating partnerships in the areas of media, entertainment, the arts, and culture.  The over 50 leaders who attended came away saying that “this meeting is different, unlike any I have been to before” and “this has been the most productive event I have ever been to”.

Hosted by the U.S. Institute of Peace, Convergence Vice President Aakif Ahmad spoke to the value of building people-to-people relationships between the U.S. and Pakistan before ceding the stage to participants of the U.S.-Pakistan Leaders Forum on Media & Culture for a discussion on the role of the media in Pakistan.

More info may be found here.

Rob Fersh, President of Convergence and Member of the Board of Trustees, Louise Phipps Senft conducted a workshop at the Association for Conflict Resolution’s annual conference. One workshop participant texted all of her friends and colleagues to “leave whatever workshop you’re in and come to this one because you need to hear this!”

Find out more about the conference at: www.acrnet.org

Convergence Vice President, Aakif Ahmad, spoke at the Launch of the Sania Nishtar Health Fund, in support of Heartfile Health Financing. Heartfile Health Financing aims to protect poor people against health impoverishment in Pakistan by underwriting treatment costs. Sania Nishtar, a participant in the U.S.-Pakistan Leaders Forum convened by Convergence, is Founder and President of Heartfile. The Launch was held at the Rockefeller Foundation in New York City.

Convergence President, Rob Fersh, and Vice President, Aakif Ahmad, spoke at the Inspiration Community’s commemoration of the ten year anniversary of 9/11.  Rob described the power of making personal connections while Aakif related his personal experience of being a Muslim-American post-9/11.  They were followed by musical and theatrical performances.  The Inspiration Community is a consciousness school founded and directed by Convergence Board Member, Jessica Dibb.

Akin Gump and Edelman co-sponsored a successful breakfast event on June 23rd, introducing Convergence and the Project on Nutrition and Wellness (PNW).

Over two dozen individuals attended the event, representing a broad mix of organizations.  From this event alone, PNW has added several new partners and advisors to the project.