Diaspora is a subject of interest to most countries such as New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, UK, US and Canada.
As peopl
e of Indian origin, we are products of the Diaspora. Our parents, grandparents and generations of forefathers belonged to a great country of great heritage and as inheritors, we have the immense responsibility of promoting and preserving those traditions for the succeeding generations.
Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS), an autonomous research institute at the National University of Singapore, organised the first international South Asian Diaspora Convention (SADC) in July 2011.
The Conference recognised the importance that the Diaspora plays in our lives and hence aimed to promote greater economic integration between South Asia and other countries in the region.
Its success in bringing together the best minds of the Diaspora has encouraged the Institute to organise the second Convention on November 21 and 22, 2013.
Powerful community
Briefing the media at a press conference held in Singapore on October 9, the organisers said that the forthcoming Convention would be a platform to demonstrate the power of the rapidly growing South Asian middle class to tap regional trade, business and investment opportunities between South East Asian countries and the rest of the world.
Panel discussions and debates will therefore focus on business, trade, investments and financial policy. Keynote speakers and panelists will include about 40 ministers, top government officials, high profile business leaders, trade and finance experts, foreign policy specialists, celebrated authors, award-winning journalists and artistes.
Apart from business-focused discussions, the Convention will feature sessions on literary arts, politics and international relations, media and entertainment and social entrepreneurship.
More than 1500 delegates from various parts of the world are expected to attend the two-day event, which will be artistically flavoured by a special performance from the internationally renowned Indian classical dancer Dr Mallika Sarabhai.
There will also be book launches relating to South Asia.
Strengthening links
Gopinath Pillai, Chairman of ISAS and SADC Organising Committee, said that the Convention aims to foster deeper links between peoples of the South Asian Diaspora and others.
“Singapore provides a neutral platform for open discussion making the Convention a unique gathering of the Diaspora,” he said, speaking at the media briefing.
The Convention, with its august gathering of people, will create new potential for business leaders from New Zealand. Those interested should seize this golden offering by registering at www.sadc-singapore.com
Dr V Subramaniam is our Correspondent based in Singapore. He will report on the forthcoming South Asian Diaspora Convention 2013 for our readers. A related report appear under Communitylink
Photo :
1. Dr Gopinath Pillai
2. VIPs at the 2011 Convention
3. Mallika Sarabhai set to perform next month
