Islamabad, August 04, 2017: Acting Deputy Chief of Mission Christina Tomlinson launched the Pakistan-U.S. Alumni Network (PUAN) International Peacebuilding Conference today, during which over 200 U.S. exchange program alumni will discuss how to work towards international peace through community engagement. Joining the PUAN attendees are U.S. exchange alumni from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Nepal, and Turkey. The conference, developed by PUAN with support from the American Embassy, includes peace building sessions on youth engagement, new media, and citizen diplomacy, among other topics.
Ms. Tomlinson praised PUAN member and conference participant expertise in a wide range of fields related to community engagement and peace building.
“Peace building begins within your own communities,” Ms. Tomlinson said. “As teachers, students, journalists, activists, artists, government officials, and religious leaders, you each bring diverse experience and skills to the table. Throughout the conference, you will have opportunities to share perspectives and exchange practical recommendations to strengthen your communities.”
PUAN is an alumni network of students and professionals who have participated in U.S. government-sponsored exchange programs. The U.S. government invests more than $40 million annually on exchange programs for Pakistani citizens to visit and study in the United States. With more than 22,000 alumni across Pakistan, PUAN is one of the largest alumni networks in the world.
PUAN regularly organizes events across Pakistan, including service projects, leadership training, roundtable discussions, and community engagement activities. To find out more about PUAN and the conference, visit www.pakusalumninetwork.com, http://www.facebook.com/pakalumni, or follow PUAN on twitter @PakUSAlumni.
Photos are available on the: https://goo.gl/e4dASR
Contact: U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section (051-201-5427, 051-201-4423)
57/2017
