The Young Somali Professionals of North America (YSPNA) held their 4th Annual Retreat in
The theme of this year’s gathering was- Shaping our Future: Fostering New Ideas and Leadership. The objective was to bring together our members to interact with one another, discuss issues of importance to young Somali professionals and ways in which the organization and its members can play a leading role within the Somali community of
The keynote speaker of the conference was Dr. Hussein Warsame, Chair of the Accounting Area at the
combined effort in order to bring about the collective success of the Somali community. Through examples and stories from back home and in the Diaspora, the professor reiterated the ever growing need for collective action to tackle the difficulties we face as a community.
Jabril Abdulle, Director of the Centre for Research and Dialogue (CRD) and Dr. Hussein Warsame, Chair of the Accounting Area at the
Also speaking at the conference was Jabril Abdulle, Director of the Centre for Research and Dialogue (CRD) whose topic, “Young Somalis in the Diaspora: Opportunities in
engage their government so that it may do more when it comes to the humanitarian and developmental needs of those back home.
Fowzia Abdulkaidr, Human Rights Activist
Human rights activist Fowzia Abdulkadir also addressed the conference on how important it was for young Somali professionals to be politically engaged. Ms. Abdulkadir’s talk “Being Politically Aware: Leadership, Advocacy and Community Mobilization” was aimed at reminding the attendees that through active political engagement, they had the power to influence policies that impacted them personally. In addition, through advocacy and successful community mobilization they would be able to accomplish what often cannot be accomplished individually. She pointed out that YSPNA, because of its young and professional members was in a unique position to be one of those organizations that can advocate on behalf of and rally the community.
Omar Ugaas, a social worker and a community activist in
Mohammed Habaneh, a teacher & development Specialist and Omar Ugas Socail Worker and Community Activist
Mohammed Habaneh, a teacher, activist and development specialist from
Following presentations by the speakers, the attendees of the conference got the chance to interact and ask questions during panel discussions. There was a lively conversation which gave both the presenters and participants’ time to discuss the range of topics covered in the lectures. YSPNA members displayed their concern for the issues discussed and their eagerness to make a difference. Their questions and comments reflected not only their willingness to make a difference but the depth of understanding about the importance of their role in the betterment of the Somali community.
For all the young professionals who have attended, the conference was rich not only in motivating and inspiring but also in practical recommendations that would go along way in making a difference in the community at large. In the coming days and weeks YSPNA would be putting together a report of the main recommendations from this important gathering and would be sharing it with the rest of the community.
Finally, this gathering gave the Young Somali Professionals of North America (YSPNA) the chance to highlight their readiness to play a leading role in the Somali community in
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Young Somali Professionals of
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