NEW JERSEY, USA, September 21, 2007: The Hindu Collective Initiative (HCI) of North America has announced its second biennial Hindu Dharma Summit to be held at the University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL on December 14 (Friday), 15 (Sat) and 16 (Sun), 2007. The conference is being organized in collaboration with the Hindu University of America and under the guidance of HH Swami Dayananda Saraswati of Arsha Vidya Gurukul, PA. Information about registration, lodging and directions can be accessed at their website, here.
The purpose of this conference is to bring together heads of all Sampradayas, Devalayas, spiritual institutions, Hindu intellectuals and interested individuals to exchange thoughts and ideas, and share experiences on how to impart spiritual and cultural education to our future generations, remove bias and misperceptions about our faith traditions from the society, and raise a strong, united voice of Hindus of North America for the protection of Hindu Human Rights across the globe in order to maintain the Dharmic traditions of our community, with dignity, in North America and in the world.
The conference is being planned with the collaborative efforts of many religious organizations. All spiritual heads, swamis, gurus and trustees of major Hindu /Vedic/Sanatan Dharmic institutions and temples are invited along with Hindu intellectuals, professors, youth leaders, and any one interested in the future of Hindu traditions. Hindu parents and youth from all Hindu denominations who take interest in maintaining our culture and traditions, are encouraged to attend the conference.
Invited Speakers include: Sri Sri Ravishankar, Art of Living Foundation, Sri Pranav Pandya, Head, All World Gayatri Pariwar, Sri Palaniswami, Editor of Hinduism Today, Hindu Monastery, Kauai, Hawaii, Dr. David Frawley of Vedic Institute, Sri Rajiv Malhotra of Infinity Foundation, Dr. Frank Morales of Dharma Central, and Professors Dr. Rukmani, Dr. Subhash Kak , Dr. Siva Bajpai, Dr. Balram Singh, Dr. Jeffrey Long, Dr. Madan Goel, and other learned personalities.
Program Highlights: Two Exhibits on Hindu Human rights abuses in Kashmir and Bangladesh with an overview of Human Rights issues in Kashmir, Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, and Caribbean.
Youth Participation: Hindu organizations network, learn from each other and develop programs that will increase the participation of Hindu youth, Hindus with non-Hindu spouses, Caribbean and western Hindus and promote the understanding of Hindu religion in the community at large.
Education: How can Hindu organizations work together to correct and improve the portrayal of India and Hinduism in schools, colleges and media; and develop resources for teaching Hindu religion and culture in schools and institutions. Special Focus on: “Invading the Sacred,” a new book just published, Textbook reviews done by ESHI (Educators Society for the Heritage of India) for the North Carolina school system, and Textbook Supplements produced by Hinduism Today.
Media and Outreach: How can Hindu organizations and interested individuals implement and participate in outreach activities for the benefit of the community at-large and positively interact with government agencies, interfaith groups and the media to improve the portrayal of India and Hinduism.
Collaboration and Cooperation: Ways in which collaboration and cooperation among interested Hindu-American organizations can more effectively address larger issues of common concerns.
Hindu Collective Initiative was launched at the conclusion of Dharma Summit 2005 that was held at Rutgers University, NJ in August 2005. A summary of 2005 Summit can be accessed at their website, here, or here, here.