Building Understanding between the United States and the Asian Muslim World

Susan Kreifels, Jon Beaupre, Neva Grant and Donna Leinwand.


Neva Grant, Donna Leinwand, Maria Ebrahimji, Allie Shah and Snehasis Sur.

A group of senior journalists from the USA visited HPP on 16 June 2008. They were on a dialogue, travel and exchange programme for journalists from the United States and Asian countries with substantial Muslim populations (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Pakistan). The objective was to foster greater understanding among these Asian countries and the United States. The programme was organised by the East West Centre in Honolulu.

While in Calcutta, the group met with government officials, journalists, community and religious leaders. The Honorary Chairman of HPP, V Ramaswamy, was invited to address the group. The theme of the talk was "Muslim Slums in Kolkata: Problems and Prognosis".

The visitors included: Mr Jon Beaupre, Associate Professor of Broadcast Journalism, California State University of Los Angeles, California; Ms Maria Ebrahimji, Associate Director & Senior Editorial Producer, CNN Network, Atlanta, Georgia; Ms Neva Grant, Senior Peoducer, "Morning Edition", Chevy Chase, Maryland; Ms Donna Leinwand, National Reporter, "USA Today", Washington DC; Ms Allie Shah, Staff Writer, "Minneapolis Star Tribune", St Louis Park, Minnesota. The programme coordinator was Ms Susan Kreifels from the East West Centre, Honolulu, Hawaii. The local coordinator was Mr Snehasis Sur, TV News Correspondent, Doordarshan Kendra, Calcutta.

Also present on the occasion was our close associate Hasnain Imam, a school teacher, political scientist and grassroots activist. Hasnain has been selected for a school teachers' training programme in the USA, and he will be travelling to the USA later this year.