Hollywood actress Lucy Liu tours quake-battered Pakistan

Well, it's good to know people, especially celebrities, haven't lost interest in a region so vastly devastated by October's earthquake. Liu's trip comes just weeks after Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt spent Thanksgiving in the area.
More info here.

NY Event: Turkey's European Future

United Nations Association of New York’s Young Professionals for International Cooperation

Presents

Turkey’s European Future

Date: Monday, February 13, 2006

Reception: 6:30 – 7:00 pm
Discussion/Q & A: 7:00 – 8:00 pm

The Turkish-Center

821 United Nations Plaza (First Avenue at 46^th Street, Manhattan)

Featured Speaker

H.E. Ömer Onhon

(The Consul General of Turkey in New York)

On October 3, 2005, the European Union (EU) opened the membership negotiations with Turkey, which had been an associate member of the EU since 1963 and an official candidate since 1999. For both Europe and Turkey, the 3rd of October was a milestone. Turkey is likely to be the most demanding issue the EU has ever faced. Some circles still argue that Turkey’s growing population, geographic borders, cultural and religious differences are the main obstacles to Turkey’s membership.

On the other hand, those who are supportive of Turkey’s membership indicate that Turkey’s geographical importance, its growing economic market, and different identity will contribute to the efforts of the EU to compete in a globalised environment and combat the increasing threat of terrorism; and it will also show that, in a world where some want to see a clash of civilizations, how diversity of culture and religion are compatible with a unity of purpose.

H.E. Ömer Onhon, the Consul General of Turkey in New York, will make a presentation on Turkey-EU relations and the membership negotiations followed by a Q&A session on February 13, 2005 at 7pm at the Turkish-Center. Refreshments will be served before the event.

Please e-mail ypic@unanyc.org by Friday, February 10^th to reserve your seat, as seating is limited. There will be no confirmation of your reservation. If you make a reservation and subsequently discover you are unable to attend, please be sure to notify us a soon as possible.

NY Event: Richard Holbrooke at the New York Democracy Forum

New York Democracy Forum Presents: Richard Holbrooke
March 8, 2006
Asia Society, New York, NY

The Foreign Policy Association, The National Endowment for Democracy and the Asia Society invite you to attend a New York Democracy Forum lecture featuring Richard Holbrooke, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations.

Speaker:
Richard Holbrooke
Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations

Date:
Wednesday March 8th, 2005

Location:
Asia Society 725 Park Avenue (at 70th Street) New York, NY 10021

Time:
Registration/5:30 pm
Lecture/6:00 pm
Catered reception 7:00pm

Admission:
FPA/NED/Asia Society/OTR member: Free
Guest of FPA/NED/Asia Society/OTR Member $15.00
Non-member: $25.00
Student with ID: $5.00

Advanced registration is required. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

NY Event: The Opportunity: America's Moment to Alter History's Course

The Opportunity: America's Moment to Alter History's Course
February 21, 2006 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Santander Central Hispano, New York, NY

The Foreign Policy Association invites you to attend a lecture on "America's Moment to Alter History's Course," featuring The Hon. Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Speaker:
The Hon. Richard Haass
President, Council on Foreign Relations

Date:
Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Location:
Santander Central Hispano 45 East 53rd Street (Between Park & Madison Avenues)

Time:
Registration/5:30 pm
Lecture/6:00 pm
Catered reception 7:00pm

Admission:
FPA member: Free
Guest of FPA member/OTR Member $15.00
Non-member: $25.00
Student with ID: $5.00

Advanced registration is required. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

NY Event: The New Diplomat for the New Era

The New Diplomat for the New Era
February 6, 2006 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM
McGraw Hill Auditorium, New York City

The Foreign Policy Association invites you to attend a lecture on "The New Diplomat for the New Era" featuring George Cunningham, Coordinator for EU Bilateral Trade Relations with the United States, author of Journey to Become a Diplomat.

Speaker:
George Cunningham, Coordinator for EU Bilateral Trade Relations with the United States

Date:
Monday February 6, 2006

Location:
McGraw Hill Auditorium
located at 1221 Avenue of the Americas (entrance on 49th Street �take escalators to second floor auditorium)

Time:
Registration/5:30 pm
Lecture/6:00 pm
Catered reception 7:00pm

Admission:
FPA member: Free
Guest of FPA member/OTR Member $15.00
Non-member: $25.00
Student with ID: FREE

Advanced registration is required. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Home Sweet Home

I never knew what that saying really meant until I went on a decently long three week vacation to my native country, Pakistan, this past January.
While I must say the trip was amazing, it does feel good to be back. I have much to write about and hopefully, will blog about it soon.
In the meanwhile, I have info on many interesting events coming up, so the real writing will have to wait!