April 15, 2011

For the past four years, MPAC has held a National Young Leaders Summit that aims to empower young Muslim Americans in the fields of government and policy engagement. This year, MPAC has expanded the Summit experience three-fold, to provide an additional 40 young leaders with exposure to media and Hollywood. In each of these summits, young leaders will learn about the ins and outs of these industries, get valuable leadership development experiences and learn how to amplify their voices

The 5th annual Government and Policy Summit in Washington, DC will provide college and graduate students valuable training on the inner workings of our nation?s capitol. Young Leaders will be given the opportunity to meet with members of the administration, Congress, think tanks as well as various other players in the policy making process. During the inaugural summit on media and communications in New York, participants will learn how the national and local news industry works and hear directly from reporters, producers and executives from some of the nation?s most prominent print, broadcast and news media outlets. Meanwhile, our first ever Hollywood Summit in Los Angeles will provide aspiring filmmakers an insider view of the film and television industry from directors, producers, screenwriters, editors and new media producers.

Young Muslim Americans are often talked about but rarely talked to in our public discourse. MPAC?s Young Leaders Summit provides a platform for policy-makers and opinion shapers to hear directly from young Muslim Americans who are doing great work in various capacities all around the nation.

For the past four years MPAC?s Young Leader Delegates have visited the halls of Congress and engaged in spirited discussions with various members of Congress. They have attended high-level briefing with two administrations in Washington, asking tough questions. They have gone into careers in government, media and civil society to serve both community and country.

It is important that today?s youth, who will be tomorrow?s leaders, are equipped with the proper resources to affect change. Our Young Leaders Summits does just that. It believes that providing opportunities for exposure and inclusion in the decision making process of these important arenas will provide a necessary springboard for action for young Muslim Americans.

As our country goes through serious challenges both domestically and internationally, a new generation of leaders needs to emerge to ensure America?s moral and material leadership continues. Today?s world is multi-disciplinary and inter-connected, where government, arts and media need to play a responsible role in ensuring the safety and security of all people. MPAC seeks to give young Muslim Americans an opportunity to develop the skills and moral compass to do just that.