LIVE 26 AUGUST 2021 @ 6P (EST)
POWERSHIFT, A SEAT AT THE DINNER TABLE — REBECCA IRBY with special guest AKMAL ALI
No, seriously, we'll be eating, please join us for an expansive and meaningful dialogue on the challenges and opportunities facing the Pacific region.
Akmal Ali is President and Founder of the United Nations Association of Fiji. In the five years of its existence, the Basic Diplomacy Training Program run by UNA Fiji has gone from strength to strength under President Ali’s leadership, with over 300 people having been trained. Mr. Ali is a passionate believer in the concept of leadership through the art of diplomacy with the spirit of leaving no one behind, and he continues to grow UNA Fiji through his vision. With over 21 years of experience in working with stakeholders from local, national, regional, and global levels, Mr. Ali is a strong advocate for global citizenship education and specializes in the areas of Pacific Development, Human Development, Humanitarian Work, Governance, and High-Level Political Advocacy. He serves as the Chairperson of the Steering Committee of the Royal Commonwealth Society of Fiji (RCS), and is the UN Representative and Special Advisor on the Pacific for PEAC Institute, as well as serving as an Adviser for Reverse the Trend New York.
He has been employed at the Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO) since 2015 and is currently the Networking and Capacity Innovation Officer. In this role he works with the national liaison units (NLUs) of PIANGO in 24 Pacific countries and territories, translating the relevant international and regional commitments to the national and grassroots agenda. He works closely with START Network helping to design the Pacific Hub (Humanitarian Hub). He is also entrusted with networking and maintaining partnerships on behalf of PIANGO with partners and stakeholders at all levels. He has represented PIANGO and the Pacific in several high-level international meetings, such as the UN HLPF 2019 and the G20 Summit 2020, and is currently serving as a member of the C20 International Advisory Committee for the G20 Summit Italy 2021.
Mr. Ali graduated with a Bachelor of Arts - Majors: Politics and Sociology, Minor in Social Studies in 2009 from the University of the South Pacific (USP) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Policy and Administration from USP as well in 2012. He has developed his career holding a variety of positions through which he proved his remarkable leadership skills. Amongst these positions, he was the first Secretary-General and Founder of USP Students’ Association Federal Office, coordinating the student’s activities and being their voice at the University Council; an intergovernmental organization representing 12 member Governments of the Pacific. While he has presented on, and been part of many panels and conferences around the world, the one close to his heart is being invited to Oxford University in the United Kingdom in 2012 to be a presenter and a panelist on the topic of Muslim Diaspora in Fiji and the Pacific.
While Mr. Ali has successfully passed numerous training and certifications a few to highlight are; The Induction Course to Diplomatic Service in 2015 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Public Service Commission for the Government of Fiji. A Trainer of Trainers Certification in Leadership Development Program in 2016 by LEAD | Centre For Not For Profit Leadership, New Zealand. Funded by The David and Lucile Packard Foundation, United States of America (USA). He has further completed Dan Dorrs: Diploma Advanced Leadership Training and also the Mastery of Being and Facilitation, the USA in 2018. If not working, Mr. Ali loves to cook, socialize, and entertain friends and guests by hosting dinners at his home.
Can't wait to see you at the table!
Rebecca + Akmal
EAT WITH US: Chicken Curry with Rice and Salad
What do you put in a curry? The classic spices that the Fijians use were introduced by the Indians: cumin powder, chilli powder, turmeric, coriander powder and garam masala. These spices, used in different amounts produce a vast range of curries both vegetarian and meat based.
Generally, all meat curries are made with the bone in, whole chicken cut up, lamb neck, goat, whole fish. Keeping the bone in gives much more flavor and depth to your curry.
The steps to a great curry are simple! A paste of equal quantities of fresh ginger and garlic, fresh meat, good quality spices and a generous helping of time...
Come share a meal with us!
THROUGH LIVE ARTS PROGRAMMING FROM A GLOBAL PHALANX OF PERFORMANCE, VISUAL ART, SOCIAL JUSTICE, HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND CINEMA/ DIGITAL/ VR VOYAGERS, MIDHEAVEN WILL ADVANCE COURAGEOUS, LOVING & POSSIBILITY-DRIVEN VISIONS TO THE WORLD.
PROGRAMMING, CREATIVE & PRODUCTION GEORGE DEL BARRIO Co-founder & CREATIVE DIRECTOR × EXECUTIVE PRODUCER
CLIENTS, PRESS & PARTNERSHIPS REBECCA IRBY Co-founder & ceo
BRAND DEVELOPMENT AL-KHABIR RICHMAN ART DIRECTOR
STORY PROPOSALS & PATHS TO ACTION THEOREM EMMA PRITCHARD INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST
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