Social issues programming at the 2009 North American Bengali Conference
"Global warming could turn millions of Bengalis into climate refugees. Learn the facts, and what we can do to prevent another massive dislocation on the scale on 1947 or 1971." Featuring UC Berkeley professor Isha Ray, and environmental activist Ananda Tan. Moderated by Stanford sustainability manager Fahmida Ahmed. (Details and speaker bios)
"Through poetry and personal narrative, queer Bengali artists Krishnakali Chaudhuri and Misha Chowdhury will share their own stories and open a dialogue about the diversity of experience that is Bengali identity. Moderated by Professor Raka Ray (UC Berkeley)." About 80 people showed up on a Saturday morning to hear this talk.