Youth Forum ANA Convention 2005 Dallas, Texas Co-organizers: Abha Bhattarai, Pukar Malla Panelists: Yubraj Acharya, Aditya Bhattarai, Nayantara Kakshapati, Rakshita Koirala, Sameer Maskey, Sagar Onta, Bhupendra Pant, Nirjan Rai, Mridula Shrestha, Neeta Shrestha, Zoubein Vision The Nepali youth in the North America face many pressing issues ? cultural identity, relationships, career choices, Nepali politics, personal and community development, freedom, social adaptation, professional guidance, returning to Nepal (and many more). Day in, day out ? these topics are sometimes discussed, sometimes ignored, and sometimes left at the hands of the frail or non-existent leadership; the issues remain largely unattended in due propriety. Let?s identify and dissect some of these issues. Let?s ask the right questions. Let?s be inspired and inspire the rest of the to foster discussion that may lead to answers. Method The Forum is a 2-day event. We want to keep the ambience for discussion fairly informal and particularly avoid the traditional panel format. Saturday (July 2nd) 2-3PM The audience members and the panelists will seat themselves in tables spread around the room. Two or more panelists at each table will guide the discussion. Each table will identify and briefly present five youth issues. The organizers and the panelists will decide on the final five topics of discussion based on the topics that all tables present. At the end, Andazification, a Nepali hip-hop band, will open the floor for social mingling and light snacks. Sunday (July 3rd) 3-4PM Tables will be set for the five different topics. Audience can choose one of them. Two or more panelists at each table will present their views on the topic-on-the-table and guide the discussion. Each table will present a summary of their discussion. Future The Youth Forum discussion will expand beyond the premises of ANA Dallas. All of the panelists and the organizers are eager to work with each other and the rest of the Nepali (and friends of Nepal) community in continuing the discussion on the 5 topics and more at other venues (online, other conventions, magazines and more). Furthermore, we are keen on implementing some of the ideas that germinate at this convention or at other venues.