Obaid-Chinoy, Malik join Young Leaders Summit

Critically acclaimed and award winning investigative journalist/film-maker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy has been named one of the ‘150 next generation leaders’ from 30 countries in the Asia Pacific region to participate in the Asia 21 Young Leaders Summit, according to a news release by Asia Society.  The summit will be held in New Delhi from November 18 to 20, 2011.

“I look forward to working with representatives from various countries in laying a strong foundation for regional collaboration and leadership for decades to come,” said Obaid-Chinoy, who started her film production company Sharmeen Obaid Films in 2006 where she continues to serve as director. Under her leadership, the company has produced over 14 critically acclaimed films, all of which have been aired across international channels to global audiences including networks such as CNN, CBC, Channel 4, PBS Frontline World, Al Jazeera and HBO. Over the span of her career, Obaid-Chinoy has received diverse international and national awards and accolades for her film-making and, most recently, her film Saving Face has most been shortlisted for an Oscar nomination by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences.

Apart from Obaid-Chinoy, Adnan Malik, director, video producer of “Coke Studio” and media personality, has also been chosen to participate in the summit. Additionally, former MNA Marvi Memon and columnist/teacher Rafay Alam have also been extended the invitation to attend the summit. The participants will join a network of people from various sectors, all under age 40, who will engage in discussions about ‘Worlds Apart Together: Shared Values for an Asia-Pacific Community’. The diversity of representation — from business, government, academia, media, civil society and the arts — brings a wide range of perspectives to the discussions, which will explore issues such as developing a sustainable energy policy for Asia; whether corruption is hampering the region’s development and if food security should take precedence over civil rights, amongst others.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2011.