Asian American Studies Department presents

The Annual Balgopal Lecture on Human Rights and Asian Americans

Established by a generous endowment from Pallassana R. Balgopal and Shyamala Balgopal in 2007

 South Asian Americans:  

Opportunity for Impact

Thursday, April 25, 2013

Levis Faculty Center, Urbana Third Floor

 7:00 - 9:00 pm Reception will follow

American Sign Language interpreter will be present.

Free and Open to the Public 

Ami Gandhi is the Executive Director of South Asian American Policy and Research Institute (SAAPRI), an organization whose goal is “to improve the lives of South Asian Americans in the Chicago area by using research to formulate policy and recommendations.”  Her presentation focuses on how the audience can have an impact on their communities by combatting hate and positively influencing law, policy, and community dialogue. She will educate the audience on the rise of hate crimes against South Asian American individuals and institutions and call them to action in concise and specific ways.

Ami Gandhi has served as Executive Director of South Asian American Policy & Research Institute (SAAPRI)since 2011. SAAPRI is a non-profit, non-partisan organization established in 2001 to improve the lives of South Asian Americans in the Chicago area, by using research to formulate equitable and socially responsible public policy recommendations. SAAPRI’s work has included research and policy initiatives on civic engagement, hate crimes, access to health care, economic development, and immigration. Ami is an attorney who is passionate about serving the South Asian American community and has significant experience advocating for minorities and immigrants. She frequently writes, teaches, and makes media appearances about racial justice and civil rights issues. 

Co-Sponsors: School of Social Work, Gender and Women’s Studies Department, the Center for South Asian and Middle-Eastern Studies, and the Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies