Vali Nasr, Featured Guest at PAAIA Reception for Iranian American Congressional and Administration Staff

May 11, 2010, Washington, D.C. – The Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) held its bi-annual reception for Iranian Americans who work for members of Congress and the Executive Branch on May 7, 2010.  The event, held at the home of Mr. Robert Babayi, was a huge success with over fifty guests in attendance. The guests, who also included Iranian Americans working for government consulting firms and nonprofit organizations, got a chance to mingle and network with one another in an intimate setting.

The featured guest at the reception was Dr. Vali Nasr from the U.S. Department of State.  Dr. Nasr is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy of Tufts University.  He has authored several books, the latest of which is titled Forces of Fortune: The Rise of the New Muslim Middle Class and What It Will Mean for Our World. Dr. Nasr serves on the board of PAAIA Fund, a 501c3 division of PAAIA that is devoted to education and community service.

In April of 2009, Dr. Nasr was appointed as Senior Advisor to Special Envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan Ambassador Richard Holbrooke.  In this capacity, he is one of the highest ranking Iranian Americans serving in the U.S. government today.

“PAAIA’s Capitol Hill and Administration Staff Receptions bring together many Iranian Americans from various parts of this great country who work in or closely with various branches of the U.S. government, highlighting their accomplishments and their tremendous potential,” said Dr. Nasr. “These receptions are occasions for forging new bonds that will reinforce Iranian American identity, and shape social and professional networks that will serve young Iranian Americans for many years to come.”

With the successful completion of this event, PAAIA continues its goal of facilitating the creation of a network of Iranian Americans in public service. PAAIA commends the participants’ dedication to public service and underscores its commitment as an organization to further empower the Iranian American community in the public arena by expanding opportunities for and encouraging the active participation of Iranian Americans in the public life of the United States.