Scores of delegates from across the world are preparing to attend the twinned city congress of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) - marking a milestone of 30 years - in Europe in November. See details program by clicking below:
For the first time since GOPIO International was founded in 1989 with the diplomatic endorsement of the Indian government in New Delhi that a world gathering of the most influential Indians will be hosted in two famous landmark cities - Berlin and Paris - from 8-12 November.
Particularly significant within the double-header program is the celebration of Diwali, the worldwide celebration of the Festival of Lights by millions of Indians in mainland India and about 30 million Diaspora Indians spread across more than 100 countries.
The forthcoming conference is headlined as the "Indiaspora Meeting in Europe" under the banner theme, Strengthening Global Connections.
The 30th year biennial convention takes place in the German city of Berlin from 8 to 10 November, and the entourage travels to France for the second leg of the extraordinary meeting on 11-12 November in Paris, according to Mr. Mehen Poinoosawmy, Chairman of the convention to be held in both host cities.
GOPIO International has dispatched a call for speakers, panelists and thought leaders to contribute to the dual gatherings.
Some of the highlights include visits to the sights and sound of Berlin - among the famous sites is the Berlin Wall that separated communist East Germany from democratic West Germany and was torn down during the detente of the 1980s following the unification of Germany.
Delegates will travel together to the French capital.
In Paris, tours have been arranged to the Versailles Palace, Mont Saint Michel and the Eiffel Tower as well. A GOPIO meeting is on the schedule at the French Parliament.
Within the build up to the Diwali celebration, visits to other tourist attractions are being planned in the "City of Love" with Espace Reuilly as the central location.
FRIDAY 08 NOVEMBER 2019 - WELCOME TO BERLIN
For Accomodation only for delegates having rooms reserves at the convention centre can take their rooms at : Gästehaus der Polizei, Conference Hall, Ruppiner Chaussee 268, 13503 Berlin www.gaestehaus-derpolizei.de and photos of rooms : https://www.gaestehaus-der-polizei.de/galerie-gaestehaus/
(SHUTTLE BETWEEN Gästehaus der Polizei, and Restaurant Neumann`s , Alt-Moabit 126, 10557 Berlin)
VENUE For Friday’s 08th Nov. programme and Dinner : Restaurant Neumann`s , Alt-Moabit 126, 10557 Berlin
HONORED GUESTS AT THE GOPIO INTERNATIONAL BIENNIAL CONVENTION – BERLIN & PARIS
Catherine BARATTI-ELBAZ, Mayor of Paris 12th District,France • Kai WEGNER, Member of the German Bundestag • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kheswar JANKEE, Ambassador of the Republic of Mauritius to Germany. • H.E. Mrs Mukta Dutta TOMAR, Ambassador of India to Germany • H.E. Mr Vinaye KWATRA, Ambassador of India to France
CONVENTION PROGRAM
3.00 p.m. Registration : Welcome GOPIO Executive Council Members and Council Chairs
3.15 to 4.45 p.m. - GOPIO Executive Council Meeting
05 :00 p.m. – Launch of GICC EUROPE (GOPIO International Chamber of Commerce – Europe) at the : Restaurant Neumann`s , Alt-Moabit 126, 10557 Berlin
ALL PROGRAMMES OF FRIDAY 08th NOVEMBER WILL BE HELD AT THE VENUE : Restaurant Neumann`s , Alt-Moabit 126, 10557 Berlin ( Not far from Gästehaus der Polizei, Ruppiner Chaussee 268, 13503 Berlin)
Transport facilities are arranged to the Restaurant fo all delegates staying at the venue: Gästehaus der Polizei, Conference Hall, Ruppiner Chaussee 268, 13503 Berlin www.gaestehaus-der-polizei.de and photos of rooms : https://www.gaestehaus-der-polizei.de/galerie-gaestehaus/
6.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. –Welcome Reception/Dinner and Inauguration – Restaurant Neumann`s , AltMoabit 126, 10557 Berlin Chief Guest: His Excellency Ambassador, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kheswar Jankee, Ambassador of Republic of Mauritius to Berlin, Germany . Honored Guests: – Representative of German Govt. or European Union
SATURDAY 09th NOVEMBER 2019 – Venue : BERLIN
Conference Sessions
Venue: Gästehaus der Polizei, Conference Hall, Ruppiner Chaussee 268, 13503 Berlin www.gaestehaus-der-polizei.de
Kai WEGNER, Member of the German Bundestag, Chairman of the CDU / CSU parliamentary group for Construction, housing, urban development and municipalities
Venue: Gästehaus der Polizei, Conference Hall, Ruppiner Chaussee 268, 13503 Berlin www.gaestehaus-der-polizei.de
GOPIO INTERNATIONAL EUROPE CONVENTION INAUGURAL SESSION
Opening Ceremony: Lightning of the Lamp Welcoming the Chief Guests
• Introduction and Welcoming (Teaser Video or Info about GOPIO, 1-minute introduction) Welcome Remarks: Mr Bajindher SODHI : GOPIO Berlin, Germany
Dr Rajinder TEWARI: Convener of GOPIO Europe Conference, Chairman GOPIO Cultural Council, Life Member, Amsterdam,Netherland
• Mehen POINOOSAWMY: GOPIO International Europe Coordinator, Life Member, Chairman of GOPIO Europe Conference, Paris, France.
• Sunny KULATHAKAL: President of GOPIO International, Bahrain
• Dr Thomas ABRAHAM, Dr.Thomas Abraham, Chairman, Founder President, GOPIO Intl., Stamford, CT, USA • Followed by keynote speech of Chief Guest
11:00 – 13:00 hrs
HALL A
PANEL DISCUSSION 1 – BUSINESS COUNCIL SESSION
- TOPIC 1 : BREXIT- Business and Financial impacts to India and Indiaspora
Moderator : Dr Ryan TEWARI : Managing Director, Mahler Fund Management , Amsterdam , Netherland Speaker 1 : Dr Ezhil ANAND, Founder of the Yorkshire Indian Business network, London , UK Speaker 2 : Mrs. Luisa MUNARETTO, Director INDEU Capital , Paris, France Speaker 3 : Mr Vijay K SHARMA, ARlingstons Sharmas Sollicitors, London, England
- TOPIC 2: Entrepreneurship: Towards a Diaspora engagements strategy: Entrepreneurship and Investment.
Moderator : Prince Ishwar RAMLUTCHMAN , Mabheka Zulu, MD, Vukani Mazulu Services (PTY) Ltd Vice President GOPIO International, Durban, South Africa Speaker 1 : Mr. Daniel SHARMA, Head of India Practice DLA Piper, Frankfurt, Germany Speaker 2 : Mr. Naozad HODIWALA, Project Manager, International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD), Brussels, Belgium Speaker 3 : Mr. Kiran Malhotra , Managing Director , Alliance Corporate Ltd , President Indo-German Business Forum, Ambassador City of Cologne , Germany Speaker 4 : Mini GULERIA, Co-Chair, GOPIO Media Council, Tarzana, California, USA Speaker 5 : Dr. Piotr Plewa : Presentation on the German Indian Diaspora
- TOPIC 3: Business and Finance: Challenges and opportunities for Indiaspora to cooperation policies and financing.
Moderator : Taha COBURN_KUTAY, Chairman, UK Asian Business Council (UKABC) , GOPIO London, England. Speaker 1 : Cheke RAMDHARRY, London School of Economics, President Triomphe Sarl Company , Paris, France Speaker 2 : Professor Mr Rajen UP PILLAY Garuda Capital CEO & University of Johannesburg, South Africa Speaker 3 : Jay BANNERJEI, M.B.A . VP & Franchise owner of Re/Max Realtron Real Estate Inc, Toronto , Canada Speaker 4 : Roger LATCHMAN, Executive Chairman of Maruti Global
13:00 – 13:30
LUNCH BREAK
13:30 – 15:30
HALL A
PANEL DISCUSSION 2 - YOUTH COUNCIL SESSION
- TOPIC 1: Shaping the future of our Youth - Diaspora Talent and Competitiveness
Moderator: Nisha DHINGRA, Chairperson GOPIO International Youth Council, Paris, France Speaker 1 : Vikas TALWAR , Programme Manager Accenture, President GOPIO France, Paris Speaker 2 : Prasana RAMARATHNAM, SAP Data Migration, Councillor Bristol UK Speaker 3 : Jitendra KUMAR, Software Engineer, RENAULT Group, Entrepreneur, Master at ISEP Paris, B.Tech NIT Raipur
- TOPIC 2: Scientific and Academic : Digital Innovations, Robotics & Cybersecurity
Moderator: Mr Karan OBEROI, Global Product Manager, domain strategy, security and innovations, Amsterdam, Netherland Speaker 1 : Dr Amit PANDEY ,Chief Technology Officer (CTO) & Chief Science Officer (CSO) at Hanson Robotics Limited, Paris, France Speaker 2 : Professor Ashutosh TEWARI : Cloud Medecine and Hospitals, design and developments of high-tech materials, Biosensing devices, Bioelectronics & Biomedicals. Speaker 3 : Shivalkar PARAMANANDAM, Director of AI/Recruitment , London UK
- TOPIC 3: Youth and Education : Initiatives to promote professionals and student mobility
Moderator: Vivek TAYAL, Sales Manager Orange , Paris, France Speaker 1 : Dr Gilles SAGODIRA, University Reunion, France Author of "The entrepreneurial guidance" - part of the global approach to professionalize a new generation of entrepreneurs in a globalized and responsible economic world. Speaker 2 : Mr Umesh CHANDRA, CEO at Chantex Pty Ltd, Brisbanne, Australia
11:30 – 13:00
HALL B
PANEL DISCUSSION 3 - WOMEN COUNCIL SESSION
- TOPIC 1: Challenges and Contributions of Women of the Diaspora: From ‘GENDER EQUALITY’ and ‘WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT’ to ‘GLOBAL JUSTICE’ in a Global world.
Moderator: : Rita ABRAHAM : SA Insurance Brokers , GOPIO International Coordinator Africa Speaker 1 : Molly BANNEJIE, Chairperson GOPIO Women Council ,Gopio Toronto, Canada Nami KAUR, Chairperson Media Council of GOPIO International , USA. Speaker 2: Bindu SODHI, President GOPIO Berlin, Germany Speaker 3 : Nami KAUR, Chairperson Media Council of GOPIO International , USA. Speaker 4 : Chhaya MATHUR, CEO Business Implicits, Paris, France.
13:30 – 16:00 PM
HALL B
PANEL DISCUSSION 4 – SENIOR, HEALTH and WELLNESS SESSION
- TOPIC 1: Embrace Change: Achieving Healthy Aging within the Diaspora
Moderator: Dr Rajeev MEHTA, Secretary, GOPIO International , NJ , NY ( USA) Speaker 1 : Dr Pradip SEWOKE MD, Co-Director Interventional Cardiologist; Co-Director of Diaconat Clinic Mulhouse, France; and GOPIO International Coordinator for Europe, Belfort, France, “Cardiac Issues of the Diaspora Specific Risk Factors and Higher Mortality rate due to Coronary Diseases in the Diaspora” Speaker 2: Dr. Asha SAMANT DMD, Chair International GOPIO Health Council, Livingston, NJ, USA Speaker 3 : Dr. George CHERIAN, CEO, American Mission Hospital, BAHRAIN Speaker 4 : Dr. Raaji ANAND MBBS(India) , MRCGP(UK) , GOPIO London West , UK
- TOPIC 2: Issues and challenges of Indiaspora in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Oceania … OCI cards issues)
Moderator: J. LODHIA - GOPIO International Coordinator for Oceania, Sydney , Australia Speaker 1 : Dr Jerome TEELUCKSING – GOPIO Chapter Trinidad & Tobago Speaker 2 : Dr Jean Regis RAMSAMY – GOPIO International coordinator , Francophone, GOPIO Reunion Island Speaker 3 : Jessica MOURTONT - FRENCH Carribean Indiaspora , Research , University of Paris, Sorbonne Speaker 4 : Drs Prakash Jankipersad, President GOPIO Rotterdam – the Hague « will talk about Suriname and Dutch experience »
FINALE CONCLUDING SESSION
16:00 – 17:00
HALL B
Chair: Dr. Thomas ABRAHAM, Chairman, GOPIO International, Stamford, CT, USA., USA Presenters of the Sessions: MODERATORS OF SESSIONS Presentation of Resolutions – Karan OBEROI, Co-convenor and Chairman Resolution Committee and President GOPIO Amsterdam, Netherland Vikas TALWAR, Co-convenor and Chairman Resolution Committee and President GOPIO Paris, France
19:00 – 23:30 hrs
CLOSING CEREMONY VENUE: Gästehaus der Polizei, Conference Center, Ruppiner Chaussee 268, 13503 Berlin Chief Guest: Her Excellency, Mrs. Mukta Dutta Tomar, Ambassador of India in Germany, Berlin. ( or representative of Embassy of India in Berlin)
SUNDAY 10th NOVEMBER 2019 – Venue : BERLIN
10:00 – 13:30 hrs
Venue: Gästehaus der Polizei, Conference Hall, Ruppiner Chaussee 268, 13503 Berlin www.gaestehaus-der-polizei.de (A SPECIAL BERLIN TOUR WILL BE ORGANISED FOR THOSE DELEGATES NOT ATTENDING GENERAL BODY MEETINGS – to confirm)
GOPIO International General Body Meeting
(GOPIO LIFE MEMBERS AND CHAPTER DELEGATES)
Chaired by GOPIO Chairman: Dr. Thomas Abraham
FEED BACK OF CONFERENCE
President's Report - Sunny Kulathakal
Secretary's Report - Dr. Rajeev Mehta
Treasurer's Report - Kewal kanda
Miscellaneous Items with permission from the chair
PLEDGE BY DIASPORA AND RELEASE OF COMMUNIQUE AND RESOLUTIONS
2ND PART OF CONVENTION IN PARIS
SUNDAY 10th NOVEMBER 2019 – EVENING – LEAVING BERLIN FOR PARIS
Delegates will leave for PARIS – Those leaving by Plane will reach PARIS in 90 minutes and will have to arrange for their accomodation as from Sunday 10/11/2019 night Those leaving by BUS – Night Trip ( 12 hours drive to Paris ) will reach Monday morning and will have to arrange for accomodation as from Monday 11/11/2019
- Welcome at Hotels ( for those coming by flights have to stay as from Sunday night in Paris) - Visit of Indian Area of Paris & Dinner /// (Those coming by BUS will travel on Sunday night and reach Paris Monday Morning)
MONDAY 11th NOVEMBER 2019 – Venue : PARIS
MORNING : FREE – Registration in HOTELS & programmes
EVENING : 14:00 – BOAT RIDE ON THE SEINE RIVER Boat Ride on the Seine River & Visit of Eiffel Tower ( 12 Euros / person)
VENUE: ESPACE REUILLY - 21 RUE ANTOINE JULIEN HENARD , 75012 PARIS
EVENING : 18:00
DIWALI DINNER GALA with Minister of France , Mayor of Paris – 12th District and Ambassador of India in France ❖ 30th Anniversary of GOPIO International ❖ GOPIO Achievements Awards 2019 ❖ Cultural Show
Cost: 50 Euros / person Photos of last year event : https://photos.app.goo.gl/a4Kp5SzuksgKU2YX8
Special arrangements can be made on request for delegates who want to visit:
- VERSAILLES PALACE - MONT SANT MICHEL ( 2 hours From Paris )
- INDIAN SOLDIERS MEMORIAL at Neuve Chapelle ( 2 hours From Paris)
HOTEL BOOKING FOR STAYING IN BERLIN - GERMANY
Delegates who will stay at Conference venue : BERLIN : Gästehaus der Polizei, Ruppiner Chaussee 268, 13503 Berlin https://www.gaestehaus-der-polizei.de/galerie-gaestehaus/ Cost is: 200 Euros per person All-inclusive from Friday Evening to Sunday Lunch time including GOPIO Registration fee for convention. For this accommodation: Reservation should be done through GOPIO Convention Team: Preference will be given first to those delegates staying in double, twin bedded or triple rooms.
Delegates who WILL NOT STAY at Conference venue : REGISTRATION FEE & ALL MEALS INCLUDED at 130 EUROS / Person
They have to book for their hotels on their own through www.bookings.com in the nearby area of 13503 Berlin
Other Hotels near convention centre : IBIS TEGEL HOTEL ( near Tegel airport ) : https://www.accorhotels.com/fr/hotel-1573-ibis-berlin-airport-tegel/index.shtml
GOPIO'S INDER SINGH COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARDEES
