Welcome

Plenary

Time: 9:00am - 9:45am (EDT) ————— 6:00pm - 6:45pm (Pakistan)

Description: Welcome to JUST FUTURE, an event like none you have seen before! This session kicks off our people-centered, grassroots, virtual conference. It gathers religious, community, academic, and student leaders from the US, Pakistan, and beyond to build engaging friendships, share unique stories, and brainstorm accessible solutions to pressing worldwide problems in a collaborative way. What will you bring to the table? More importantly, what will you and your new partners take away to share with the wider world?

Chair: Dr. Junaid S. Ahmad and Prime Minister Imran Ahmad Khan Niaz

 
 


DIGITALIZATION OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES

The time has come

Time: 9:45am - 10:30am (EDT) ————— 6:45pm - 7:30pm (Pakistan)

Description: Why is it always so complicated to get what you need from the government? Business owners and citizens seem to be expected to figure out on their own what documents to painstakingly assemble just so they can wait on line, or struggle with complicated websites to find the right place. Meanwhile private sector e-commerce sites offer sleek, smooth designs, relaxing user experiences (think Google flights, person reclining in chair while you wait for your ticket) and easily recognizable symbols to identify key actions (i.e. the ubiquitous “shopping cart” icon sends a clear signal, and lets customers keep track of what they want to buy). Join us to talk about how we can flip the logic by which e-government services are designed and delivered, through a relentless focus on the user transaction. Panelists will share international experiences, identify the economic and cultural benefits, and discuss how to make this happen in the United States and Pakistan.

Chairs: Lara Goldmark and Osama Rizvi

 
 
 
 

Beyond Words

music and images offered by diverse artists to inspire and motivate

Time: 10:30am - 11:00am (EDT) ————— 7:30pm - 8:00pm (Pakistan)

Description: Beyond Words is unique among all sessions at our Just Future conference in that it features a wide variety of world-renowned musicians, artists, and artisans to engage the heart as well as the intellect. Through a series of creative expressions, a wide range of Pakistani and American performers and presenters offer their very personal visions of a more just future. Each draws on the rich artistic traditions of their respective culture, portraying in music and image their longing for a post-pandemic future that is healing and hopeful, a future where harmony, justice, and peace prevail. See their art. Experience their music. Be inspired! Join us for this special opportunity to move “beyond words” into action.

Chair: Rev. Robert Chase

 
 

Artists: Frederick Johnson, Najia Siddiqui, Daniel Kelly, Abasi Oti, Reggie Harris, Ambreen Butt, and Paul Winter

Scriptural Reasoning

The Abrahamic revelations on Desolation, Isolation, and Redemption

Time: 11:00am - 12:00 noon (EDT) ————— 8:00pm - 9:00pm (Pakistan)

Description: Scriptural Reasoning (SR) is a conversation between people deeply formed by their own scriptural tradition. Often, this is between Jews, Christians, and Muslims, whose scriptures contain overlapping narratives and themes, though others have joined as well. The aim of SR is not to seek commonality but to better understand our differences. Practically, a narrative or theme is chosen and a short passage from each scripture is selected that speaks to the theme. Members of each scriptural tradition read their text and share a little of the way it is understood within their community. In return, they listen and learn from the very different contributions of others. Listening does not imply agreement - rather an openness to other ways of reading. Questions are asked to aid understanding – “What does this phrase mean?” “How/when does your community hear this passage read?” A space opens up in which honest and challenging questions can be asked of one another. The purpose is not to “win” a debate but to experience a genuine conversation, for God’s sake, and for the sake of God’s world and ours. It contributes to lasting friendships in which participants find ways to speak and act together across deep communal divides. For more information, see www.scripturalreasoning.org.

Chairs: Rabbi Reuven Firestone, Sarah Snyder, and Ali Tariq

This will be a zoom session conducted in small groups. Register separately here for this session only.