Keynote Speakers
Doan Kim Bang, is the President of the Vietnamese Community of Oregon (VNCO). He served in the army as a tank company commander during the Vietnam War for seven years, and was the first lieutenant for the Republic of Vietnam Army. After 1975, Kim Bang was a Prisoner of War for six years under the Communist government. In 1991, his family of six became refugees of America, and have been living in Portland, Oregon for the past 17 years. Kim Bang has always been involved with the Vietnamese community and is a strong advocate for freedom in Vietnam. Currently, Kim Bang also serves as the President of the Republic of Vietnam Army Veterans organization in Portland (Hoi Chien Huu Viet Nam Cong Hoa), and the co-owner and editor of Oregon Times (Oregon Thoi Bao), and enjoys photography both as a hobby and as a profession. |
Nikki (Nhien) Nguyen Cranor is the associate publisher and director of advertising at AsianWeek, the nation's largest circulation Asian American weekly newspaper in the United States. Prior to that, Nikki was the award-winner editor of the Seattle nonprofit Asian American journal, the International Examiner. Named a “Vietnamese American Pioneer” by the Tet in Seattle Committee, Nikki was the first Vietnamese American editor for this pan-Asian publication established in 1974. |
My-Le Jacqueline Duong graduated from San Jose State University in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Political Science and went on to receive her Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the University of California, Davis, School of Law in 1994. My-Le Jacqueline Duong began her successful legal career in 1995, working in the private sector as an associate attorney with the Law Offices of J. Thomas Sherrod. From there she soon switched over to the public sector, and worked as a Deputy Public Defender for Santa Clara County's Office of the Public Defender from January 1996 through July 1999. Thereafter she moved to the County Counsel's Office in, becoming a Lead Deputy County Counsel from December 2005 through June 2007, serving as legal advisor and litigator for the County's Board of Supervisors and County agencies and departments, providing oversight for County Counsel's labor and employment team, and establishing the groundbreaking school law section in the County Counsel's Office. My-Le Jacqueline Duong stays actively involved in the community by dedicating her time to the many volunteer positions she maintains, earning her the reputation of being a well-respected leader who provides valuable assistance to a variety of local organizations. My-Le Jacqueline Duong has recently been appointed by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to a judgeship in the Santa Clara County Superior Court , thereby becoming the first Vietnamese woman to be appointed to the local judiciary. |
Lisa T.D. Nguyen graduated from Arts/Law at the University of Sydney in 2005 and has worked extensively for the past two years on issues relating to refugee protection. In 2006, she volunteered at the Representative Office of the Vietnamese Community in Australia (VCA) as a legal representative, Office Manager and advocate for stateless Vietnamese people remaining in the Philippines. Currently, she is the Executive Director of VOICE (Vietnamese Overseas Initiative for Conscience Empowerment) and is presently working on submissions on behalf of the stateless Vietnamese in the Philippines for resettlement to Canada under a new public policy. Lisa has held various leadership positions, including School Captain of her school, President of the Interact Club and numerous office bearer positions with the Vietnamese Students Association in Australia. For her community service work, she was awarded the Order of Australia Association Medal for Community Services. Most recently, she was awarded the Young Vietnamese Australian of the Year 2008. |
Sessions & Speakers
Here is the official list of workshop sessions and their speakers. Additional workshops and speaker biographies will be added as they become available. There is also an open forum during the Resource Fair for students to develop their own discussion groups. A list of topics for the Resource Fair can be found below.
NOTE: Keynote speakers and workshop topics are subject to change.
Vietnam's Economic Development: The Challenges to Prosperity
Highlighting the latest economic developments in Vietnam, attendees will discuss about growth drivers and opportunities, including comparative performance versus Vietnam's peers along economic and social metrics. What has caused the abrupt turnaround in 2008 and how serious are Vietnam's macroeconomic problems? How competitive are Vietnam's industries? Where are interesting career opportunities for Vietnamese Americans?
Speaker: Tony Ngo
Sustaining the Soul that Serves
Suffering from sleepless nights and stressful schedules? With so many of today's youth striving for greater and grandeur galore, mounting stress is inescapable. What's worse, too often the stresses of daily life are not properly addressed and can lead to serious health complications. Learn how to salvage your sanity. From clever recipes to stress-minimizing activities, learn how to recognize and prevent anxiety, sleeplessness, and even stress-induced depression from getting to you.
Speaker: Christine Ngo
In Sickness and In Health - Prominent Diseases Affecting the Southeast Asian Community
Diabetes, cervical cancer, and osteoporosis are just a few of the diseases that are more commonly found among Asian Americans. What can you do to prevent being another statistic number? Can you be “one less?” Join us in this workshop to learn why Asians are more susceptible to certain diseases and what you can do to prevent disease and protect yourself.
Speaker: Ethan Nguyen
Me, You, Sex and You: 21st Century Rules of the Role
Men, if you open the door for a lady, then you're a sexist. If you don't open the door, then you're lazy. But what about when a man opens a door for a man, what's up with that? Let's talk about new perspectives in sex and gender roles. Who came up with these rules, anyways? Our identities are deeply impacted by the webs of power and privilege. Come share and explore how our identities become constructed in mass schemes, then how we can begin to challenge and dismantle the most expected of you.
Speaker: Sahra Nguyen
Effective Communication
Every organization's success dependent on the key component of effective communication. The way we communicate and interact in a team environment really has an impact on the goals and visions we wish to accomplish. Effective communication can help us avoid potential conflicts and resolve issues. By having honest and open communication, we are allowing ourselves and our team to build strong and healthy relationships.
Speaker: Nikki Nguyen Cranor
The Secret to Success from Silicon Valley
You’ve made it! You spent long hours in study hall cramming for exams, writing research papers, and now you’ve got that coveted piece of paper in your hands that confirms that you are a college graduate. But now what? You’re college educated and possibly up to your ears in debt with student loans and starting out the working world. How are you going to turn that frown upside down? Learn the basics of budgeting, understanding credit, and building wealth so that you can reap the benefits of all your efforts and create a meaningful life.
Speaker: Kim Vu
Following Steps and Rhythm Through Time - The Evolution of Vietnamese Dance and Music
Dance and music are essential elements of Vietnamese culture. Throughout the years the performing arts scene has changed from the Imperial court to the Paris by Night stage. Dancing has also moved from traditional Vietnamese theatre to integrating into the hip hop world. By looking at VIetnamese performing arts through an anthropological perspective, we will have a better understanding of what the performing arts elements mean in our culture and how far they have come.
Speaker: Minh Tran
uNAVSA Alumni Workshop: Completing the Leadership Cycle
As uNAVSA alumni, we often wonder, “What’s after this?”
From mentoring uNAVSA members to leading philanthropic projects, the need for alumni involvement is now more critical than ever in continuing uNAVSA’s goals and mission to develop the next generation of our Vietnamese community leaders.
In this workshop, uNAVSA President, Hai Ton, will lead discussions with uNAVSA alumni on ideas and strategies to provide continuity in leadership development for our community. We will discuss and explore opportunities to marry the desires of alumni to further contribute with uNAVSA’s need to provide continuity in our leadership development model. With the life experience to broadly contribute yet proximity in age to enable deep connections with younger uNAVSA members, uNAVSA alumni will be instrumental in completing the leadership cycle.
Involvement in the uNAVSA community doesn’t end upon graduation. It only begins
Speaker: Hai Ton
Continuing Tradition - Classic Tales You, too, Can Tell
Moon cake, firecrackers, lanterns - we all have an idea of what some of Vietnamese culture's holidays entail, But how much do we really know? Come learn the myths and folktales behind some of Vietnamese culture's most celebrated holidays. From Tet to Tet Trung Thu, discover the significance behind these holidays
Speaker:Ethan Nguyen
The Path of Happiness - How to Take What You Love and Make Money With It
'Happiness is not money. It is financial security derived from doing what you love best.' That is the main focus Andrew Ngo has, the instructor of this workshop dedicated to helping you make your passion your livelihood as well. A professional illusionist for over 12 years, at the age of 19 Andrew has taken his passion for magic and illusion and gone from hobbyist to a full blown corporate entertainer, with clients like Nordstrom, Barnes and Noble and appearances with Tila Tequila and more! On top of magic, Andrew is also a speed-rapper, music producer, and freestyle hip hop dancer and has appeared in music videos and worked with top industry professionals!
In this open forum workshop, you will get the chance to ask away for tips on how to take your passion and turn it into a business. Topics that will be covered include how to turn your passion into a source of income, marketing techniques, how to get taken seriously (if you're young) and more!
For more information about the instructor, please visit www.MagicbyAndrew.com
Speaker: Andrew Ngo
MoU Deportation
In 2002, the United States of American entered into an agreement that would allow for the deportation of Cambodian Americans, convicted of “aggravated felonies”, to Cambodia. This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was signed marked the first time that such an agreement has ever been made by America with a Socialist country.
On January 22, 2008 the United States and Viet Nam signed an almost identical MOU allowing for the deportation of Vietnamese Americans to Viet Nam. This workshop will attempt to dispel the most commonplace misinformation and present the historical development and legalities of the Memorandum of Understanding. This session will close with a discussion of the possible community impact and socio-economic ramifications of such an agreement to our families and communities, also exploring what measures or actions we can take to defeat the agreements.
Speaker:Betty Duong
Two Thoughts, One Country: Vietnam
Each year there are hundreds of Vietnamese International Students coming to the United States to better their education. However, these young Vietnamese Students seem to have a bit of difficulties in connecting with the Vietnamese Community over here in the U.S. In this workshop, we will look at some of the experiences of Vietnamese International Students and try to come up with resolutions to help connect the young Vietnamese Americans Students and the Vietnamese International Students.
Speaker:Doan Trinh
Vietnamese Political Development
The Vietnamese American community has been defined in many different political adjectives. In my conversations with youth, some have described our community as too apathetic because we only mobilize on matters related to defeating the Communist regime in Vietnam, while others describe our community as too political using the same reasoning. However one defines it, the Vietnamese American community has shown an increasing understanding of strategies that are typical of popular and social justice movements, and an increasing sophistication of how and when to implement it. In this workshop, we'll discuss some recent events that have occurred in California to better understand the political development of the Vietnamese American community, as well as what role, if any, the VSA should have in it.
Speaker:Huy Tran
"The Mission of Preserving a Lost History"
After taking over South Vietnam, the Vietnam Communist government burned books, re-wrote history, and imprisoned many writers, educators and intel lecturers. We not only lost our homeland; we lost our history, our heritage, and our identity.
For several reasons, South Vietnam and her people did not receive enough media coverage during the war. Unfortunately, the situation was not much improved after the war ended. Even today, and despite a presence of 2 million Vietnamese Americans in the US, our story continues to be marginally covered in printed and visual media, especially textbooks. Furthermore, most of the information that is available to the public is misconstrued..."
Speaker: Vinh M. Tran & Nancy Bui
Star (yes, only one) and Stripes
Representation of the Vietnamese flag has become one of the biggest controversies among Vietnamese communities throughout the nation. From students to adults, the University of Texas to Viet Nguoi in California, the question of which flag to fly - star versus stripes - has affected a range of individuals. Some of those who've faced this issue first-hand will discuss how they were affected by the tensions surrounding the flag. Additionally, learn how they dealt with the issues of flag recognition and representation - a controversy some view as symbolic of our views on Vietnam itself.
Speaker:Nancy Bui
Presence, Persuasion, Personality - Unleashing Your Pocketbook's Potential
When it comes to sponsorship, too often fundraising is equated with "begging for money." However, it doesn't have to be this way. Renowned corporations will give first-hand knowlege regarding best methods and practices for "branding" your VSA. Focusing on how representation can be key to sponsorship, these individuals will give tips and feedback on how to structure your VSAs image so as to maximize your organizations sponsorship potential.
Speaker:Calvin Hoang
Humanity and Leadership: Our Generation’s Understanding of the Current Human Rights Issues in Vietnam
Part I: Focus on the current human rights situation in Vietnam, with a PowerPoint presentation on specific examples of violations of the basic principles of human rights including freedom of expression, religion, assembly, press and information. In addition, relevant global and regional events will be incorporated in order to enhance the audience’s understanding of the dilemma faced by the international communities.
Part II: Discussion with audience participation on the topic of humanity to share view points, raise questions, and find solutions together vis-à-vis the role of future leadership and the human rights issues.
Speaker:Dr. Nguyen The Binh
Issues That Matter
Think your vote doesn’t matter? With the changing world and with our nation poised to make history, your vote matters more than ever! There are currently 42 million people aged 18-29 living in the United States, making up 21% of the population. As young voters, we have the potential to significantly affect the election. Moreover, many issues affect young Americans today and will continue to affect them in years to come.
Speaker:Melissa Montenegro
Crisis Management
You will be introduced to the basic concepts and response methodologies currently utilized throughout the United States for dealing with large scale catastrophic events. You will participate in exercises specifically designed to sharpen your skills in managing incidents, applicable both to the college campus and in the professional world.
What You Will Learn
- The importance of pre-event crisis management and target funding initiatives
- How to develop untraditional response partnerships to synergize different organizations and groups into response components
- How to think outside the box to develop and harness previously unrecognized resources.
- How to develop sound and effective planning components for your emergency management/response plans
Speaker:Hai Ton
Case Studies
Alumni Workshop
- Still itchin' for VSA? For those of you who've graduated and/or are currently working, this workshop is all about how you can either stay involved or gain involvement in the VSA community. Find venues which fit your needs and allow you to further explore and contribute to your interests.
Developing successful fundraisers
Come join some of the most successful "Fund Raisers" around. They'll walk you through a case study matching circumstances many VSAs currently face and share best practices.
Organizing successful culture shows
Looking for fresh ideas for your annual culture show? Come to this case study, where you'll learn how VSAs throughout the nation are spicing up their yearly shows.
Internal conflicts/organizational communication
Disgruntled members? Overbearing leader? Gossip galore? Too often we MIScommunicate rather than properly communicating. Come find out how to work through some of the most tangled web of misunderstandings and see how some of these methods can help your organization.
Getting Noticed: Minority Organizations
Outnumbered, minimally funded, and lacking in membership - this is an accurate depiction of some VSAs throughout the country. So how do you cope when the odds seem to be against you? This case study will take on this issue firsthand and attempt to acheive tangible solutions.
Fish Bowls
Hoang Sa Truong Sa
Also known as the Paracel and Spratly Islands, these islands have long been a point of contention among their surrounding nations, among them are China, the Phillippines, and Vietnam. A controversy encompassing issues surrounding natural resources, numerous treaties, naval power and sovereignty, Hoang Sa Truong Sa have long been claimed and reclaimed by nations throuhgout Southeast Asia.
MOU/Deportation
Concerns have been raised about recent developments surrounding deporation policies in the United States. Such policies have made it so, even the slightest felonies could result in deportation.
Catholic vs Buddhist Relationships
Religion - it can oftentimes be a...slight point of contention between families, and by slight, we mean, major point of contention. What do you do in situations where your personal views may not align with familial beliefs? How do you decide what's "right" and "wrong?" Is there even a clear answer? Some have been through it before and can share their perspectives. Come listen and share, and you might just find the answer you need.
Asians Portrayed in the Media
Nerdy, exotic, FOB - Asians in media are often reduced to stereotypes. How these roles shape perspectives about Asians and, furthermore, how they affect our community beyond media - it is important to understand the repercussions of such narrow portrayals. Reaching beyond the boundaries of these limited representations is key to the development of our community.
