Pakistan Meets the USA: A Forum for Young Leaders (PMUSA)

"Fostering a Comprehensive Partnership through Dialogue & Intercultural Understanding"

(Washington D.C., Ottawa; September 12th - 20th, 2021)

Welcome to Pakistan Meets the USA: A Forum for Young Leaders (PMUSA)

Pakistan Meets the USA: A Forum for Young Leaders is a network of young professionals and individuals who have an interest in exploring and strengthening the relations between Pakistan and the US. The ultimate goal of the forum is to educate, enhance and sustain the Pakistan-US relationship by empowering the next generation of young leaders from Pakistan and the USA.

Pakistani-US relations have been far from consistent since their official launch in 1947 following Pakistan´s independence from the United Kingdom. However, the recent deterioration of relations in 2011 following the Raymond Davis incident and US drone attacks on Pakistani soil is seeing a deterioration of relations . The recent visit of US Secretary of State John Kerry to Pakistan signaled the political will of both parties to ease tensions and overcome grievances. The meeting in Islamabad affirmed the two countries´ commitment to the firm reestablishment of a ´full partnership´ characterized by open dialogue and trust, thus marking a new phase in Pakistani-US cooperation. The successful implementation of such official commitments will require the support of the masses, rendering the use of Cultural Diplomacy at all levels vital in the transformation of this fragile bilateral relationship into a comprehensive partnership.

Primarily economic and military in character until today, the future components of the Afghan-US relationship must be diversified much further via Cultural Diplomacy strategies in order to anchor the partnership´s development and durability. With pervasive misconceptions and stereotypes about each other permeating both societies, this invaluable tool guarantees to bring increased mutual acceptance thereby solidifying and stabilizing their relationship, so that bilateral cooperation delivers on the promise to bring more economic, political and cultural benefits in the future for both the Pakistan and the US.

The Institute for Cultural Diplomacy now provides a forum to embrace and examine the field of Cultural Diplomacy and its importance in US-Pakistani relations. During a weeklong seminar, participants have the opportunity to explore in great depth the current relations between Pakistan and the US and to exchange ideas about the enhancement of future bilateral cooperation. At the PMUSA weeklong seminar, every participant has the chance to meet prominent experts of the field and work in a multicultural environment. The Forum's weeklong seminar is a perfect opportunity for those who are studying the field of International Relations, International Business, South Asian Studies and any areas related to Pakistani-US relations, or for those who are simply interested in the present and the future of the cooperation between the Pakistan and the USA. The forum organizes conferences, public lectures, events and online activities which gives exclusive access to the members of the forum.

About PMUSA Weeklong Seminars »

Weeklong Seminars are held every 4-6 months and consist of 4-5 day programs of lectures, seminars, and workshops, together with cultural and social activities. The Seminars aim to give the participants an insight into key perspectives on, the Pakistani -US relationship and to introduce them to a network of like-minded individuals, and allow them to explore the cultural landscape of the city of Washington D.C. Speakers during the seminars include individuals from the fields of politics, diplomacy, academia, culture & the arts, civil society, and the private sector. Once individuals have taken part in a PMUSA Weeklong Seminar and joined the forum, they become a part of the ICD's network, which facilitates communication between like-minded individuals across the world.

Once they have joined the PMUSA Forum, members are supported by the ICD in organizing leadership initiatives and conducting academic research whilst they are also invited to join the ICD Online Forum - enabling them to share information and communicate with like-minded individuals across the world.

Joining the Forum »

Pakistan Meets the USA: A Forum for Young Leaders (PMUSA) is open to all individuals with an interest in exploring and strengthening the Pakistan-US relationship. To join the forum you must take part in one of the PMUSA Weeklong Seminars, which will be held every 4-6 months.

If you would like to reserve a position and participate in the seminar, please click on the "Apply Now" link below and fill out the online application form:
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Next Weeklong Seminar

(Washington D.C., May 26th - 30th, 2021)

In addition to looking in greater detail at the history and development of Cultural Diplomacy, the next PMUSA Weeklong Seminar will focus on the following theme:

"Fostering a Comprehensive Partnership through Dialogue & Intercultural Understanding"


Certificate of Attendance

All participants will be awarded an official certificate of attendance upon completion of the program, which provides details about the speakers and topics at the conference. Each certificate will be signed by members of the ICD's Advisory Board.

ICD Alumni Program »

All seminar participants will be invited to join the ICD alumni program. The "ICD Alumni Group" is an international network of like-minded individuals with an interest in further developing the field of cultural diplomacy through the support of intercultural relations. Participation in the group is by invitation only, and is open only to individuals who have taken part in ICD programs. Members of the ICD Alumni Group will benefit from the following opportunities (more).