The assessment of seva activities
conducted during the summer resulted in the following observations, which lead
into our recommendations.
Many of these findings and
recommendations were discussed with the Taskforce. The segment on America’s
Cultural and Religious Diversity in the Interfaith collaboration chapter of the
Council report specifies ways in which the America could be strengthened (1)
domestically, (2) internationally; (3) enhanced social cohesion though bridges
of understanding.
Summary of Findings
- Seva is
inherent to and integral to the Hindu/Dharmic traditions.
- Many Hindu
Americans have professional skills and resources that could be leveraged
with government support.
- Many in the
Hindu/Dharmic American community have begun to engage with their neighbors
and are learning how to describe their identities and experiences.
- Many Hindu
Americans lack understanding of citizen agency, rights and civic
engagement and the American public process (grants, capacity development)
and are not yet fully engaged and actively participating within local
community governance structures to address social service issues
- The “model
minority” myth is not supported by reality borne out by statistics.
- Social Service needs of the Hindu American community:
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Economic crisis
impact
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Children and youth
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Entrepreneurship
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Refugee
resettlement
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Poverty
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Homelessness
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Healthcare
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Immigration and
civil rights
|
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Elderly/senior
needs
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Discrimination
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Fatherhood and
healthy families
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Religious bias or
hate crimes
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- Most Hindu Americans understand a diverse,
multicultural, pluralistic society.
This shared understanding with America can be leveraged for
mutual benefit.
- From the
perspective of the practicing Hindus Americans, textbook and academic
portrayal of Hinduism is often mischaracterized and biased.
- Hindus,
worldwide, are greatly concerned about the impact of the proselytizing of
faith based global development aid groups on the global and local
religious ecosystems.
- Gap exists in
global development collaboration and knowledge sharing between many Hindu
American organizations, USAID and other government agencies.
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