CAMPUSPEAK

From South Asia to Southern California, Rob shares his family’s journey to America and the learning experiences that come from navigating two completely different cultures.

• Keynotes

• Reflections on the Muslim-American Experience
• Lead This World
• R-E-S-P-E-C-T: How to Talk about Politics & Religion Today

Reflections on the Muslim-American Experience

As a man with both Pakistani background and American roots, Rob knows well the colliding tensions of East and West. Since September 11, 2001, a war of civilizations has arisen, but there is debate as to whether it’s a war between democracy and despotism; between religions; or between political parties. In his keynote, Rob addresses the root causes of the Mideast conflict, which is at the heart of many international tensions and especially of anti-American sentiment in the Islamic world.

Can Christian, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist, Pagan, Agnostic, Atheists and other faiths live together in a democratic society? Yes, Rob asserts, if we begin working urgently and intentionally to build a better future through true democracy. This leads us to perhaps the biggest question of all: Is it true that Islam and democracy can’t co-exist?

Through story telling and interaction, Rob approaches these difficult subjects with honesty, experience and a sense of humor. To help resolve some of the conflicts and tensions that exist, he encourages students to go face-to-face as opposed to hiding behind technology, and challenges participants not to live in fear of offending someone. Rob’s greatest message is that we must all be willing to change and embrace change.

Rob encourages students to consider where “wars” are happening, between civilizations, religions, society, etc. They will consider where religion comes into the picture, and how that impacts peace within a democracy; and will be asked to consider their individual role in the reconciliation process: from their assumptions, to their fears, misunderstandings and the active roles they can take in building a healthier democracy.

Rob’s keynote is perfect for Current Issues series. He is happy to visit classrooms and lead small discussions groups as part of his visit to maximize the benefit to your campus. Call for more information.

Lead This World

You’ll either be dragged along by powerful global forces or you’ll help shape those forces. To be a leader in this world, you have to understand how this world will be changing in the next decade. Columnist and author Rob Asghar, with his wide travels and his expertise in management and cross-cultural issues, will show you how your life is already being influenced by people you’ve never met, from Berlin to Bahrain to Beijing. Change is out there; can you make that change work for you? 

Having worked closely with some the world’s top leadership experts and practitioners, and having managed various organizations himself, Rob uses humor and personal insight to examine both the timeless parts of leadership and the timely ones: setting goals and expectations, managing yourself and others, holding people accountable, and learning to love the journey. And he does it in a way that helps students understand that the stiffest competition they will encounter – as well as some of the best new ideas and opportunities – will come from far-off places. 

This keynote or workshop is perfect for leadership events where a perspective beyond our own borders is called for.  Great for business schools, international student events, and other campus events with a “global leadership” focus.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: How to Talk about Politics & Religion Today

You may take some strong stands on politics or religion, and you may intend to let others know about what you believe is right. You want to stand up for that in which you believe, and you want to persuade others to your side of an issue. But, what do you owe to people who have opposing views and who intend to convince you that they’re right? 

Or, maybe you wish everyone kept their religion and politics to themselves.  You don’t like the drama and tension that seems to come when people with opposing views start “going at it.”

These are angry and divisive times —but college campuses can actually be the best possible place to learn how to have honest conversations about the things that matter most to us, in a way that leaves us better and not bitter. Columnist and author Rob Asghar explores this with you in a way that will challenge and inspire you. As someone who’s bridged radically different cultures, and as someone who’s tried on more religions and political beliefs than most – ranging from Islam to Christianity to atheism to new age, and from liberalism to libertarianism – he has some unique insights into how to deal with different viewpoints in a way that makes all sides smarter.

Some of the issues Rob will help you wrestle with:

• Can you be friends with someone who disagrees with you?
• Should your college present opposing viewpoints or only those that it endorses?
• How can you make others open to listening to you?
• When is fighting for a cause preferable to peace? 
• At what point do you stop caring about those who oppose your views? 
• How do you know you tried hard enough?
• How do you referee an argument?
• Should you tolerate those who seem intolerant of others?
• Is your educational experience challenging your view of the world?

This is a great program for co-sponsorship.  Bring together groups that sometimes seem opposed to each other on campus, and bring them together to invest in civil discourse.  Religious groups and gay rights groups, College Democrats and College Republicans (and College Libertarians!), business students and environmentalists, and more.  Bring together departments around campus who have never worked together and sponsor a program which encourages dialogue and respectful disagreement.  This keynote/workshop is a tremendous investment in a stronger, more open, more accepting community.

Rob's Bio

Rob is a Pakistani American writer and commentator whose essays have appeared in more than 30 newspapers worldwide, including The Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Jordan Times and Japan Times. He is a regular contributor to the Huffington Post and serves as a University Fellow at the University of Southern California’s Center on Public Diplomacy. He is the author of Lessons from the Holy Wars: A Pakistani-American Odyssey.