THE INDIAN AMERICAN FORUM FOR POLITICAL EDUCATION (IAFPE) Mission

Empower Indian Americans politically by raising civic consciousness and increasing participation in community affairs and the mainstream political process.

Objectives

Enhance political awareness, involvement and civic responsibility among Indian Americans. 
Promote voter registration and encourage Indian Americans to exercise their rights to vote and to run for public office. 
Identify issues of concern to Indian Americans and pursue solutions within the political system. 
Facilitate and promote ongoing Indo-U.S. relations.

The Forum has received many commendations from leaders of the United States and India

Since its founding, the Forum has made many achievements, such as:

Established an effective bipartisan liaison with the Democratic and Republican National Committees

Opened communication channels between Indian Americans and the White House and executive agencies, including the U.S. State Department

Met with Presidents Ronald Reagan, George Bush, and Bill Clinton to discuss issues of importance to Indian Americans

Testified before congressional committees to preserve the Second and Fifth Preferences relating to family re-unification issues in the immigration law

Participated in the 1988 Republican and Democratic Conventions and mobilized discussions with the candidates and the Indian American community

Leaders of the Forum were appointed to the LR88 Asian-American Bush/Quayle Transition Outreach Committee

Enhanced India-U.S. relations through Congressional luncheons and Indian Embassy briefings

Sponsored political summer internships for Indian American college students

Facilitates grass-roots participation in local government, election campaigns, etc.

Contacted congressional leaders, federal agencies and the media to raise awareness of issues relating to foreign medical graduates, nurses, engineers, scientists, educators, small businessmen and other Indian American professionals 

Encouraged Forum members to participate in presidential and congressional campaigns, and arranged educational dialogue between candidates and Indian American leaders 

Conducted nationwide voter registration campaigns among Indian Americans 

Sponsored political awareness and civic consciousness seminars on issues affecting Indian Americans 

Organized meetings between members of Congress and leaders of the Indian American community 

Mobilized a broad platform of support by coordinating activities with other Indian American organizations 

Helped to establish the Asian American Voters Coalition, a national umbrella organization representing seven million Americans of Asian descent 

Developed close contacts with other minority organizations, including religious, ethnic, racial and women's groups In addition, the Forum's state chapters have been actively involved in local and state political issues, as well as matters of concern to individual members