2023 NAF Conference
July 7 and 8, 2023
Edison, New Jersey
Join us for the 2023 NAF Conference on Friday, July 7 and Saturday, July 8 in Edison, NJ!
Connect with one another, gain deeper insights into the Naga community in the United States, and delve into various topics surrounding Naga culture and our cultural heritage.
Questions? Please email us at info@nafconnect.net.
RSVP
Let us know whether you plan on attending! To help us in our planning and preparation for the conference, we request that you fill out the RSVP form as soon as possible.
Conference Theme: "Embracing Our Roots and Cultivating New Possibilities"
We often hear the phrase “cultural adaptation.” As immigrants in the United States, we have experienced this firsthand as well. We adapt and adjust, gain new perspectives and attitudes, and leave behind others.
The conference theme of "Embracing Our Roots and Cultivating New Possibilities will explore questions of what it means to adapt to American culture while embracing our roots and growing as a community in the United States.
Fr. Abraham Lotha, Ph.D., pastor at Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church in Edison, NJ, will be our main speaker on Saturday. The morning session will also include a panel discussion featuring Fr. Abraham, Naro Pongen, Rachel Ao, and Visakuo Tsurho.
We hope the similarities and differences of each panelist’s experiences and perspectives will make for an insightful discussion and provide attendees with much food for thought during, and after, the conference.
Schedule & Location
Friday, July 7 | 5pm-8pm
Social hour followed by dinner. Friday's events will be held in Rev. Louis Ao's home at:
489 Division St.
Edision, NJ 08817
Parking for Friday: Please follow signs for parking in the Thomas Jefferson Middle School parking lot on Division Street, which is very close to Rev. Louis' house. Parking is free.
Saturday, July 8 | 9am-8pm
Talk & Panel Discussion, NAF General Meeting, Lunch, Networking, Cultural Show, and Dinner. Saturday's events will be held at:
Stelton Baptist Church
334 Plainfield Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
Parking for Saturday: Free parking will be available on Saturday in the Stelton Baptist Church parking lot on a first-come, first-served basis.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A DRAFT OF THE SCHEDULE
Donations for Conference Bazaar
We are seeking donated items to be offered for sale at the bazaar to be held on Saturday. Items you can donate include handicrafts, handloom items, fresh or dry produce, chutneys and pickles, and baked goods.
Donations will be accepted on both Friday evening and Saturday morning of the conference. All proceeds will benefit the NAF.
Please contact Senti Longkumer at senti_longkumer@hotmail.com if you plan to bring items to donate or you would like to mail her items in advance.
Getting to Edison
The nearest airport to Edison is Newark Airport (EWR), which is about a 30-minute drive to Edison. Other nearby airports include New York La Guardia (LGA) and New York JFK (JFK), both around 90 minutes away from Edison by car.
Accommodations
Attendees that have booked accommodations through the NAF, can find more information below.
Comfort Inn Edison - New Brunswick
831 Route 1 South
Edison, NJ 08817
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The Comfort Inn Edison - New Brunswick is a 10-minute drive to Stelton Baptist Church.
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Rates are $135 per night plus tax. Rooms contain two queen-size beds, and costs include complimentary breakfast.
Days Inn
208 New Rd
Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852
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The Days Inn is a 25-minute drive to Stelton Baptist Church.
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Rates are $93 per night, exclusive of taxes. Rooms contain two queen-size beds, and costs include complimentary breakfast.
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Upon arrival at the hotel, guests must show their id and pay directly for their room.
Guardian Angels Roman Catholic Church
37 Plainfield Ave.
Edison, NJ 08817
Fr. Abraham Lotha is providing FREE accommodations for up to nine students or young adults in his parish, which is a 20-minute walk or 5-minute drive to Stelton Baptist Church. If you're interested in these accommodations, please email Fr. Abraham at alotha@gmail.com.