Building Bridges Between Two Countries

Dignitaries from the town of Natick and other Massachusetts towns participated in a U.S.  State Department program initiated by former Senator Kerry as Chairman of Foreign Relations Committee to expose officials from partner countries to learn about how municipal governments function in the United States. Hosted by Mahmud Jafri, CEO, of Dover Rug & Home, the event was held at their Natick showroom on Sunday, April 21st from 5:00PM to 7:00PM.

The program offered an opportunity for officials in the United States to gain insight into the challenges faced by Pakistan to manage its civil society.  The majority of delegates participating were women in leadership positions originally from Islamic countries challenged by fundamentalism.

Some notable attendees included Paul Bockelman, Director of Administration & Finance, Massachusetts Municipal Association; Joshua Osteroff, Board of Selectmen, Town of Natick; Carol Gloff, Board of Selectmen, Town of Natick; Helen Abdullah Donohue, Board of Selectmen, Town of Norwood; and Charles L. Sumner, Town Administrator, Town of Brewster.

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