Description
One of the goals for the U.S. Mission to India is enhancing security and law enforcement cooperation between the United States and India. During Prime Minister Modis September 2014 visit to the United States, President Obama and Prime Minister Modi released a joint statement in which the leaders stated their intention to expand cooperation to bolster national, regional, and global security. They expressed deep concern over the continued threat posed by terrorism, most recently highlighted by the dangers presented by the ISIL, and underlined the need for continued comprehensive global efforts to combat and defeat terrorism. Both countries have suffered attacks from international and domestic terrorism. The Boston bombings, Mumbai attacks, mall attack in Nairobi, hostage situation in Sydney, and shooting in Ottawa demonstrate that large urban centers remain particularly vulnerable to security threats. For the United States, India, and other countries to protect their citizens, greater collaboration, planning, and strategy are required. PAS Mumbai seeks a grantee to plan and implement a Megacity Security Conference to take place in September 2015 in Mumbai and invites proposals. At the end of the conference, the grantee will produce a white paper of recommendations for megacity security that can guide policymakers and possibly be available to the public. Topics for the conference could include, but are not limited to, homeland security, counterterrorism, safety and security of critical infrastructure and industries, technology and security, modernization of law enforcement agencies, national security policy, interoperability between multiple government agencies, cooperation between law enforcement and communities/civil society, public safety, media and security, and international security cooperation. A competitive proposal will bring together experts from around the world who are acknowledged leaders in their respective fields and contribute to domestic or international discourse on security and/or counterterrorism issues. The conference should include experts from the United States, India, and other countries facing the challenges of providing security in megacities. Suggestions include, but are not limited to, New York, Washington DC, Tokyo, Manila, Jakarta, Dhaka, Madrid, Paris, and London. The final list of experts will be approved by the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai Public Affairs Section. The conferences target audience should include Indian law enforcement agencies such as the Police, Terror Response Force, Intelligence Bureau, Crime Branch, Emergency Response Cells; lawyers; U.S. and Indian policymakers; think tanks; academics; the diplomatic community; business leaders; and media. A core objective of this program is to strengthen networks between U.S. and Indian foreign policy experts. The grantee will be required to identify and work with a U.S. or Indian co-partnerpolicy organization, think tank, academic institution, or trade bodyto develop and execute the conference. The final selection of partner(s) will be approved by the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai Public Affairs Section. The grantee will develop the conference agenda, invite and ensure participation of international and local experts, and manage all logistics related to conference events. The implementation strategy, media releases, promotional materials, and white paper will be developed by the grantee and approved by the U.S. Consulate General Mumbai Public Affairs Section. The project should include a robust media plan, including traditional and new media. The project should be amplified across the grantees social media platforms in collaboration with U.S. Consulate General Mumbai. (Please refer full announcement for more details).