The conferences scheduled at the convention include 'India and the Indian Diaspora in the Context of Global Economic Challenges', and 'The Indian Diaspora: Challenges and Opportunities in the New Millennium'.

There will also be a conference session on 'The Living Pioneers - Global Perspective of Indian Elders' Aug 22. A networking session 'The Next Generation' is also planned for the same day.

GOPIO chairman Thomas Abraham said: 'This is a celebration of 20 years of advocacy and services to the global Indian community.'

GOPIO president Inder Singh pointed out that 'GOPIO's Global Convention 2009 will re-examine and re-evaluate GOPIO's role during the last 20 years with respect to goals and aspirations of 25 million people of Indian origin (PIO) living outside of India.'