DEARBORN — This weekend, two major national networks are holding their annual conferences in Dearborn. One is an organization promoting electoral participation and greater Arab American involvement in the American political system. The other is a broad network of Arab community groups and service-providers. The participants from both conferences will be attending joint events co-sponsored by both organizations on Saturday.

The Arab American Institute’s National Leadership Conference (NLC) is being held in Dearborn, as it is every presidential election year. With the theme, “Our Voice, Our Future: Yalla Vote ’08,” AAI hopes to promote involvement with the upcoming presidential election.

This year’s schedule promises rich information, practical training and exposure to the candidates themselves. AAI, which takes no stance in support of either party, is bringing together news-making candidates and local and state elected officials for conference attendees to question and meet.

Republican presidential candidate and opponent of the Iraq War, Congressman Ron Paul (R-TX) has confirmed that he will address the gathering. He was the first Republican candidate to confirm that he will attend. Democratic candidates Governor Bill Richardson (NM), Congressman Dennis Kucinich (OH) and former Senator Mike Gravel (AK), will be there as well.

“We are pleased that Congressman Paul will join Arab American leaders from across the country to discuss important issues such as civil liberties, the war in Iraq, and broader U.S. policy in the Middle East,” said AAI Chairman George Salem. “We are hopeful that other Republican candidates will accept our invitation and join us in Dearborn.”

Other movers and shakers coming from Washington includeSenators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and John Sununu (R-NH) as well as Congressmen John Dingell (D-MI) and Charles Boustany (R-LA). Republican strategist Ed Rollins, Democratic strategist Peter Fenn, and pollster John Zogby will lead a discussion on the 2008 presidential race. Media specialists Steve Clemons (Washington Note) and Spencer Ackerman (TPM Muckraker) will discuss the role blogs are playing in political debate.

Useful training sessions will help aspiring activists and politicians. The conference will also feature political training workshops on campaign organizing, communications strategies, advocacy rules for non-profit organizations and micro-targeting.

Another major national gathering this weekend is for the National Network for Arab American Communities, a group of 19 Arab American grassroots groups. They will be coming from nine different states, from New York to California. Beginning Thursday, October 25, they will start off their 6th Annual Conference with closed sessions.

The annual network conference is the only national gathering of Arab American service providers and grassroots organizations. It is an increasingly central venue for discussion of the diverse issues facing Arab Americans.

Last year’s conference in Chicago brought nearly 100 community leaders, activists and organization staff members together.

Talab Salhab, the National Outreach Director for ACCESS, is responsible for oversight of the network’s many programs. These range from issue advocacy to philanthropy, to helping Arab American organizations get started.

Salhab described the conference as a “forum for exchanging knowledge.” Members of the network help set the national agenda by discussing issues important to their local communities. Besides training sessions, he added, “it’s a place for them to come and learn from each other and from professional trainers.”

Those coming to the conference expect this year’s exchange of ideas to be fruitful, as well. Abdullah Almualem of AACCESS-Ohio said after last year’s gathering, “I was able to bring back fresh ideas for our organization here in Cleveland, and I am excited about the new possibilities and chances for growth in our community.”

With AAI and the Network meeting at the same place, at the same time, the weekend represents an important milestone in Arab American history. It will bring together grassroots organizations and a national institute focused on electoral politics. Though their missions are different, they both seek to project the voices of Arab Americans.

AAI’s conference begins Friday, the 26th, at noon. It will be held at the Doubletree Hotel, at Ford and Southfield. For more information on NNAAC visit www.nnaac.org. For information on the National Leadership Conference visit www.aaiusa.org.