High school and post-secondary students across the Lower Mainland are coming together to host a virtual forum for their peers to learn how they can help combat Asian hate.
The Youth Forum for Asian Representation (YFAR), a forum to connect youth with Canadian leaders, is hosted by youth who are part of YouthTalkNation, a Richmond-based organization that connects youth voices and ideas to high levels of government.
On May 29, Canadian youth can attend the forum to discuss topics on how to combat low voter-turnout rates, understanding the historical treatment of Asians and dispelling the model minority myth.
Guest speakers at the event will include Brandt Louie, chairman of London Drugs, Bowinn Ma, B.C.’s Minister of Infrastructure, Bardish Chagger, Canada’s Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Youth, Carol Lee, chair of Vancouver Chinatown Foundation, and more.
“We observed that the lack of Asian representation across the spectrum of the Canadian government has hindered the ability for the community to effectively address the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes in recent months,” said Lauren Tse, co-chair of YFAR.
“It’s time for generational change. For too long, Asians have been apathetic to civic participation and have not been equitably represented across legislatures, boardrooms and civil society. It is now our responsibility as a youth to take up the mantle and create a more equitable future.”
The forum's theme is “Representation takes action,” said Franco Ng, president of YouthTalkNation and chair of YFAR’s advisory board, and he hopes the event will encourage youth to start conversations about the barriers many people of Asian descent and those in leadership positions have to face.
“The forum’s purpose is to spark a dialogue about inherent cultural and systemic barriers to Asian representation and leadership while providing an actionable roadmap for youth to break such barriers as they move forward into their lives and careers,” said Ng.
“We hope by attending our forum, youth across all communities will understand their sense of responsibility to take action and create a more equitable future for everyone.”
The forum will take place online on May 29 from 2 to 5 p.m.
While the forum is free, a $10 donation is encouraged and will be donated to the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation and youth will be entered into a prize draw.
For more information and to register, visit https://bit.ly/3waeZei
