(Samaj Weekly)
Subject: A week-long International symposium and Dr. Ambedkar Equality Day, planned for April 21 to 26, 2023 – Chetna Association of Canada and Ambedkarite International Coordination Society
Vancouver: Approximately hundred delegates are expected to attend a week-long symposium in Vancouver from April 21 to 26, 2023 from India, the United Kingdom, France, Middle East, the United States, and of course, from across Canada.
“We are very excited to welcome delegates and community members to these gatherings and facilitate interactive dialogues on Dalit emancipation through inclusion, meaningful representation, and enhanced social, political, and economic equality”, said Jai Birdi and Param Kainth, co-chairs of the steering committee mandated to host these events and appointed by Chetna Association of Canada, and Ambedkarite International Coordination Society (AICS).
“We are also very pleased to organise these events in partnership with our academic and community partners”, continued Birdi.
The symposium will feature:
April 21 – 2 PM to 3:15 pm.
Asian Center at University of British Columbia. A session on “Buddhism- as envisioned by Dr. Ambedkar, and outlined in his noble book, ‘Buddha and His Dhamma’ “.
Dr. Ambedkar’s great grand nephew, Rajaratna Ambedkar, will be one of the key panel members to discuss this topic. The session will be moderated by Dr. Jessica L. Main, Associate Professor with The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Chair in Buddhism and Contemporary Society, Department of Asian Studies, University of British Columbia.
April 21 – 6 PM to 8 PM.
CK Choi Building, University of British Columbia. Session- “India’s legal framework and how it enables human emancipation.”
LA County Judge Neetu Badhan-Smith will be a key member on this panel. The session will be moderated by local lawyer, Lovleen Gill.
April 22 all Day.
Sauder Business School at University of British Columbia, Room Number 492.
Sessions will include:
8 am – continental breakfast
9 am – Opening and introductory remarks
10:15 am – Dr. Ambedkar Manifesto.
11:15am – “Caste in academic settings in Canada and other jurisdictions” will provide opportunities for students and faculty to share their experiences and suggestions on addressing Caste based discrimination in academic settings. The session will be moderated by Dr. Priti Narayan, Director with Center for India and South Asia Research at University of British Columbia. Note:. This session will be tributed to Dr. Pamposh, Rohith Vemula, and others who experienced extreme caste-oppression in academic settings and lost their lives.
1:30 pm – “Caste and entrepreneurship” – entrepreneurs will discuss how they are leveraging opportunities to enhance inclusion through entrepreneurship both in Canada and India.
3:00 PM – “Women and Youth Empowerment”- a panel discussion highlighting women and youth spearheading discussions on caste oppression and strategies moving forward. Moderated by UBC Law Professor, Dr. Brenna Bhandar. Meera Estrada, Toronto-based journalist will be one of the key panel members.
4:20 PM – A summary of issues and strategies heard will be reported by Dr. Rita Dhamoon of University of Victoria at the end of the season April 22.
6 pm – dinner
April 23: A pilgrimage to the Guru Ravidass Community Center in Burnaby will be arranged for the morning of April 23. In the evening, a gala reception to celebrate Dr. Ambedkar Birth Anniversary as ‘Equality Day will be hosted at Fraserview Banquet Hall in Vancouver.
April 24, Equality Day Celebrations will be hosted at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby.
Along with theatrical performance by Simran Kranti, City of Burnaby will be honoured for being the first city in North America to proclaim April 14- Dr. B.R. Day of Equality in Burnaby.
April 25- Equality Day at the University of Victoria. A short visit to the BC Legislature and a meeting with the House Speaker, Mr. Raj Chouhan, the first person of South Asian background to achieve this position, will also be arranged.
April 26- Equality Day Celebrations at the University of Fraser Valley in Abbotsford. A discussion will be on partnership opportunities for enhancing inclusion and preventing discrimination at the campus.
As some of the information is subject to change, people are encouraged to visit www.ase2023.ca regularly.
Why a symposium in Vancouver, Canada?
Some may wonder why the Dr. Ambedkar International Symposium is taking place in Canada?
“Metropolitan cities of Canada are now evolving and have a stronger visibility of the South Asian populations. Similar to what is being reported in other jurisdictions, incidents of caste-based oppression are surfacing. A need to assess and develop proactive measures is critical for preventing caste-based discrimination and providing safer places are critically needed in Canada”, says Birdi.
In the lower mainland of British Columbia, there is already a strong foundation and partnerships created with academic, community, media and other organizations.
City of Burnaby was the first city in Canada to proclaim April 14- Dr. Ambedkar Day of Equality. Similarly, the Province of British Columbia was the first provincial or state level government to proclaim Dr. Ambedkar Day of Equality and April – Dalit History Month. Presentations to local cities and BC Human Rights Commission on the need to assess caste situation and take appropriate actions have also already been made. Legal cases were presented before the BC Human Rights Tribunal, and recently, the tribunal found the incident of caste oppression was valid and penalised the offenders close to ten thousand dollars to cover a portion of legal costs.
Gratitude and acknowledgement:
The steering committee is very grateful to all for the support and advice received and look forward to having a meaningful and respectful dialogue, and developing strategies to move forward together and enhance respectful and inclusive communities.
The steering committee acknowledges financial and in-kind support of Academic partners and sponsors:
Centre for India and South Asia (CISAR) at University of British Columbia.
Institute for the Humanities at Simon Fraser University
Hari Sharma Foundation
South Asian Studies Institute (SASI) at The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Program in Buddhism and Contemporary Society at University of British Columbia
South Asian Studies Institute, University of the Fraser Valley
President’s Office, University of Victoria
Department of History at University of British Columbia
David Lam Center at Simon Fraser University
Public Humanities Hub at University of British Columbia
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Academic Advisors:
Prof (Dr.) Vivek Kumar
Dr. KP Singh
Dr. Suraj Yengde
Dr. Sujata Gaurkhede
Dr. Yuwraj Naranaware
Symposium Rapporteur:
Dr. Rita Dhamoon, Lead Rapporteur
Dr. Sharnjit Kaur Sandhra
Dr. Ajay Bharadwaj
Seema Mahi
Manjit Bains
Media Team:
Ratan Paul, Coordinator
Ashok Dass,Dalit Dastak
Dr. Jas Simran Kehal, Grad Student (Mass Media)
Prem Chumber, Chumber Media (Desh Doaba and Ambedkar Times www.ambedkartimes.com)
Meena Kotwal, Mook Nayak
Surbhi Gogoi, Freelance Journalist
Sonia West, Chetna Association of Canada
Shilipashree Jagannathan, Freelance Journalist
Dr. Drona Rasali, Founder and International Moderator, Nepaldalitinfo International Network.
Community Partners:
South Asian Network for Secular and Democracy (SANSAD)
Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha (Vancouver)
Shri Guru Ravidass Society of Calgary
Ambedkarites International Mission Society-Canada (Calgary)
Shri Guru Ravidass Sabha Ontario
Shri 108 Sant Sarwan Dass Charitable Trust (Western Canada)
Our Global Village (OGV)
South Asian Dalit & Adivasi Network (SADAN)
AIM USA
Steering Committee Members:
Jai Birdi, co-chair
Param Kainth, co-chair
Surjit Bains, chair, finance
Harmesh Chander, social media
Anand Balley, Coordinator, Delegate Services
Harjinder Mall, Welcome Committee
Representatives:
Victoria, BC: Mohinder and Krishna Ralh
United Kingdom: HL Virdi
Calgary, Alberta: Major Mal
For information, contact Ratan Paul, media coordinator.
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Phone:778-772-2101
www.ase2023.ca
Sincerely,
Team ASE2023
www ase2023.ca
[email protected]
