South Asian Youth Advisory Committee

About SAYAC

The South Asian Youth Advisory Committee (SAYAC) is a group of vibrant young activists, leaders and frontline workers within South Asian communities across the GTA. SAYAC, an initiative of the Council of Agencies Serving South Asians (CASSA), has held a number of events celebrating youth activism and social justice.

In May 2008, SAYAC organized the Fires of Resistance: South Asian Youth Igniting Action, a first-of-its-kind conference supporting and celebrating activism that youth from various South Asian communities across the GTA are involved with. With the aim to create awareness about political and social issues affecting South Asian diasporic peoples, the full-day conference gave youth the opportunity to be inspired, excited and empowered. All youth were welcome, and we had a great turnout. Workshops were facilitated on issues such as mental health, disability, and gender; there were hands-on sessions on spoken word, video art, and more. We heard from the Sikh Activist Network, No One Is Illegal, and others. Performers included Stolen From Africa, Sheniz Janmohamed and Farheen Beg.

In 2009, the second annual Fires of Resistance youth conference was held at the University of Toronto, Scarborough Campus. Topics at this year’s conference included violence, immigration policies and the racialization of poverty. Humble the Poet shared his socially conscious verses as well.

Also in 2009, a Youth Leadership Retreat was organized, where South Asian youth had the opportunity to develop skills related to leadership in their own communities.

Join SAYAC

The South Asian Youth Advisory Committee (SAYAC) is looking for dedicated youth between the ages of 16 and 30 to become Steering Committee Members for a term ending May 2010.

SAYAC members are passionate South Asian youth who wish to actively participate in creating a socially and economically just Canada. In 2010, the third annual Fires of Resistance youth conference will occur, and SAYAC members help to make it an amazing event for participants and facilitators.

Steering Committee members are required to commit to attending planning meetings once a month and more frequent meetings leading up to the conference in May. Anti-oppression training is a requirement of membership as well. We are planning to hold a few events in January and March 2010 around themes of terrorism, gender equity, cultural identity and intergenerational issues.

Transit reimbursement is available for members’ attendance at meetings. A certificate of appreciation will be provided given an appropriate term as a member.

If you are interested, please send your resume to Nitole Quader at nitole@cassa.on.ca with the subject “SAYAC membership application.” Past SAYAC members can apply as well. If you are interested in being involved with SAYAC in a capacity other than a steering committee member, please get in touch with Nitole.

CASSA thanks all who apply.