As youth transition into adulthood, to find their place and to contribute within society, they actively develop their ideals and personal values. The African Ancestry Project continues its Youth Dialogue series on May 6, and is open to the public.
The Youth Dialogue, using the contents of the Worlds Within report, is a series of three virtual youth dialogues curated to engage 40 youth between ages 15–19.
The organisers recruit youth as follows: 20 Black youth and 20 youths of Indigenous, Asian, and other racialized backgrounds.
This year’s theme is Identity and belonging in multicultural British Columbia.
About the project
Through storytelling and dialogue, the African Ancestry Project brings awareness to the diversity of Black people in British Columbia. People of African ancestry represent a rich diversity evident in varied histories, identities, and experiences.
While schools are important avenues to guide youth in this process of reflection, many things are left out of classrooms.
Seen as a critical demographic – because these youth may be treated as a single homogenous group, categorized as Black because of darker skin tones – the first session was open only for Black youths to freely share their unique reflections.
The youth dialogues not only engage youths in conversations about the diversity of Black people in BC, but also promote their active and engaged participation in their sense of place in the context of Canada’s multiculturalism values.
It will create a youth-friendly space for open and positive conversations and reflections on the diverse histories, identities, and experiences of people of African ancestry in British Columbia.
Worlds Within, a report of the African Ancestry Project, showcases the diversity of Black people and communities through stories shared by project participants. This report is a resource for knowledge sharing and a tool to inspire important conversations around our visions of genuine multiculturalism and social justice.
Participants will receive a physical copy of the Worlds Within report, three virtual dialogue sessions, workshops on multiculturalism and dialogue engagement & facilitation (as part of the dialogue sessions) will also be offered. Following successful attendance of the dialogue series, participants will receive a certificate of participation.
How to participate
This project particularly targets Black, and other racialized youth, as this is a priority population which does not often come together in safety to engage on issues affecting them.
While Black youths will attend all three dialogue sessions, the other youths will only attend the last two sessions.
Youth participation will include attending three dialogue and training sessions, approximately three hours each, totalling nine hours. In reflecting on the Worlds Within report, participants will be asked to use a creative medium of their choice to share their reflection.
Participants will also have an opportunity to put their learnings into practice by hosting a virtual community dialogue event together with the African Ancestry Project (on a voluntary basis). Other opportunities would be presented to the participants depending on their interest and availability.
Youths (or their parents/guardians) wishing to participate to the event can register at: africanancestryprojectbc@gmail.com
Recruitment will continue until spots are filled.
The first dialogue took place last year (Nov. 26); the second dialogue (Feb. 11) listened to Black and to other racialized youth; and the third dialogue (May 6) will be led by youth participants.
The Youth Dialogue Series is directed by Alice Mũrage and implemented in partnership with Dr. Maureen Kihika, the BC Black History Awareness Society, and the SFU Morris J. Wosk Centre for Dialogue.
For more information visit: www.bcblackhistory.ca/african-ancestry-project-youth-dialogue
