can do now future sangat

the Young Sikh Professionals Network, community trends for the future

she spoke of the need for women to guide, motivate and embolden their sisters, especially recent arrivals, to pursue their goals.

Recognising the surplus motivation, skills and energy that exists in our community, a second panel discussion explored how we can channel these resources to ‘Coordinate Sewa Across the Community.’ Dr Malvindar Singh-Bains, a neuroscientist at the University of Auckland Centre for Brain Research and Young New Zealander of the Year finalist, amazed delegates when she described how she took brain specimens to her local urdwara to teach children about brain disease. Ms Singh-Bains used this as an example to illustrate the ease of how we can selflessly serve our community with our pre-existing knowledge and skillset.

As the day progressed, the energy in the room became palpable as delegates felt empowered and excited to develop the solutions to the community’s most pressing problems. YSPN challenged delegates to diagnose and solve these problems through a facilitated workshop session centered on the pillars of migration and sewa. The groups distilled their ideas down to eight solutions that delegates were invited to pledge their commitment to. In addition to the delegates pledging their time to execute these initiatives, over $5,000 in donations was received on the day through a crowdfunding campaign, which reinforced the enthusiasm among delegates to see these initiatives come to life. Among the solutions were: a comprehensive migrant support website, gurudwara pop-ups for migrants, partnering with migrant service organisations, and an online platform to connect sewadars (volunteers) with those migrants who need help navigating through life in Australia.

The event concluded with a ala Dinner, which was an opportunity to celebrate Divine Steps Festival, Australia’s largest interfaith music festival for uru anak

Dev Ji’s 550th birthday hosted by Sikh Youth Australia in November 2019.

The night also featured a Q&A session with corporate leader Pam Bains, CFO Aurizon, who spoke on how networks and mentorship were instrumental in her career success.

The night’s proceedings concluded with Ramneek Singh, Chair of YSPN, presenting the new strategy of YSPN. In his speech, Mr Singh described the renewed objective of the organisation is to ‘channel sewa to develop ethical Sikh leaders for a productive and inclusive broader community.’

The conference demonstrated the ambition that exists among young professionals to take on the issues that are currently hindering the progress of the Sikh community.

Personally, I believe this event was immensely successful and forward thinking. With the seeds now sowed, I’m excited to see these projects come to life and the legacy they will leave for the community.

YSPN was formed in 2012 with the aim of empowering young Indian diaspora in the workforce by providing mentorship, developing networks and building advocacy in the Sikh and Australian professional communities. To learn more, visit www.yspn.org.au