South-Sudanese Youth of Canada (SSYC) Conference
July 27-29, 2018 - Edmonton, Alberta
“Coming together as youth of the same community”
Background
Motivation
From the mid-80’s to early 2000s immigrants arrived in Canada from Sudan for various reasons including political instability. Since then, South-Sudanese community leaders have been working together to connect with other South-Sudanese immigrants to preserve their heritage, culture and support each other in successfully integrating into Canadian society. However, these initiatives have largelybeen directed towards South-Sudanese adults and specific tribes within Canada. Little has been done to address theconcerns ofSouth-Sudanese youth (SSY), who immigrated to Canada or who were born in Canada, and who also face issues involving integration into Canadian society and developing their identity as SSY but also Canadian youth. Due to these unaddressed concerns, youth from this community may have faced adversity in their academics, social engagement, and overall adjustment to Canadian society.
South-Sudanese Youth of Canada Mission Statement
The South-Sudanese youth of Canada (SSYC) aims to contribute to the welfare of SSY across Canada. To achieve this, the SSYC aims to establish a diverse and strong base of youth leaders, across the country, to support and contribute to not only the South-Sudanese community, but Canadian society at large. This base of leaders will be used to support the current and future generations of SSY within the South-Sudanese-Canadian community bydeveloping infrastructure and provide tools necessary for successful integration into Canadian society.
Objectives
The objectives of the SSYC are three-fold. Firstly, the SSYC aims to connect SSY across the country and within individual cities or local communities. Secondly, the SSYC aims to influence the culture within the South-Sudanese community and support holistic integration. Finally, the SSYC aims to influence the image of SSY within Canadian society.
Structure
The structure of the SSYC prior to the 2018 Conference is outline in Figure 1. At this stage, SSYC contained four functional bodies SSYC-central, conference planning, communications/marketing and sponsors. Briefly, the four groups work together to counteract the effects of non-holistic integration by confronting the challenges of SSY across the country. The primary objective of the sponsors subgroup is to generate funds for the organization. The communications and marketing subgroup promote excellence within the community and amongst the youth, as well as manage the groups various media platforms (Instagram: ssyofcanada , Facebook: SSYC , Snapchat: ssycofcanada). The conference planning subgroup focuses on developing the annual conference, an event where all youth in participating cities will gather to revaluate community challenges, discuss progress, maintain and foster new connection and networks. Finally, SSYC-Central connects the various working groups, steers the organization through the creation of by laws and manages documentation.
Members of Planning Committee (July 2018)
The SSYC planning committee as of July2018 are outlined in Table 1. Special acknowledgements are ascribed to Kiden Jones (Regina, Saskatchewan), Lorot Michael (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan) and Mandela Keut (Winnipeg, Manitoba) for their contributions throughout the year.
Table
Members Residence
Andrew Lokiden Edmonton, AB
Athiang Makuoi Edmonton, AB
Benjamin Clement Vancouver, BC
Chol Deng Kuir Winnipeg, MB
Christine Amoko Winnipeg, MB
Dulu Modi Edmonton, AB
Jennifer Wani Regina, SK
Judy Wani Regina, SK
Khemis Marsuk Edmonton, AB
Kija Lado Edmonton, AB
McNiel-Inyani Keri Edmonton, AB
Olga Loggale Edmonton, AB
Yawa Idi Edmonton, AB
Yondu Mori Montreal, QC
South-Sudanese’s Youth of Canada Conference 2018 Objectives
Through the theme of connections, the objective of the SSYC conference (Edmonton, AB, July 27-29, 2018) was to gather SSY across the country, identifychallenges facingthe SSY, brainstorm potential solutions, and develop connections to help combat the identified challenges. The SSYC conference was successful in achieving these aims through the three-day conference. As a result, a variety of challenges have been identified which encompass a variety of topics. Moreover, a network of SSY from a variety of cities (Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, and Winnipeg) has been established to drive initiatives aiming to confront the identified challenges. These initiatives require an additional working group (community development) to be incorporated into the current organizational structure outlined in Section 1.2.3, the structure and goals of this working group is outlined in Section 3 (Future developments and objectives). The major challenges identified can be divided into eight categories: criminal justice, family dynamics, gender equality, health and wellness, identity, self improvement, tribalism, and volunteerism (Table 2).
Challenges Elaboration/Examples
Apathy in community
Criminal Justice
Intergenerational gap/Family Dynamics
Gender Equality
Health and Wellness
Identity
Lack of support for youth
Self Improvement
Tribalism
Difficulty getting youth and other community members to care about their community.
Knowledge of the law, law enforcement, correctional facilities, etc.
Difficulty in communication between generations within the community, challenges with child services, etc.
Gender roles, sexual harassment, black men degrading black women, etc.
Mentalhealth,selfconfidence, substance abuse, sexuality, romantic relationships, etc.
Cultural development, language, traditions, triple identity (Canadian vs South-Sudanese vs Black), etc.
Elders unable to develop youth inclusive events, lack of support for youth initiatives and leadership.
Career guidance, life insurance, credit literacy, etc.
Bridging tribal barriers within the community.
Volunteerism Communityinvolvement,impactingthe youngergeneration,impact on refugees and events happening overseas, etc.
Location
The three-day conference occurred in Edmonton, Alberta. Alberta was chosen based on its central location, making it the most accessible location for the majority of SSY attending from other provinces. Grant MacEwan University was selected to host the first two days of the event. As a registered student group at the Student Association of MacEwan University (SAMU), the university offered unparalleled support, funding and discounts to aid in the execution of the event; these are highlighted in the budget in section 2.5. In addition to this, Grant MacEwan University was chosen due to its central location within the city (Downton Edmonton). Table 3 outlines the location and activity of each day while Figure 2 expands on the Attendees Count in Table 3. The final day of the event was held at a municipal park in Edmonton (Rundle park).
Accommodations were offered to the attendees arriving out of Edmonton. Attendees from out of the city could request residence with local SSYC members or elders within the South-Sudanese community. However, the majority of attendees coming out of city preferred to locate their own residence through Airbnb, hotels, or stay with relatives.
Conference Weekend
Each day of the three-day event was designed to achieve a specific objective. The basketball tournament and farewell barbeque served the purpose of cultivating and strengthening relationships between the attendees. Developing strong connections was vital not only for setting the precedence for open discussion during the conference day, but equally as vital in successful execution of solutions post event. The conference day predominately focused on inspiring and identifying challenges facing SSY and brainstorming potential solutions
To achieve the aims of the conference day, the structure of the conference was divided into two segments The first portion consisted of performances, speaker presentations speakers and a panel discussion. The aim of this portion was to provide young people an opportunity to listen and interact with elders, leaders in the South-Sudanese community, and other youth. Each speaker provided a presentation that addressed different topics that included: challenges of integrating into a new society, tribalism, gender roles, academics, and barriers within Canadian infrastructure. The first segment was concluded by an interactive panel discussion, allowing attendees an opportunity to interact with the presenters. The second portion was targeted exclusively towards the youth. Youth attended workshops focusing on the themes of I.D.E.A.S (Inspire, Discover, Engage, Achieve,andSuccess).Theseworkshopsoffereda safeandopenplatformfordiscussionnecessary for identification of the key issues facing SSY across the country.
Basketball Tournament
The itinerary for the basketball tournament is outline in table 4.
Conference Day
The itinerary for the conference day is outline in table 5.
1:50 – 2:00 pm Visual Art Showcase Richard Tata (King Rich)
2:05 – 4:05 pm I.D.E.A Workshops
4:10 – 5:30 pm Group Discussion
5:35 – 5:45 pm Musical Performance Ronnie Ronyo
5:45 – 6:00 pm Closing Remarks, Departure
Speakers
Each speaker addressed different topics that included: challenges of integrating into a new society, tribalism, gender roles, academics, and barriers within Canadian infrastructure. Figure 5 captures the speakers of the SSYC 2018 conference.
Title of Presentation: The Next Generation of South-Sudanese Women: Stand Up!
A University of Winnipeg’s graduate, majoring in Urban Inner-City Studies and minoring in Conflict Resolution Studies. Elizabeth (Figure 6) co-founded, and is the current president, of Manitoba Women for Women of South-Sudan (W4W). She works with different organization that promoted peace and unity among the South-Sudanese communities in Canada and South Sudan. InNovember2016,W4WhostedaWomen’sPeaceTableCampaignonSouth-SudaninWinnipeg. In October 2016, she attended the Louisville, Kentucky Presbyterians Churches Mission SouthSudan/Sudan conference as a panelist discussing the status of women in the South-Sudanese conflict. She amemberof Dialogueon South-Sudan/Sudanforum basedin Winnipegwhichbrings together from all walks of life to dialogue on the issues pertaining to peace and development. In June-July 2016, she was a member of diaspora group that initiated a local peace committee to promote dialogue among the Agar Dinka communities in Rumbek, Lake State in South Sudan. The initiative was supported bythe UNIMISS and attended bydifferent groups such as politicians, youth, men and women and religious leaders. It was an initiative to reduced violence. She is a former representative of women in the Sudanese People Liberation Movement (SPLM) Chapter of Winnipeg. In 2017, she was awarded a Canada 150 Medal for her efforts in peacebuilding and conflict resolution approaches. She has worked as a research assistant for the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives and participated in several local, national, and international conferences on women’s issues and peacebuilding.
Jane Ananias
Title of Presentation: Cherry Picking Opportunities in the Midst of Daunting Barriers
Jane (Figure 7) has a Master of Business Administration along with 22 years of community work. Her work included being a Teacher, Assistant Principal, Gender Officer, Community Outreach Worker, Family/Community Support Worker, Settlement Counselor, Team Leader and Manager. Some of Jane’s work has included her assistance in helping convert an apartment building in downtown Edmonton into temporaryhousing for refugees and immigrants that are new to Canada. This includes immigrants with special needs and physical disabilities.
Joseph Luri
Title of Presentation: The Challenges of Integration
Joseph Luri (Figure 8) immigrated to Edmonton in 1998 where he became a very engaged and driven community activist. He is a founding member of the Africa Centre here in Edmonton, and afounderoftheSKYhomeworkclub. Joseph Luri is a graduateofa BachelorofCommercedegree in Project Management and currently works as a social worker. He has been the recipient of many awards which include the Inspiration Award, Crime Prevention Award, and Community Activist Award. His focus is building success in everyone within their communities, and to the greater society.
Kuir Garang
Title of Presentation: The Effect of Tribalism on Leadership, Institutional Development and Coexistence
Kuir (Figure 9) is a South-Sudanese Canadian novelist, poet, political analyst and researcher currently living in Calgary, Alberta. He has written extensively on South-Sudan’s and Sudan’s’ political issues for the past ten years. As of now, he has published three novels, three poetry books and three nonfiction books. Kuir was born in the war-torn Sudan but because of the aftermath of Sudanese civil war, was forced to seek refuge in Ethiopia at the beginning of 1987 until the then Ethiopian government of Mengistu Haile Mariam was overthrown in May of 1991. After living in various Sudanese displaced camps and in Kakuma refugee camp between 1991 and 2001, he moved to Canada in 2002 as a refugee student under World University Services of Canada (WUSC)RefugeeSponsorshipProgram. KuirholdsaBAinPhilosophyandPoliticalSciencefrom McGill University in Montreal and a MA in Integrated Studies with concentration in Philosophy and Cultural Studies from Athabasca University where he undertook a master’s research project on Color and Cultural Identity. He will start his PhD studies in the fall of 2018 at York University's School of Social Work where he will undertake research on Race and color-Identity and how they affect social and public policy, service provision and how they also contribute to hegemony, exclusion and oppression.
Teddy A. Bandima
Title of Presentation: Pursuing a Dream in the Midst of What Appears to Be Insurmountable Challenges
Dr. Bandima (Figure 10) was born in what is now the Republic of South Sudan. Due to civil war, he was forced to flee his homeland to North Sudan, from there he travelled through Ethiopia to Kenya where he lived as a refugee for seven years, experiencing significant hardships. He moved to Canada in November 2002 and joined the University of Saskatchewan, completing three degrees. During his time as a doctoral student, Dr. Bandima conducted his doctoral research with sub-SaharanAfricanuniversitystudentswhohadovercomewhathadseemedtobeinsurmountable challenges. With this experience, Dr. Bandima has gained interest in the motivation of youth and individuals in the midst of hardships, and in developing policies that can help them succeed in their ultimate dreams and contribute positively to society. Dr. Bandima works as a lecturer at the University of Saskatchewan.
Nelson Wani & McNiel-Inyani Keri
Title of Presentation: Science, Engineering and Beyond
Nelson (Figure 11) is currently a third-year student in engineering physics. During the summer of 2018, he worked to develop the next generation of cutting-edge solar cells and photodetectors as a research assistant at the University of Saskatchewan. His career aspirations are in serial entrepreneurship as he is currently working on a Startup idea for a compliance software solution for retail stores hopefully to be introduced to markets soon. As well as being an executive member of the student group Saskinvent where he is the project lead for a robotic glove designed to assist trauma patients.
McNiel-Inyani (Figure 11) is a Sudanese born, Electrical-Mechanical-Biomedical Engineer in training (E.I.T), and Scientist currently wrapping up his master’s in mechanical engineering focusing on improving bionic technologies. McNiel-Inyani has a keen interest in the beauty evident within nature, his interest encompasses a wide range of phenomena and fields including: biotechnology, particle physics, astronomy, information technology and classical literature. Of all his various interests, he is most passionate about biomedical engineering, the intersection between engineering and medicine.
Performers
The conference itinerary contained four entertainers. Each performance was selected to continue the narrative of youth excellence and showcase the diversity of talent within the SSY. The performers included Kija Lado (supported by Dennis Lisa), Emmanuel Simon (a.k.a Oliver Throne), Richard Tata (a.k.a King Rich), and Ronnie Ronyo.
Kija Lado
Kija Lado (Figure 12) is a Canadian born South Sudanese, musician in-the-making. After relocating to South Sudan 2011 and moving back to Canada in 2014, she had a revelation of the beauty of music and art, through the worship at her Sudanese Community Church in Edmonton. Since then she has been a growing and aspiring artist, an active member of her communities, and as she likes to put it a ‘citizen of the world’. She alongside some other South-Sudanese musicians shared music that has inspired her including Traditional gospel, Sudanese music, as well as some of her favorite throwbacks. Her performance showcased not onlythe diversityof music in a people but the diversity of music within an individual.
Richard Tata (a.k.a King Rich)
Richard Catcher-Freeman Tata (a.k.a King Rich) (Figure 13), a soulful artist from Calgary, Alberta. Born in Uganda, but from Sudan, Richard grew up in the South East, Penbrook and Pensacola, Calgary. A community where art was never looked at as a successful possibility. So, he challenged it and made, ART his platform. He is an activist, visual/visionary artist through painting and illustrations, director, producer, photographer, writer, poet, designer, stylist, and CEO. Richard presented a fashion show, with live entertainment from other artists.
Emmanuel Simon (a.k.a Oliver Throne)
Emmanuel Simon (a.k.a Oliver Throne) (Figure 14) was born in Uganda, with genes from South Sudan. He is a Canadian artist. Poetry to him is not just an art form, it's a lifestyle, a way which he interprets reality and its mysteries. Oliver Throne has been a hip-hop artist for many years. He is devoted in being on top and showing his true skills to everyone. Nothing will stop him from being a true inspiring artist we can look up to.
Ronnie Ronyo
Ronnie Ronyo (Figure 15) is a Uganda born, South-Sudanese, artist currently residing and based from Calgary. His interest and love for music led him to pursue his dream/passion of becoming a musician. Ronnie enjoys listening to all kinds of music ranging from Hip-Hop to Rock. Through the 90s-Early-2000s, Ronnie has released a few projects including Winter falls. He has a lot to share both within and outside the music field.
Workshops
The second portion of conference was targeted exclusively towards the youth. Youth attended workshopsfocusingon thethemesofI.D.E.A.S(Inspire,Discover,Engage,Achieve,andSuccess). These workshops offered a safe and open platform for discussion necessary for identification of the key issues facing SSY across the country. The entire conference aimed to satisfy the inspire segment of I.D.E.A.S, the workshops focused on the remaining segments of the acronym. The attendees were divided into four smaller groups prior to entering the workshops. This division was necessary as smaller groups allow for greater interactivity. Each workshop was led by a pair of members from the SSYC, these members acted only as facilitators of conversation and supported the natural flow of discussion. In each workshop, the facilitators opened the dialogue, and posed a series of questions for discussion. The workshop groups were then further divided into smaller subgroups, this supported increase engagement. After a period of time, the subgroups rejoined and shared their responses with the entire workshop group. After the workshops, the attendees regrouped and shared their response with all the youth in attendance.
Discover
The discover workshop aimed to identify the attitudes of the SSY towards the South-Sudanese community. The questions used to facilities conversation were:
1. In what ways do you feel the South-Sudanese community has provided for you?
2. What aspects have you discovered that you like/dislike about the South-Sudanese community?
3. What do you want to discover, learn, or acquire (i.e., skill set) to better serve our community?
4. What is your role in the community?
Engage
The engage workshop aimed to identify the ways in which youth might engage in the SouthSudanese and Canadian community. The questions used to facilities conversation were:
1. What are the issues you want to engage in to bring collective benefits as a community?
2. What are your needs, wants, what do you want the community to do for you?
3. What are things that could make it easier for youth to be involved and a part of the community
4. Do you feel your parents are your “go-to” to discuss things such as community involvement or even personal manners relating to your success as a person, or do you feel there is another adult (in or out of the South-Sudanese community) that you can go to?
• If it is not your parents, why do you feel you cannot go to your parents? What about your relationship with them hinders that ability?
• How would you like to change that relationship with your parents in order to allow them to be that person for you?
5. Whatdifficultiesdoyourecognizeas aCanadian youthbeingraisedin theSouth-Sudanese culture?
Achieve
The achieve workshop aimed to identify the ways in which youth might be successful within Canadian society. The questions used to facilities conversation were:
1. In what ways do you feel your community acts as a support system for you?
2. What capacityhas thecommunityhelped your achievement/advancementin different areas of your life?
3. Do you believe you need support from the community to be able to achieve your goals?
4. Usinganswersformquestions1-3,howdo you envisionachievingsuccessasanindividual, and how can the community aid you in achieving success? Some examples include:
• Your specific goals
• Support system
• Mentors
• Academic support
• Providing resources (what kind of resources?)
• Systemic advocacy
• Mental health
• Inclusivity
5. what does achievement look like to you as a South-Sudanese youth?
Success
The success workshop aimed to identify the ways in which youth might be successful within Canadian society. The questions used to facilities conversation were:
1. What does success mean to you? How do you define success?
2. Can you succeed without the approval of your parents?
3. Does our definition of success differ from our parents/elders? If so, how?
4. What does failure mean to you? How do you define failure?
5. What would be the biggest success for South-Sudan right now and how can we as youth make that happen?
The workshop discussions resulted in the identification of eight major category of challenges facing SSY, these are summarized in Table 2 and include challenges with criminal justice, family dynamics, gender equality, health and wellness, identity, self improvement, tribalism, and volunteerism.
Feedback and Evaluations
The evaluations for the SSYC conference weekend can be broken into four categories. Evaluations and feedback were obtained from the conference invitees (attendees, speakers, performers) and the SSYC members after the event. Representatives from the Edmonton Mennonite Center for Newcomers (EMCN) were heavily involved in the design and execution of these evaluative techniques. The specific evaluation or feedback methods implemented are outlined in Table 7.
Group Intended Outcomes Evaluation
Conference
Attendees
1. Attendees recognize issues in their communities
2. Attendees build confidence and find their voice to take initiative in addressing their community’s issues
3. Attendees gain a sense of community and pride in South Sudanese culture and develop tangible connections to their peers and elders
Feedback Wall
Online Survey
Planning Committee Members
1. Members build networking and organizational skills
2. Members feel a sense of satisfaction byimpacting their community
3. Members develop connections to peers and elders
Focus group
Speakers
1. Speakers develop intergenerational connections
2. Speakers are able to inspire attendees
3. Speakers are able to advocate for youth in their communities
Video Interview
Performers
1. Performers feel support for their art and build pride in South Sudanese culture
2. Performers develop connections to peers and elders
Video Interview
Conference Attendees
In order to evaluate whether or not conference attendees have met their intended outcomes and to help in the planning of future conferences, data was gathered through two sources. A traditional online surveyand a feedback wall were selected to gather data from attendees. Both methods were utilized as it was unknown how respective the attendees would be in completing an online survey, whereas, the feedback wall could be easily monitored through the duration of the event.
During the conference day, a feedback wall with two questions was placed in an accessible location, attendees were asked to write their responses on the wall throughout the day. The two questions were (1) at this conference, what have you learned about our communities’ strengths? and (2) at this conference, what have you learned about our communities’ challenges?
The second data source for collecting attendees’ feedback is an online survey, developed in Microsoft Forms. The link to the survey was e-mailed to attendees the day of the conference and posted around the hall. Attendees were reminded and encouraged to complete the survey at the end of the main conference day. The purpose of the survey was thoroughly explained to attendees so that they understood its importance and encouraged to reflected honestly.
Feedback Wall
The responses for the first question of the feedback wall (at this conference, what have you learned about ourcommunities’strengths?)can be grouped intothreecategories. Table8presents the three categories (Passionate youth, importance of community, and a desire for inclusiveness) and provides some examples from the feedback wall for each category.
Strength Examples
Passionate youth “the youth in our community want to see a change and they have the drive to make this change”, “we are the change they want to see”, “we are the change they want to see”, etc.
Importance of community “there are some strong leaders”, “exists a sense of togetherness amongst youth” , “community seen as a good thing”, etc.
A desire for inclusiveness “the ability to coexist when they put a side differences and work together for a common goal”, “desire for forgiveness”, “push for connectedness”. “positive pressures pushing for a stronger community”, etc.
The responses for the first question of the feedback wall (at this conference, what have you learned about our communities’ challenges?) can be grouped into four categories. Table 9 presents the four categories (Tribalism and the lack of support for youth) and provides some examples from the feedback wall for each category.
Challenges Examples
Tribalism “The inability for tribes within the city and country to accommodate each other in their events”, “variety of tribal specific South-Sudanese communitybodieswhich doenot interact orshareresource”,“brining what is happening overseas here” , etc.
Lack of support for youth
Intergenerational gap and family dynamics
“elders although pillars of the community do not want to support youth or let them lead”, “no infrastructure for youth”, “youth told to succeed with no direction”, etc.
“there is a communication barrier between the youth and elders”, “community events are not designed to get youth involved”, “generational gap because of different upbringing”, etc.
Apathy in community “hard getting youth and people to care about their community”, “youth proudtobeblackbut not South-Sudanese”,“onlysome young people willing to tackle issues in community”, etc.
Online Survey
Theonlinesurveywas not successful as manyoftheattendees did not fill them out. Futureprojects must implement more creative methods, such as the more successful feedback wall.
Speakers
In order to gain the perspectives of the speakers on their participation in the conference, the SSYC planning committee conducted short interviews with them during lunch or prior to their departure if they are unable to stay for lunch. The purpose of the interviews was explained to the speakers to ensure they understand it is not a personal evaluation and to encourage honest reflection. Speakers verbally consented to their responses being summarized and included in the final – public – report of the conference prior to participating in the interviews. During the interview speakers were asked three questions (1) Why did you feel your message was important to share with the youth and what impact did it have on them? (2) How did the youth respond to your message? And (3) What will you take back to your community from this conference? The responses of Kuir Garang are detailed below:
(1): Why did you feel your message was important to share with the youth and what impact did it have on them?
I think the message is important to share with the youth because youth are the future and tribalism affects us back in South-Sudan. So, if we make sure that the youth understand implications [then] they can fashion a way in which they can live together without any division. I feel like that is something crucial because they are the future of the world. They are the future leaders, future business people, and the fact that they need to be inclusive of everyone is actually very crucial for them to understand.
(2): How did the youth respond to your message?
I think from the questions and you saw that it was a heated discussion and people are very passionate about it, it means that they like the topic and they like the call for inclusiveness. So, they received it very well and from the questions, [and] from the fact that one lady was talking about love for one another. That is a beautiful thing to hear from young people.
(3): What will you take back to your community from this conference?
The first thing I would take is the fact that the youth need to be given a chance. Because in our community it mostly as the older people who are speaking all the time. The fact that the youth organized this is a testimony to the fact that they need to be allowed to talk, to organize things. So that is one thing, and the other thing is that we need to come together as adults because young people are coming together. So why can’t we as adults come together? So that’s my take home message.
Performers
The SSYC planning committee also conducted brief interviews with the performers to gather their feedback. These interviews were conducted shortly after the performers complete their performance. As with the speakers, the purpose and use of the interview was explained ahead of timeto ensure theyfeel theycanspeakfreely. Theywere also verballyconsentedto their responses being summarized and included in the conference final – public – report prior to participating. After performing the performers were asked the following questions (1) How will this exposure help build your artistic career? (2) Did you feel supported by the crowd? How or how not? And
(3) How did this event foster pride in South Sudanese culture? The responses of Ronnie Ronyo are detailed below:
(1): How will this exposure help build your artistic career?
I reallyappreciated the amount of people who showed up. It was more than I expected. It just blew me away, so I actually didn’t expect the crowd to be that large. That was good. The exposure was nice. I got some more follows on my social media, made some new friends, made some other connections with other people who are interested in the music and entertainment field and arts, so it was nice. I appreciate that.
(2): Did you feel supported by the crowd? Why or why not?
I did feel supported by the crowd. They kept their eyes on me, they listened, obviously, and things just flowed well until the end of my performance. I performed on the set of Richard Tata’s fashion show. I actually didn’t get my own set time which I was supposed to, which kind of threw everything off for me because Iwasn’t able to fullygive my all to the crowd and perform the songs I wanted to. I didn’t appreciate that because I could’ve performed more and showcased more of my artwork, but it’s okay because there’s always next year and hopefully the planning goes better. I know there was a certain time we had to leave the venue, so I was understanding of that. Other than that, everything went very well. The exposure that I got was great.
(3): How did this event foster pride in South Sudanese culture?
This event was very encouraging to South Sudanese youth, to my younger siblings who attended, and to friends who came who really weren’t intertwined with the Sudanese community. It was good for them to come out and see that Sudanese people are coming together and they’re doing other things other than what they usually hear Sudanese people doing. They were encouraged by the university students and projects that have been done, like what McNiel is doing and Nelson, and Richard Tata’s fashion show, and my performing of rap music, and Oliver Throne’s performing of his poetry and music, as well and Kija’s, and just everything. It was just all-around greatness. People really never saw this kind of aspect and got together just to do this kind of thing, so it was a really good thing for this to happen and hopefully it happens next year. Thank you to the sponsors for helping us with everything and sponsoring us for a great time and we hope to work with you next year.
Planning Committee
The SSYC planning committee, present during the conference weekend, provided feedback through a follow-up focus group (run by representatives from the EMCN) immediately after the conference. The focus group answered the following questions (1) What connections did you make? (2) How did your work impact the attendees? (3) What skills did you gain from planning and implementing the conference? And (4) Did the event provide the outcomes you were looking for?
What connections did you make?
The response to this question is detailed in table 10.
Table 10: The tables details the connections made by the organizing committee.
Connections Examples
Deepened old connections
Connection across tribal lines
Speakers
Not just new connections but also deepened old connections and these deeper old connections can lead to new connections as well
The connected across tribal lines and began to understand how their pride in their own tribe and tribal cultural can exist alongside support and appreciation of other tribes
1. Connected with and got to know speakers – learned about them as people
2. Connected with people who inspire them, if they can do it, so can I
Planning committee
Attendees (SSY)
Deeper connections with members of the planning committee, intra and inter city
1. A lot of the attendees volunteered to help spontaneously and connected with the planning committee through that volunteering
2. More connected to SSY Community in Canada, particularly with the cities and provinces involved – feel like they belong in the communityand feel at home with South Sudanese communityfor the first time
Dual identity and culture
1. Connected to their dual identity of being South Sudanese and Canadian – see other youth with the same dual identity makes them love themselves more
2. Connected with culture
External parties
Community partners
Connected with others not at the conference through social media
Connections with community partners that allow them to maintain identity
How did your work impact the attendees?
The response to this question is detailed in table 11
Table
Who How
Attendees
1. Breakdown barriers and divisions – gender, city, etc., made connections
2. Given a platform for them to be listened to
3. Created safe space to open up
4. Loved the food!
5. The workshops got them thinking, connected to the themes
6. Supported community growth in new cities, e.g. Calgary
7. Exposed to liberal role models
8. Sense of purpose and inspiration to take home to their communities
9. Left more united and trusting of each other – saw they face the same challenges and want to work together to solve them
10. Inspired and proud of the talent and work going on in their communities
11. Understanding of how to implement ideas
Performers
1. Platform to practice performing and build confidence
2. Felt really good about themselves, proud and supported by their community – inspired for the future
3. Sense of community support
4. Connected with other performers, learned from each others’ work
5. Sense of duty to community
6. Broke down stigma towards artists within their community
7. Learnedto bemoreintrospectiveabout theirperformance,howwill people receive performance
Speakers
1. Connected with other speakers, see that there are other elders who value the youth’s voice
2. Connected with youth
3. Impressed by conference – shifted perspective on youth
4. Gained hope – saw that youth are future and these youth are awesome and able to overcome challenges
5. Felt challenges
6. Excited and happy that youth embrace culture
7. Platform for liberal ideas to be embraced
8. Safe to discuss and share personal struggles
9. Felt their work is worth it
10. Learned to respect youth voice and work together
11. Inspired to act as a voice for the youth to the Elders
What skills did you gain from planning and implementing the conference?
The majority of the responses to this question fall into ten categories outlined in Table 12. In addition to the skills outlined in the Table, the SSYC planning committee learned how to write grants, learned that “getting out of your comfort zone is very liberating”, because “more open minded” to other members contributions and learned to allow for “fun” while being productive.
Skills Examples
Time Management prioritization, accountability
Internal and External Communication Skills conversing with people from different places, speaking only when your contribution is helpful, respectfully disagreeing, strategically using social media, advertising and marketing skills
Team work and Interpersonal Skills
ability to accept constructive criticism, conflict resolution, making decisions when unable to reach consensus, leadership, delegation of work, trust
Flexibility dealing with adversity and being able to focus and function under stress, composure
Organizational Skills following through on promises, management skills
Humility accepting that others may not agree with your ideas and the group might choose to go in a different direction, learning to say, “I don’t know” and using it as a learning opportunity, accepting responsibility
Critical Thinking proactive and deductive reasoning
Self-care and Setting Boundaries learning to take breaks and taking care of myself, letting others do the same
Relationship Building connecting with new people, connecting different visionaries with similar ideas/passions together
Confidence pride, confidence in myabilityto accomplish tasks and volunteer to take on tasks, confidence in public speaking
Did the event provide the outcomes you were looking for?
The response to this question is detailed in Table 13.
Outcomes Met?
To connect with youth across Canada and see what they think of the community
All respondents agreed that this was accomplished A coming together of South Sudanese youth from across Canada. It would be a safe place, and an opportunity to gettoknowoneanother.
I expected people to enjoyandfeellikeitwas worthwhile.
Connecting with new people that I don’t expect to know.
Let South Sudanese Youth know we have a community.
A safe space for rediscovery of one’s self and positive change in the community.
There was less agreement as to whether or not this was achieved. Two respondents said that this was onlypartiallyachieved but the conference was a good start.
All respondents felt this was more than achieved.
There was consensus that this was achieved.
The respondents agreed that this was achieved but that they need to spread the word to expand their reach even further next time.
Respondents felt that the conference was the first step towards this goal but that it can’t do all the work alone. There needs to be further development.
All respondents agreed with this assessment. Sense of belonging, build pride within community, develop skills, know that youth can contribute in a positive way.
I was expecting the attendees to not be as open and receiving but they surpassed all my expectations.
Respondents felt this was achieved, particularly they felt that the pride and sense of belonging were built at the conference.
I was expecting very thorough discussion during the workshop.
Initiate a dialogue among the youth.
Generally, the respondents agreed that this was achieved, however, they felt the depth of the conversation was constrained by the limited time.
All respondents felt this was achieved but that these conversations need to be further developed going forward.
Budget
The detailed anticipated and actual expenditure of the SSYC 2018 conference is detailed in Table 14
Note: As of January 2019, the remaining funds have been utilized for community development projects as detailed under the “Future projects and initiatives” (page 35). The specific usage is
detailed in the SSYC 2018-2019 Community development document, this document is available upon request
Sponsorship
The SSYC would like to thank all the sponsors and supporters of the 2018 conference (Table 15, Figure 19). The event would not have been possible with out your support. Through this initial event, you have empowered not only the members of the SSYC, but SSY and the South-Sudanese communityacross the countryand beyond. Words are unable to express our gratitude. Thank you!
Source
Amount ($ CND)
Butler Family Foundation 1500
Edmonton Community Foundation (ECF) 5600
Grant MacEwan University (SAMU) 2300
TOTAL 9400
Marketing, Media and Promotion
Marketing and media were managed by the SSYC communications and marketing working group, through the use of SSYC’s various media platforms (Instagram: ssyofcanada , Facebook: SSYC , Snapchat: ssycofcanada).
Marketing
Many media platforms were utilized to promote the event 2018 SSYC conference
Posters
Figure 20 depicts posters used to promote the SSYC 2018 conference. Posters were used to convey informationtoparticipants,sponsors,andotherpersons(i.e.,guardians,elders,etc.)ina condensed manner. These posters were also posted on the various SSYC media platforms.
The SSYC Instagram account (ssyofcanada) was used predominately to reach out the target audience (SSY), as many young people currently use this media platform (Figure 21). The Instagram page was used to provided information about the SSYC and the 2018 conference. Additionally, the social media platform was also used to promote SSY excellence across the country, highlighting the success of SSY in a variety of areas.
Similar to Instagram, Facebook was used to provide details about the SSYC, 2018 conference event and promote SSY excellence, country wide. Unlike Instagram, the target audience not only included SSY but guardians, elders and other members of the older demographic who predominantly used Facebook as a media platform. Figure 22 highlights a few posts, some of which close to six thousand view.
Media
The SSYC communication and marketing group also managed the media for the conference weekend, this included connecting with the Edmonton Journal, and CBC news. Figure 23 depicts an excerpt from the Edmonton Journal, Figure 24 another excerpt from a modified article on the pressedReader, and Figure 25 depicts a snapshot of the CBC news video.
https://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/first-ever-southsudan-youth-of-canada-conference-this-weekend
Future Objectives and Developments
The objective of the 2018 SSYC conference was to gather SSY across the country, identify challenges facing the South-Sudanese community, brainstorm potential solutions, and develop connections to help combat the identified challenges. The SSYC conference was successful in achieving its aims. In addition to the identification of challenges facing SSY, a network of youth from a variety of cities (Calgary, Edmonton, Regina, and Winnipeg) has been established to drive initiatives aiming to confront the identified challenges. Furthermore, the initiatives required to address the identified challenges demand organizational restructuring. Specifically, the addition of a new working group, communitydevelopment. With the collaboration of youth leaders across the country, the community development subgroup aims to develop two-to-three city specific events during the year. As, South-Sudanese communities vary in their development across the country. The four major groups (SSYC-Central, Conference planning, Communications/Marketing, and Sponsors) described in Section 1.2.3 mainly remain the same, however their interactions with community developed are outlined in detail in Appendix A. The updated organizational structure of the SSYC is presented in Figure 26.
Community Development
Community development ultimately aims to change the culture within the South-Sudanese community, across the country, by developing relationships (social events), providing learning opportunities (workshops) and inspiring community involvement (volunteerism).
Social Events
Social events serve the purpose of facilitating a sense of communityand identitywithin the SouthSudanese community, through, the development of youth specific and intergenerational events incorporating elders. Some examples of these events include game nights, fashion shows, and cultural showcase.
Workshops
Workshops are intended to provide learning opportunities for both youth and elders in the SouthSudanese community in areas encompassing, but not restricted to: identity, health and wellness, gender equality, self improvement, and the criminal justice system. Workshops are intended to be interactive and provide a platform for open discussion.
Volunteerism
The volunteerism initiative allows SSYC to promote civic involvement within not only the SouthSudanese community but Canadian society at large. This will be achieved by supporting and celebrating those who are already involved within the community, connecting individuals to activities they are passionate about, providing mentorship opportunities for youth, and developing initiatives to impact the lives of those living in dissolute conditions overseas.
Special Acknowledgements
The SSYC would like to thank a number of extraordinary individuals for supporting this project in a variety of ways. Firstly, thank you EMCN for acting as SSYC’s fiscal agent and providing support in more ways then we can count. A special thank you to Steffanie Beekman and Kirsten Mah for taking time out of your busy lives including, evenings, and weekends to help us in the variety of ways you did, we are eternally grateful! To Dumo Godfrey and Milmon Banu, thank you for support and delicious contributions during the barbeque. On the topic of food, a special thanks to all the aunties that provided the delicious food for the event, your contributions greatly reduced the cost for catering. A special thanks to Moses Tabule for driving youth from Calgary and back!! Finally thank you Thomas (Riley) Dawson (Figure 27) for photographing the event and helpingus shareourstorythrough yourextraordinarytalent.Youarenothingshortofamazing. Thanks Riley!
Appendices
Appendix A
This appendix outlines the structure of the SSYC in detail. The interactions of each working group with other groups is outlined. The appendix also outlines the organizations documentation methodology by detailing the file structure of each working group.
SSYC-Central
Figure A1, details the interaction of the SSYC-Central subgroup with the other working groups.
Conference Planning
Community development
Sponsors
