2019 SSYC Conference Final Report

South Sudanese Youth of Canada (SSYC) Conference

July 19-21, 2019 - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

“Coming together as youth of the same community”

Background

Motivation

From the mid-80’s to early 2000s immigrants arrived in Canada from the then 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 largely been directed towards South Sudanese adults and specific tribes within Canada. Little has been done to address the concerns of South 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 by developing 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 general structure of SSYC is outlined in Figure 1. Briefly, the four major groups (community development, conference planning, communications/marketing, and sponsors) work together to counteract the effects of non-holistic integration by confronting the challenges identified during the SSYC 2018 conference. 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. 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 aimed to developing and maintain networks (social events), provide learning opportunities (workshops) and inspire community involvement (volunteerism).

Figure 1: South Sudanese youth Of Canada (SSYC) organizational structure.

Members of Planning Committee (July 2019)

The SSYC planning committee as of July 2019 are outlined in Table 1. Special acknowledgements are ascribed to the following individuals for their contributions throughout the year.

Members Residence

Akuch Akol Calgary, AB

Ban Tut Calgary, AB

Dedi Nyjong Calgary, AB

Hannan Gabriel Calgary, AB

Ruthah Amaya Calgary, AB

Athiang Makoui Edmonton, AB

Dulu Modi Edmonton, AB

McNiel-Inyani Keri Edmonton, AB

Olga Loggale Edmonton, AB

Yar Anyieth Edmonton, AB

Yawa Idi Edmonton, AB

Jennifer Wani Regina, SK

Judy Wani Regina, SK

Vibya Natana Regina, SK

Adesa Francis Saskatoon, SK

Lorot Michael Saskatoon, SK

Martin Nyai Saskatoon, SK

Ohonya Saturlino Saskatoon, SK

Apajok David Winnipeg, MB

Chol Deng Winnipeg, MB

Table 1: South Sudanese youth of Canada, members list as of July 2019.

South Sudanese’s Youth of Canada Conference 2019

Objectives

Through the theme of rise, the objectives of the SSYC conference (Saskatoon, SK, July 19-21, 2019) were three-fold. Firstly, the conference aimed to gather SSY across the country and support them to celebrate their heritage. As well as, enable SSY to strengthen past relationships and develop new connections. Secondly, the conference aimed to continue the conversation, started in 2018, to identify challenges facing SSY and collaborate to brainstorm sustainable solutions. Finally, the conference offered a platform for SSY to discuss each city’s community development initiatives over the course of the previous year (refer to 2018-2019 community development document) and plan for the upcoming year. Through the three-day conference, the SSYC conference was successful in achieving these aims. Table 2 summarizes the most notable challenges present within the community and possible community development initiatives.

Table 2: Challenges identified by the South Sudanese Youth of Canada (SSYC) 2019 conference and potential future community development initiatives.

Challenges

• Apathy in community

• Criminal Justice

• Intergenerational gap/Family Dynamics

• Gender Equality

• Health and Wellness

• Identity

• Lack of support for youth

• Self-Improvement

• Tribalism

• Volunteerism

Potential Community Development Initiatives

▪ Community (youth and elders) discussion about the health of the Southern Sudanese community

▪ Gun violence workshop

▪ HIV awareness/Sexual health workshop

▪ CRP/first aid training

▪ Financial literacy

▪ Post-secondary student workshop

▪ Substance abuse seminar

▪ Mental health first aid training

▪ Breaking down beauty standards in the South Sudanese community

▪ Information sharing and media literacy

Location

The three-day conference occurred in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The University of Saskatchewan was selected to host the first two days of the event due to its central location within the city. 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 Saskatoon (Forestry Farm 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.

Table 3: South-Sundanese Youth of Canada three-day conference dates, location and activities summary

Figure 2: The figure provides greater detail into the attendees count throughout the Conference.

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. Under the theme of RISE (with subthemes Reflect, Excel, and Unite), the conference day predominately focused on inspiring, and encouraging SSY. As well as, to continue identifying challenges facing SSY and brainstorming potential solutions. Additionally, the 2018 community development initiatives across each city were evaluated and potential future pursuits were discussed.

Basketball Tournament

The itinerary for the basketball tournament is outline in table 4.

Table 4: Basketball Tournament Itinerary

Conference Day

Figure 3 depicts some activates during the basketball tournament.

Figure 3: The figure outlines some activities during the basketball tournament.

The itinerary for the conference day is outline in table 5.

Table 5: Conference day itinerary

Figure 4 depicts some of the activities during the conference day.

Invitees

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.

Figure 4: The figure outlines some activities during the conference day.

Figure 5: The eleven speakers, panelists, and invited guests of the conference.

Bhan Gatkuoth

TOPIC(S): Creative expression, generational knowledge, South Sudanese history, and human rights.

When Bhan was about 19 years old, her mother revealed to her that she was married at the age of 16. As a first generation Canadian, the news of this shocked her and for months she wondered why her mother had never mentioned this to her before. She eventually learned that her mother didn’t feel her story was in anyway important. This deeply saddened her and Bhan went on a crusade to prove to her that her story mattered. Her voice mattered. Her struggle, though completely undeserved, mattered. Daughter Podcast is a personal journal created by Bhan in an attempt for her to understand and accept her mother’s evolving story as a child bride, refugee, & prison escapee. Her podcast explores the complicated nature of her relationship with her mother as a firstgeneration immigrant.

Figure 6: Bhan Gatkuoth (Montreal, QC)

Jennifer Wani

TOPIC(S): Gaining mentorships, scholarships, cultivating opportunities, education, and activism.

Jenniferdedicatedherselfto raising awarenessof injusticesaround theworld. Shefounded aSocial Advocacy Club to promote gender equality and children’s rights and led a “#WOKEWEEK” campaign to shed light on the plight of Canada’s Indigenous people. She planned Multicultural Nights at her school to celebrate cultural diversity. In addition to serving as an International Student Guide, Jennifer was Senior Manager of her school basketball program. Jennifer is also 1 of 20 Canadian students to receive the $70,000 TD Bank Community Leadership Scholarship.

Figure 7: Jennifer Wani (Regina, SK)

Athiang Makuoi

TOPIC(S): Leadership, community engagement, pushing the boundaries of your academic and professional goals.

Currently completing her studies in Nursing, Athiang has a strong focus on addressing and improving health care infrastructure within Canada, and on an international scope. As the chair of the Chair of the South Sudanese Youth of Edmonton, she plays an active community role in engaging SSY through volunteerism and various community initiatives. In 2019, she was the recipient of the RBC Rising Youth Award Recipient and previously was the recipient of the Alberta Council for a Global Cooperation’s 2018 Top 30 Under 30 Award. Athiang is also extremely passionate about the United Nations and their established Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as she has recently helped launch a SDGs Hub project focusing on their achievement. In addition to her involvement with NMUN as a staff member at the annual conference in New York, where she has visited the UN Headquarters.

Figure 8: Athiang Makuoi (Edmonton, AB)

Nelson Wani

TOPIC(S): Entrepreneurship, physics and engineering.

Nelson, a fourth engineering physics student, was an executive member of SaskInvent where he wastheproject leadfor aroboticglovedesigned toassisttraumapatients.Recently,Nelson created a tech company called Autumn which develops software for manufacturing companies that gives shop managers deeper insight on how their floors operate. Through Co. Launch, Nelson was chosen as one of five startups to give a pitch to 300+ people and a judging panel. He was selected asawinner andreceived$5,000.Hewas alsoinvited toworkalongsidesomeof thefastestgrowing startups in Saskatchewan and mentored by the most successful technology entrepreneurs, social development, and volunteerism for the betterment of their community and Canadian society at large.

Figure 9: Nelson Wani (Saskatoon, SK)

Senos R. Timon

TOPIC(S): Political activism, civic engagement, community development, and volunteerism.

He has been a resident of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan since the early 2000s. Since moving to Saskatoon, Mr. Timon has dedicated himself to improving the outcomes of his community through getting involved in social and political activism. After 20 plus years of servicing his community, he took it upon himself to run as MLA for his riding in Saskatoon. Running as a nominee hopeful for the New Democrat Party (NDP), Senos R. Timon aimed to secure political office in the province's 2020 election. Senos hopes to relay the importance of civic engagement and community building. Mr. Timon encourages youth to adopt similar attitudes of political participation, social development, and volunteerism for the betterment of their community and Canadian society at large.

Figure 10: Senos Timon (Saskatoon, SK)

Rev. John Mayer Dut

TOPIC(S): Unity, faith, spirituality, and culture.

Rev. John Mayer Dut. serving as a Chaplain, elder, and community leader, discusses the importance of spirituality, culture and history during the welcoming address of the conference.

Performers

Adesa Francis & Kija Lado

Adesa Francis

Figure 11: Rev. John Mayer Dut (Saskatoon, SK)

and Kija Lado perform a rendition of the Canadian National anthem.

Figure 12: Adesa Francis, plaid dress, (Saskatoon, SK) and Kija Lado (Edmonton, AB).

Guk Among & David Ajang Kuol

Guk Among and David Ajang Kuol are both self-produced and managed artists. The Duo performs a musical fusion which incorporate traditional and urban beats.

Woja Kenyi & Kuyugo Modi

Woja Kenyi and Kuyugo Modi (Ku Go) were set to perform at the conference, however, Kuyugo Modi’s (Ku Go) music career started in February 2018 when he recorded and released his first song "Facts" on SoundCloud gaining much popularity in the Thunder Bay Area. Woja Kenyi is currently pursuing electrical engineering and is also an aspiring rapper. Collectively, Woja and Kuyugo intended to provide a contemporary and innovative performance that would combine the tastes of hip/hop and R&B music.

Figure 13: Guk Among & David Ajang Kuol (Saskatoon, SK)

Figure 14: Kuyugo Modi & Woja Kenyi (Thunder Bay, ON)

Workshops

The second portion of the conference consisted of discussion-based workshops. Following the 2018 conference, organizers and attendees cited the workshop portion of the conference as being integral to SSYC activities. It was within the workshops of the prior year that the need for ongoing community development initiatives were initially stressed. This year, youth attended workshops which aimed to discover what it means to ‘rise’ in the South Sudanese-Canadian context. The workshop titles looked at what conference organizers determined to be three key elements to the processofrising. The workshoptitleswere:‘Reflect’, ‘Excel’, and‘Unite’.Each workshopoffered 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 ‘unite’ segment of sub-themes by bringing youth together to discuss critical issues with the goal of collaborating on solutions. The attendees were divided into six smaller groups prior to entering the workshops. Each workshop was led by a pair of members from the SSYC Organizing Committee, 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. After the workshops, the attendees regrouped and shared their response with all the youth in attendance.

Reflect

The reflect workshop explored internal barriers that contributed to youth not reaching their full potential. Specifically, “Reflect” focused on mental health (ex. self-care, toxic traits, self-image), maintaining healthy relationships, finding balance, and studying South Sudanese history.

The questions used to facilitate the REFLECT discussion workshop were:

1. What is the perception of mental health in the South Sudanese community? - If negative, how can this be addressed?

2. Do you feel as though you face discrimination in your life? Which aspect of your identity do you feel brings about the most amount of discrimination: race or ethnicity?

3. Do you identify more with the culture of your ethnicity or your race?

4. What are some examples of an unhealthy mindset (toxic traits)?

5. What relationships matter the most to you? How do you display that?

Excel

The excel workshop aimed to explore the topic of success. “Excel” was inspired by the “#SouthSudaneseExcellence” series on SSYC’ssocial media platforms throughout the year, which highlights youth making great strides in their community. Through this workshop, youth discussed external barriers that may hinder success in addition to creating opportunities to excel within existing environments.

The questions used to facilitate the EXCEL discussion workshop were:

1. What does excellence mean to you and do you feel pressure to achieve it?

2. What are some barriers you have/may face enroute to excellence?

3. What are some career pathways your parents approve/disapprove of? Why?

4. What do you consider to be the most important qualities to achieving success? Maintaining it?

Unite

The unite workshop discussed coming together in order to rise as individuals and a community. Specifically, “Unite” studies how SSY can cultivate a supportive community, the benefits of helping fellow South Sudanese youth, and how to network within the community to reap benefits within the community and beyond.

The questions used to facilitate the UNITE discussion workshop were:

1. Do you feel like the South Sudanese community is supportive? Why or why not? If not, how can it be supportive?

2. What do you feel the South Sudanese community has to learn from other communities?

3. The year is 2050, what do you hope to see in the South Sudanese community around the world?

4. What are the strengths of the community?

5. Have you ever considered moving back to South Sudan? Why or why not?

Farwell Barbeque

The itinerary for the farewell barbeque is outlined in table 6.

Table 6: Farewell barbeque itinerary

Figure 15 captures a glimpse of some the activities during the farewell barbeque.

Figure 15: The figure outlines some activities during the farewell barbeque. All the images showcase strengthened connections, or new connections formed during the conference weekend.

Budget

The detailed actual expenditure of the SSYC 2018 conference is detailed in Table 7.

Note: Any remaining funds will be utilized for community development projects. The specific usage is detailed in the SSYC 2019-2020 Community development document, this document is available upon request.

Table 7: The detailed budget for the South Sudanese Youth of Canada 2019 conference.

Sponsorship

The SSYC would like to thank all the sponsors and supporters of the 2019 conference (Table 8, Figure 16). The event would not have been possible without your support. Through this event, you have empowered not only the members of the SSYC, but SSY and the South Sudanese community across the country and beyond. Words are unable to express our gratitude. Thank you!

Table 8: List of sponsors for the South Sudanese Youth of Canada 2019 Conference.

Figure 16: The logos of the various sponsors and in-kind supporters of the 2019 South Sudanese Youth of Canada conference weekend.

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).

Posters

Figure 17 depicts posters used to promote the SSYC 2019 conference. Posters were used to convey informationtoparticipants,sponsors,andotherpersons(i.e.,guardians,elders,etc.)in acondensed manner. These posters were also posted on the various SSYC media platforms.

Figure 17: This figure showcases the two posters used to promote the 2019 event.

Instagram

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 18). The Instagram page was used to provided information about the SSYC and the 2019 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.

Facebook

Similar to Instagram, Facebook was used to provide details about the SSYC, 2019 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 19: The figure showcases the Instagram account for the SSYC (ssyofcanada). Instagram was used to provide information about the SSYC, promote the 2019 conference and highlight SSY excellence.

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 than we can count. A special thank you to Steffanie Beekman for taking time out of your busy life to help us in a variety of ways, we are eternally grateful! Further, we extend our gratitude to the South Sudanese community of Regina and Saskatoon for their hospitality and support during the event. In particular, a special thanks to all the aunties that prepared the delicious food, your contributions greatly reduced the cost for catering. A massive thanks to the youth in attendance, for your participation was of immense value to our project. Finally thank you Ban Tut and Deng Akon for photographing the event and helping us share our story through your extraordinary talent. Each and every one of you are nothing short of amazing. Thank you all!

Figure 20: The figure showcases the Facebook account for the SSYC (SSYC). Facebook was used to provide information about the SSYC, promote the 2019 conference and highlight SSY excellence.

Figure 27: The photo showcases external SSYC volunteers from the conference. Pictured photographing is Deng Akon (left). In right photo stands Onoria Mursal (left), Julia Beru Francis (centre), and Margaret Puru (right).