2023 YFAR Dialogue to Action Conference

In partnership with the Chinatown Foundation, YFAR held its annual forum at the Chinatown Storytelling centre with 60+ youth leaders. With group activities to reflect on cultural understanding and the opportunity to engage with a panel discussion, it was a conference where youth perspectives on the past, present, and future of Asian representation converge through dialogue with Asian leaders in governance, business, and community.

The Past

Students formed groups, creating new connections with like-minded youth from across Vancouver. Using both digital resources and the information available throughout the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, students broadened their understanding of Asian Canadian history by researching and discussing important historical events such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1923.

The Present

YFAR had the honour of hosting Carol Lee, The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Jennifer Chan, and Steven Ngo at the conference as speakers. Students had the opportunity to personally address questions and learn about cultural and systemic barriers each panelist has faced throughout their leadership experiences.

Location

The conference was held in the Chinatown Storytelling Centre, an interactive exhibit space dedicated to telling the stories and heritage of Chinese Canadians. As a place for the local community to contribute to the ongoing story of Vancouver's Chinatown, the CSC provided a relevant and vibrant cultural backdrop for our forum.

Speakers

  • Carol Lee

    Keynote Speaker and Panelist

    Chair, Vancouver Chinatown Foundation

    Carol A. Lee is Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Linacare Cosmetherapy, headquartered in Vancouver’s historic Chinatown district. With long-standing family ties to the history and development of Chinatown, she is deeply committed to the physical, commercial, and cutlural revitalization of Chinatown and the Downtown Eastside. She is Chair of the Vancouver Chinatown Revitalization Committee, and Honorary Patron of the Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society, and serves on boards of several other organizations. In 2016, she was appointed to the Finance Minister of Canada’s Advisory Council on Economic Growth. She earned a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and received her MBA from Harvard Business School.

  • The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan

    Panelist

    The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan was first elected as Member of Parliament for Vancouver South in 2015. He served as Minister of National Defence from 2015 to 2021, and is the current Minister of International Development. Minister Sajjan immigrated to Canada from India with his family when he was five years old. He grew up in South Vancouver and benefitted from everything the area’s diverse and culturally rich community has to offer. Minister Sajjan has made serving others a cornerstone of his life. He is a former detective with the Vancouver Police Department, a former Lieutenant Colonel with the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught’s Own), and a long-time advocate for youth education and mentorship programs. For 11 years, Minister Sajjan was a member of the Vancouver Police Department, based primarily in South Vancouver. He completed his career as a detective with the gang crime unit. As a member of the British Columbia Regiment, he participated in four operational deployments – one to Bosnia and three to Afghanistan.

  • Jennifer Chan

    Panelist

    Chief Marketing Officer and Co-Founder, Coho Collective Kitchens

    Jennifer Chan is a first-generation Hong Kong Canadian and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in the technology sector. She holds a BA from the University of British Columbia and an MBA from IE University in Spain. Currently serving as the Chief Marketing Officer and Co-founder of Coho Collective Kitchens, Jennifer's strategic leadership and passion for entrepreneurship have been instrumental in helping Coho grow into Canada's largest shared kitchen provider. Her deep understanding of technology and the food and beverage landscape allows her to drive innovation and make a meaningful impact in an industry ripe for disruption. Jennifer's commitment to empowering food and beverage startups, coupled with her diverse background and expertise, exemplifies her dedication to the success of the100+ food brands that currently operate in Coho's network of kitchens.

  • Steven Ngo

    Panelist

    President, Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers of BC

    Steven Ngo works as counsel at Rivian, a California-based EV company where he supports the company’s international growth and has been named one of Canada’s Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers by Canadian Lawyer Magazine. He is the President of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers BC, the Advocacy Chair for the Vietnamese Professionals Association of BC and a Leadership Fellow of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. Steven was the recipient of the BC Medal of Good Citizenship, one of the highest honours bestowed to British Columbians, in recognition of his advocacy work against hate crimes and was named an Alumni Changemaker by the Peter A. Allard School of Law in 2023. Outside of work, he is a father to a 1.5 year old daughter and he is the host of a top 50 ranked parenting podcast, 2 Dads 1 Car.