6th Pinoys on Parliament National Youth Conference,

About the event

Pinoys on Parliament in the very first and largest national youth conference dedicated to Filipino/a/x Canadian youth. It is key pillar of Kabangka, a registered transnational, youth-led, not-for-profit organization focused on Filipino/a/x Canadian leadership with an emphasis on creating spaces that support fellow Filipino/a/x-Canadian youth to network, learn new and develop existing skills, build connections, inspire action, and empower young people as leaders in their communities. Hosted annually in since 2019, our 6th iteration (POP 2024) will be happening from February 23-25.

POP is a multi-day conference that consists of panels, workshops, arts showcases and networking events. The origin of the name Pinoys on Parliament came about in 2018 after a group of young Filipino/a/x-Canadians discussed how they did not see themselves in government and politics at all three levels. Although the name suggests a focus on government and politics, this has since grown to encompass a multitude of industries. Kabangka believes that physically being in these spaces has a large influence on the way that people experience and understand the power they can have as both individuals, and when they work with like-minded individuals to solve issues. 

Each panel consists of a different theme, such as politics and government, Filipino/a/x Canadian identity, STEM, and media and arts, to name a few. The panels consist of individuals who are dominating in their respective fields and are leaders in their community. A question and answer portion following the panel allows delegates to speak up and continue to be engaged. 

Workshops are facilitated by current community leaders to ensure that participants absorb skills and knowledge in a hands-on manner and take away the highest level of engagement they can back with them to their communities. Topics of workshops may include reconciliation, mental health, financial literacy, access to postgraduate education, creative writing, community engagement and social justice. 

The theme of POP 2024 is “Laro,” which is translated to “play” or “game”. The theme aims to celebrate the concept of childhood by allowing our delegates to be welcomed with a space of healing for our inner-child and intergenerational traumas, inspect our deep desire to understand who we are, allow ourselves to make sense of our identity coming from a foreign land to live on stolen land, and now live with no limitations or expectations that we as a community have once lived by.

Why should you sponsor?

The Filipino/a/x Canadian community, numbering around a million people, continues to lag behind other immigrant communities in terms of representation in Canadian spaces despite being one of the fastest growing racialized communities. The launching of Pinoys on Parliament (POP) in 2018 and Kabangka in 2021, as well as their initiatives and events, has helped connect over 1000 Filipino/a/x youth from as far away as Iqaluit and St. John’s, and give them all a sense of belonging. Inspiring mentors and resources have also been provided to our delegates to advance their careers and positive impacts on their communities.

With that said, POP and Kabangka acknowledge that representation does little if they do not address root issues affecting the Filipino/a/x Canadian youth community, from overrepresentation in precarious low-wage jobs and underrepresentation in academic discourse, to a lack of culturally sensitive social services such as appropriate mental health support. Of course, we cannot ignore colonialism, which continues to be a socioeconomic detriment to Indigenous communities in Canada as well as the masses in the Philippines, hence why the Filipino/a/x community in Canada continues to balloon.

Our sixth annual conference in February 2024 will revolve around the theme of Laro, a Tagalog word meaning play. POP 2024 aims to create an atmosphere where everyone can celebrate the concept of childhood because we recognize that, due to differing socioeconomic circumstances and intersecting identities, not every delegate would say they had a good childhood. We want all our delegates who did not experience a good childhood have a second chance of doing so and become inspired to work for a future where, thanks to our anti-racism and decolonizing initiatives, future generations of Filipino/a/x Canadian will not have to go through such unfortunate childhood experiences, regardless of their identity and socioeconomic status. Our initiatives continue to provide a platform for Filipino/a/x-Canadians to share their stories and experiences in their dual roles as racial minorities navigating systemic barriers within Canadian society and diasporic Filipino/a/x providing much needed help for their families in the homeland.

Your support will go a long way towards helping the Filipino/a/x Canadian community, who continue to play a key role in the Canadian economy and culture. We continue to play a key role in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion, education, arts and culture, youth leadership, and professional development, Our conference continues to be a success due to the generosity from many community leaders and organizations, and we hope that you will join them in supporting our efforts.

Here are some examples of how a partnership with us has benefited our supporters, past and present:

• Recognition and acknowledgement: We thank all our sponsors, donors and supporters by acknowledging them throughout our conference, on our social media posts, and on our website.

• Promotion and collaboration: During and after the conference, we welcome any opportunities to promote our supporters' brands, products, and services, as well as collaborating with them on future initiatives.

• Connections: Our partners and supporters will always have an opportunity to connect with delegates who share their values and aim to excel in the same academic, professional, and social field. This can be done through various means, such as mentorship events.

Kabangka Canada

Kabangka is a youth-led and youth-centred registered Canadian non-profit transnational organization. Kabangka is dedicated to empowering Filipinio/a/x-Canadian youth through youth-driven leadership initiatives. Our programs are designed to foster dialogue and proactive engagement on topics and causes that matter most to young individuals. We establish inclusive platforms across Canada, enable Filipino/a/x-Canadians to connect, acquire new skills, and cultivate the capacity to motivate and uplift themselves as well as their communities. Kabangka’s age range of 16 to 30, offering support during pivotal life transitions - whether navigating the shift from high school to university, transitioning from university to the professional world, or advancing from young professional roles to career promotions. Our aim is to provide tailored guidance and resources to navigate these critical stages, ensuring a smoother transition and fostering personal and professional development.

Kabangka’s main activities include:

• POP: The first and largest conference for young Filipino/a/x-Canadians that aims to enhance tangible professional skills among delegates while reshaping perceptions about the involvement of Filipino/a/x-Canadian in diverse fields, where we are typically underrepresented. Our goal is to equip conference attendees with new knowledge and insights previously unexplored. This event features panels highlighting influential Filipino-Canadians across diverse industries, showcasing spaces where delegates are not only welcome but essential. Workshops are tailored to focus on community organization and mobilization, fostering proactive engagement within our communities. 

• Mentorship Program: Dedicated for young Filipino/a/x-Canadians to connect with trailblazing leaders in their area of interest. Expanding beyond academia and professional pursuits, we also have a kapwa stream for mentees to discuss other intersections of their social identities (sexual and gender identities, political, organizing/advocacy, immigration, etc.)

• Leadership and Learning: Virtual panels and workshops held throughout the year to continue the momentum of POP, providing youth with opportunities to develop professional skills and hear from industry leaders.

For more information about the work we do or if you would like to connect with us, please feel free to connect with us:

 

• Instagram: @kabangkacanada, @pinoysonparliament 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pinoysonparliament
• Twitter: @pinoysonparl
• Website: kabangka.org
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kabangka/  https://www.linkedin.com/company/pinoys-on-parliament/mycompany/ 
• Tiktok: @pinoysonparl
• Email: *****@****.***, *****@****.***

 

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