TakingITGlobal

19 # R I S I N G Y O U T H C O M M U N I T Y I M P A C T V O L . 2 Building Unity Amongst South Sudanese Youth Olga Loggale A s a first generation immigrant here in Canada from South Sudan, Olga Loggale has experienced firsthand the issues that South Sudanese youth have faced related to integration in areas such as academics, social engagement, and cultural adjustment. She joined the South Sudanese Youth Committee (SSYC) to connect with peers and to work to address and remedy these issues. Using funding from the #RisingYouth grant, Olga and her team at the SSYC organized the South Sudanese Youth of Canada National Conference. "The majority of individuals that initially formed SSYC were first-generation immigrants who were raised in Canada, and therefore had grown up having to navigate a balance between Canadian, and South Sudanese culture," says Olga. "For many of us, this was a difficult journey with an array of challenges and hardships, but as a result, we now understand the types of supports that are necessary to make either integration, or balancing two cultures, significantly easier and more successful." The three-day event included a basketball tournament on the first day, a conference complete with performances, keynote speakers, panel discussions, and interactive workshops, as well as a farewell barbecue on the final day. It was a huge success with attendees of nearly 200 youth from all across Canada. "I believe the most prominent impact was the unity created amongst the youth in our community," reflects Olga. "The conference provided South Sudanese youth an opportunity to come together and see that we are all facing similar challenges and have the ability to work together to overcome them." For many of us, this was a difficult journey with an array of challenges and hardships...

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