Panel 2 - Looking forward: Addressing barriers to organizing and building cross-sector solidarity скачать в хорошем качестве

Panel 2 - Looking forward: Addressing barriers to organizing and building cross-sector solidarity

On January 30, 2026, The South Asian Women’s and Immigrant’ Services (SAWIS – also known as the South Asian Women’s Rights Organization) organized a Toronto-wide summit called “No one left behind: Working together to build our community response” at University of Toronto -Desautels Hall. Our first panel discussion introduces organizations that have been working to address the challenges faced by the communities they serve and the sector at large, and the community-based model the organization follows. This panel discussion examined the systemic barriers to economic empowerment faced by im/migrant and BIPOC communities, particularly women and gender-diverse individuals. The discussion explored the importance of cross-sector collaboration in advancing holistic policy advocacy and reforms, and the need to advocate for equitable resource distribution that reflects the lived realities of the most vulnerable and marginalized communities. Our panelists include: -Asif Khan, Research and Policy Analysts from Income Security and Advocacy Center (ISAC) -Nirvana Mujtaba, Women’s Rights and Policy Specialist from OXFAM Canada -Rupaleem Bhuyan, Professor at the University of Toronto Factor Inwentash Faculty of Social Work -Melissa Wong, Engagement and Strategic Initaitives Director from Social Planning Toronto (SPT) -Sami Pritchard, Advocacy and Communications Director from YWCA Toronto -Tanaz Pardiwala, Education Services Director from COSTI Immigrant Services Credits to AV and Recording supports: University of Toronto's AV Team, Zoom, and Mamunur Rashid