The South Asian Social Justice Network (SASJN) in British Columbia was established by CASSA to bring together nonprofit organizations, community groups, and leaders who share the goal of advancing social justice and equity for racialized and South Asian communities across the province.
The Network was created as part of CASSA’s national expansion to create stronger connections among South Asian-serving organizations and develop a coordinated, community-led approach to addressing issues affecting South Asian communities in British Columbia.The Network brings together members working across areas such as settlement and newcomer services, gender-based violence, LGBTQIA+ inclusion, youth and seniors, human rights, health, education, and social justice.
Through network meetings and collaborative discussions over the past year, members have helped identify key social justice issues in the province and engaged in knowledge exchange and solidarity dialogues for collective advocacy and action in BC.
SASJN Goals
- Build stronger connections among South Asian-serving organizations across British Columbia
- Identify and address priority issues affecting South Asian communities
- Share resources, knowledge, and best practices among network partners
- Strengthen the capacity of community organizations and grassroots groups
- Develop collective advocacy and policy recommendations
- Create opportunities for coordinated community action
- Ensure the voices of South Asian communities are represented in decision-making
The Summit: May 15, 2026
On May 15, 2026, SASJN hosted its first in-person South Asian Social Justice Summit at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre. The summit brought together community members, frontline workers, advocates, and community leaders for dialogue on issues affecting South Asian communities in British Columbia.
The event provided an opportunity to connect organizations and community members, exchange perspectives, and discuss opportunities for greater collaboration and community action. The panel brought together voices from federal policy, provincial and community advocacy, healthcare, frontline services, and faith-based community work, including MP Zoe Royer, Jessie Kaur Lehail, Dr. Arun Garg, Madhavee Inamdar, and Gurjeet Singh from the World Sikh Organization.
Join the Network
The BC South Asian Social Justice Network welcomes organizations, community leaders, activists, and community members who are interested in advancing social justice and equity for South Asian communities across British Columbia.
If your organization or community group is interested in joining the network or learning more about upcoming meetings and activities, please contact CASSA’s Director or Development Ridah Asghar- Ridah@cassa.ca.
Current Network Members and Partners
- BC APNI CRN (Community Response Network)
- City of Coquitlam EDI Manager
- Culture Chats BC
- DIVERSEcity
- Farhat Shah
- Gujarati Society of BC
- Immigrant Women’s Initiative
- India Cultural Association / ATI Vancouver
- Kaur Collective
- Meena Dhillon
- Mothers Matter
- Moving Forward
- Parisa Kabir
- Progressive Intercultural Community Services (PICS)
- SACH
- Shanzae Sarwar
- Sher Pride
- South Asian Community Hub
- South Asian Health Institute
- South Asian Legal Clinic of BC
- South Asian Mental Health Alliance
- South Asian Youth Mental Health Project
- World Sikh Organization
- Youth Leadership Society of BC
