What is Asian Canadian Community Engagement?
“Engagement” is a two-way process that aspires to build meaningful partnerships based on mutual respect. Principles of engagement can create connections between initiatives of disparate backgrounds. They bring people together and provide a shared conversation topic. Principles and related processes for understanding community engagement can increase the rigor and quality of community engagement. They are decision-making tools. Articulated principles begin to shape metrics, story-sharing, and recognition of Asian Canadian community engagement work. For those involved in Asian Canadian community engagement work, principles are one way to defend and advocate for quality community engagement, while also acting as a guide for those new to Asian Canadian community engagement.
Structure
Since June 2013, the ACCE Initiative was incubated in the Faculty of Arts. The committee built on and enhanced existing connections with local Asian Canadian communities (such as the Initiative for Student Teaching and Research in Chinese Canadian studies; the Museum of Anthropology; the Chan Centre for Performing Arts and Asian Studies, for example), though it works closely with many other faculties and units across campus.
The ACCE Initiative is led by a broadly representative Core Committee and may include members from:
- Asian Canadian Asian Migration Studies Program (ACAM)
- Asian Studies Department
- Business & Innovation Development Unit
- Campus & Community Planning
- Centre for Community Engaged Learning
- Development & Alumni Engagement
- Equity & Inclusion Office
- Faculty of Arts Dean of Arts Office
- International Student Development
- Library (IKBLC, Asian Library)
- Office for the Ombudsperson for Students
- Office of the Provost and VP Academic
- President’s Office
- Student Wellbeing Promotion Unit
- The Co-Chairs, in consultation with the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, will appoint members to the ACCE Core Committee. The Core Committee may also seek input, guidance and advice from members across Asian Canadian communities.