Convening

In the summer of 2022, as the COVID-19 epidemic eased, CSA held its first in-person Convening in New York with the support from previous fellows and interns. This is the first action-oriented Convening organized by Chinese international students and for overseas students and the diaspora community. Over two days, more than a hundred attendees participated in workshops and discussions facilitated by organizers and activists on different social issues. Together we deepened our understanding of and connected with the history of the movements, explored the transnational perspective and role of the Chinese diaspora in social justice movements. 

From participating in the #MeToo movement to joining the local marches in defense of abortion rights in the U.S., from experiencing direct or indirect racism to joining the Black Lives Matters movement, from paying attention to labor issues to participating in organizing the academic workers’ union movement, and from learning about the “Israeli-Palestinian issue” to engaging in the campus/local solidarity with Palestine and anti-war movement, domestic and overseas social movements continue to politicize international students and young people abroad. We are seeing more participation in public issues and in-person actions. New communities and organizing formations are emerging in Seattle, Boston, New York, Los Angeles, the Bay Area, DC, and in other countries.

This summer, CSA wants to bring together overseas youth activists, organizers, and international students to New York City to collectively explore: What is our agenda? What is our role? How do we understand the social justice oriented overseas youth space/communities we want to create? How do we form a sustainable core group? What could happen next in the U.S. and globally? How do we get clearer? And what are our long-term goals?

This in-person Convening will not only feature experienced activists who will share and discuss these questions with us, but also small-group discussion sessions to help participants make connections and deepen their exchanges, led by organizers and issue advocates who have been working to build local communities for the past two years:

1. Political Education sessions: to enhance our understanding of specific issues and action experiences;

2. Case Studies sessions: to learn about how the work is being done;

3. Capacity Building sessions: to strengthen leadership/organizing capacity in specific areas.

4. CSA invites overseas youth and activists to meet again in New York to explore and create more possibilities for Chinese diaspora communities! Please click HERE for the application form and more information.

Schedule/Convening Programs:

• 07/19 Fri (7 - 9PM): Welcome Reception with a Panel Discussion on Diaspora Organizing against Authoritarianism and Militarism Across Borders (This panel will be held in English)

• 07/20 Sat (10AM - 5PM): Convening Day 1

• 07/21 Sun (10AM - 4PM): Convening Day 2

This convening will be held in Chinese. Application deadline is June 15th. As space is limited, please make sure you are able to attend the entire gathering before filling out the application and apply as early as possible. Approved applicants will be notified by email within a week of the application. If you have any questions, please contact us via info@csanetwork.org.