Diversity sparks dialogue at annual Texas Youth Summit
Farrukh Valliani of the Ismaili Council for Northern Texas speaking with Provost Paul Ludden of SMU. Photo: Bombay Photography
Farrukh Valliani of the Ismaili Council for Northern Texas speaking with Provost Paul Ludden of SMU. Photo: Bombay Photography
Each year for the past four years, the Ismaili Council for Northern Texas and local congressional leadership pair up to host a youth leadership summit. The summit is a day-long event where 13 – 18-year-old students from various backgrounds came together to discuss diversity, leadership and global awareness alongside influential speakers.
The fourth Annual Youth Summit and Diversity Dialogue, titled Getting to the Core of Diversity, was held at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas. The panel of speakers and workshop leaders included local professors, former Dallas Cowboy Emmit Smith, television anchor for local station WFAA Debbie Denmen, SMU’s Provost Paul Ludden, and alumnus Sameer Paroo.
“I don’t want anyone to be like me, I want them to be better,” said Smith during his keynote speech on diversity and excellence. Smith, who is a recent inductee to the NFL Hall of Fame, and Paroo, who was then the Student Affairs Coordinator at the Aga Khan Academy in Nairobi, inspired attendees to face up the challenge of leadership.
Sameer Paroo, then Student Affairs Coordinator at the Aga Khan Academy in Nairobi, speaks about global leadership. Photo: Bombay Photography
Sameer Paroo, then Student Affairs Coordinator at the Aga Khan Academy in Nairobi, speaks about global leadership. Photo: Bombay Photography
“How many in this room have a passion that’s larger than yourself?” Paroo asked the crowd. “How many of you consider yourselves to be leaders already, ready to make changes to make a better society?”
Quoting Mawlana Hazar Imam, Paroo emphasised the notion of global leadership. “One thing that’s important for all of us to remember, especially for those that want to be leaders, is to be able to work with a diverse group of people,” Paroo said.
After working with the Aga Khan school for two years, Paroo, who is now an International Student Recruiter at the University of British Columbia, said he has learned about the value of dialogue. “When he [the Aga Khan] talks about pluralism and diversity and bridge-building, he’s talking about having open and honest dialogue between all of us,” Paroo said. “We may not necessarily agree with what each other has to say, but to be exposed to that kind of learning is extremely important.”
During the summit, participants were divided into workshop groups where local professors led them through discussions of globalisation, cultural dissonance, and human rights issues, arriving at the definition of diversity.
Participants and parents listen to the speakers at the fourth Annual Youth Summit and Diversity Dialogue held at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Photo: Bombay Photography
Participants and parents listen to the speakers at the fourth Annual Youth Summit and Diversity Dialogue held at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Photo: Bombay Photography
“When people first think about diversity they think everything’s different, but we’re actually all the same,” said 13-year-old Jymylah Roberts of North Dallas High. “The same things that bring us together separate us.”
Another student spoke about the impact that true diversity brings to understanding faith and culture.
“This year's theme is extremely essential to bridging the gap between what Islam is and how it is being perceived,” said Sameer Assanie, a local participant. “It allows for other cultures to be exposed to the more liberal thinking of Islam.” As they came together and discussed their differences, students, parents, professors, and alumni were also able to arrive at their similarities.
“I think creating spaces for youth to dialogue with one another and with other adults is extremely important,” said Mariela Nunez-Janes, Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of North Texas. “These kinds of opportunities help youth recognise their own knowledge and power and develop their leadership not only individually but also collectively.”
Former Dallas Cowboys football player Emmitt Smith chats with guests prior to the start of the Youth Summit. Photo: Bombay Photography
Former Dallas Cowboys football player Emmitt Smith chats with guests at the Youth Summit. Photo: Bombay Photography
The theme of diversity became a backdrop for conversations and connections between Dallas locals of varying age, colour, creed, and background.
“The core of diversity is found within our hearts and minds,” Professor Nunez-Janes said. “Diversity is about multiple experiences, multiple ways of knowing the world. It is also about recognising and valuing these various ways of knowing for the purposes of acting in ways that seek justice and equity, particularly if the experiences of a person or group contrast or even challenge our own.”
For participant Tim Sanchez, a physics teacher and PALS sponsor at Denton High School, the core of diversity means tearing down all the superficial obstacles that keeps one from realising that deep down we are all similar. “Because we all feel pain, we all feel joy and regardless of where we’re from or what we look like, we all have emotions that make us feel the same way when we experience them.”
Realisation of the necessity for communication in our global age hit home as students wrapped up the day, taking what they had learned and creating ideas for dialogue and collaboration.
Parents and other guests applaud the Youth Summit speakers. Photo: Bombay Photography
Parents and other guests applaud the Youth Summit speakers. Photo: Bombay Photography
“I wanted to meet people who are just as passionate about diversity as I am and learn how I could help make a difference,” said Laila Jiwani, a student participant. “It was a great learning experience.”
The summit allowed people from diverse backgrounds to come together and appreciate and celebrate each other’s heritage. With a world scene as intimately bound as ours has come to be, the importance of taking small steps towards openness and acceptance are critical.
“Yes, this message is more true than some may believe,” Sanchez said. “A small group of committed people can make a noticeable change on the people around them. And the people that are affected can then make a change on the people in their community.”
The result can be far reaching, according to Sanchez. “If you continue this process of changing and affecting those around you, the effect will spread exponentially,” he added.
Participants at fourth Annual Youth Summit and Diversity Dialogue, including Parents, facilitators, and staff, pose for a group photograph following the event. Photo: Bombay Photography
Participants at fourth Annual Youth Summit and Diversity Dialogue, including Parents, facilitators, and staff, pose for a group photograph following the event. Photo: Bombay Photography
الإثنين سبتمبر 11, 2023 8:10 am من طرف الاسماعيلي اليامي
