Money, drugs & sex were the three topics hotly debated at the second Asian Youth Conference, organised by Asian Voice newspaper, that took place on Saturday 20th September 2003 at the House of Commons. More than a hundred representatives from Asian youth groups, business and the community gathered to debate issues like the funding of higher education, drugs in the Asian community and the issue of Asian female role models.

EDUCATION! EDUCATION! EDUCATION!

Fittingly, the House of Commons played host to the first debate on the funding of higher education - a topic close to the hearts and minds of academically driven Asian parents and children. Welcomed by Keith Vaz, MP for Leicester East, the conference heard from Dr Rudi Vis on the issues that concern him as an MP for the ethnically diverse constituency of Finchley and his own experience of education.

Dr Vis who opposes his party's views on top-up fees highlighted his concerns about how such fees affect women who earn less than men; the choice of subject with many students opting for professions that will pay more, the progressive taxation that is created and the total lack of encouragement of mature students. "Are mature students supposed to pay off their student loans from their pensions?" he asked.

This was followed by discussion about the role Asians play in the Professional work environment. Sonjoy Chatterjee, CEO of ICICI Bank gave his perspective on the changes in the banking industry, while Nishma Shah of Deloitte & Touche highlighted her role as a diversity advisor for the group. Mr Chatterjee indicated the subtle shift from "Asian values" to "Western values" that Asian professionals have to adopt in order to succeed in the west. His advice to attendees was to:

• Be Heard
• Be literal and speak frankly
• Use the same language with everybody
• Deal with conflict and criticism, disagreement can be a positive force
• Give and receive continuous feedback

"The Asian Youth Conference provides a valuable forum for the communication of ideas, issues and concerns affecting young British-Asians everyday. As well as putting our views and needs onto the political agenda, the conference actively promotes the self-promotion of Asian culture and values through examining wider topics such as education and employment, public image and the role of Asian women in society," said Rakesh Lakhani.

25 year old Rakesh is one of a new breed of young Asians forging a career in Public Relations. In a sector where much business is undertaken in pubs and bars after hours, Lakhani was undoubtedly concerned about the cultural pressure to conform. Should Asians assimilate (i.e. give up one's one culture to adopt another) or acculturise (i.e. use parts of both cultures) he asked?

He later added, "in an age where political apathy is becoming commonplace in today's Britain, it is refreshing to see that the Asian Youth Conference is gaining both recognition and interest amongst the Indian community.

"Without a collective conscience we cannot move forward as a community. The conference offers second and third generation British Asians a chance to unite and engage in a progressive debate on issues that affect us on a daily-basis" Rakesh added.

DRUG PROBLEM? ……WHAT DRUG PROBLEM?

The afternoon debate about the impact of drugs in the Asian Community raised a number of issues for young and old alike. Shobha Parmar, of NAVJOT, an Asian voluntary organisation outlined research carried out in Brent & Harrow. One of the interesting facts to emerge was that the problem of drug taking was higher among young Asian women than men in the region. "Mis-users are enslaved by their habit," she said "with one in four progressing from cannabis to heroin". Asian Parents are too busy earning money to pay attention to their children. We cannot emphasise enough the need to talk and listen and seek help," she stressed.

NAVJOT has also detailed a series of measures needed to bring the drugs problem out into the open among the UK's South Asian community. Described by many as a "hidden addiction", Mrs Parmar reiterated the need for Asian parents to open their hearts and minds to the root causes of drug addiction.

Chilan Shah, in a dramatic role-play outlined how young Asian boys are succumbing to dealing in drugs at an early age. The impact this has on the Asian community - which until now has strenuously denied that there is a drug problem - the neighbourhood and the future generation of young Asians. He outlined how current "knee jerk" reactions like shipping of errant children to India, Pakistan or Bangladesh is counterproductive and how Asian business minds have woken up to the vast profits to be made in this illegal and illicit trade. Academic pressure, escapism, rebellion, bullying and peer pressure were all listed as reasons why the take-up of drugs is on the increase among affluent young Asians.

The debate then broadened into issues of substance and alcohol abuse, addiction and the prevalence of cigarette smoking.

ASIAN FEMALE ROLE MODELS

The afternoon session, chaired by Nina Sodha, strategist for Abbey National, featured two female entrepreneurs: Manisha Dahad, co-founder of DAWN - the hub for dynamic Asian Women - and Dr Nermeen Varawalla, a former gynaecologist who spoke about her career path from Mumbai to London.

Nigel Umar Beejay a Consultant Physician and Gastroenterologist at Newham Healthcare NHS Trust, Barts and the London NHS Trust was enthused by the open forum discussion. "I think the 2nd Asian Youth Conference was a resounding success", he stated. "It involved Asians from all walks of life and provided a forum where their knowledge, opinions and concerns could be shared with representatives and role models and representatives from prominent Asian business. "

"Contemporary topics and concerns discussed included the groundbreaking roles Asian women play in the economic, political and cultural spheres of Britain, the brave and heartfelt confrontation of the prevalence of substance abuse and dependence in many Asian communities, and strategies for enhancing the development of linkages between young Asians and career pathways such as mentorship programs. All in all it was a fantastic conference and sets the standards for the future."

Discussion continued well past the close of the conference and many left feeling heartened by the forum. "I remember leaving the conference feeling reassured that I am not alone," said Rakesh Lakhani. "I think the conference proves that there is no such thing as the disenfranchised Asian youth."

	ASIAN YOUTH CONFERENCE - IMAGE GALLERY
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	Click for larger image	Click for larger image Dr Nermeen Varawalla (left) and Manisha Dahad (right).
	Click for larger image Manji Patel Vekaria	Click for larger image Naren Hirani
	Click for larger image Nishma Shah of Deloitte & Touche	Click for larger image Deputy Editor of 'Asian Voice' Payal Nair
	Click for larger image Prakash Gandecha of Gandecha & Pau Solicitors	Click for larger image Dr Rudy Vis MP
	Click for larger image Dr Rudy Vis MP & Keith Vaz MP	Click for larger image Sonjoy Chatterjee CEO of ICICI Bank

Click here for Asian Youth Conference Speaker Biographies.

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