This year's Asian Youth Conference, held on Saturday 25 September 2004 at the House of Commons, was organised by Asian Voice newspaper and focussed on the issues of Media Representation of Asians, Modern Asian Culture and its effects on British Society, the effect of glass ceilings on Asian Entrepreneurship, career progression and the route to 'Sewa' (charitable works) for young Asians. Publisher of 'Asian Voice', C B Patel opened the conference with a brief introduction to his 30 year career in ethnic publishing.

He was followed by Sunny Hundal of Asiansinmedia.org, who outlined career paths for Asians looking to enter the media industry. "This industry is not based on conventional career paths, so look for breaks to work your way up the ladder" he advised. Young Asians were told to learn how to "pitch ideas to editors and programme makers" and how to present themselves. Sunny further warned against trying to represent the Asian community, saying that it was best to "just represent yourself". The Q&A session on the representation of Asians in Media focussed on issues about whether Asians should integrate more into the mainstream and whether there was a need for ethnic media at all!

Sudha Buchar, co-founder of Tamasha Theatre Company, moved the discussion onto Asian Arts. In a stirring speech she outlined how "surya namaskars" and kurta bikinis have now come into the mainstream. She described how Tamasha's theatrical work has become the "cultural barometer" by which other plays are now being measured. She labelled this a cultural zeitgeist. Tamasha's future works will include 'White Mughals', based on a book of the same name by William Dalyrymple and a new play based on Rohinton Mistry's 'A Fine Balance'.

Mira Kaushik of Akademi picked up on the cultural zeitgeist theme and went on to say that every three years her dance company goes through a process of reorganisation and reinvention. Describing herself as a "mature potted plant" transplanted from her native land, she drew out the differences she has seen from her start in the UK to the present day.

Keith Vaz MP, fresh from voting in the chamber, introduced the afternoon session and said to the gathered group "the doors are truly open for you. Asian Youth have fantastic opportunities to fulfil their expectations" and he urged those present to "learn to ask for things that will help them progress further."

In the session on how to shatter "Glass Ceilings", Karan Bilimoria of Cobra Beer spoke of how the impetus for his business came from the belief that he would never be able to break the barrier to reach the highest position in corporate Britain. "Integrate into your community the best you can, but never forget your roots", he advised. His tips for how to establish a successful business venture like Cobra Beer included: research your market, improve on a service, invest in your people and approach your idea with passion and commitment.

Parminder Vir took up the mantra of passion by describing her own career path and how she has challenged the perceptions people may have held about her. She said "nobody can put a glass ceiling on your passion. If you have a real fire in your belly about an idea, then you need to carry it through". She advised conference participants to "manage their own glass ceiling". Her tips included: planning your career path, seeking out help, networking and creating your own opportunities.

The last session of the conference covered voluntary work and the charity sector. Madhav Chavan of Pratham outlined the changes in Indian society and the concept of "sewa". Pratham, a learning charity, that started ten years ago,works with Government and NGO's in delivering learning models for Indian children. He explained that nearly 60 million children are out of school in India and the desperate need the nation has to improve basic reading and writing skills for these children. He spoke about being a "catalyst for change in illiteracy" in India.

Sachin Nandha, of Indicorp echoed this theme by stating that charitable works should be undertaken in a holistic manner. He believes that charity is bi-directional with those giving actually receiving as much in return. Indicorp began in Texas in 2001 and aims to "reconnect people of Indian origin back to India though a 12 month structured program". It has placed 20 fellows from USA & Canada in India and claims that that process helped participants "discover their Indian identities through service". Indicorp in the UK currently has a team of 5 people looking for British Asian participants. "They who shall learn to serve their people, India shall recognise them", Sachin ended.

The Asian Youth Conference 2004 ended with Keith Vaz thanking all the participants, organisers and speakers and urging young Asians to seek new role models and to participate actively in the wider political community in Britain.

	ASIAN YOUTH CONFERENCE 2004 - IMAGE GALLERY
	Click for larger image C B Patel, Publisher of Asian Voice	Click for larger image Kulveer Ranger, The Nicholls Group
	Click for larger image L-R: Mira Kaushik (Akademi) & Sudha Buchar (Tamasha Theatre Company)	Click for larger image Nina Sodha, Strategist for Abbey.
	Click for larger image	Click for larger image
	Click for larger image Keith Vaz MP	Click for larger image Nima Suchak, freelance journalist
	Click for larger image Karan Bilimoria, CEO of Cobra Beer	Click for larger image Parminder Vir, Film Producer & Cultural Diversity Advisor.
	Click for larger image	Click for larger image Dr Madhav Chavan, Founder of Pratham.
	Click for larger image Sachin Nandha, Indicorp	Click for larger image

Click here for the Asian Youth Conference Programme.
Click here for speaker biographies.

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