DCDS 2011 happened July 21-24, 2011. If you're between 15-20 years old, of South Asian heritage, & interested in social justice, check back later to apply to DCDS 2012!
Special thanks to the following donors (of money, food, space, and endless enthusiasm) for making DCDS 2011 happen. To learn more about donating to DCDS, visit the "Donate" tab and donate through PayPal! To learn how to get involved in planning DCDS 2012, email dcdesisummer@gmail.com.
- Washington College of Law Chapter of the National Lawyers Guild
- Molly Agarwal
- Nandini Basu
- Anirvan Chatterjee
- Una Chung
- Ingrid Drake
- Aaditi Dubale
- Swapan Gangopadhyay
- Rosemary Garrido
- Amardeep Grewal
- Danielle Guttman
- Lisa Hasegawa
- S. Iimay Ho
- Jenny Ho
- Gandhi Brigade
- South Asian Americans Leading Together
- Nrupa Jani
- James Johnson
- Ramesh Kathanadhi
- Muriel Leung
- Chetana Mirle
- Mala Nagarajan
- Sapna Pandya
- Ann Pham
- Anand Raghunathan
- Diana Rhodes
- Muntasir Sattar
- Sahar Shafqat
- Vega Subramaniam
2010 participants and organizers
Growing up Desi can be complex at times, we hear that!
Do you often feel like you are the only one talking about radical issues to blank stares? Do you feel like you are alone in fighting for justice? Are you passionate about connecting not just to your Desi "roots" but also to a South Asian history of resistance to oppression? Are you looking for a community of like-minded left individuals for one weekend?
Do you often feel like you are the only one talking about radical issues to blank stares? Do you feel like you are alone in fighting for justice? Are you passionate about connecting not just to your Desi "roots" but also to a South Asian history of resistance to oppression? Are you looking for a community of like-minded left individuals for one weekend?
Desi - n., adj.: refers to people with origins in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and the Maldives, but the diaspora spreads from Fiji to Trinidad, from Kenya to the Persian Gulf, from South Africa to Guyana and Suriname, from Southall in Britain to Washington, DC and many places in between.
What is DC Desi Summer? Inspired by Youth Solidarity Summer in New York, RadDesi Summer in Texas, Organizing Youth in California, South Asian Summer Solidarity for Youth in Boston, and Desh Pardesh in Toronto, DC Desi Summer is a weekend-long leadership and empowerment program. Spearheaded by the volunteer DCDS Collective, DC Desi Summer provides a radical and inclusive space for youth of South Asian heritage (including those of mixed heritage) to examine key social justice issues and take action! The goal of the forum is to engage participants in critical reflection, coalition building, and activism. We believe that a united, educated, and inspired collective of young activists is crucial to creating social change both locally and globally.
Watch our video from DCDS 2010 here.
DCDS 2009 Participants and Facilitators
Participants can expect:
(1) to meet other young South Asian Americans who want to create a positive change in their communities;
(2) to participate in issues-based and skills-building hands-on workshops that are relevant to them personally;
(3) to gain mentorship and meaningful exchanges with other South Asian Americans who have been involved in movement building; and
(4) to join forces with a network of young leaders working towards common visions of justice.
What will I do there? Attendees will participate in creative activities, visioning exercises, and workshops led by community organizers, activists, academics, and advocates. These workshops will address such issues as the following:
· Working in Public Interest
· Ending violence against women and girls
· Immigrant rights
· The Criminal Justice system in a Post-9/11 Era
· Race, Class and Gender Identity Issues
· Global Freedom Struggles and Local Connections
Is it for me? We invite any person of South Asian heritage to apply who is between the ages of 15-20. We are looking for individuals who are committed to sustaining positive change by being involved in a network of young leaders who are working toward justice. We welcome people of mixed heritage to apply.
Okay, how much is it? We provide all meals and housing to those who need it. We charge a fee of $20 per person to help cover basic fees. Need-based scholarships are available to those who request them. NO ONE will be turned away for lack of funds. We encourage you to commute from home if you are local to DC, or stay with family or friends while visiting DC. If you would not be able to participate without assistance in transportation or will need lodging in DC, please contact us immediately, as DCDS plans to have a limited number of scholarships.
How do I apply? Send your completed application online. (Click on our Apply tab above.) Applications will be reviewed as space permits.
We encourage all to apply soon! No prior experience or skills are required to attend this conference. Attendees are expected to participate fully in the whole weekend forum.
For questions or more information, contact us at dcdesisummer@gmail.com.
Join us on Facebook here!
*Logo by Nafisa Ferdous
(1) to meet other young South Asian Americans who want to create a positive change in their communities;
(2) to participate in issues-based and skills-building hands-on workshops that are relevant to them personally;
(3) to gain mentorship and meaningful exchanges with other South Asian Americans who have been involved in movement building; and
(4) to join forces with a network of young leaders working towards common visions of justice.
What will I do there? Attendees will participate in creative activities, visioning exercises, and workshops led by community organizers, activists, academics, and advocates. These workshops will address such issues as the following:
· Ending violence against women and girls
· Immigrant rights
· The Criminal Justice system in a Post-9/11 Era
· Race, Class and Gender Identity Issues
· Global Freedom Struggles and Local Connections
Is it for me? We invite any person of South Asian heritage to apply who is between the ages of 15-20. We are looking for individuals who are committed to sustaining positive change by being involved in a network of young leaders who are working toward justice. We welcome people of mixed heritage to apply.
Okay, how much is it? We provide all meals and housing to those who need it. We charge a fee of $20 per person to help cover basic fees. Need-based scholarships are available to those who request them. NO ONE will be turned away for lack of funds. We encourage you to commute from home if you are local to DC, or stay with family or friends while visiting DC. If you would not be able to participate without assistance in transportation or will need lodging in DC, please contact us immediately, as DCDS plans to have a limited number of scholarships.
How do I apply? Send your completed application online. (Click on our Apply tab above.) Applications will be reviewed as space permits.
We encourage all to apply soon! No prior experience or skills are required to attend this conference. Attendees are expected to participate fully in the whole weekend forum.
*Logo by Nafisa Ferdous
