THE Chetna Association of Canada, in partnership with the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Simon Fraser University (SFU), will host the Dr. Ambedkar Symposium on Emancipation (ASE 2026) on March 15 and 16, titled “Overcoming Caste Barriers for Social and Economic Equality.” This two-day event brings together international scholars, activists, and policymakers to enhance awareness of caste-based discrimination in Canada and beyond.
While often considered a private matter, caste is increasingly surfacing in Canadian public life. A landmark 2023 BC Human Rights Tribunal decision regarding the harassment of a local worker, highlights the urgent need for institutional safeguards to address caste discrimination in Canada, says the Chetna Association of Canada.
This meeting builds on the success of an earlier symposium, convened at UBC in 2023, which led the establishment of a post-doctoral fellowship in Dalit Studies at UBC — supported by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) of Canada — and a dedicated course on anti-caste activism in the Department of History (UBC), the first of its kind in the region.
The symposium will also serve as a hub for an ongoing research project at UBC, supported by SSHRC. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an online survey and sign up for in-person interviews to help document the experience of caste in Canada.
“This symposium creates a vital space for marginalized voices, particularly those of Dalit background, to share lived experiences and develop concrete strategies for dismantling caste hierarchies,” says Jai Birdi, Executive Director of the Chetna Association of Canada.
“We are moving beyond conversation into actionable research and policy advocacy. I am particularly encouraged by the symposium’s emphasis on addressing caste-based discrimination within the South Asian diaspora, enhancing safeguards and networks, and advancing evidence-based research and capacity building.”
“The planned discussions, along with the screening and dialogue around ‘Origin,’ promise to generate meaningful insights into the intersections of caste, race, and other structural inequities,” says Dr. Moussa Magassa, Associate Vice President, Mount Royal University.
The event plans to feature prominent figures, including Thenmozhi Soundararajan (author of The Trauma of Caste), former B.C. Premier Ujjal Dosanjh and Senator Baltej Singh Dhillon. Dr. Ashwini KP (UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism) has tentatively accepted the invitation.
A highlight of the program is the screening and discussion of Ava DuVernay’s acclaimed film Origin (2023), exploring the intersections of racism and caste, at The Cinematheque on the evening of Monday, March 16.
The symposium will be held at SFU Harbour Centre on March 15 and UBC Robson Square on March 16. Registration is open to students, academics, and the general public, subject to availability of space.
“The theme is both significant and timely, and the effort to create space for dialogue, research, and community engagement around caste equity is commendable. Initiatives like this play a vital role in advancing awareness and meaningful change. The focus on caste-based discrimination, social justice, and economic equality—particularly within the diaspora context—makes the symposium both meaningful and necessary. Bringing together scholars, activists, and community leaders in one forum will undoubtedly contribute to deeper understanding, constructive dialogue, and concrete action”, says Manav, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Punjab, India.
The symposium is supported by the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, the History Department and Centre for India and South Asia Research at the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, the Hari Sharma Foundation, Ambedkar International Mission of Calgary, and other community organizations.
Program highlights and key themes:
The ASE 2026 Symposium is guided by the ideas and legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the father of India’s Constitution.
I. Schedule and Locations
* March 15, 2026: Simon Fraser University, Harbour Centre, Room 7000 (515 West Hastings Street).
* March 16, 2026: UBC Robson Square, Theatre Room (800 Robson Street).
* March 16, 2026 (Evening): Film Screening of Origin at The Cinematheque (#200, 1131 Howe Street).
II. Core Discussion Themes
* Legal Safeguards: Evaluating the minimal legislative response to caste discrimination in Canada and exploring how to add “caste” as a protected category in human rights codes.
* Economic and Political Emancipation: Exploring entrepreneurship and cooperative development as alternatives to vulnerable social safety nets, and addressing barriers to Dalit representation in democratic processes.
* Academic Research: Showcasing findings from the “Caste in Canada” project at UBC, and identifying gaps and opportunities in the study of caste in the South Asian diaspora
* Planning and Goal setting: Consulting with community members on the role, structure, and sustainability of a proposed “Center for Emancipation” in Western Canada.
III. Featured Guests and Panelists
* Dr. Ashwini KP: Special Rapporteur to the United Nations.
* Thenmozhi Soundararajan: Dalit rights activist and author.
* Ujjal Dosanjh: Former Premier of BC and author.
* Dr. Rajesh Sampath: Brandeis University (the first US university to protect against caste discrimination).
* Dr. Anne Murphy: UBC History Department, lead of the “Caste in Canada” research project.
* Panelists for Origin: Dr. Gaurav Pathania (Eastern Mennonite University), Dr. Moussa Magassa (Royal Roads University), and Dr. Asma Sayed (Kwantlen Polytechnic University)
