Shireen Salti reflects on CanStudyUS Study Tour to Washington DC ― CAI Academy

Shireen Salti is the Interim Executive Director at the Canadian Arab Institute (CAI) providing organizational, operational, fundraising, and programmatic leadership and oversight to further CAI’s mission. Shireen holds a Master of Public Policy, Administration and Law from York University. 

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During the month of May, I had the unique opportunity to represent the Canadian Arab Institute (CAI) as a delegate at the CanStudyUS tour hosted by Democratic Engagement Exchange and Ryerson Leadership Lab in Washington with 35 youth leaders.

The study tour was alive with opportunities to engage with thought leaders, elected officials, community activists and journalists through a series of meetings, workshops and events across Washington. The trip was centered around the theme of power: the power of people, the power of media, the power of institutions and money, and finally the power of leaders.

The trip provided participants an opportunity to examine up close who has this power, how it is used and the impact these dynamics have on a local, national and international contexts. This tour being in Washington meant we were able to explore the intricacies of power, its divisiveness and how public policy and the agenda of issues on which the public engaged, is developed through the lens of different influencers that are organizing during critical moments in history.

Among so many other influencers, we met Sarada Peri, former Speechwriter and Special Assistant to President Barack Obama; Congresswoman Deb Halaand; organizers with Young Invincibles, SPACEs In Action and the Fairness Project; the Editor in Chief of the Daily Caller; Bob Rae, former Premier of Ontario and currently leading Canada’s Special Envoy to Myanmar; Canada’s Ambassador to the U.S., David MacNaughton; and the YWCA USA.

In this environment, I was able to examine up close the political landscape in the US in comparison to Canada, particularly the contrast between the political, economic and social systems. This was timely and crucial, given that there is a need to intelligently address complex challenges here at home as we approach the next Canadian federal election.

Another crucial moment for me as a representative of the CAI was engaging with our counterpart, the Arab American Institute in Washington. There they invited us to their 2019 Arab American Leadership Days in partnership with the National Network for Arab American Communities, Network for Arab-American Professionals and the American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. It was an absolute pleasure meeting with influential leaders that have been representing the issues of Arab Americans for decades such as James Zoghby, Maya Berry, Omar Baddar, and Ahmad Abuznaid.

The conference was followed by a Kahlil Gibran Spirit of Humanity Awards Gala that gathered thousands in honour of individuals and organizations whose work, commitment and support make a difference in promoting coexistence and inclusion and have carried on the humanistic legacy of author and poet Kahlil Gibran. 

Below I have provided four key high-level takeaways. These highlights can be used by anyone who strives to make a positive contribution to communities they serve whether they work at the grassroots, policy level, or both.

 1.    There’s no power like the power of the people;

 2.    Build relationships and collaborate with other member organizations ensuring that you are not duplicating or hampering each other’s efforts;

3.    It’s all in the stories. Listen to them and use them; and

4.    It’s not what you mean; it’s how you say it – starting with values in communication.

Now being a couple of weeks out from the CanStudyUS tour, I reflect on what I learned and how I am going to use this knowledge. Firstly, I want to focus more on sharing the stories of the people who are directly impacted in the community. Secondly, I want to continue building upon and nurturing those connections I built in Washington. There’s something extremely empowering in knowing that there are folks across the continent who share your belief system, know your name and are ready to support you when you call.

I would be remiss if I didn’t thank the CAI for this opportunity. Moreover, a deep expression of thanks goes to the organizers at the Democratic Engagement Exchange and the Ryerson Leadership Lab for the large amount of work poured in to make this all possible. As well, thank you to the veteran change-makers that joined us on the trip, Mr. Bob Rae and Mr. Mohammad Al Zaibak for your constant support and encouragement to the youth of today.  And last but not least, thank you to the American Arab Institute for welcoming us in Washington.

For more information about the Canadian Arab Institute, please visit our website, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram, @CAIThinkTank, and Facebook, @CanadianArabInstitute. 

For further questions, please contact Shireen at shireen@canadianarabinstitute.org