AANF 9th Annual Youth Summit Hosted by AYFA in Orlando, FL
The Assyrian American National Federation (AANF) celebrated its 9th Annual Youth Summit, and this year, the Assyrian Youth Federation of America (AYFA) proudly hosted the event in Orlando, Florida. The theme of the summit, "Voices of Tomorrow: Assyrian Advocacy," was not just a slogan, but a rallying call for Assyrian youth to embrace leadership roles and contribute to the legacy of their community. The summit provided a platform for young Assyrians to share their ideas, aspirations, and challenges, fostering dialogue and understanding. This year's theme spotlighted the leadership of Assyrian youth, highlighting their potential to drive positive change both within the community and beyond.
Day 1: Social Mixer
The weekend kicked off with a fun Social Mixer on Friday night, where participants from across the country and the world gathered to unwind, connect, and enjoy a night of dancing and mingling. The mixer set the tone for the weekend, creating an open, friendly atmosphere that encouraged attendees to build friendships and networks that would carry through the rest of the summit.
Day 2: Workshops and Advocacy
Saturday began with icebreakers, allowing participants to break down barriers and get to know one another. Following this, the day was packed with impactful workshops centered on Assyrian advocacy. Participants had the opportunity to attend sessions on the following topics
Assyrian Advocacy in Politics: Encouraging youth to understand the importance of political engagement and how their voices can influence policy.
Assyrian Advocacy in Social Media and Outreach: Teaching participants how to effectively use social platforms to raise awareness for Assyrian causes and connect with broader audiences.
Assyrian Advocacy with Nonprofit Partnerships: Featuring organizations like the Etuti Institute, this workshop emphasized the importance of collaboration within the Assyrian community and beyond to support social and educational initiatives.
In these workshops, attendees discussed how their unique experiences and skillsets could be leveraged to support Assyrian advocacy efforts. Brainstorming sessions encouraged participants to share ideas and explore how they could get involved in the movement, whether through community organizing, media campaigns, or direct advocacy.
The day also featured a special presentation by the World Assyrian Assembly Youth (WAAY), as AYFA is a proud member of this global organization. WAAY board members from across the globe shared how their local chapters, along with WAAY as a whole, work to unite Assyrian youth from diverse regions. This year’s summit was particularly special as it marked the first time that Assyrian youth from Germany (AJM) and Assyrian youth form Sweden (Ungaassyrierisverige) joined the event, demonstrating the growing global unity of Assyrian youth.
Building International Bonds
Having our European youth brothers and sisters join us for the first time was a true highlight. Representatives from AJM (Assyrian Youth of Germany) and Ungaassyrierisverige (Assyrian youth in Sweden) brought unique perspectives and experiences, enriching the dialogue around Assyrian advocacy and furthering the connections between Assyrian youth worldwide.
Special Thank You
The summit’s success would not have been possible without the incredible work and dedication of our planning committee. We’re beyond grateful for each member’s contribution and commitment to making this event a reality.
A special shoutout to our amazing team (pictured from left to right):
Fiorella Betdashtoo (ASALA Secretary)
Ninous Betdashtoo (ASALA Director)
Onita Narso (CCASYA President & AYFA Western Regional Director)
Mike Marko (AYFA Secretary)
Nyree Khamo (AYFA Vice President)
Bianca Betdashtoo (AYFA Marketing Director & VP of ASALA)
Not pictured: Juliana Khamo (ASALA President)
Lastly, we want to extend our sincere thanks to the AANF for allowing us to host another successful youth summit. Your continued support helps empower Assyrian youth and provides a platform for growth, unity, and leadership development.
Thank you to everyone who joined us and participated in making this year's summit one to remember. We look forward to many more in the future!
Written by: Bianca Betdashtoo
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