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Emmanuel College
Events / Conference | Tackling Anti-Asian Racism

Conference | Tackling Anti-Asian Racism

Oct 16, 2026 9:00a.m. - 5:30p.m.

Tackling Anti-Asian Racism: Tapping into Lived Experiences of Canadians of Asian Descent Actively Practicing Faith and Spiritualities of Christian and Other-Than-Christian

Schedule: Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

This conference explores how interreligious dialogue and diverse spiritual traditions can help address anti-Asian racism in Canada while fostering justice, healing and solidarity.

Overview

Organized by the Committee on Asian/North American Asian Theologies and Spiritualities (CAANATS), this conference brings together scholars, faith leaders, students and community members to examine the intersections of anti-Asian racism, theology, spirituality and social justice in the Canadian context.

Celebrating the 30th anniversary of CAANATS, the conference reflects Emmanuel College's longstanding commitment to interreligious engagement, inclusive dialogue and justice. Through keynote discussions, panel conversations and opportunities for reflection, participants will explore how Christian, Buddhist, Muslim and other faith traditions can contribute to confronting racism, strengthening resilience and building solidarity across communities.

Topics will include the meaning and diversity of Asian identity, relationships between anti-racism and anti-Indigenous frameworks, theological responses to racism and practical approaches to community engagement. The conference aims to foster meaningful dialogue while equipping participants with resources for continued learning and action.

Register Here

Conference schedule

9 to 9:15 a.m. — Opening remarks

Presenter: Henry Shiu

Land acknowledgement, welcome and an introduction to the conference theme of interreligiosity and anti-Asian racism.

9:15 to 10:45 a.m. — Panel 1: United Church of Canada

Moderator: HyeRan Kim-Cragg

Panelists:

  • Carmen Lansdowne, Assistant Professor of United Church of Canada Studies, Emmanuel College
  • Hye Lim Yoon, PhD candidate, Emmanuel College
  • Wing Yi Wong, EMPACT director, Emmanuel College

10:45 to 11 a.m. — Coffee break

11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. — Panel 2: Buddhist Dharma Beyond Racism and Colonialism

Moderator: Wonjong Lee

Panelists:

  • Henry Shiu, She Wu De Associate Professor of Chinese Buddhism, Emmanuel College
  • Jennifer Bright, Wutai Shan Venerable Dayi Assistant Professor of Buddhist Spiritual Care, Emmanuel College
  • Cindy Choi, sessional instructor, Emmanuel College

12:30 to 2 p.m. — Lunch

Birthday celebration for Professor Wenh-In Ng.

2 to 3:30 p.m. — Panel 3: Muslim/Interreligious Panel

Moderator: SeungJun Hwang

Panelists:

  • Lailatul Fitriyah, Associate Professor of Interreligious Education, Claremont School of Theology
  • Reyner Budiman, PhD student, Emmanuel College
  • Ruth Kause, PhD candidate, Emmanuel College

3:30 to 3:45 p.m. — Coffee break

3:45 to 5:15 p.m. — Panel 4: Confronting Anti-Asian Racism through Interreligiosity

Moderator: Wing Yi Wong

Panelists:

  • Ren-Ito, Program Coordinator, Canadian Centre for Catholic Pastoral Leadership, Regis St. Michael's Faculty of Theology
  • Ching Sum Leung, PhD student, Regis College
  • Wing Yin Li, PhD student, Princeton Theological Seminary

5:15 to 5:30 p.m. — Processing session and closing ritual

Moderator: Hae Bin Jung