JULY 18, 2024

The 13th Annual Sikh Summit and Advocacy and Humanitarian Aid Academy (AHAA) concluded successfully on July 12, 2024. The 4-day event organized by UNITED SIKHS was attended by Local, State and Federal officials, and by youth across the country. The Summit also marks the observance of the World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) recognized by the United Nations annually on July 15th.

Sikh Summit participants from previous years

Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2014, WYSD aims to recognize the strategic importance of equipping young people with skills for employment, entrepreneurship, and addressing global challenges.

Likewise, since 2012 UNITED SIKHS has organized the Annual Sikh Summit that espouses the engagement of our members worldwide, with legislators, NGOs and government officials to discuss crucial Civil and Human Rights issues. The Summit provides a rigorous training program equipping participants with skills, resources and knowledge to help transform their passion into lasting commitments.

Participants on the last day of this year’s Sikh Summit and Advocacy and Humanitarian Aid Academy

This year’s theme for the World Youth Skills Day is “Youth Skills for Peace and Development”. It underscores the critical role young people play in peace building and conflict resolution. The 2024 Summit corroborates this theme focusing on Religious Liberty, Transnational Repression, and Right to Live Without Fear.

UNITED SIKHS has long focused on the development of Youth Skills across communities. Project Kirti embodies the vision of creating self-sufficient individuals and communities that are looking to break the cycle of poverty they may be born into.

Baljit Kaur from Jalandhar, Panjab, got free online coaching sessions for her UPSC Exams

Project beneficiaries who received sewing machines, vocational training, laptops and free online coaching sessions for academic and civil service examinations have given touching testimonies of the impact that has had on their lives.

Additionally, concerted initiatives have led to the successful provision of Panjabi and Gurmat classes to 40 young children at Guru Angad Dev Ji Khalsa Dharmic School in Peshawar, Pakistan, a community that may be particularly vulnerable to get disconnected with their Sikh roots due to the lack of proper resources.

Young students in Peshawar, Pakistan, engaged in Gurmat and Panjabi classes

UNITED SIKHS has also assisted talented and hardworking youth in the field of sports, providing them with full sets of jerseys, encouraging them to continue with their passion and honor in representing their communities and village.

In promoting global understanding and interfaith dialogue, the Annual Sikh Summit steers cooperation between religious and cultural communities, emphasizing Sikh principles of equality, tolerance, and social justice. In line with this, the 2024 Summit emphasized the importance of defending human dignity with a Sikh worldview, dedicating subjects on hate crimes, mental health, discrimination, intergenerational leadership and human trafficking.

Join us as we march towards strengthening a generation of peace builders and human rights advocates, to fulfill the mission of fighting for our rights.