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哥伦布、匹兹堡及各地消息

2022美國華人大會在首都華盛頓正式開幕

UCA 俄州亞太聯盟

第三屆美國華人大會曁第一屆UCA全國靑年大會于7月14日在華盛頓特區舉行。這是自疫情以來,美國華人聯合會(UCA, United Chinese Americans) 所舉行的第一次大型華裔社區會議。
   (來自Ohio的代表在國會山Ohio參議員Sherrod Brown辦公室開會後合影)
   來自全美各地近四百名與會者注冊了華人大會,另有兩百多名華裔靑年注冊了靑年大會。
   注冊完畢之後,會議馬上進入了“熱身”程序,同時也是歷屆UCA大會的重頭戲——國會參訪活動。在今年的活動中,有六位議員或者他們的辦公室(包括參議員和衆議員)和UCA參會人員進行了視頻會面,另有四位議員或者他們的辦公室當面接待了UCA的與會人員。
   在和國會議員的見面中,UCA與會人員談到了他們所關心的各種問題,包括亞裔精神健康問題,反對亞裔仇恨問題以及如何鼓勵華裔年輕人參與到選舉政治等問題。在交談中,也有UCA的與會者談到了對不斷惡化的中美關係的擔憂,以及因此而成爲仇恨犯罪目標的恐懼。
   幾位和UCA與會者見面的議員和辦公室主要工作人員承諾將認眞對待這些信息,保護華裔社區的正當權益。
   晩上,會議爲與會者舉行了歡迎招待會,並放映了My Yang Gang Diary的紀録片。
   在周五的會議中,趙美心和孟昭文兩位國會議員會將會致開幕詞。在上午的會議中,China Initiative 和中美關係將是討論的重點。下午的會議將重點探討華裔文化以及華裔美國人的過去、現在和未來。
　

The UCA National Chinese Convention is the hub for cultural and political exchange. Based in Washington DC, both youths and adults alike have the opportunity to attend panels, visit and converse with their senators and representatives during the Capitol Hill tour, as well as mingle with their peers at networking events. My experience at UCA was eye-opening to say the least; I and fellow constituents of Ohio met with members of Senator Sherrod Brown’s office and had the wonderful opportunity to bring up and discuss issues we hold important such as implementing Asian history classes in school curriculums, as well as the unintended consequences some bills Senator Brown drafted might have on Asian Americans.

After attending UCA, it became apparent to me how integral Asian representation as well as Chinese unity within the political space is. Socializing with fellow youths at UCA made me realize how impactful our (next) generation is; many of us have already started to intern at political offices and done meaningful volunteer work to combat climate change, racial discrimination, and other important issues. Armed with hope for a better future, a shared identity, but unique perspectives, experiences, and lens to view the world, us Chinese Americans must engage civically at both a local and national level, as well as forge consensus to advance a common agenda to make our voices heard.
　