CANADA: Organizers of the Global Conference for a Caste-Free World 2025 say the preparations to organize the event has been complete as planned.

Sahayatra International Alliance for Social Justice-Canada, a non-government social organization registered in Canada – in coordination with various partnering organizations from South Asia and North America, is organizing the global conference in Toronto, Canada, from May 25 to May 27, with the main theme “Building Solidarity towards Equality, Social Justice, and the Abolition of the Caste System.”

The conference aims to bring together participants from government agencies, policymakers, and activists, representatives from civil society, organizations, businesses, academic researchers, University scholars and students to a shared platform for knowledge exchange. It seeks to unite stakeholders worldwide to discuss how caste systems and other oppressive practices can be abolished through collective efforts for social justice and equity.

The conference will feature speakers including international and national activists, policymakers, human rights defenders, civil society representatives, businesses, academics, researchers, students, journalists, professionals, and social advocates engaged in relevant research or campaigns against discrimination.

Prof. Fernand de Varennes, former United Nations Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues is slated for delivering inauguration keynote address at the Conference. Among distinguished invited speakers are climate and sustainability expert Madan Pariyar, who chaired the Constitutional State Restructuring Commission of Nepal in 2011, Nepal’s Dalit history author and biographer Om Prakash Gahatraj, Nepal’s pioneering Dalit feminist leader Durga Sob, critical race theorist professor Rajesh Sampath from Brandeis University, Dalit research academic professor Steve Folmar from Wake Forest University, Diaspora caste history research professor Anne Murphy from University of British Columbia, Youth Dalit scholar Suraj Yendge, structural casteism research professor Drona Rasali from University of British Columbia, Nepal’s Dalit native arts and heritage academician professor Man Bishwakarma, and minority higher education professors Uttam Gaulee and Benjamin Welsh from Morgan State University, who will be presenting their scholarly papers.

“We have received confirmation from 18 keynote and invited speakers including distinguished professors, scholars, and researchers, and 20 other presenters through their abstract paper submissions. We are optimistic that this conference will serve as a shared forum for participants to present their experiences, ideas, and initiatives, with a special focus on caste discrimination in Nepal (the focus country),” said Santosh Bishwakarma, the main coordinator of the organizing committee of the global conference.

“Furthermore, the conference aims to foster international solidarity in the fight against discrimination.” The discussions will cover a range of topics, including the impacts of systemic caste discrimination, personal experiences of those affected, case-studies, reviews of international laws and their implementation, global efforts to eliminate discrimination, knowledge transfer, research on Dalit-related issues, climate change impacts of caste discrimination and best practices and solutions to address caste-based discrimination. The conference will also focus on organizational development, future strategies, and creating an equitable and socially just society.

A venue of Canada Convention Centre in Brampton is chosen to accommodate approximately 400 participants from around the world who are expected to attend. “Over 260 million people worldwide face inhumane treatment and discrimination based on caste, race, and descent. While caste-based discrimination originated in South Asia, it has now spread globally,” said Dr Drona Rasali, chair of the organizing committee of the global conference.

“In this context, this global conference will provide a window of opportunity for generating international dialogue around best practices and solutions to address caste-based discrimination. It aims to draw the attention of national and international governments, academia, communities, relevant organizations, and target groups toward creating and implementing effective policies to build a discrimination-free world suited for te 21st century.” In her message, Governor General of Canada, Right Honourable Mary Simon, has wished all success of the conference.