Community Engagement
The David Lam Centre has been focused on community engagement since its beginnings in 1989 and we continue that legacy today by working with and supporting the activities of several organizations that share an interest in Asian culture and fostering intercultural understanding. Our community involvement is direct and extensive. Below are some of the groups with which we continue to have active ongoing relationships. We welcome opportunities to work with other organizations who share the mandate of the David Lam Centre.
Chinese Canadian Historical Society
The David Lam Centre actively assisted a group of academics and Chinese Canadian community activists in the operation of the first non-profit society to promote study of the history of the Chinese Canadians in British Columbia.
The David Lam Centre contributed to establishing the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia (CCHSBC) providing administrative and organizational support and has hosted meetings, film screenings, seminars and workshops.
Drawing on the talents of a diverse group of scholars and others active in the study of Canadians with a Chinese cultural heritage the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia is dedicated to promoting research, documentation, preservation and public education on Chinese Canadian history in British Columbia. This includes work on the history of Chinese businesses, families, and the evolving role of Chinatowns. The Society also supports activities related to education on Chinese Canadian history at the K-grade 12 and post-secondary levels of education. Its activities also include broader public education. Further information on the Chinese Canadian Historical Society of British Columbia can be found on their web site. Dr. Crowe has been a member of the CCHS for two years.
Cinevolution Media Arts Society
The mission of Cinevolution Media Arts Society is to promote innovative creation and critical discourse through film, video, animation, and new media art works, to bring new ways of thinking and expression into cross-culture communication, and to foster exchange and collaboration among filmmakers and media artists in Canada, Asia, and around the World.
For the past four years, it has successfully presented the New Asia Film Festival and also coordinated the inaugural Dream Project through which professional filmmakers mentored young people to create animation. It has organized over 30 monthly screenings, and numerous community forums, including an annual DocuAsia Forum co-presented with the David Lam Centre at SFU.
Chinese Canadian Writers’ Association
The Association works to foster appreciation and awareness of Chinese Canadian authors and organizes lectures by prominent Chinese authors in Canada. The David Lam centre has cooperated several times with the Association to bring noted writers from the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan to Simon Fraser University. Visiting authors have included Liu Ka-shiang, Chu Tian-wen, Ko Yu-fen, and Su Tong. These events have garnered very strong support from the public and academics in British Columbia. The high profile of the authors has also met with considerable media interest.
North American Association of Asian Professionals
The North American Association of Asian Professionals Vancouver is a non-profit professional organization that promotes the career advancement and leadership development of Asian American professionals in all fields through networking, respecting Asian multiculturalism, and supporting diversity and community service. There are currently 24 chapters, ventures, and affiliates across the country and a growing national membership of over 3,000.
Since 2008 the David Lam Centre has cooperated with NAAAP in hosting events for students, professionals and community activists. We have helped coordinate and have taken an active role in the annual Spotlight on Leadership. The David Lam Centre joined CBC, HSBC, BMO, Sauder School of Business, and Simon Fraser University-Continuing Studies in supporting this celebration of community leadership.
Dr. Sun Yat Sen Classical Chinese Garden
Like the David Lam Centre, the Sun Yat Sen Garden in Vancouver’s Chinatown was given generous support by Dr. David Lam. It provides a space for educating visitors about Asian cultures, takes an active interest in Asian fine arts and seeks opportunities for cultural exchange and public engagement.
The David Lam Centre has sought opportunities to work with and support this important cultural and community resource and the people dedicated to maintaining its educational programs, advancing its conservation plans and educational programming for children and adult learners. Dr. Crowe currently serves as Vice President of the Garden.
Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Society
Over the past three years the David Lam Centre has cooperated with the Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Society to bring internationally renowned speakers on Buddhism to SFU. The TLKY Canada Society has also generously made its collection of Buddhist research materials housed in its library available to SFU students. One of the key aspirations of the founder of Tung Lin Kok Yuen, Lady Clara Lin-Kok, was to expand Tung Lin Kok Yuen's operations to promote Buddhist education internationally. In 1994 her grandson and the current Chairman of the Board of Dorectors of Tung Lin Kok Yuen, Robert H.N. Ho, began to realize that ideal through the establishement of the Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Society in Vancouver.