September Safeguarding Update

East and South East Asian Heritage Month

September is East and South East Asian (ESEA) heritage month. It was founded by besea.n (Britain’s East and Southeast Asian Network)
and encourages the celebration and recognition of East and South East Asian people, communities, heritage, culture and history.

The UK saw a dramatic surge in anti-Asian hate crimes, with targeted violence and harassment rising by over 170%. Individuals of Chinese, Filipino, Vietnamese, East Timorese, Indonesian, Korean, Japanese, and other ESEA origins suddenly found themselves facing heightened hostility. Six women of ESEA heritage came together online to form besea.n. Their primary goal was clear: to counter hostility with visibility, education, and political empowerment.

“We have always needed a heritage month like this, but it wasn’t really possible because our communities have been quite fragmented… One of the positive sides of the pandemic was that people were forced into virtual meeting and sharing… community organising was able to happen in a way it could never happen before.”

— besea.n co-founder

Instead of permitting anti-Asian racism to dictate their story, besea.n are building a space focused on joy, ancestral history, cross-community solidarity, and nuance.

In September 2021, besea.n officially launched the inaugural ESEA Heritage Month. Held every September, the designated month sits purposefully alongside established cultural milestones in the UK, such as South Asian Heritage Month (July–August) and Black History Month (October).

Empowering the Next Generation: The International Day of Democracy

Every year on 15 September, communities and institutions around the world observe the International Day of Democracy. Since its 2007 establishment by a UN General Assembly resolution, the day marks a milestone to review democracy and freedoms.

Democracy is not a static state; it is an ongoing process that requires constant nurturing, adaptation, and participation. As the global landscape changes such as from rapid technological growth or economic uncertainty, the core principles of democratic systems must adapt to remain resilient.

This year’s observance centres on a forward-looking theme: “What’s Next for Democracy? Innovation and Alliances in a Changing World.” At the heart of this focus lies a crucial priority: the indispensable role of young people in advancing democratic processes and shaping decisions that directly impact their futures.

Key Pillars of Youth-Led Democratic Innovation

1. Direct Inclusion in Policy Making: Young people are often on the front lines of societal challenges such as climate change, economic mobility, and digital ethics. Ensuring their voices are formally integrated into legislative and civic forums guarantees that long-term policies reflect the needs of those who will inherit them.
2. Digital Civics and Technology: Innovation in democracy means leveraging modern tools to expand access. Creating digital town halls and transparent open-data platforms, technology offers young citizens new avenues for participation, accountability, and mobilisation.
3. Building Inter-generational Alliances: True resilience comes from collaboration. Connecting young activists and civic tech pioneers with experienced policymakers builds strong, sustainable alliances that bridge experience with fresh perspectives.

The Untold Rescuer: Remembering 9/11 through the stories of boat captains.

When we look back on the anniversary of September 11, 2001, our collective memory is often defined by photos of ash, falling debris, and the heroic firefighters and police officers who rushed into the burning towers. But there is another, extraordinarily quiet chapter of bravery that unfolded at the water’s edge and reshaped maritime history in less than nine hours.

Narrated by Tom Hanks, the 2011 short documentary BOATLIFT: An Untold Tale of 9/11 Resilience brings to light the largest sea evacuation in human history.