Annual Symposium

At the Vancouver Association for Survivors of Torture‘s Annual Symposium on February 25, 2025, VCST Board President Ana Pavon and Project Manager Melinda Quintero shared key findings from our stakeholder round-table series and our latest report on the Interconnectedness Initiative — a project dedicated to strengthening collaborative support for survivors of torture.

The presentation highlighted crucial insights on building interdisciplinary networks of care and fostering trauma-informed support systems for torture survivors, their families and communities. The Interconnectedness Initiative report also focuses on the strengths of the settlement and service sector on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland. We were thrilled to report that all the stakeholders we interviewed were proud of the work they do and have strong indicators that their work is improving the lives of the immigrants and refugees they work with. 

The Annual Symposium was also an opportunity to appreciate connections forged by Muna Zaidalkilani, who is a board member for both VCST and VAST. Huge thanks also go to Frank Cohn, VCST board member and executive director of VAST, for being a key facilitator who made the event happen!  

Thank you VAST for an excellent and deeply meaningful Annual Symposium!