Each year, the MOSAIC Human Rights Award is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions in the fields of human rights, ethnic relations, and humanitarianism. This year, for the first time, we are honoured to recognize two extraordinary individuals—Manpreet Dhesi and Abdullah Sarwari—whose work embodies compassion, resilience, and the unwavering belief in a better future for all.

From cultural preservation to refugee education, both recipients remind us that meaningful change often begins at the community level, with young people who care deeply, act boldly, and choose connection over silence.

Though their stories are distinct, what unites them is just as powerful: their shared commitment to creating safe, affirming spaces where people can belong; their use of storytelling and creativity as tools for healing; and their fearless youth-led leadership in communities that needed it most.

Manpreet Dhesi: Bridging Generations Through Culture and Care

At just 21 years old, Manpreet Dhesi is already a dynamic leader in community-building and cultural connection. A Bachelor of Commerce student at UBC Sauder School of Business, Manpreet co-founded GenConnect, a youth-led nonprofit that builds intergenerational bonds between Punjabi youth and seniors. Through province-wide programming, GenConnect creates spaces where cultural memory and youthful energy come together.

Outside of GenConnect, Manpreet dedicates her time to the Kohinoor Folk Arts Club, which offers free Punjabi cultural programming. She also recently launched In Real Life, a podcast helping students navigate the transition to post-secondary life through real stories, shared wisdom, and practical advice.

“From GenConnect to dance, and to the podcast, there’s an ongoing pattern in what I do,” Manpreet said. “It’s all about preserving culture, and about the future generations.”

Manpreet’s leadership reflects a deep understanding that cultural identity and community well-being go hand in hand. Her work protects what is often lost between generations—language, heritage, and belonging—by creating joyful spaces where connection can thrive.

In accepting the Human Rights Award, Manpreet reflected on the meaning of recognition: “It inspires and empowers young people like me, who genuinely love, and is passionate about all I do.”

Her words echo a larger truth: when young people are seen, they rise. Recognition like this isn’t just about celebrating past efforts, it’s about validating purpose, nurturing confidence, and planting seeds for what’s next.

Abdullah Sarwari: A Refugee’s Journey Becomes a Lifeline for Others

For Abdullah Sarwari, human rights are not abstract, they are lived, deeply personal truths.

A former Hazara refugee from Afghanistan, Abdullah spent most of his life navigating displacement. In Indonesia, where thousands of refugees remain in limbo, he co-founded the Refugee Learning Center (RLC)—a grassroots school offering free, informal education to over 300 refugee children and youth.

“It began with a simple idea to offer what my parents had given me, a safe place to learn, to imagine, and to feel human again,” he shared. “We created a space where children who had only known displacement, could draw, play, ask questions, and feel seen. It’s a place where children get to be children again. A place that says ‘You belong, and your dreams do too.’”

In 2019, Abdullah stood on a stage at TEDxUbud and told the world his story. In this unforgettable talk, Abdullah opens a window into the daily realities of statelessness. He speaks of growing up in Iran, where his right to education was revoked overnight; of watching his parents’ tireless search for underground classrooms; and of the moment he realized education could be a pathway, not just for survival, but for dignity.

Now based in Canada, Abdullah continues his advocacy through Northern Lights Canada, a group he founded to help refugees navigate Canada’s private sponsorship program. Through this initiative, he is currently sponsoring two refugee friends. Alongside his sister, Muhaddisa Sarwari, he also leads Parastoo, a platform amplifying refugee voices and lived experiences.

Receiving the MOSAIC Human Rights Award was more than an honour for Abdullah.

“This event couldn’t have come at a better time, not because I need recognition, but because my family and I have been one of the very few people lucky enough to escape. I see this event as my chance to advocate for those whose lives are still on pause indefinitely. I’m asking for something simple, help me keep RLC going.”

To help sustain this vital initiative, you can contribute directly to his ongoing efforts. Support Abdullah’s fundraising campaign and stand with refugee children seeking a future beyond displacement.

Congratulations on winning the MOSAIC Human Rights Awards, Manpreet and Abdullah. You are showing us how youth-led innovation and lived experience can become powerful tools for change. Your courage, creativity, and commitment are a gift to the communities you serve — and an inspiration to us all.

We can’t wait to see all the incredible things you’ll continue to accomplish.