Manifesto Points:

1. Cross-Cultural Music Project: Unite diverse students to create a song on “equality and inclusion,” symbolizing multicultural integration at York; 
2. Empower Marginalized Voices: Create an anonymous platform; 
3. Promote Equity: Advocate for multilingual mental health services and fair club resources.

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Hey guys! I am Cici,currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Music Education at the University of York and serving as the founder and leader of the York Chinese Folk Ensemble, as well as the Chinese Student Ambassador at University of York .

During my study abroad in the UK, I deeply realized that ‘equality’ is not simply about policy-making, but requires truly listening to the voices of marginalized groups and understanding the real challenges faced by ethnic minorities in terms of culture, language, identity, and other aspects. As an international student, I have personally experienced the challenges of unequal tuition fees, cultural isolation, and identity recognition.
“Making white people to be a Equality and Inclusion Officer is inherently unequal”. While enjoying local welfare benefits, family, and friends in the UK, they find it difficult to truly understand the psychological pressure and social biases faced by marginalized groups such as Asians and blacks.
I hope to run for the position of Equality and Inclusion Officer, so that those overlooked voices can be heard and true multiculturalism can take root at York University.

My Action Plan

1. Create a ‘Cross Cultural Music Project’
   I have applied to the school for the establishment of the Chinese Folk Orchestra of York University, and won the support and affection of the mayor, president and nearly 2000+ audiences of York through two official performances of the “Yuanxiao (Lantern Festival) Concert” and “Chinese New Year Gala”. Therefore, I plan to use the folk orchestra as a bridge for cultural exchange, inviting students from different countries, ethnicities, and backgrounds to collect their own traditional music pieces and jointly create a positive song with the theme of “Equality and Inclusion”!
   This work will:
   • Responding to our real situation as marginalized groups in the UK
   • Criticize inequality phenomena
   • Convey our hopeful and united desire for the future, and ultimately upload it to the official website of York University, becoming a symbol of multicultural integration throughout the university!
2. To promote the “Multicultural and Traditional Art Experience Project”, as the leader of the folk orchestra, I will promote cross-cultural exchange through the following methods:
   •Regular rehearsals and workshops: Provide teaching and practice opportunities for traditional Chinese instruments such as pipa, guzheng, bamboo flute, etc.
   •Cultural Concert: Hold at least two official performances per semester, such as the successfully held “Lantern Festival Concert” and “Chinese New Year Gala”.
   •Cross cultural cooperation: Jointly organize multicultural art festivals with other music clubs, dance troupes, and cultural associations.
   •Social activities: Hold tea parties, movie screenings, music creation nights to enhance the connection and sense of belonging among members.
3. Establish a “platform for the voices of marginalized groups“.Provide an anonymous platform for international students, ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+and other marginalized communities to express their true emotions and difficulties through words, music, art and other forms, so that more people can truly understand the pain of being invisible.
4. Promote the International Student Mental Health Support Program. At present, the mental health services in schools are mainly in English, lacking understanding of the cultural background of international students. I will promote the introduction of multilingual psychological counseling resources such as Chinese, Korean, Arabic, and organize a “cultural adaptation” themed discussion to help marginalized groups alleviate loneliness and anxiety.
5. Strive to lower the application threshold and venue fees for international student organizations
   At present, there is an unequal distribution of club resources at University of York , and international student clubs face problems such as high venue costs and insufficient financial support.I will represent international students to fight for more resources from YUSU, so that more student clubs from different cultural backgrounds can have equal opportunities for development.

Last: Why did you choose me??!!!??

1. I am an international student
   I have truly experienced the pain of identity anxiety, cultural conflicts, and unequal tuition fees.
2. I am a musician
   I successfully founded the first Chinese folk Ensemble at University of York and showcased the charm of Chinese culture to British audiences through two high-quality performances.
3. I am an event organizer
   I am serving as the Chinese Student Ambassador at the University of York this year, and have had long-term cultural exchange and cooperation with the Mayor of York, the President of the York Chinese Association, and the Director of the York Tourism Board. I have rich experience in stage performance and organizational management.

Vote for me, let true ‘equality and inclusion’ happen at University of York!
My campaign slogan:”Build a bridge for global cultural exchange through music!!”

The manifestos appear here exactly as they were submitted to us. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of York Vision.