A Diversity Magazine Black History Month Special.
Ahmed Hussen, From a Somali Refugee to a Canadian Minister.
Throughout Hussen’s work in building communities, he has not only advocated but has risen to the top by religiously practicing the gospel of; volunteerism, forging alliances, cooperation with other groups and organizations, and seeking out mentors. He himself started his career as a volunteer, he sought out mentors to help him out, and he created mentorship and scholarship programs, coupled with revitalization and community development initiatives. He encouraged other Canadians to volunteer, seek mentors, and find opportunities to help them, and give back to the community in return.
“…It’s a difficult journey to adapt to life in a new society…” Hussen told Diversity Magazine. He added, “…Canadians are very generous and welcoming people. They help newcomers seek opportunities…” Newcomers should not be shy to ask for help, he said. It’s not been a smooth journey adapting to a new society, Hussen told Diversity Magazine in a telephone interview on February 7, 2018, “…Canada is not perfect. There are challenges of racism and discrimination…”
Ahmed Hussen came to Canada in 1993 as a refugee from Somalia, fleeing the civil war. He attended High school in Hamilton, Ontario, and got a BA in History from York University. He will later on go back and graduate with a Degree in Law from University of Ottawa after a successful political and community building phase of his life.
In 2001, Hussen launched his public service career as a volunteer in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. The following year, his contributions were appreciated with a position as an Assistant to Ontario’s official Opposition Leader of the Liberal Party of Ontario. In 2003, he was promoted to Special Assistant as his boss became Premier of Ontario.
Hussen will soon spice up his resume with some community work with RCMP before co-founding and becoming President of Regent Park Community Council, a $500 million revitalization and development project for 20,000 residents. He will also add to his belt, the President of the Somali Canadian Congress, fostering a mentoring partnership with the Canadian Jewish Congress, and found Somali Women Scholarship Program in partnership with Global Enrichment Foundation. He also served as a member of Canada’s former Prime Minister, Stephen Harper Government’s Cross-Cultural Round Table on Security.
After he graduated in 2012 with a Law Degree, he practiced Immigration, Refugee, Criminal and Human Rights Law in Toronto before joining the race for MP of York South in 2014, which he won as a member of the Liberal Party of Canada, the first Somali-Canadian member of the Canadian House of Commons. On January 10, 2017, Prime Mister Justin Trudeau will ice Hussen’s cake with the appointment as Immigration Minister.
He said his ministry has drastically reduced the time it takes to become a Canadian Citizen, renew Permanent Residency status, thereby making the system fairer and faster.
As a result of his advocacy work, the Toronto Star recognized Hussen in 2014 as one of 10 individuals in Toronto to have made substantial contributions to the community. He was presented a Queen’s Jubilee medal and the Ontario Non-Profit Housing Authority Award for his efficacious advocacy work in Regent Park.
