APANO looks to unites Asians and Pacific Islanders to build power, develop leaders, and advance equity through organizing, advocacy, community development, and cultural work. Their vision is a just world where Asians and Pacific Islanders and communities who share aspirations and struggles have the power, resources, and voice to determine their own futures, and where they work in solidarity to drive political, social, economic, and cultural change.
We are especially inspired by their cultural work. APANO’s organizing is rooted in the belief that those most affected by an issue should be the ones shaping the solutions. This approach requires disciplined year-round work to support our members in identifying and prioritizing the issues APANO works on, building skills, knowledge and confidence through APANO campaigns, and increasingly taking on public leadership.
As for political advocacy, APANO has led and supported campaigns that are transforming Oregon into a state where all people have the rights, recognitions, and resources needed to thrive. APANO’s Political Advocacy and Civic Engagement work is fueled by volunteers and community members, and comes out of our community organizing and leadership development programs, with the goal of winning concrete changes in local ordinances, state and federal legislation, ballot measures, and other public policy.