Lila Mansour

Achievements

30 under 30

Canadian Arab Institute (CAI)

3500+

Hours of community volunteering

2024

JD Candidate at LASL

2023

Best Team Overall - Walsh Moot

2021

UNBC Valedictorian

2019

Daughters of the Vote Delegate

2018

NSERC USRA Recipient

2017

Prince George Youth of the Year

Making the law more accessible

In 2022, after working as a public legal educator for several years, I realized the need for better legal information resources for Arabic-speaking newcomers

The law is complicated and often difficult to understand. Simple rules can be hard to digest and figuring out where to find the right information isn't always straightforward. Imagine trying to navigate complicated online resources in a language you are just beginning to grasp. I established the BC Arabic Legal Support Centre (BCALSC) in hopes of making simple and publicly available legal information more accessible to those in need.

This project is dedicated to my parents, who came to North America as Syrian immigrants and navigated complex systems and structures - often alone - all in the hopes of giving their children a chance at a better future. I certainly wouldn't have a strong grasp of the Arabic language without my mother's efforts to pass on the Arabic language and Syrian culture, which have turned out to be two of my most special assets.

Muslimahs at city hall

During my fellowship through the Urban Alliance on Race Relations, I had the joy of creating and leading 'Muslimahs at City Hall' -a full-day in-person event at Toronto City Hall for Muslim girls and young women to learn about municipal governance and politics, networking with like minded youth and building leadership and civic engagement skills that will enable them to be better leaders in their communities.

NGO/CSW

Global youth fellow for gender equality

I was honoured to be one of 20 young leaders chosen by NGO/CSW for my dedication to gender equality, diversity of experience and ability to inspire others. I attended CSW68 in New York, which allowed me to meet other inspiring changemakers from across the globe and learn from accomplished gender equality advocates. See the Youth Fellows featured HERE.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with the Muslim Legal Support Centre and sharing my encounters with Islamophobia and the profound impact it has on Muslim Canadians

Canadian arab institute

2023 ‘30 UNDER 30’ AWARD RECIPIENT

For the first time ever, over two dozen inspiring young Arab Canadians including myself were recognized for our extraordinary accomplishments, remarkable contributions to our communities and deep commitment to our Arab heritage.

The Canadian Arab Institute selected 30 outstanding individuals from a diverse pool of talented applicants. These remarkable achievers have excelled in various fields, including education, law, public service, non-profit, business, entrepreneurship, engineering, healthcare, arts and more. Their stories of perseverance, innovation and community engagement are a testament to the transformative power of Arab Canadian youth.

Canadian Arab Institute

THE DAIS' CANSTUDYUS FELLOWSHIP

HOMe & AWAY FELLOWSHIP

The CANSTUDYUS Home and Away Fellowship in Washington, D.C. was a life changing experience for 30 young Canadians, including myself, that enabled us to learn about US politics, American policy-making and US-Canada relations, while meeting with inspiring American and Canadian changemakers to broaden our horizons and become better leaders within our communities.

Check out The Dais for upcoming fellowship and community opportunities. Learn more about the program and hear about our reflections in the video below!

Argue motions. Draft pleadings. Conduct bail hearings. Prepare contracts.

It was an honour to be featured as part of the Lincoln Alexander School of Law's 2022-2023 Student Recruitment Campaign

I chose to attend Lincoln Alexander due to its innovative Integrated Practice Curriculum which combines the theoretical aspects of legal education with hands-on practice ready skills training throughout the program. Lincoln Alexander at TMU is Canada's most unique law school that is equipping a new generation of lawyers with skills to enable them to practice sooner and be proactive changemakers and leaders in their communities.

our Education is a tool which we can use to change the world

2021 Valedictory Address

I had the honour of representing the 2021 UNBC graduates from the College of Arts, Social and Health Sciences as their valedictorian.

Persevering through a global pandemic with a goal to expand the reach of justice

CBC | Listen to University of Northern British Columbia valedictorian Lila Mansour's interview with Carolina de Ryk about attending the Lincoln Alexander School of Law after graduation and her goals to fight racism and improve access to justice for marginalized communities.

A partnership between the justice ed society and sada Canada

increasing access to justice

Access to justice is a human right. Therefore, language should not be a barrier. I am striving to make the law more accessible to traditionally marginalized communities. My aspiration is to support the Arabic-speaking community, newcomers, Muslims and members from the BIPOC community better access legal help and support and understand Canadian law. Below is a recording of one of my live webinars in Arabic about wills in BC, which has reached over 11,000 views on Facebook. There remains a critical need for lawyers from diverse backgrounds, especially lawyers who can speak Arabic.

HOUSE OF COMMONS, Ottawa

Speaking up

See my address to the nation during the 2019 DoV National Conference. I spoke about issues relating to newcomers, racism, Islamophobia and acknowledged the problems the Indigenous people of Canada continue to endure. This video also contains the passionate speeches of a few of my other fellow delegates.

Canada150 & ME and Experiences Canada

Part of a Canadian Legacy

In 2017, Canada turned 150. Young Canadians from across the country were encouraged to submit any type of media/writing to describe what they thought was one of the biggest issues Canada would face in the next 150 years. My piece was one of 150 chosen out of many thousands. Winners got to attend July 1st Canada 150 celebrations in Ottawa and experience a week of politics, volunteering and activities. We developed presentations about what we wanted the next 150 years to look like in Canada, and we had the honour of presenting our ideas to the Governor General.

To the World you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world

－Dr. Seuss

I am incredibly passionate about helping others. My day is not complete if I haven't helped someone or put a smile on a person's face. As an aspiring lawyer, I hope to use my education to deliver quality legal services and help people achieve their goals. I also hope to volunteer my time to make critical legal information more accessible for marginalized communities.