Hello! We’re besea.n - Britain’s East and South East Asian Network.
We are a community focused, volunteer-led organisation with a mission to empower, educate and embrace East and South East Asian people - and their allies! - in the UK.
Our advocacy spotlights ESEA experiences through our online platforms, research and community events - providing a safe space for sharing knowledge, creating joy and fostering connections.
Our vision is one where our communities are seen and supported in all spaces. That’s why we’ve launched ESEA Heritage Month, celebrated every year in the month of September. It’s a jam packed programme of events to celebrate, acknowledge and learn about the incredible ways in which our communities have helped to shape the UK.
We are a small but perfectly formed team of volunteers and we rely on your support. Stick around to find out more about our work, how to donate to our cause and sign up for our newsletter. Also, don’t forget to follow us on social media and continue spreading #ESEAJoy!
Filmed and edited by Ray Roberts
Taking a rest, see you soon.
We’re on a full shutdown following ESEA Heritage Month in the UK and won’t be monitoring emails or DMs until after the lunar new year. We’ll be using this time to reset, take some for our mental and physical health, and reflect before our annual AGM where we’ll be shaping what the future of besea.n could look like.
Please note, we’re not taking any speaking engagements or collaboration requests for Lunar New Year of any kind.
Highlights from the website
ESEA Heritage Month 2024: Changing Seasons
Every September, besea.n invites you to enjoy a month-long, collaborative programme of events, dedicated to East and South East Asian heritage, culture, history and everything in between. It’s a chance to celebrate, acknowledge and learn about the incredible ways in which our communities have helped shape the UK.
Embracing the theme of Changing Seasons, this year's ESEA Heritage Month offers a reflection on the cyclical nature of life. Just as the seasons transition, so too do our experiences, cultures, and identities within the ESEA communities and beyond. From the tangible shifts in weather to the evolving cultural zeitgeist, this theme encapsulates our collective journey towards new beginnings and growth.
We extend a warm invitation to all to join us in celebrating, observing, and exploring our theme, Changing Seasons. Whether through the lens of seasonal cuisines, developing trends, discussions on evolving identities, the great outdoors or reflections on our political landscape, we look forward to commemorating this year’s ESEA Heritage Month with you.
Free Lunar New Year Resource Packs!
Happy Lunar New Year!
Celebrate this Lunar New Year with our FREE to download 2024 resource packs, available now!
This resource pack has been created with education experts with a combined 43 years of experience in the education sector. It was designed for ease of use for all practitioners irrespective of their level of confidence and knowledge of East and South East Asian (ESEA) cultures. Through the use of this pack, we hope that educators will feel empowered to teach young people in the UK the topic of Lunar New Year.
Download the resource pack below!