The past week has been an incredible dream realized. We officially launched 3 Magazine with a spectacular event that vividly brought to life the magazine’s bold identity and what it stands for. As someone who has spent much of my life navigating the intersections of multiple cultures, the journey to creating 3 Magazine was deeply personal.
Growing up in the U.K. as a child of Sri Lankan Tamil parents and later emigrating to Canada, I have always felt a profound connection to the term “third-culture kid.” It encapsulates the unique blend of experiences that shape so many of us who straddle different worlds, often different from our parents—never entirely of one, yet belonging to many. This personal connection, which I’m sure many of you can relate to, is what drives our mission to celebrate the third-culture experience in Canada and throughout the globe.
The idea for 3 Magazine was born out of a persistent question: Where is the sophisticated, vibrant, and inclusive media platform that speaks to Canada’s “newcomers,” no matter when they’ve arrived? We wanted to create a publication that not only acknowledges but celebrates the complexities and richness of the third-culture experience.
Canada is celebrated globally for its multiculturalism and inclusivity. Yet, there has long been a gap in the media landscape when it comes to truly engaging with the stories of immigrants and third-culture individuals. We often hear about the economic benefits of immigration and how newcomers fuel our growth and innovation. But rarely do we see a space that deeply explores and celebrates these communities’ personal narratives, identities, and aspirations.
This is where 3 Magazine comes in. The magazine was named ‘3’ to honour the third-culture experience shared by so many Canadians and people around the world. This magazine is more than just a publication; it’s a vibrant platform for dialogue, discovery, and connection. It aims to engage readers who thrive on the intersection of business, media, tech, entertainment, sports, and health while celebrating style, design, travel, and opinion. We want you to feel like part of this community, to engage in the conversations that matter to you, and to connect with others who share your experiences.
3’s mission is to focus on what unites us rather than what divides us. We live in a world where polarizing politics and divisive narratives often dominate the media landscape. But as Rumi, one of my favourite poets, once said, “If everything around seems dark, look again, you may be the light.” This quote resonates deeply with the vision for the magazine. We want 3 to be a beacon that illuminates the shared human experiences across different cultures and backgrounds, celebrating the diversity that makes us all unique and valuable.
The premiere issue of 3 Magazine is a testament to this vision. It features tech innovator Abdullah Snobar, who is rewriting the rules of Canadian business; he shares his vision for a more innovative and empathetic tech sector that values diversity and inclusion at every level. Canadian soccer star Atiba Hutchinson opens up about finding belonging in a world that spans multiple countries, from growing up in Brampton to playing on the international stage. It highlights how fashion is evolving to embrace a more cultured and conscious approach to today’s interconnected world, proving that fashion can be both elegant and ethically sound.
This inaugural issue also tackles issues pertinent to Canada, including the struggle for culturally competent healthcare, where gaps in the system leave many immigrants and racialized communities underserved due to language barriers and cultural misunderstandings. We also explore the problematic tendency of treating ethnic groups as monolithic voting blocs, which can foster xenophobia and division, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of immigrant voters. As anti-immigrant sentiment rises, Canada faces the challenge of balancing economic growth with social harmony, welcoming newcomers while addressing the growing backlash.
Launching a magazine is no small feat, and 3 is the result of a collaborative effort involving a passionate team of writers, photographers, designers, and editors who all share our commitment to celebrating third-culture stories. We’ve worked tirelessly to create a publication that accurately reflects the world with authenticity, nuance, and compassion.
For a long time, 3 was just an idea—a conversation point among friends and colleagues who, like me, saw the need for a magazine that speaks to our collective experiences. Seeing it come to life has been an incredibly rewarding journey, and I’m thrilled to finally share it with all of you.
With the launch of 3 magazine, we are excited about the possibilities ahead. We want to hear from our readers how these stories resonate with you and what else you want to see on our pages. We are committed to evolving alongside the communities we serve, ensuring that 3 remains a vibrant, inclusive space where all voices are heard.
This magazine is more than just a publication—it’s a celebration of the newcomer and third-culture revolution shaping Canada’s future and the globalisation of the world. Through 3, I hope you will find not just a magazine but a reflection of your story, journey, and place in the world. Together, we can be on this exciting journey to learn and create a more welcoming community.
