Global Voices - Profiles of Leaders in Development

The Ontario Council for International Cooperation invites you to join us in marking International Development Week (IDW) February 1–7, 2009 by reading profiles of leaders in development, taking our MDG Challenge, and entering your name for a chance to win a fair trade prize.  

IDW provides a unique opportunity for the Government of Canada and Canadian organizations and individuals to share their lessons learned and successes achieved in international development with the Canadian and international public. It also provides an opportunity for Canadians to learn more about life in developing countries, and to find out how to become global citizens, actively involved in international development.

This year's theme is Development for Results. This theme reflects the commitment of the Canadian International Development Agency towards achieving more effective aid. The effectiveness of aid is measured in real outcomes and tangible results, which make a significant difference in the lives of people who receive Canadian assistance.

To this end, OCIC brings you Global Voices - Profiles of Leaders in Development. These profiles highlight the work of five distinguished staff, volunteers or global partners of OCIC member organization working to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Kabita Shah is a street worker, educator and counsellor at SathSath in Nepal. Partnered with the Canadian organization Street Kids International, Kabita and SathSath work with street youth to help them realize their full potential and to integrate them into mainstream society.

Astrid Girlesa Uribe Martínez is a community youth leader with the YMCA in Medellín, Colombia. She teaches youth leadership and nonviolence and works closely with the YMCA of Greater Toronto.

John Barnfield is the co-founder of Rayjon Share Care. Based in Sarnia, Ontario, Rayjon is involved in a range of community development initiatives and awareness trips for Canadians in Haiti, Dominican Republic, and other developing countries.

Mary Mathenge is General Manager of the National Cooperative Housing Union in Kenya.  She is a leader in the cooperative movement in her response to the HIV and AIDS pandemic. Her organization  works in partnership with Rooftops Canada.

Randalin Ellery is a university student in Guelph, Ontario. Working with Oxfam Canada, she is a young leader in promoting fair trade on Canadian university campuses.




To test your knowledge on the Millennium Development Goals, take our MDG Challenge. 

To read the City of Toronto IDW 2009 Proclamation, click here.

For a national calendar of IDW 2009 events, click here.

For additional OCIC stories and information on previous IDW activities, click here.

For more information on OCIC member organizations, click here.