International Development Week
International Development Week (IDW) is an annual initiative held during the first full week in February. A uniquely Canadian tradition, IDW was initiated in 1991 by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in order to promote global peace. The Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada (GAC), civil society organizations, schools, businesses, provinces, municipalities, volunteers and millions of interested Canadians participate in IDW each year.
OCIC is proud to work in close collaboration with our members, partners and colleagues across Ontario and around the world to co-create meaningful opportunities for IDW and throughout the month of February to increase awareness of Canadians’ contributions to international cooperation, to celebrate and share achievements, and to encourage the active engagement of us all, as global citizens. These initiatives are undertaken with financial support from the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada.
Gender Panel: Navigating Gender and Water Challenges Globally
On February 1, 2024 we were joined by an amazing panel of experts to share their experience and insight into the intersection between gender and water issues. Watch the recording to hear about how water is central to health, safety, and well-being of women and girls, and how organizations around the world are addressing these challenges.
Career Journeys: Exploring Opportunities
for Youth
On February 7, 2024 we were joined by an amazing panel of young professionals to share their career journeys and insights into the changing priorities and skills needed for young people as they seek opportunities in their sector. They also shared advice for organizations looking to attract and retain young people to their teams.
Youth Voices for Gender Equality: Recommendations Ahead of CSW68
On February 7, 2024, ahead of the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), five of our Youth Policy-Makers Hub (YPH) members have combined the diverse perspectives and suggestions of youth (ages 18-35) in the province of Ontario to present recommendations for engaging youth in discussions relating to poverty and financing, through a lens of gender inclusion.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Innovation Lab 2024!
#IDW2024 Event Details
Navigating Gender and Water Challenges Globally
Thank you for joining us for our kick-off event. You can watch the recording above.
Date: February 1, 2024
Time: 11:00am – 12:30pm EST
Location: Zoom
Languages: English & French Interpretation
About the Event:
Recognizing the urgent need for concerted efforts in addressing the intersectionality of gender and water issues, our International Development Week 2024 panel on ‘Navigating Gender and Water Challenges Globally’ seeks to shed light on initiatives taken by organizations and experts from across the globe.
The gendered impact of lack of safe and accessible water poses a serious equality issue. Thus, the focus of this panel will be on providing insights into global and local commitments on gender and water, positive and sustainable transformations advocating for gender-inclusive water management strategies including WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) priorities, youth perspectives on water and gender, women’s water leadership and mitigating the disproportionate impacts of water-related challenges on women and girls.
Recognizing the crucial need for collective action at the intersection of gender and water issues, we hope that you will join us for this important discussion.
Interpretation: The languages of this event will be English and French; interpretation services will be offered
Meet the Contributors:
Opening Remarks:
– Dominic O’Neill, Executive Director, United Nations Sanitation and Hygiene Fund
Moderator:
– Nina Bianchi, Project Manager, International Secretariat for Water
Panelists:
– Dr. Grace Oluwasanya, Water, Gender, and Climate Lead, United Nations University-Institute for Water, Environment and Health
– Adnan Ibne Abdul Qader, Climate and Water Governance Specialist, WaterAid Bangladesh
– Ann Turinayo, Country Director, International Fund for Agricultural Development, Burkina Faso
Thank you for joining us for our kick-off event. You can watch the recording above.
Thank you to our event partner International Secretariat for Water for supporting this event.
Career Journeys: Exploring Opportunities for Youth
Thank you for joining us! You can watch the recording above.
Date: Wednesday, February 7, 2023
Time: 11:00am-12:30pm EST
Location: Zoom
Language: English
About the Event:
Are you interested in a career in international cooperation? Join our virtual International Development Week 2024 (IDW2024) Career Panel to be taken on a career journey by young professionals who bring diverse personal experience, expertise and backgrounds to their role.
The panel will explore:
- Panelists’ personal career paths
- Perspectives on the ways their education and experience is relevant to their current positions
- Insights into the changing priorities and skills needed for young people as they seek opportunities in their sector
- Suggestions for students and professionals looking for work in the sector
- The values that youth prioritize when they are searching for opportunities and how international cooperation organizations can attract youth to their teams
Meet the Contributors:
Moderator:
– Ashley Anthony, Regional Engagement Coordinator at Climate Reality Project Canada
Panelists:
– Emilie Chiasson, Innovation and Design Advisor at Aga Khan Foundation
– Keziah Oduro, Innovation and Equity Research Analyst at Future of Good
– Branavi Raveendran, Domestic Advocacy Intern at UNICEF
– Mada Dibs Wardeh, Senior Policy Advisor at Global Affairs Canada
Thank you to OCIC members Centennial College, Humber College, United College at University of Waterloo, and University of Toronto Scarborough for supporting this event. We’re also grateful to our Youth Policy-Makers Hub for helping us shape this panel.
Thank you for joining us! You can watch the recording above.
Date: Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Time: 4:30pm – 6:00pm EST
Location: Zoom
Language: English
About the Event:
Ahead of the sixty-eighth session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68), five of our Youth Policy-Makers Hub (YPH) members have combined the diverse perspectives and suggestions of youth (ages 18-35) in the province of Ontario to present recommendations for engaging youth in discussions relating to poverty and financing, through a lens of gender inclusion.
In this session, YPH members will take us through the challenges faced by young people voicing their opinions on poverty and financing, exploring strategies for youth engagement and empowerment, in alignment with the United Nations Youth 2030 Strategy. Our discussion will also touch upon strengthening institutions and services available to youth to effectively address poverty.
Join us for this virtual discussion to help bridge the gap between global leaders and young voices.
The key questions presented to the youth participants were:
- In your opinion, what are the main challenges to youth and adolescent voice and agency in poverty and financing discussions?
- What strategies do you think young people can use to influence poverty and financing discussions?
- How do you think institutions and services available to youth can be strengthened or transformed to address poverty?
- As global leaders meet this March 2024 at the CSW68 in UN Headquarters in New York, to discuss gender equality, poverty, and financing, how would you like them to engage with young people on these issues?
Meet the Contributors:
Moderator:
– Aimee Tymkin, UNCSW67 Delegate & Junior Policy Analyst
Youth Policy-Makers Hub Contributors:
– Yusra Ahmed
– Rajaa Berry
– Rachel Morrison
– Keziah Oduro
Thank you for joining us in Waterloo. You can see some photos from the Innovation Lab above.
Date: Saturday, February 10, 2024
Time: 10:00am to 7:00pm EST
Location: Conrad Grebel University College, University of Waterloo
Language: English
This year OCIC’s Innovation Lab 2024 offered a unique in-person opportunity for people and organizations interested in reflecting upon their relationship to water and climate issues in local and global contexts, and in building and sharing their knowledge and understanding to join OCIC and partners at the University of Waterloo. This full-day event was intended for participants including:
- Youth (18-35 years), educators, academics and community innovators/mobilizers
- Representatives of community-based initiatives and groups, international cooperation and environmental sector and other interested organizations and institutions
- Others who are active and/or interested in advancing and connecting to global efforts on water and climate issues.
About the Event:
According to the World Health Organization, a staggering 2.1 billion people lack access to safe drinking water services, while 4.5 billion people face the absence of safely managed sanitation services. The stark reality is that water scarcity already impacts four out of every 10 individuals, and an alarming 90% of all-natural disasters are water-related. Compounding these issues is the fact that 80% of wastewater flows back into the ecosystem without being treated or reused, posing further environmental and health risks. Recognizing the urgency of these challenges, the global community has launched the Water Action Decade (2018-2028), committing to energize existing programs and projects to achieve the 2030 Agenda, particularly the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6: clean water and sanitation for all. The UN Secretary-General’s Plan for the Water Action Decade outlines an ambitious effort to advance progress across sectors.
In alignment with this global initiative, This year OCIC’s Innovation Lab 2024: ‘Exploring Innovative Approaches to Global Water Challenges’ offered a unique in-person opportunity for people and organizations interested in reflecting upon their relationship to water and climate issues in local and global contexts, and in building and sharing their knowledge and understanding to join OCIC and partners at the University of Waterloo.
Meet the Contributors:
– Ashley Anthony, Regional Engagement Coordinator, Climate Reality Project Canada
– Shehara Athukorala, Learning & Impact Specialist, OCIC
– Linda Debassige, Former Chief of M’Chigeeng First Nation and Director of Government Relations and Advocacy, Independent First Nations Alliance
– Kimberly Gibbons, Executive Director, OCIC
– Vlad Gomez, Facilitator, OCIC
– Thomas Johnson, Executive Director, Eskasoni Fish & Wildlife Commission
– Dr. Leah Jones-Crank, Assistant Professor, School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability at University of Waterloo
– Sarah Kowalczyk, Graduate Student, University of Waterloo
– Dr. Kelsey Leonard, Assistant Professor, School of Environment, Resources, and Sustainability at University of Waterloo
– Ejiro Movoria, Graduate Student, University of Waterloo
– Justin Murgai, CEO, WaterAid
– Lucas Shumaker, Environmental Engineering Student, University of Waterloo
– Dr. Larry Swatuk, Professor, School of Environment, Enterprise and Development, University of Waterloo
– Dr. Lina Taing, Senior Researcher, United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH)
– Likhitha Varikuti, Graduate Student, University of Waterloo
– Mishka Watin, Communications and Community Engagement Intern, OCIC
Preliminary Program:
| 10:00 – 10:30 | Registration & Fair Trade Cafe Lisa Swainston – Director of Operations, OCIC |
| 10:30 – 11:15 | Welcome, Land Acknowledgement & Icebreaker Shehara Athukorala – Learning and Impact Specialist, OCIC Mishka Watin – Communications and Community Engagement Intern, OCIC Vladimir Gomez – Innovation Lab Co-Facilitator Ashley Anthony – Innovation Lab Co-Facilitator & Regional Engagement Coordinator, Climate Reality Project Canada |
| 11:15 – 12:00 | Transformation and Innovation in the Global Water Sector to Meet 21st Century Needs Dr. Lina Taing – Senior Researcher- Water and Health, United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) The world is significantly off-track mid-way through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This session will introduce UN 2.0, a vision of a modern UN system in which we shift thinking and skill sets to better support both people and the planet in the 21st century. |
| 12:00 – 12:40 | Lunch |
| 12:50 – 2:00 | Panel: Indigenous Perspectives on Water and Climate Dr. Kelsey Leonard – Assistant Professor, School of Environment, Resources, and Sustainability, Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo Lucas Shumaker – Environmental Engineering Student, University of Waterloo Linda Debassige – Former Chief of M’Chigeeng First Nation; Co-Lead on the Development of the First Nations Safe Drinking Water and Wastewater Act, AFN; Director of Government Relations and Advocacy, Independent First Nations Alliance Tom Johnson – Executive Director, Eskasoni First Nation Fish & Wildlife |
| 2:00 – 3:30 | Parallel Sessions |
A. Water Security and Climate Resilience: Exploring the Crucial Role of WASH in Safeguarding Communities Worldwide Justin Murgai – CEO, WaterAid Canada WaterAid defines water security as “reliable access to water of sufficient quantity and quality for basic human needs, small-scale livelihoods, and local ecosystem services, coupled with a well-managed risk of water-related disasters.” Safeguarding the quantity and quality of water for people is essential to building resilience to climate change. Climate resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) essentially means “good WASH” conditions such as facilities designed to withstand or recover from shocks, strong systems such as government water authorities who can continue to monitor and maintain services, and access to safe water supply available for people when and where needed for health, livelihoods, gender equality, and human rights. Through experiential learning, this session will bring a better understanding of the role of WASH in building the resilience of people to climate change globally. | |
B. Society of the Water Institute Graduate Students (SWIGS) ‘Salt-ernatives’ project Ejiro Movoria, Likhitha Varikuti, Sarah Kowalczyk Society of the Water Institute Graduate Students (SWIGS) is a dynamic group of University of Waterloo graduate students supported by the Water Institute looking to expand their networks and develop new skills in the water sector. This session will explore potential alternatives to road salt use (a major ground water quality concern across Canada). It focuses on two separate options: calcium magnesium acetate (CMA) and brine combinations, both of which have a lower environmental impact while also being equivalent or superior to standard road salt. Participants will be invited to share experiences, and reflect on the challenges and opportunities for ‘home grown’ and environmentally friendlier solutions to slippery streets, driveways, parking lots and walkways. | |
| 3:30 – 3:45 | Health Break |
| 3:45 – 5:45 | Reflection & Learning: Pathways Forward Ashley Anthony & Vlad Gomez Dr. Larry Swatuk – Professor, School of Environment, Enterprise and Development, University of Waterloo Dr. Leah Jones-Crank – Assistant Professor, School of Environment, Resources and Sustainability, University of Waterloo This session will provide an opportunity for participants to engage in reflective thinking and discussion, sharing ideas, insights and learnings from the day. It will foster transformative interactions and encourage the development of personal knowledge, allowing each participant to benefit from both their own reflections and the diverse perspectives of others. |
| Sharing key learnings from Parallel Sessions | |
| Reflection on Water and Peace | |
Development Cafe
| |
| 5:50 – 6:00 | Closing Remarks Kimberly Gibbons – Executive Director, OCIC |
| 6:00 – 7:00 | Networking Reception |
| 7:30 | Guelph-Toronto Bus Departure |
Thank you for joining us for our Innovation Lab 2024.
Thank you to our event partners:
#IDW2024 OCIC & Member Event Calendar
February 5, 2023
Humber College & IDRF: Localization & Partnerships Panel
As the world moves away from a colonial model of development, the international development industry is focused on creating different models to work on long-term development issues and new crises. This panel will discuss different models of how their agencies use partnerships and other modalities to increasingly localize their program delivery and management. This panel is sponsored by the International Development and Relief Foundation (IDRF).
Monday, February 5, 2024 from 12:30 - 1:30pm at the Lakeshore Campus (Room L1017)
The panel will be followed by a Career Fair where different NGOs will be available to connect and share their work with students and attendees.
Aga Khan Foundation Canada: Canadian Global Citizenship in Action
Join AKFC to kick off International Development Week with an evening of reflection and celebration, featuring animated discussions that explore the important relationship between local action and global citizenship, and a “global citizens marketplace” showcasing diverse opportunities for Canadians to support global development. They are also celebrating the 40th anniversary of World Partnership Walk, AKFC’s volunteer-driven initiative which brings together thousands of Canadians annually to raise awareness and funds to fight global poverty.
Monday, February 5, 2024 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm at Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat in Ottawa
February 6, 2023
Centennial College: Centering Agency in International Development
Join Centennial College for their annual IDW event! In the morning, guest speakers will discuss opportunities and challenges for the international development sector, and how we can collaborate to make a difference. In the afternoon, they will have several NGOs (including us!) to showcase their work, tell their stories, and communicate with students and professionals who have similar interests and concerns.
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm at Centennial’s Event Centre
February 8, 2023
Cuso International: Doc and Dialogue
Join Cuso International & VIDEA on Thursday February, 8, 2024 at 5:45pm for a documentary and dialogue as they celebrate Global Affairs Canada - International Development Week.
Everyone is welcome, after the film they will hold space to explore how we are feeling, what we have learnt and what is ignited in us as global citizens. This is a brilliant film aimed to connect us through visuals, music and solidarity for climate justice.
Location: Centre for Social Innovation, 192 Spadina Ave., Lounge (Main Floor), Toronto, ON
February 8 - 10, 2023
WUSC International Forum 2024
Join this unique opportunity to engage with experts, share best practices, and forge meaningful connections. Participants will gain insights into the state of global cooperation, challenges, and innovative solutions in facing climate crises, conflicts, and pandemic recovery.
- February 8, 2024: free virtual panels featuring global leaders
- February 9, 2024: In-person sessions at the Shaw Center in Ottawa. The day will include interactive sessions, networking opportunities, and an art exhibition.
- February 10, 2024: exclusive WUSC network sessions and the Annual General Assembly.
February 9, 2023
Humber IDI World Cafe: Exploring Intersections Between Higher Education and the SDGs
Join Humber's World Café on February 9, 2024 at 10:00am to engage in discussions on the Sustainable Development Goals and how common themes intersect and influence post-secondary education. You are also invited to the Barrett Centre for Technology Innovation, focusing on how technology can be applied to different international development contexts. Morning refreshments and lunch will be served.
Tours of the Barrett Centre for Technology and Innovation are optional. You may exit the venue after lunch if you aren’t interested in touring the facilities.
