Class is in session!
We’re thrilled to welcome you to the CanWaCH Academy from September 22 to 25
Shaped by the theme Adapting to Change: Strengthening Capacity in a Shifting World, this year’s CanWaCH Academy is designed to help members adapt and respond to a rapidly changing world. From navigating advocacy in a shifting geopolitical landscape to building strategies for impactful storytelling to advancing progress in the face of uncertainty, the Academy will offer timely, skills-based learning to support resilience and strengthen capacity.
As humanitarian needs increase and more members work in fragile and crisis-affected settings, the Academy will also explore how we can collaborate more effectively to support women, children, and adolescents in the most challenging contexts.
Select sessions, marked by an asterisk (*), have corresponding sessions that are fully delivered in French and English. Sessions without an asterisk offer simultaneous interpretation. We encourage all attendees to engage and interact in the language of their choice. If you’re on our English page and would like to register for sessions hosted in French, please visit our French site.
Please note you must register for each academy session separately.
- 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EDT – The humanitarian–development–peace nexus in practice: Programming and funding for gender equality and health
- 11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT – Gender equality and health programming: Tools and strategies to adapt to change
- 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT – Before crisis strikes: Anticipatory action through a protection, gender and inclusion lens
- 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EDT – Navigating language shifts in a changing geopolitical world *
- 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT – Best practices for impactful and ethical storytelling *
- 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EDT – Advocacy for global health and rights in today’s Canadian context
- 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT – Measuring the impact of advocacy efforts
- 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EDT – Reimagining partnerships in today’s challenging landscape
- 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT – Strengthening health systems with responsible AI: Global South perspectives *
- 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EDT – Pan-Canadian Women’s Health Coalition Grand Rounds: Alliance against Violence and Adversity (AVA) Women’s & Girls’ Health Hub
- 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EDT – Driving forward gender equality at a time of cutbacks and uncertainty
- 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. EDT – Navigating the anti-rights backlash: Strategies for resilience
- 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. EDT – Building resilience in global health: Navigating compassion fatigue, moral injury, and policy shifts
- 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EDT – Ripple effects: How U.S. funding and policy shifts are impacting Canadian organizations
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EDT – The humanitarian–development–peace nexus in practice: Programming and funding for gender equality and health
As global crises become increasingly protracted and complex, humanitarian–development–peace nexus approaches are gaining traction. How can organizations translate this high-level concept into actionable programming, particularly for advancing gender equality and health?
This interactive session explores practical strategies for designing and implementing nexus-aligned initiatives without overcomplicating operations. Participants will examine effective, context-specific programming models and reflect on lessons learned from real-world examples. The session will also unpack accessible funding mechanisms for nexus programming and discuss how organizations can position themselves to tap into them.
11 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. EDT – Gender equality and health programming: Tools and strategies to adapt to change
In crisis-affected and rapidly changing contexts, how can we ensure programming continues to keep gender equality at the forefront?
This session brings together lessons from Plan International Canada, CARE Canada, Save the Children Canada, and the Canadian Red Cross on adapting strategies, tools, and mindsets to uphold gender equality in challenging environments. Presenters will share real-world examples of how they’ve navigated uncertainty, whether by modifying existing approaches, developing and testing new tools, or advocating for women and girls’ needs to remain a priority. Join us to explore practical insights for adapting programs in times of crises.
1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. EDT – Before crisis strikes: Anticipatory action through a protection, gender and inclusion lens
This session will introduce participants to the fundamentals of anticipatory action, a proactive approach to taking early, proactive steps to prevent or reduce the impacts of crises before they occur. With a focus on protection, gender, and inclusion, the session will explore practical tools and approaches for applying the core principles of dignity, access, participation and safety to ensure that anticipatory action includes and protects those most at risk and marginalized.
The session will also provide an overview of the new Toolkit on Protection, Gender and Inclusion in Anticipatory Action. Speakers will share key challenges and lessons learned from their experiences and create space for participants to reflect on how they can apply these principles to their work.
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EDT – Navigating language shifts in a changing geopolitical world *
In a shifting global landscape marked by growing pushback against gender equality, many organizations are rethinking how they speak about their work. This session explores why language matters considering how reframing can directly impact the communities we work with, partnerships, public engagement efforts, and funding.
Speakers will share research and examples highlighting the challenges and implications of language in diverse global contexts. They will also share strategies for adapting language while staying true to core values. Following the panel, participants will join small group discussions to share their own experiences and approaches to navigating these shifts. Join us for a dynamic, solutions-focused conversation rooted in research, global insights, and collective learning.
* This session has a corresponding offering delivered entirely in French.
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT – Best practices for impactful and ethical storytelling *
Storytelling is a powerful way to build empathy and drive change. But how we tell stories matters just as much as the stories themselves. This session explores ethical storytelling in practice and why it’s essential, especially when working with communities affected by crisis.
Through case studies, we’ll examine common challenges, from donor pressure to internal silos. We’ll share practical strategies for collecting and sharing stories that are respectful, consent-driven, and community-led. Participants will be invited to reflect, share experiences, and leave with tools to ensure their storytelling builds trust, promotes dignity, and aligns with organizational values.
* This session has a corresponding offering delivered entirely in French.
1 p.m. to 2 p.m. EDT – Advocacy for global health and rights in today’s Canadian context
As Canada’s political landscape shifts, what does it mean for the country’s role on the global stage?
This session brings together insights from both Liberal and Conservative perspectives. We’ll explore the implications of the federal election on Canada’s international engagement, aid commitments, and rights-based initiatives. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the new government’s stance on key global issues and how these changes may shape advocacy strategies moving forward.
2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. EDT – Measuring the impact of advocacy efforts
Advocacy is a critical driver of progress in gender equality and global health, but measuring its impact remains complex. Outcomes like policy change, increased funding, or shifts in social norms often unfold over time and are difficult to pinpoint to specific advocacy actions.
Facilitated by FP2030, this session will explore practical approaches to measuring advocacy efforts and their impacts. It unpacks how to connect strategies with outcomes and align measurement with advocacy goals. Participants will gain tools to capture evidence of progress, strengthen accountability, and improve the effectiveness of future advocacy.
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EDT – Reimagining partnerships in today’s challenging landscape
Funding cuts and shifting global political priorities are reshaping the landscape for Canadian organizations and their local partners, including women’s rights organizations. This is impacting program delivery, organizational capacity, and long-term sustainability. In this context, the call to “do localization better” takes on new urgency. But what does meaningful localization look like today?
This session will explore how organizations can redefine partnerships to foster resilience, equity, and mutual support. Following a panel discussion, participants will break into small groups to reflect on their own experiences and collectively rethink how we collaborate. From funding and capacity strengthening to strategy and implementation, we’ll explore ways to sustain impact and advance localization in a time of uncertainty.
11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EDT – Strengthening health systems with responsible AI: Global South perspectives *
Artificial intelligence (AI) holds immense potential to transform health systems across the globe and especially across the Global South. But without thoughtful design, governance, and implementation, AI solutions risk reinforcing existing inequalities. Join the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and several project leaders across the Global South to explore relevant frameworks and discuss real-world case studies.
The focus of this session is on four innovation hubs working on gender-responsive and inclusive approaches to integrating responsible AI solutions to improve sexual, reproductive and maternal health outcomes.
Together, we’ll consider how responsible AI can strengthen, not strain, health systems and advance equity in global health.
* This session has a corresponding offering delivered entirely in French.
2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EDT – Pan-Canadian Women’s Health Coalition Grand Rounds: Alliance against Violence and Adversity (AVA) Women’s & Girls’ Health Hub
The Pan-Canadian Women’s Health Coalition Grand Rounds spotlight Hubs that are transforming women’s health research and practice across Canada. In this first session, Alliance against Violence and Adversity (AVA) Women’s & Girls’ Health Hub takes the stage. AVA is revolutionizing health care for girls, women, and gender-diverse people affected by adversity and family violence, including gender-based violence.
Join us to learn how AVA engages people with lived experiences, builds strong partnerships, scales up knowledge mobilization and develops innovative models for delivering trainings. A discussion of AVA’s approaches will explore how these insights can be applied across sectors or inspire new collaborations.
9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EDT – Driving forward gender equality at a time of cutbacks and uncertainty
Issues of gender and inclusion are being deprioritized or even condemned in a changing political landscape. Amongst this uncertainty, how do we remain determined and not become discouraged? How can we redouble our efforts to ensure that gender equality is advanced in the face of diminished resources and even resistance?
This session will share and remind us of the practical tools and approaches that have been central to the elevation of gender across Canada’s health and development sectors. We’ll unpack how they can support us as a community of practice to remain diligent in our work towards equality. New trainings under development from CanWaCH will also be previewed.
11 a.m. to 12 p.m. EDT – Navigating the anti-rights backlash: Strategies for resilience
The global development sector is facing a ‘perfect storm’: a convergence of geopolitical shifts, the dismantling of traditional aid structures, rising structural inequalities, and escalating climate and humanitarian crises. These forces are not only challenging the foundations of global health and rights but are also fueling an anti-rights backlash that directly threatens sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
In this session, MSI Reproductive Choices will offer a frontline perspective on how these global shifts are impacting country programmes and access to essential SRHR services, including contraception and safe abortion. Drawing on experiences and from MSI Country Programmes, speakers will explore the strategies being deployed to safeguard equitable access in increasingly hostile environments.
12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. EDT – Building resilience in global health: Navigating compassion fatigue, moral injury, and policy shifts
This interactive webinar is designed for global health professionals across all levels of Canadian organizations who are navigating high-pressure environments, shifting global health priorities, and evolving funding and policy landscapes. As demands grow, individuals may face increased risks of compassion fatigue, burnout, and moral injury, which are factors that can deeply impact both well-being and team performance.
This session will provide actionable strategies that participants can immediately apply to strengthen personal and collective resilience. Attendees will learn to identify early warning signs of stress and moral injury, explore simple yet effective coping practices, and discover ways to contribute to psychologically safe workplaces that support well-being and sustain meaningful impact in global health efforts.
2 p.m. to 3 p.m. EDT – Ripple effects: How U.S. funding and policy shifts are impacting Canadian organizations
The rapid U.S. funding and policy shifts on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and gender are not just impacting organizations that had grants and cooperative agreements with the U.S. The ripple effects are felt by other donors, governments, projects, and organizations in partnership or coalition.
This session explores shifts since the new U.S. administration began, what is and is not required for compliance, and how groups can work to help mitigate harm to patients, civil society, health services, and international norms.
