CanWaCH

The Women-Centred HIV Care Update
2025-10-24 12:30 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | Simon Fraser University Harbour Center – Segal Room, 500 Granville St, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 1W6, Canada
The UBC Faculty of Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases is pleased to invite you to the Women-Centred HIV Care Update on Friday October 24, 2025. This program was co-developed between UBC Faculty of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases and Ribbon Community, Women-Centred HIV Care Hub and was planned to achieve scientific integrity, objectivity and balance.

To learn more about our sponsors, please visit this link.

This in-person symposium aims to build clinician skills to better support the unique health needs of women living with HIV in BC and western Canada. The event will introduce the women-centred HIV care model and cover priority topics across the lifespan identified by women living with HIV in BC, as well as the clinicians and social service providers that support them. ​
Friday, October 24, 2025┃12:30 PM – 8:00 PM EDT
Simon Fraser University Harbour Center – Segal Room
Vancouver, British Columbia
Attend here!

HRN Sphere Training: Montreal
2025-10-27 - 2025-10-28 | La grande bibliothèque de BAnQ, 475 Boul. de Maisonneuve E, Montréal, Québec, H2L 5C4, Canada
Sphere Training 2025
For HRN and Non-HRN Members | October 27th – 28th (Montreal, in French)
(In-person trainings – attend one location only)
Join us for a two-day, in-person training, tailored for HRN members, designed to strengthen understanding of the Sphere Standards​ and the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS)​. This session will be facilitated by qualified trainers who previously completed the Sphere Training of Trainers program organized by HRN.
Topics covered include:

Overview of Sphere Standards and their practical application
Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) principles and integration
Conducting a Sphere training needs assessment for HRN members
Guidance on facilitating future Sphere and CHS sessions

Date: October 27th – 28th (In-person, Montreal)
Time: 9am – 5pm each day
Location:

Montreal: Grande Bibliothèque de BAnQ, 475 Boul. de Maisonneuve E, Montréal, QC H2L 4E3

Audience: HRN members (staff in Canada and overseas), Canadian NGO staff, and students in humanitarian/development fields
This training is ideal for those new to the Sphere standards or looking to refresh and deepen their understanding. Participants will leave equipped to apply these essential frameworks in their work—and may also be prepared to support future training efforts.
Fee:

$200 CAD for HRN members
$400 CAD for non-members
(Includes training materials and the Sphere Handbook.)

Important:

Registrants will access pre-course online modules, to be identified by facilitators, and must attend all sessions.
If fewer than 10 people are signed up for either training by October 5th, that training will be postponed. We’ll notify all registrants directly with updates.
Some travel grants are available – please email us at hrncoordinator@humanitarianresponse.ca for more details.

Registration required – open to HRN members, Canadian NGOs, and humanitarian students.

Practicing Knowledge Translation in-person workshop
2025-10-27 - 2025-10-30 | Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, 209 Victoria St, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1X3, Canada
The Practicing Knowledge Translation (PKT) course is a professional development course that will show you how to apply KT science to real-world implementation projects in order to enhance and sustain project outcomes. The course focuses on empowering individuals and organizations in the health system with the knowledge, skills and support to do KT effectively.
At the course’s conclusion, participants will have a ready-to-use Implementation Action Plan, tailored to their project. This in-person course will also provide valuable networking opportunities.
Find more details here: https://bit.ly/PKTcourse

Practicing Knowledge Translation course – 2 spots left!
2025-10-27 - 2025-10-30 | Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, 209 Victoria St, Toronto, Ontario, M5B 1X3, Canada
Join us for this in-person workshop from October 27-30, 2025 at the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute in Toronto, Ontario.
The Practicing Knowledge Translation (PKT) course is a professional development course that will show you how to apply KT science to real-world implementation projects in order to enhance and sustain project outcomes. The course focuses on empowering individuals and organizations in the health system with the knowledge, skills and support to do KT effectively.
At the course’s conclusion, participants will have a ready-to-use Implementation Action Plan, tailored to their project. This in-person course will also provide valuable networking opportunities.
Interested in joining? Email Meghan.Storey@UnityHealth.to or apply now!
Find more details here: https://bit.ly/PKTcourse

HRN Sphere Training: Ottawa
2025-11-03 - 2025-11-04 | Cooperation Canada offices, 123 Slater Street, Suite 800, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5G4, Canada
Sphere Training 2025
For HRN and Non-HRN Members | November 3rd – 4th (Ottawa, in English)
(In-person trainings – attend one location only)
Join us for a two-day, in-person training, tailored for HRN members, designed to strengthen understanding of the Sphere Standards​ and the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS)​. This session will be facilitated by qualified trainers who previously completed the Sphere Training of Trainers program organized by HRN.
Topics covered include:

Overview of Sphere Standards and their practical application
Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) principles and integration
Conducting a Sphere training needs assessment for HRN members
Guidance on facilitating future Sphere and CHS sessions

Date: November 3rd – 4th (In-person, Ottawa)
Time: 9am – 5pm each day
Location:

Ottawa: Cooperation Canada offices, 123 Slater Street, Suite 800, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5G4

Audience: HRN members (staff in Canada and overseas), Canadian NGO staff, and students in humanitarian/development fields
This training is ideal for those new to the Sphere standards or looking to refresh and deepen their understanding. Participants will leave equipped to apply these essential frameworks in their work—and may also be prepared to support future training efforts.
Fee:

$200 CAD for HRN members
$400 CAD for non-members
(Includes training materials and the Sphere Handbook.)

Important:

Registrants will access pre-course online modules, to be identified by facilitators, and must attend all sessions.
If fewer than 10 people are signed up for either training by October 5th, that training will be postponed. We’ll notify all registrants directly with updates.
Some travel grants are available – please email us at hrncoordinator@humanitarianresponse.ca for more details.

Registration required – open to HRN members, Canadian NGOs, and humanitarian students.

The Global Health Activism We Need
2025-11-05 17:00 - 19:30 | Auberge Le Saint-Gabriel, Room: La Truteau, 426 Rue Saint Gabriel, Montreal, Quebec, H2Y 2Z9, Canada
What to Expect: Montreal
An evening of conversation, advocacy, and community
Join us in Montreal and Toronto for an inspiring evening with South African activist Zackie Achmat, recipient of McGill University’s inaugural Paul Farmer Award for Global Health Equity, Dr. Wesler Lambert, Executive Director of Partners In Health / Zanmi Lasante in Haiti and, in Toronto only, Dr. Adrienne Chan.
The program begins with a Q&A on his decades of activism and today’s urgent challenges in HIV care and global health. A casual catered reception follows, offering the chance to connect with PIH leaders, advocates, and the health equity community.
Attend here!

Night for Rights Gala
2025-11-05 17:00 - 21:00 | Arcadian Court, 401 Bay Street, Simpson Tower 8th Floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 2Y4, Canada
An Inspiring Evening in Celebration of Human Rights Journalism

Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Arcadian Court, Toronto

5pm Cocktail Reception | 6pm Gala Dinner | 8pm After-party
More details to come.
Learn more here!

McGill Global Health Night
2025-11-06 16:30 - 19:30 | SSMU University Centre, Canada
Join us for the 17th annual Global Health Night, one of McGill’s flagship events in global health. This year, we are honoured to welcome South Africa’s Zackie Achmat as our keynote speaker. As the first recipient of the Paul Farmer Award for Global Health Equity, Mr. Achmat will deliver the inaugural Paul Farmer Lecture for Global Health Equity.
Whether you attend in person or online, don’t miss this inspiring evening filled with global health insights, innovation, and community. Open to the public, the program includes a student poster fair, showcasing projects, clinical rotations, and research from across McGill’s diverse student body, Mr. Achmat’s lecture and more. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!
Zackie Achmat is a lifelong socialist and activist who began his political journey during the 1976 student uprisings against apartheid. Detained and tortured as a teenager, he was later recruited into the banned ANC while imprisoned and joined its Marxist Workers’ Tendency in 1985. Diagnosed with HIV in 1990, Zackie became a pioneering advocate for health and human rights. He co-founded the National Coalition for Gay and Lesbian Equality in 1994 and the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) in 1998, playing a key role in securing access to HIV treatment. He has worked with global organisations like Médecins Sans Frontières and the WHO, and helped found movements such as Equal Education, the Social Justice Coalition, Ndifuna Ukwazi, and #UniteBehind. These initiatives fight for justice, political accountability, and social equality. Most recently, he co-founded the Global Coalition for HIV Treatment to resist devastating PEPFAR cuts. His activism is rooted in justice, dignity, and freedom.
Attend here!

The Global Health Activism We Need: Toronto
2025-11-07 17:00 - 19:30 | Alliance Française, Spadina Campus, 24 Spadina Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 2S7, Canada
What to Expect
An evening of conversation, advocacy, and community
Join us in Montreal and Toronto for an inspiring evening with South African activist Zackie Achmat, recipient of McGill University’s inaugural Paul Farmer Award for Global Health Equity, Dr. Wesler Lambert, Executive Director of Partners In Health / Zanmi Lasante in Haiti and, in Toronto only, Dr. Adrienne Chan.
The program begins with a Q&A on his decades of activism and today’s urgent challenges in HIV care and global health. A casual catered reception follows, offering the chance to connect with PIH leaders, advocates, and the health equity community.
Attend here!

Hopper Lecture 2025 - Fostering Societal Growth
2025-11-11 16:00 - 18:00 | Hybrid, Canada
In 2025, Barbados enacted the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, which came just three months after the government introduced a seven-year policy aimed at addressing the needs of persons with disabilities. As contemporary development faces social, economic, political, and environmental challenges, it is essential for any society striving to achieve its goals to vigorously promote the inclusion of all its members.
Guest speaker:
Ms. Kerryann Ifill is a well-known Barbadian activist who has ceaselessly promoted the rights of people with disabilities. Since losing her vision at the age of four, the 50-year-old has gone on to become the youngest person and first woman to be appointed President of the Barbados Senate. This was after becoming the first person with vision loss to complete a University of the West Indies degree (with Honours) at UWI’s Cave Hill campus, before completing a Master of Business Administration and postgraduate diploma in Special Education.
Ms. Ifill has been one of the premier advocates for the adoption of assistive technology for children with special needs, from primary through tertiary levels. She has been instrumental in preparing Barbados’ educational institutions to receive visually impaired students, one of whom went on to become Barbados’s first blind attorney-at-law. She has also served the wider disabled community of the Caribbean by advancing a more inclusive agenda regionally. She has served as President of the Barbados Council for the Disabled, President of the Barbados National United Society of the Blind, President of the Caribbean Council for the Blind, and Vice-Chair of the Commonwealth Disabled People’s Forum. Her colleagues and admirers say that her advocacy has been so powerful it has created a ripple effect, encouraging others to work towards a more equitable and compassionate world.
Attend here!

Master of Development Practice and Global Justice (MDPGJ) program
2025-11-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Hybrid, Canada
The MDPGJ is an interdisciplinary graduate program designed to prepare future leaders to address the world’s most complex development and justice challenges. Through an integrated approach that connects theory, practice, and policy, students gain the skills and experience needed to make a meaningful impact locally and globally.
Join us to learn more about the program’s structure, areas of study, and opportunities for applied learning. The session will also provide an opportunity to ask questions and hear directly from faculty members involved in the program.
Information Session Details:
Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EST
Format: Hybrid (attend in person- MCKN 019 or online via Microsoft Teams)
Attend here!

Grad School Info Session: Master of Development Practice and Global Justice
2025-11-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Hybrid, Canada
The Guelph Institute of Development Studies is pleased to launch a new course-based, 8-month graduate program, the Master of Development Practice and Global Justice.
Join us for an info session where we’ll introduce the new program, break down the application process, and share tips on strengthening your application to grad school.
Attend here!

Global Reads - AKFC's Book Club x GCP (November Edition)
2025-11-13 16:00 - 17:30 | The Global Centre for Pluralism, 330 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 0C7, Canada
Join Global Reads for books, discussions, and meaningful connections! This event will take place at the Global Centre for Pluralism.
Join Aga Khan Foundation Canada and the Global Centre for Pluralism in-person for a special edition of Global Reads featuring acclaimed journalist and author Lyse Doucet, in conversation about her new book, The Finest Hotel in Kabul.
Drawing on four decades as one of the BBC’s most trusted voices from conflict zones, Lyse Doucet offers a deeply human portrait of Afghanistan’s complex history, told through the lens of a once-grand hotel and the people whose lives intersect within it.
In this session, Lyse will be joined by Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General of the Global Centre for Pluralism, for a conversation on the power of literature to build understanding and empathy across divides. Together, they will reflect on storytelling as a means of connecting across cultures, histories, and identities — and what it reveals about our shared humanity.
If you are passionate about global affairs, storytelling, and the role of empathy in a divided world, this event is for you.
Copies of The Finest Hotel in Kabul will be available for purchase.
This event is in-person only, and will take place at the Global Centre for Pluralism.
Please note that this event will be offered in English.
Attend here!

Pathways to Gender Equality: Real Stories, Shared Futures
2025-11-15 09:30 - 16:30 | Centre for Social Innovation – Spadina, 192 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5T 3A4, Canada
Join us for this year’s Volunteer Conference will shine a light on Equity in International Volunteerism. Together, we will explore how volunteer stories, lived experiences, and partnerships are creating pathways to gender equality and building more inclusive futures.
Through powerful keynote speeches, interactive panels, and hands-on workshops, attendees will hear directly from volunteers and local partner organizations about concrete actions that have advanced gender equality and supported our Volunteer Cooperation Program (VCP) goals.
This is also an opportunity to recognize exceptional alumni through our Volunteer Awards Ceremony.
*This event will take place primarily in English, with bilingual interpretation available.
Lunch is provided, as well as some giveaways and contests!
Attend here!

A Hunger for Change: A Canadian Call to End Malnutrition
2025-11-15 14:30 - 17:00 | Holiday Inn and Suites Surrey East, 17530 64 Avenue, British Columbia, Canada
Where you live should not determine whether you live. Join Results Canada for an engaging event on the role of Canada—and people like you—in ending the malnutrition crisis currently threatening the lives of millions of children around the world. Learn, connect, and take action to help ensure every child has the nutrition they need to survive and thrive, no matter where they were born.

Canada’s leadership in global nutrition has never been more critical. Malnutrition stunts growth, limits learning, weakens immune systems, and can lead to death, especially in children under 5. Nutrition is one of the most cost-effective solutions to reducing child mortality and the foundation of global health, stability, and economic resilience—which benefits us all.
We’re bringing together experts, volunteers, and the public to explore what’s urgently needed to end malnutrition. Do not miss this opportunity to connect with others fighting for a better world, learn from a unique panel session with local and national specialists in the field, and take concrete action to urge Canada to continue to step up for global nutrition.
The panel will include:

Jet Takaoka from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank
Anne Gardner from the Grandmothers’ Advocacy Network
Gabriel Cassie from Results Canada

Spots are limited: register now and take a step closer to a better world.
Results Canada is a non-partisan advocacy organization that mobilizes everyday Canadians to generate the political will to end extreme poverty.
For more information, contact us at action@resultscanada.ca.
Attend here!

Global Health Spotlight Series - In Conversation
2025-11-18 15:00 - 16:00 | BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, room 2108, 938 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4H4, Canada
Welcome to the Global Health Spotlight Series – In Conversation!
Hosted by the Institute for Global Health at BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre.
Join us as we explore Matthew’s journey to becoming a global health leader—highlighting his defining moments, lessons learned, and current projects.
Learning Objectives:

Explore how researchers’ unique journeys have shaped their current projects and the strategies they use to create equitable partnerships
Understand the “what” but also the “why” behind their chosen methods and models, including key decision-points, challenges and adjustments made along the way
Learn about opportunities to leverage resources and foster new collaborations and partnerships

When: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 3:00 – 4:00 pm EST
Where: In-Person at Room 2108 BCCHR (across from the Chan Centre for Family Health Education auditorium), BC Children’s Hospital
Ticket Cost: Free
Lunch will be provided for registered participants.
Our fourth speaker in this series is Dr. Matthew Wiens, an Assistant Professor at the Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Director of Pediatric Research at Walimu, a Ugandan health research institute, and lead of the Healthy Starts Global Health and Innovation Group at BCCHR. He is an epidemiologist and public health researcher with a strong focus on pediatric sepsis, digital health, and health systems strengthening. For the past 14 years, he has led a series of studies aimed at developing, implementing, and evaluating a risk-stratified care approach, called Smart Discharges, to improve discharge and post-discharge care among children, newborns and mothers in East Africa. His collaborative research program engages researchers, healthcare professionals, technology developers. and policy-makers globally, including collaborations with the Uganda Ministry of Health, Pediatric Sepsis Definition Taskforce, and WHO Risk-Stratified Care Working Group.
Dr. Gina Ogilvie, is the Co-Executive Medical Director of the Institute for Global Health BCCWH. She is a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Global Control of HPV related diseases and prevention, and Professor at the University of British Columbia in the School of Population and Public Health. She is also Senior Public Health Scientist at BC Centre for Disease Control and Senior Research Advisor at the BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre.
Reserve your spot now!

Sexual and Reproductive Rights and Justice: Finding our Feet; Standing our Ground
2025-11-18 16:00 - 18:00 | Hybrid, Canada
2025 John R. Evans Lectureship in Global Health

Keynote Speaker: Alicia Ely Yamin
Date & Time: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 | 4 – 6 PM ET (followed by a reception in person)
Location: Hybrid

There may be no area in which applying human rights to health has been more successful than sexual and reproductive rights. Not only have we changed norms over the last thirty plus years, but we have also transformed institutional practices and affected embodied human beings’ lives and well-being. However, we now face a sweeping anti-gender politics across the world. Anti-‘Gender Ideology’ has become a key rhetorical tool in the construction of a new conception of ‘common sense’ about what is normal and legitimate, and it is linked rhetorically to a backlash against neoliberal globalization. Because of the US role in global health financing and governance, and its influence on the world order more broadly, the Trump administration’s anti-gender actions have had far reaching and devastating consequences. But the Trump administration is not unique. Further, even before Trump was inaugurated for a second time, the evolving political economy of global health had limited the effective enjoyment of sexual and reproductive rights in practice for swathes of people across the globe. Drawing on specific examples from work done in countries around the world, this talk will discuss what we have achieved in applying human rights to sexual and reproductive health, where human rights approaches have fallen short, and where we might go now.

Attend here!

Child care for all summit 2.0
2025-11-24 - 2025-11-25 | Ottawa, ON
Come together with child care advocates, parents, early childhood educators, and community leaders from across Canada for a powerful opportunity to connect, reflect, and take collective action toward a more inclusive and equitable early learning and child care system.
This two-day summit will offer space for deep conversation, collaboration, and learning, with a focus on the intersectional barriers faced by those historically excluded from Canada’s formal child care systems — including Black, racialized, immigrant and refugee families, gender-diverse parents, parents with disabilities, and parents of children with disabilities. These communities, often overlooked in child care policy and planning, will be at the center of this convening.
Our collective goal is to strengthen a diverse and feminist child care movement that centers lived experience, addresses systemic barriers, and drives forward the vision of $10-a-day child care for all.
What to expect
Over two days, participants will:

Deepen their understanding of systemic gaps in child care policy and provision
Explore solutions and grassroots strategies to advance equity in child care
Strengthen networks and partnerships across movements and regions
Strengthen the tools, skills, and momentum needed to advocate effectively in their communities and engaging equity-seeking groups.

Held during the Canada-wide Days of Action for Early Learning and Child Care, this summit is both a celebration of progress and call to action. It is an opportunity to align our visions, share knowledge, and take action toward a child care system that works for all families
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
Whether you’re a parent, early childhood educator, advocate, community leader, or simply passionate about equitable access to early learning and child care, this summit is for you! We welcome those with varying levels of experience in child care advocacy — whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned advocate, your voice matters.
Come be part of this important movement, learn, and help shape the future of early learning and child care in Canada!
We are committed to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion. In alignment with these principles, bursaries are available for participants who need financial support to cover the costs of accommodations and transportation.
Attend here!

Drivers of Change: Champions of Care in Nursing and Allied Health
2025-11-27 20:00 - 22:00 | BC Children’s Hospital’s Chan Centre for Family Health Education, 938 West 28th Ave, Entrance #18, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4H4, Canada
The Institute for Global Health at BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre are thrilled to announce the 3rd Annual Global Health Evening & Dinner for Nursing and Allied Health Professionals taking place on Thursday November 27, 2025 from 5pm to 7pm PDT at BC Children’s Hospital’s Chan Centre for Family Health Education. This annual event seeks to create a welcoming space for nursing and allied health professionals to gather as a community and delve into topics relevant to our practice over a shared meal. Students enrolled in nursing and allied health programs are also welcome to attend!
This year, our event is titled “Drivers of Change: Champions of Care in Nursing and Allied Health.” We will spotlight the impactful work nursing and allied health professionals around the world are doing to transform healthcare delivery in their own local context. Look forward to a global panel of nursing and allied professionals speaking on:

Women’s reproductive health including endometriosis and menopause in Canada
Pediatric palliative care in Nepal
Indigenous nutrition and food insecurity on the North Island
Health equity among Maya Indigenous peoples in Guatemala

We would love to have you join us for an evening of learning and reflection over a delicious meal prepared by Tayybeh. Our goal is to spark meaningful discussion about the changes we can lead within our local health systems.
Registration is FREE! Dinner and refreshments will be provided to registered attendees.
Please register by November 20, 2025!

Global Healthcare Evening
2025-11-27 20:30 - 22:30 | Aspengrove School, 7660 Clark Drive, Lantzville, British Columbia, V0R 2H0, Canada
Join us for a discussion on global healthcare and our ability to impact change.

Welcome to the Global Healthcare Evening!
Please join us for an evening to hear from guest speaker Mark Brender from Partners in Health (PIH) Canada about his experience working in global health and our ability to impact change. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, student interested in pursuing a career in this field, or simply interested in joining us, this evening is for you!
The talk will be followed by a Q&A portion.
Light refreshments and fare will be provided.
Take a look at this video and main page to learn more.
Case competition info can also be found on this page.
Attend here!

Join the 2025 Global Health Case Competition – This November in British Columbia
2025-11-28 | British Columbia, Canada
Act now to secure your school’s spot in this national, hands-on learning event for Grades 10–12.
Join us for the Partners in Health Canada and Aspengrove Schools 2025 Case Conference on November 28th, 2025. This one-day, multi-school Case Competition invites teams to design real-world solutions to a pressing global health challenge.
Students will:

Work in teams to analyze a real case study
Present their solutions to a panel of judges
Collaborate with peers who share a passion for health equity, justice, and leadership

No prior experience required, just curiosity, creativity, and the drive to make a difference.
This event is open to all students in grades 10-12. The registration fee is $35 per student.
How to Register
Ready to take part in this national learning challenge? Please complete the forms below to register and take part in this meaningful learning experience.
Individual Registration (Individual) Link
School Registration (Group) Link
Why Participate
✅ Builds critical thinking, communication, and teamwork
✅ Integrates seamlessly with social studies, health, or leadership programs
✅ Inspires civic engagement and real-world problem solving
✅ Simple registration — ready for teachers and student clubs to join
Be Part of the Case for Change
Health care doesn’t reach everyone — and that has real consequences.
Your students can lead the change, starting right here, right now.
Partners In Health Canada x Aspengrove School
Registration closes November 21. Don’t miss out.
Learn more here!

Holding the Line: Canada’s Leadership in Global Development at a Time of Crisis - IDW Conversation & Reception
2026-02-02 18:00 - 20:30 | 151 Sparks Street Room 228, 151 Sparks Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5B5, Canada
Please join us for a special evening during International Development Week as we celebrate global solidarity and Canada’s contributions to poverty reduction, gender equality, and sustainable development.
This year’s IDW takes place amid significant global foreign aid reductions, as many donor countries scale back official development assistance. These cuts threaten progress made on improving the lives and livelihoods of people across the world, progress on the Sustainable Development Goals, and they disproportionately impact the world’s most vulnerable communities.
Canada has long been recognized as a principled development actor advancing feminist international assistance, promoting human rights, supporting climate resilience, and championing multilateral cooperation. As global aid budgets contract, Canada’s leadership is more critical than ever.
This reception will provide an opportunity to spotlight Canada’s role, reaffirm the importance of sustained funding for development, and strengthen collaboration among government, civil society, and international partners.
With special guests Colleen Wint Bond from Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA) in Jamaica and Roberto Paulo from LAMBDA in Mozambique, you’ll gain deeper insights into the impacts due to ODA cuts on LGBTQI rights, human rights, GBV and humanitarian aid.
Kindly RSVP by January 29, 2026. We look forward to seeing you!
Attend here!

Private Screening & Panel for NAWI: Dear Future Me
2026-02-03 16:30 - 19:30 | Ottawa Art Gallery, 50 Mackenzie King Bridge, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Save the Children Canada, Plan International Canada, Girls Not Brides, and New Mountain Films are hosting a special private screening, panel discussion and reception for NAWI: Dear Future Me, Kenya’s official submission to the 97th Oscars Academy Awards, co-sponsored by MP Karina Gould.
Set in Turkana and inspired by lived experience, the film tells the powerful story of 13‑year‑old Nawi, who bravely resists a forced marriage in pursuit of her education. This event will serve as an opportunity to spotlight Canada’s long-standing leadership in advancing gender equality and ending child, early and forced marriage (CEFM).
Event Details

Date: Tuesday, February 3, 2026
Time: 4:30-7:30 pm
Location: Ottawa Art Gallery, 50 Mackenzie King Bridge, Ottawa, Ontario

This gathering will bring together policymakers, parliamentarians, civil society leaders, and members of the diplomatic community for a solutions-focused conversation.
If you are interested in attending, please email Sarah Anderson, Senior Gender Equality Advisor, at sanderson@savethechildren.ca for more information.

#IDW2026: Modernizing Farm Advisory Services
2026-02-04 08:30 - 18:00 | University Centre, Reynolds Walk, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 4Y2, Canada
Modernizing Farm Advisory Services: Linking Canadian Agriculture with Global Innovation

1) Background
The world will need much more food by 2030—about 56% more—because populations are growing and diets are changing. Meeting this demand in environmentally responsible ways could unlock major economic opportunities by 2050.
Canada has a strong agriculture sector, but farmers do not have one easy, coordinated place to turn for advice and support. Today, extension and advisory services come from many sources—provincial governments, universities, research centres, farmer groups, and private consultants. This patchwork makes it hard for some farmers—especially small and medium farms—to get timely, practical guidance.
Farmers are also dealing with pressures seen around the world: more frequent extreme weather due to climate change, labour shortages, mental health stress, misinformation, and a fast wave of digital tools and AI. At the same time, government budgets are tight, and there is a push to raise farm productivity, resilience, and competitiveness.
There is growing interest in updating how farm advice is delivered. A modern approach—often called “Extension 4.0”—combines trusted human relationships with easy-to-use digital tools. It focuses on translating research into plain language, building digital skills, and helping farmers see the whole system: markets, climate, finance, and well‑being. The University of Guelph has already catalyzed this national conversation through its 2025 CAREE conference, demonstrating strong cross-sector interest in modernizing EAS.
International experience points in the same direction. The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) has found that inclusive, market‑oriented advisory services improve productivity, resilience, and incomes—especially when public and private players work together. Farm Radio International (FRI), a globally recognized Canadian NGO, has shown that radio and mobile phones can reach large numbers of farmers quickly, make advice more interactive, and build trust. These lessons can inform a Canadian model.
This event connects Canada’s domestic goals for farm productivity and competitiveness with international best practices—using Extension and Advisory Services (EAS) as the bridge.
2) Theme
Why advisory services matter for Canadian agriculture—and how global collaboration can help Canada build a future‑ready, inclusive, climate‑smart, and market‑connected system.
3) Purpose

Show how advisory services can boost productivity, sustainability, trade competitiveness, and farmer well‑being in a time of climate stress and digital change.
Explore how to align international assistance, impact finance, and communication/digital innovations (including AI tools and two‑way, participatory communication) to design scalable models at home and abroad.
Create a space for collaboration, networking, and knowledge‑sharing to advance resilient food systems.

4) Objectives

Map Canada’s current advisory strengths and gaps (policies, institutions, delivery approaches, and digital tools), building on provincial experience and University of Guelph expertise.
Bring in insights on farmer mental health, rural well‑being, and digital literacy—key factors that affect whether advice is used.
Showcase proven international models, including IFAD‑supported programs and FRI’s participatory radio and mobile approaches, and explore how they could be adapted in Canada.
Identify opportunities—in Canada and globally—to link advisory services with climate‑smart practices, gender equity, and better market access, along with potential financing (e.g., blended finance, FinDev Canada, BDC, and EDC).
Pinpoint areas where Canadian farmers and smallholders abroad face similar challenges, and where shared learning, co‑design, or pilot exchanges could help both groups.

Attend in-person here!

2026 MIGH X PIH Canada Global Health Case Competition
2026-02-06 09:00 - 17:00 | Health Sciences Library, McMaster University, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario, L8S 4L8, Canada
Win prizes by engaging in real-world global health challenges!

Partners in Health (PIH) Canada and Medical Innovation in Global Health (MIGH) Case Competition
Join us for an engaging and impactful case competition focusing on tuberculosis (TB). This competition provides a unique opportunity for participants to apply their skills and knowledge to real-world challenges faced by people with tuberculosis in under-resourced settings.
Participants will be presented with a case study based on real-life scenarios encountered by Partners In Health Canada in their TB health initiatives. Teams will analyze the case, develop innovative solutions, and present their recommendations to a panel of experts.
Who Should Participate:

Students from the fields of public health, medicine, nursing, social sciences, engineering, business, and related disciplines
Students passionate about global health and social justice
Teams of up to 4 participants (Form a team of four or join as an individual and be placed in a team).

How it Works:
Jan 30th – Online TB Panel and Case Introduction
A week before the in-person case competition, we will hold a virtual panel with TB experts. Attending this session is mandatory for each team, as you will receive important background information on your case.
Please register for the online session here: https://pih.zoom.us/meeting/register/_O5PhzLYScu7ZkIq7xfvtg
Feb 6th – In-person Case Competition
On the day of the competition, your team will receive a real-life tuberculosis issue that Partners In Health has encountered. You will have the day to analyze and develop a comprehensive program to address it.
All necessary information about the country and the specific problem will be provided to you. After developing your solution, your team will present your proposal to a panel of judges, who will select the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.
Compete for Exciting Prizes:
First place: $400
Second place: $300
Third place: $200
Plus PIH Canada swag!!
Key Highlights:

Real-World Impact: Address genuine challenges in tuberculosis in a developing country.
Networking Opportunities: Connect with professionals, academics, and peers who share a commitment to global health.
Expert Feedback: Receive insights and guidance from a distinguished panel of judges with expertise in maternal and child health.
Lunch Provided!

Important Information:

You must register with a valid student email. You must bring a valid student ID to the February 6th session.
The event will be held at The Clinic in the Health Sciences Library at McMaster University
You must attend the January 30th virtual session if you would like to participate in the case competition.
To register as a team, please purchase a “Team Registration” ticket, and then scroll down and select the number of team members in “team member” registration. If you would like to register as an individual and be placed in a team when you arrive, please select individual registration.

Attend here!

Building better partnerships: cross-sector collaboration for global impact
2026-02-06 13:00 - 16:00 | Unitarian Sanctuary, 400 McArthur Ave., Ottawa, Ontario, K1K 1G8, Canada
Join World Accord in person to explore how teaming up across sectors can boost global change and make a real impact!

As Canada marks International Development week 2026 under theme “Prosperity through Partnerships”, World Accord invites you to Building better partnerships: cross-sector collaboration for global impact! Join us at 400 McArthur Ave. in the Unitarian Sanctuary (same building as Heartwood House) on February 6, 2026 at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time) for an engaging event focused on fostering collaboration across different sectors to increase global impact. This is a great opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, share ideas, and explore new partnership opportunities.
At our event, you will:
• Discuss the key elements of strong partnerships and strategies to maintain them
• Explore risks, challenges, and gaps that commonly hinder effective collaboration
• Listen to and share sector-specific perspectives on what each actor is seeking in partnerships
• Identify opportunities to pool resources, expertise, and networks
• Generate actionable recommendations to strengthen partnerships that enhance development impact
Panelists: Kinvia, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, World Accord, University of Ottawa’s Global Development Policy & Practice Hub, Desjardins International Development
The event will feature a panel discussion followed by facilitated roundtable discussions, ultimately bringing it back to the panel to close.
*Light refreshments and snacks will be available at the event.
*There is free 3 hour street parking in front of the building and on all side streets surrounding the building. When you arrive, you’ll see a sign for Heartwood House as well as a door with a green sign that says Unitarian Fellowship- you’ll enter through the Unitarian door.
Attend here!

Prosperity through Partnership: Taste of the World 2
2026-02-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Centre for Social Innovation, 192 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5T 2C2, Canada
You’re invited to join Cuso International as we celebrate Prosperity Through Partnership during International Development Week 2026.
In-partnership with Global Affairs Canada, this in‑person Toronto gathering brings together a community committed to a better world.
Taste of the World is an evening of shared stories, global flavours, and meaningful connection. The menu will reflect vibrant culinary traditions from the Caribbean, Ethiopia, and Peru, and vegan options will be included. Through food, culture, and conversation, we’ll explore how local partnership and community drive change.
The event will feature volunteer speakers (alumni) sharing insights from their placements in Jamaica and Ethiopia, followed by an open mic where Cuso alumni are warmly invited to share their own experiences and reflections.
Attend here!

Breaking Barriers: Community Safety & Wellness Day
2026-02-28 14:30 - 15:30 | The Lantern, 35 Barnes Road, St. John's, Newfoundland, A1C 3X3, Canada
Global Citizen and End FGM Canada Network invite community members and service providers to Breaking Barriers: Community Safety & Wellness Day on

February 28, 2026, at 2:30 PM at The Lantern, St. John’s.

This community-led event brings people together to share experiences, co-create solutions, and strengthen local safety and wellness. The program includes panel discussions, hands-on activities, wellness conversations, networking, and a special Iftar dinner.

This event is part of the Breaking Barriers project in Newfoundland and Labrador, funded by the Office of Women and Gender Equality.

Attend here!

2026 Learning Tour to Uganda in March
2026-03-01 - 2026-03-10 | Uganda
Greetings!
I have some exciting news. I wanted to share with you the official brochure for our upcoming Learning Tour to Uganda March 1-10, 2026.
You can now register by contacting Lisa at Worldwide Quest 1-800-387-1483 or lisa@worldwidequest.com. Details can be found by clicking the brochure below. Please note there are only nine spots remaining.
Please do not hesitate to contact me directly if you have any questions. I can be reached at 613-762-1628 or cbegin@farmradio.org
If you have already registered, we are looking forward to spending time with you in March.
Learn more here!

Advancing Justice & Equality: Voices from Legal Frontlines Across the Globe
2026-03-05 14:00 - 16:30 | Toronto Bahá’í Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Global voices advancing access to justice for women and girls—frontline insights from Canada, Uganda & West Africa.

Co-hosted by Crosssroads International, the Baha’i Community of Canada and the Ontario Council for International Cooperation.
Join them and their partners for an International Women’s Day 2026 public panel exploring access to justice and transformative equality through the voices of women working on legal frontlines around the world.
At a time of global pushback on gender equality, this event brings together legal practitioners, feminist advocates, and community leaders from Canada, Uganda, and West Africa to share real-world experiences, innovations, and challenges in advancing justice for women and girls.
Through a keynote address and moderated panel discussion, speakers will highlight systemic barriers to justice, survivor-centred approaches, and community-based solutions that promote inclusive and equitable legal systems. There will be light refreshments and the opportunity to network.
Attend here!
