Achieving Women's Economic Empowerment - Innovative Models to Addressing Unpaid Care Work
2024-03-15 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Toronto)
This side event addresses the persistent challenges hindering the achievement of SDGs, particularly SDG5 and SDG8, with a focus on unpaid care work’s critical role and grassroots institutions in the achievement of economic empowerment, especially for women. Women shoulder a disproportionate share of care work responsibilities, which leads to time poverty and limits their economic empowerment and public leadership opportunities as well as access to social protection services. Care is important for society, for human development, and for gender equality. Panelists including SATHI, a grassroots organization in Bangladesh, the Government of Canada, UNWOMEN, the Republic of Senegal, World Renew, ACT Alliance, and OCIC will share insights, best practices, and lessons learned from implementing women’s economic empowerment programs that seek to transform policies, practices and social norms that can accelerate the achievement of gender equality and poverty eradication. We will also explore innovative models including people’s institutions as tools for social transformation and for bringing diverse voices and experiences, including from young people, on achieving women’s economic empowerment.
Click here to register!

Launch event: Gender-Based Violence in the Media - for Journalists and Advocates
2024-03-20 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Toronto) | Globe and Mail Centre, 351 King Street East - 6th floor, Toronto, Ontario, M5A 2W4, Canada
Join Aura Freedom and collaborators at the Globe and Mail Centre in Toronto for an informative event focused on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in the media. This event is designed for journalists and GBV advocates who are passionate about promoting change.
During this in-person gathering, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and learn from industry experts in both the journalism and GBV sectors. Through engaging discussions and a presentation of Aura Freedom’s new media guidelines for journalists, we will explore the role of media in addressing gender-based violence, the challenges faced by journalists reporting on these issues, and the efforts of GBV advocates to promote responsible and transformative reporting in Canadian media.
By attending this event, you’ll gain valuable insights, expand your network, and be part of a growing movement dedicated to combating GBV through the power of media. Join us for learning, sharing and celebration!
Discover Aura Freedom’s GBV In The Media project and download the guidelines here.
Event Details:
Date: Wed Mar 20 2024
Time: 2:00PM-5:00PM (EST)
Location: Globe and Mail Centre, Toronto – 351 King Street East, 6th Floor
ASL & French Interpretation available on site
Enjoy food, local craft beer, activism, feminist mischief, and more!
Click here to register for the in-person event!

T.O. Policy & Public Affairs Connect - A Focus on Feminist Foreign Policy
2024-03-27 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | Samara Centre for Democracy, 33 Prince Arthur Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1B2, Canada
In honour of International Women’s Day, Anjum Sultana, Founder of Reflections on Policy & Public Affairs, in partnership with Almeera Khalid, Board Member of Apathy is Boring, will host a networking gathering in Toronto.
The focus will be to connect early career, emerging, and established policy advocacy and public affairs professionals in Toronto working in global development, humanitarian action, and international cooperation.
With Canada’s upcoming G7 presidency and a potential Federal election on the horizon, there will be a short knowledge component related to Feminist Foreign Policy.
Supported by Young Diplomats of Canada and Samara Centre for Democracy.
Some appetizers will be provided.
Date: Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Venue: Samara Centre for Democracy (33 Prince Arthur Avenue Toronto, Ontario, M5R 1B2)
Register here!

Global reads - AKFC's Book Club
2024-04-04 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 1K6, Canada
In April, we’ll be exploring the remarkable narratives in Erin Hern’s book, Explaining Successes in Africa: Things Don’t Always Fall Apart. This isn’t your typical Africa narrative; it’s a journey into the unsung victories, resilience, and triumphs that often go unnoticed. We’re thrilled to have Erin Hern herself as our guest author, offering a firsthand account of her inspirations and insights.
To facilitate this conversation, we will be joined by Cheryl Urban, Assistant Deputy Minister for Sub-Saharan Africa at Global Affairs Canada. Cheryl’s wealth of experience and deep understanding of the region will undoubtedly contribute to a nuanced exploration of the book’s themes.
Let’s connect for an evening of insightful dialogue! Don’t miss this opportunity to dig deeper into what Choice has called a masterful study of policy successes in Africa.
Register and learn more here!

La résilience des femmes, des filles et des communautés face aux violences basées sur le genre
2024-04-08 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Toronto) | La Maison du développement durable, 50 Rue Sainte-Catherine, Montréal, QC, Montréal, Québec, H2X 3V4, Canada
Au cœur de ces périodes d’instabilité, le prix payé par les femmes et les filles est double. Elles sont la cible de traitements dégradants et humiliants, d’abus, de maltraitance, de violences sexuelles et autres formes de violences basées sur le genre (VBG), restant pour la plupart impunies. Ces VBG sont profondément enracinées dans les structures sociales et culturelles et le corps féminin devient lui-même un champ de bataille.
La violence sexuelle, notamment le viol notamment, est utilisée comme arme de guerre, moyen de terreur et de domination.
Alors que les violences sexuelles basées sur le genre constituent une question sécuritaire, économique, sociale, sanitaire et de droits humains, quels leviers de résilience sont mis en place par les femmes, les filles et les communautés pour faire face à de telles violences ?
Register here!

6th Annual Global Health Conference
2024-04-11 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver) | BC Children’s Hospital’s Chan Centre for Family Health Education, 938 West 28th Ave, Entrance #18, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4H4, Canada
About the conference
Global Surgery: Addressing a Neglected Health Crisis
The Global Health Conference is an annual event bringing together a community of students, trainees, clinicians, researchers, and faculty from across health professions and disciplines to share knowledge. This year, our focus is to bring attention to the often overlooked challenges in global surgical care, addressing issues from care inequalities to the impact of education and training on building surgical capacity. We will explore how these factors specifically affect the care of children and women worldwide. Our goal is to create an inclusive discussion forum for anyone interested in global health and surgery – everyone is welcome to attend.
This is a hybrid event with both in-person and virtual options, but of course we highly encourage you to attend in-person! Coffee and a catered lunch will be provided for all in-person attendees. Head over to the ‘Registration’ page to secure your spot.
When: Thursday, April 11, 2024 | 9:00 am – 1:00 pm PDT
Where: Virtual & In-Person at the Chan Centre for Family Health Education, BC Children’s Hospital
Ticket Cost: $0 – Free!
Presenters
Keynote Speaker:
Dr. Salome Maswime
Dr. Salome Maswime is an Associate Professor and the Head of the Global Surgery at the University of Cape Town, an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, and the President of the South African Clinician Scientists Society. She is recognized as a global surgery expert, because of her research contributions on caesarean sections. She is an advocate for women’s health rights, and equity in surgical and maternal care. She is an advisor and consultant to several institutions, including the World Health Organization. She has received numerous awards for her tenacity and commitment to maternal health, and for ongoing research in maternal health.
How to Register:
Click here to register!
Stay Connected:
To learn more, visit the event site here.
You can also follow us on X [@BCCWH_Global] for updates and additional content.
We look forward to welcoming you at our 6th annual Global Health Conference!
Cheers,
The IGH-BCCWH Team

Beyond Hospital Doors: A Deep Dive into Post-Discharge Mortality Among Rwandan Children
2024-05-08 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | Hybrid, Canada
Please join the Institute for Global Health at BC Children’s Hospital and BC Women’s Hospital + Health Centre on Thursday, May 8, 2024 from 12:00 – 1:00PM for a global health special seminar by Dr. Christian Umuhoza on “Beyond Hospital Doors: A Deep Dive into Post-Discharge Mortality Among Rwandan Children”. He will present the Smart Discharges study findings on the neglected burden of post-discharge mortality among Rwandan children. A meet and greet with Dr. Umuhoza will follow from 1:00-2:00PM and refreshments will be served.
Dr. Umuhoza is a consultant pediatrician at the University Teaching Hospital of Kigali (CHUK) and senior lecturer at the University of Rwanda (UR). With a keen interest in medical education, Dr. Umuhoza plays an invaluable role in teaching medical students and residents in pediatrics. In 2022, Dr. Umuhoza partnered with the Institute for Global Health as the Co-Principal Investigator for the Smart Discharges Digital Health Research Program aiming to improve hospital-to-home transitions among children recovering from sepsis. He is also involved in the Arrowsmith, UBC, and UR Global Health Partnership, supporting medical resident education through shared virtual learning activities.
We would love to see you in-person at the CSB V2-222, but if you are unable to attend in-person, the Zoom details are provided below.
Click here to attend.

9th Annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI Forum)
2024-05-09 - 2024-05-10 | UNHQ New York, 405 E 42nd St, New York, NY, United States
Registration for representatives of non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders – Final Days!
Register here by 21 April, 5PM (EDT)
The ninth annual Multi-Stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the Sustainable Development Goals (STI Forum) will be held from 9-10 May 2024. The theme for the STI Forum 2024 is: “Science, technology and innovation for reinforcing the 2030 Agenda and eradicating poverty in times of multiple crises: the effective delivery of sustainable, resilient and innovative solutions”.
Every year, the STI Forum brings together high-level policy makers and senior government officials with scientists, engineers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and representatives of organized science and technology communities, the UN system and international organizations. The Forum is a venue for facilitating the establishment of networks and the development, transfer, and dissemination of relevant technologies for the SDGs.
In connection with the Forum, a limited number of side-events will be organized from 8 May to 10 May by Member States, the UN System, Intergovernmental Organizations, accredited non-governmental stakeholders, as well as selected universities, laboratories, and scientific and engineering organizations.
All representatives of non-governmental organizations and other relevant stakeholders who wish to attend the STI Forum and parallel events in person must register using this registration form by 21 April, 5PM, EDT.
For more information about the 2024 STI Forum, click here.

FILM SCREENING “KARUARA, PEOPLE OF THE RIVER” FROM PERU’S AMAZON REGION
2024-05-09 17:00 - 20:30 (America/Toronto) | Centre for Social Innovation, 192 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5T 2C2, Canada
Join Cuso International for an evening of inspiration as we present a debut viewing of “Karuara, People of the River” at the Centre for Social Innovation, Spadina in Toronto on May 9, 2024.
Meet Irma, a courageous Indigenous woman and her family as they stand against formidable forces to protect their river and the revered Karuara community. Through stunning hand-painted animations, this Peruvian documentary unveils the spiritual realm of the Karuara, offering viewers a profound voyage into their world.
Amidst a world that often commodifies nature, this film serves as a poignant reminder of our intrinsic bond with water, inviting us to rekindle our connection to the natural world.
Before the film, join us for a special Cuso International alumni gathering, where you will meet Miguel Araoz, Mariluz Canaquiri, and Stephanie Boyd – the talented minds behind this cinematic masterpiece.
After the film, stay for a Q&A session and enjoy time for networking and socializing over Peruvian appetizers.
Click here to attend!

Youth Vision Summit 2024
2024-05-11 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Toronto) | Centre for Social Innovation, 192 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5T 2C2, Canada
Empowering youth-led global change for the world’s most vulnerable children and youth!
This hybrid conference is free for youth to attend (thanks to our generous sponsor)! You can attend in person or virtually. Lunch and refreshments are included for in-person attendees.
Here is what you can look forward to at the Youth Vision Summit:
– Build advocacy skills in public education, political engagement, storytelling, and digital and artistic mobilization.
– Be inspired by Young Global Changemakers and connect with like-minded youth and global impact professionals locally and nationally.
– Be involved in big-picture conversations including solving global hunger, protecting children’s rights, building sustainability for the next generation, and influencing policy change.
– Discover how to amplify Canada’s role in advancing global equality and the 2030 UN Sustainable Development Goals through engaging with decision-makers and the public.
– Learn how you can affect change in the lives of children across the globe and advocate for a better future to end extreme poverty, improve global health, advance gender equity, strengthen environmental protection, and improve global food systems.
Don’t miss this life-shaping opportunity to explore how you can be part of global conversations and impact. You’ll have the chance to engage with impressive youth changemakers, like-minded peers, and humanitarian practitioners to network and make valuable connections!
Click here to register!

Screening of SIRA
2024-05-13 17:00 - 20:30 (America/Toronto) | Hotel Omni Mont-Royal, 1050 Rue Sherbrooke Ouest, Montréal, Québec, H3A 2R6, Canada
Hosted by WaterAid on the sidelines of Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH), Healthy World Conference: Dialogues on Health, Gender & Climate Resilience.
Monday, May 13th, 2024
Doors open at 5 p.m. EDT for for hors d’oeuvres and refreshments
Film Screening at 6 p.m. EDT
Omni Hotel Montreal, Pierre de Coubertin Room1050 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal
Discussion to follow with Apolline Traore, Burkinabée writer-director of SIRA
Apolline Traoré’s, SIRA offers an unflinching look at the ongoing lawlessness and violence against women in the Sahel region of Northern Africa.
The story revolves around the figure of Sira, a young bride-to-be crossing the desert when armed extremists attack and raid their nomadic village, killing the men. Brutalized and then abandoned, Sira begins another long journey across the arid landscape to return to her community. But the path she has chosen leads her right into the assailants’ camp. Refusing to surrender to circumstances, she decides to remain near the camp, living off the land and out of sight, preparing for her moment to strike back.
SIRA was presented at the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in Burkina Faso. The film was awarded a special prize by WaterAid for addressing the problem of access to water for women and girls in the Sahel, in a context marked by climate change. Traoré also became a WaterAid Ambassador on WASH and Climate change. SIRA made its North American debut at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
Click here to register!

From Evidence to Impact: Fundamentals of Global Health Advocacy
2024-05-21 09:00 - 2024-05-22 15:00 (America/Toronto) | Virtual, Canada
COURSE FORMAT
Online or in-person. Enrollees will need to pick which section of the course to attend:
-Online: May 21 & 22 9:00am-3:00pm (Montreal time). The online course will be recorded and available until July 1, 2024.
-In-person: May 23 & 24 9:00am-3:00pm (Montreal time). The in-person course will not be recorded.
DESCRIPTION
Advocacy has a crucial role to play in shaping priorities and policies in global health, yet figuring out how to get started in advocacy can be daunting. Through a combination of lectures, interactive activities, case studies and guest speakers, participants will leave this course inspired by the potential of advocacy for positive change and confident in their ability to incorporate it into their own work. Focusing on both the theory and practical steps behind effective advocacy, this course is relevant for both global and Canadian audiences as well as those brand-new to advocacy or those who want to build on their existing skills.
COURSE DIRECTOR
Leigh Raithby
Policy and Advocacy Officer, Results Canada and Stop TB Canada
COURSE FACULTY
Taryn Russell, Deputy Executive Director, Results Canada
Ekatha Ann John, Global Health Policy and Advocacy Manager, Results Canada
Dominique Denoncourt, Policy and Advocacy Officer, Results Canada
Faculty are still being confirmed and there may be changes to the above list.
CONTENT
Advocacy is democracy in action – it can play a powerful role in influencing and shaping priorities and policies in global health. An effective advocacy campaign consists of several strategic components, that together, can effect change at national, regional, and international levels. In this session, participants will learn to identify opportunities for policy change in different contexts, and the tools to influence decision-making to bring about specific changes in global health. This will include an overview of advocacy, key components to build high-impact campaigns in different settings, working collaboratively with multiple stakeholders, ways to communicate effectively with target audiences, engaging parliamentarians and policymakers, and campaigning through digital advocacy. The session will include relevant experts from different country contexts sharing their experiences advocating for healthy lives and human dignity for everyone, everywhere.
We will utilize case studies that are global in nature and have guest speakers from a variety of countries so participants can be inspired about how they may apply advocacy in their own contexts and have a good understanding of the breadth of advocacy work that is happening around the world.
OBJECTIVES
– To foster a nuanced understanding of advocacy, decision-making processes, and translating evidence-based knowledge into policy action in global health
– To equip participants with the ability to develop a step-by-step advocacy strategy – from developing an “ask” to identifying appropriate targets, tactics and allies and measuring impact.
– To explore and share different strategies, tactics, challenges and barriers to influence decision making in global health.
– To encourage participants to apply advocacy using an anti-oppression and equity lens to their areas of work.
TARGET AUDIENCE
– Public health graduate students and faculty with an interest in global health advocacy
– Health researchers and practitioners
– Policymakers, administrators, and policy advisors
– Community advocates and civil society

Eradicating Hunger, and Building Resilience in the Sahel Region
2024-05-28 08:00 - 17:30 (America/Toronto) | 350 Albert Street, 350 Albert Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1R 7Y6, Canada
The Sahel region is one of the most structurally vulnerable and food insecure regions in Africa. In 2018, WFP and partners launched an innovative programme – the Sahel Integrated Resilience Programme – to help individuals, communities, and governments tap into their potential and boost their resilience across five countries: Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger.
The World Food Programme in Ottawa invites you to visit its FREE, interactive, multimedia exhibit detailing how WFP’s integrated resilience programming is transforming livelihoods in Africa’s Sahelian region. You will also have a chance to connect with WFP staff members present on-site to answer any questions. Hope to see you there!
REGISTRATION: FREE, no registration required.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 28th, 2024. 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
WHERE: 350 Albert Street, Ottawa K1R 7Y6. Constitution Square Lobby
Note that the exhibit is available in English only.
Click here to see an overview of the program: Holding Back the Sahara Desert

First International Symposium on Responsible Practices in Managing International Projects with the Global South
2024-05-29 08:00 - 2024-05-31 20:00 (America/Toronto) | 315 Rue Sainte-Catherine E, 315 Rue Sainte-Catherine E, Montréal, Québec, H2X 3X2, Canada
We are thrilled to invite you to participate in an exceptional event designed to redefine the contours of international project management: a conference dedicated to the responsible management of international projects, with a special focus on relationships with the Global South. This initiative is fully aligned with the dynamics of valuing the multiple perspectives of Others, emphasizing pluriversal practices often sidelined, with the aim of establishing a more inclusive justice.
Our ambition is to dive deep into the contextual specifics essential for teams engaged in the implementation of international projects. We propose to explore the unique challenges faced by stakeholders and to highlight innovative practices that promote co-creation and the valorization of indigenous knowledge within the framework of public development aid (PDA).
At the heart of our conference, the goal is bold: it is to question certainties, dismantle cognitive biases, and re-evaluate practices rooted in a universalist vision of project management. By sharing a diversity of perspectives, we aspire not only to enrich the body of knowledge but also to encourage the adoption of hybrid practices, enriched by cultural and intellectual diversity.
Engaging in a dialogic and collaborative approach, our conference will place special emphasis on responsibility, sustainability, and the decolonization of knowledge.
We aim to make this space a breeding ground for new research collaborations and innovative practices. The academic community, professionals in international project management, representatives of public bodies and NGOs, as well as the next generation of students, will find fertile ground to transcend disciplinary barriers and develop innovative expertise, valuable in the fields of project management, management, and social innovation.
Join us to contribute to a pioneering approach aimed at enriching, renewing, and revolutionizing the practices of international project management from a resolutely pluriversal and inclusive perspective. Your presence and participation will be crucial for the success of this conference and for the promotion of the values we seek to uphold.
Click here to register!

Rise & Thrive: Empowering East African Youth through Education
2024-05-30 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Toronto) | 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa / Zoom
Education has the power to shape the course of a person’s life. But access to this fundamental human right is often threatened by harmful gender norms, fragile institutions, and other systemic barriers. This is especially true for girls living in vulnerable communities. Addressing these challenges requires the cultivation of inclusive, resilient, and adaptive learning environments.
Join AKFC and Canada-Mathare Education Trust on May 30 as we embark on an exploration of innovative approaches, challenges, and triumphs in promoting educational access for girls, in East Africa and beyond. We’ll discuss the role of Canadian cooperation in expanding gender-equitable education and skill-building opportunities for youth in the region.
Be a changemaker. Join us at Rise & Thrive and be inspired to advance gender equity and access to education.
REGISTER HERE AND LEARN MORE

Rise and Thrive: Empowering East African Youth through Education
2024-05-30 17:30 - 19:30 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 1K6, Canada
Join AKFC and Canada-Mathare Education Trust on May 30 to explore innovative solutions for gender equity in education!
Education has the power to shape the course of a person’s life. But access to this fundamental human right is often threatened by harmful gender norms, fragile institutions, and other systemic barriers. This is especially true for girls living in vulnerable communities. Addressing these challenges requires the cultivation of inclusive, resilient, and adaptive learning environments.
Join AKFC and Canada-Mathare Education Trust on May 30 as we embark on an exploration of innovative approaches, challenges, and triumphs in promoting educational access for girls, in East Africa and beyond. We’ll discuss the role of Canadian cooperation in expanding gender-equitable education and skill-building opportunities for youth in the region.
Be a changemaker. Join us at Rise & Thrive and be inspired to advance gender equity and access to education.
Key Information for Attendees:
– When you register, please indicate whether you are interested in attending in-person at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat or
online (Zoom) by selecting the relevant ticket option.
– In-person attendees are welcome to arrive by 5:30 p.m. EDT to network and enjoy light refreshments.
– This event will be offered in English only
For accommodation requests, accessibility inquiries, or any other questions, please contact us at akfc.events@akdn.org.
Click here to attend!

2024 Community-Based Seniors' Services (CBSS) Sector Summit
2024-06-02 - 2024-06-04 | Marriott Hotel, 100 Kent Street, Ottawa, Ontario
The community-based seniors’ services (CBSS) sector is made up of a vast network of public, private, and not-for-profit organizations. You likely know someone who’s relied on a CBSS organization. Whether it’s your local library, a seniors’ club, a food bank, or another community pillar – CBSS organizations are stepping up to meet the most pressing needs older Canadians face. These institutions form the backbone of communities from coast to coast to coast, and yet, they are largely unrecognized and underfunded. It’s time for a radical shift for how we think about and support Canadians as they age.
We’re calling on CBSS organizations across Canada to join us for the 2024 CBSS Sector Summit: Claiming our Space, Naming our Future. This event marks a historic moment where CBSS organizations will come together to share their knowledge, establish the needs and priorities of the sector, and create a unified vision for the future of aging in Canada. Now’s your chance to declare your place as part of the CBSS sector in the national spotlight!
Join us from June 2-4, 2024, at the Marriott Hotel in Ottawa, ON, for this history-making event!
Learn more and register here!

Preparatory Meeting for the 2025 United Nations Ocean Conference
2024-06-14 | UNHQ New York, 405 E 42nd St, New York, NY, United States
The high-level 2025 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development (the 2025 UN Ocean Conference) will be held in Nice, France, from 9 – 13 June 2025, co-hosted by France and Costa Rica. The overarching theme of the Conference is “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”.
The Conference will involve all relevant stakeholders, bringing together Governments, the United Nations system, intergovernmental organizations, international financial institutions, other interested international bodies, non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations, academic institutions, the scientific community, the private sector, philanthropic organizations, Indigenous Peoples and local communities and other actors to assess challenges and opportunities relating to, as well as actions taken towards, the implementation of Goal 14.
The President of the General Assembly will convene a one preparatory meeting, on 2 July 2024 at United Nations Headquarters in New York.
Registration for Accredited stakeholders is now open!
Participation of representatives from non-governmental organizations, major groups and other relevant stakeholders at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference is guided by A/RES/78/128.
Non-governmental organizations, major groups and other relevant stakeholder organizations that fall under the categories indicated here will be able to request registration to attend the Preparatory meeting of the 2025 UN Ocean Conference in person.
How to register?
1. Representatives of NGOs in Consultative status with ECOSOC
Non-governmental organizations and major groups identified in Agenda 21 and other stakeholders in consultative status with ECOSOC.
You can check if your organization has consultative status with ECOSOC here.
Representatives of organizations in consultative status with ECOSOC should request registration here: https://indico.un.org/event/1011974/
2. Representatives of specially accredited organizations
Organizations that were accredited to any of the United Nations’ conferences indicated in A/RES/78.128
You can check if your organization is specially accredited here.
Representatives of specially accredited organizations should request registration here: https://indico.un.org/event/1011976/
For details about stakeholder participation at the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, please check here: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/ocean2025/stakeholders#stakeholders_participation
Please note:
Each Organization will be able to register up to 5 (five) representatives. If more than 5 are registered under one organization, the Secretariat will approve registrations on a first-come first-served basis.
Participants must register individually through the appropriate INDICO form. The system does not allow for registrations ‘in bulk’.
Please, check that you are registering your representatives through the appropriate link.
All submitted requests for registration will be reviewed and confirmation letters will be sent to approved participants.
The deadline for registration is 14 June 2024 (5pm, EDT).
Registered participants are responsible for any necessary arrangements related to their in-person participation, including travel, visa and others, as appropriate.
More information about the Preparatory Meeting for the 2025 UN Ocean Conference is available here.
For more information about the 2025 UN Ocean Conference, please, check: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/ocean2025.

The Charlevoix Education Initiative
2024-06-20 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 1K6, Canada
Education is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone for sustainable development. The Government of Canada has been a long-standing leader in education. Most notably, Canada led the G7 Charlevoix Education Initiative, which committed to investing in projects aimed at enhancing access to quality education for girls, adolescent girls and women, particularly in the context of conflict and crises, which leveraged $3.2 billion from the G7 and other leaders at the G7 2018 Summit.
Alongside its NGO and CSO partners, Canada’s own $400 million investment has yielded important results, reaching the most marginalized in communities impacted by conflict, climate, and COVID-19. As we continue to navigate the complexities of educational programming in such environments, it’s crucial to leverage evidence and experience to inform our policies and practices effectively.
Join us on June 20 as we explore successes, challenges, and lessons learned from education programming in crisis contexts. We will highlight research conducted by the Canadian International Education Policy Working Group’s (CIEPWG)Charlevoix Community of Practice, which brings together education practitioners from various organizations funded through the Charlevoix Education Initiative.
Key Information for Attendees:
– When you register, please indicate whether you are interested in attending in-person at the Delegation of the
Ismaili Imamat or online (Zoom) by selecting the relevant ticket option.
– In-person attendees are welcome to arrive by 9:30 a.m. EDT to network and enjoy light refreshments.
– This event will be offered in English and French.
For accommodation requests, accessibility inquiries, or any other questions, please contact us at akfc.events@akdn.org.
Speakers:
– Catherine Paquin-Schmidt, Programs and Partnerships Manager, AKFC
– Dr. Cherie Enns, Charlevoix Education Initiative Lead Researcher, University of Fraser Valley
– Danaé Léger, Project manager, Fondation Paul Gérin-Lajoie
– Jennifer Slawich, Director, Policy & Stakeholder Engagement, Right To Play International and Co-Chair, CIEPWG
– Khalil Z. Shariff, CEO, AKFC
Tracey Evans, Director, Global Partnerships, Right To Play International
Click here to attend!

The Charlevoix Education Initiative: Celebrating Progress and Sustaining our Impact
2024-06-20 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 1K6, Canada
Education is a fundamental human right and a cornerstone for sustainable development. The Government of Canada has been a long-standing leader in education. Most notably, Canada led the G7 Charlevoix Education Initiative, which committed to investing in projects aimed at enhancing access to quality education for girls, adolescent girls and women, particularly in the context of conflict and crises, which leveraged $3.2 billion from the G7 and other leaders at the G7 2018 Summit.
Join us on June 20 as we explore successes, challenges, and lessons learned from education programming in crisis contexts. We will highlight research conducted by the Canadian International Education Policy Working Group’s (CIEPWG)Charlevoix Community of Practice, which brings together education practitioners from various organizations funded through the Charlevoix Education Initiative.
REGISTER HERE AND LEARN MORE
Key Information for Attendees:

When you register, please indicate whether you are interested in attending in-person at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat or online (Zoom) by selecting the relevant ticket option.

In-person attendees are welcome to arrive by 9:30 a.m. EDT to network and enjoy light refreshments.

This event will be offered in English and French.

Canadian Women’s International Network (CanWIN) Global Summit
2024-06-21 | Manulife Headquarters, 200 Bloor Street E, Toronto, ON, Ontario, Canada
The CanWIN Global Summit will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, shared innovations from entrepreneurs in CanWIN, and networking opportunities for women from Canada and the Asia Pacific. The Summit, hosted at Manulife’s corporate head office in Toronto, will bring together Canadian women entrepreneurs with women business leaders from across Canada and Asia to promote gender-inclusive trade, discuss women’s economic advancement, and gain insight into gender equity in both regions.
The Global Summit will represent a unique opportunity for women and gender-diverse business leaders, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders in Canada and across Asia to build an inclusive Canada-Asia business community. By attending this event, Canadian entrepreneurs will gain access to a collaborative network and make connections to break into Asia Pacific markets.
As part of the CanWIN Global Summit, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada will be hosting Bridge to Asia: A Pitch Competition for NextGen Canadian Women Entrepreneurs. Women and gender-diverse founders of early-stage technology startups are strongly encouraged to apply. Up to five shortlisted finalists, individuals, or teams, will be invited to showcase their startups via a five-minute pitch to a panel of judges.
The top prize for the pitch competition includes an invitation to join the delegation of APF Canada’s Women-only Business Mission to Taiwan and Vietnam, scheduled for November 17 to 24, 2024, and a C$5,000 cash prize. The second-place pitch will receive a C$5,000 cash prize, courtesy of sponsor Gene Bio Medical; the third-place prize is a domestic flight ticket courtesy of airline sponsor Air Canada. All finalists of the pitch competition will receive tickets to Collision, one of the largest tech conferences globally, scheduled to take place in Toronto from June 17 to 20, 2024. Apply to the pitch competition here.
CanWIN is an international ecosystem of women assisting Canadian women in international business by offering a powerful network of connections and ongoing advocacy and support. CanWIN formally connects women thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and gender equality organizations to advance economic equality and empower Canadian women entrepreneurs through engagement with international growth markets in Asia. CanWIN and the CanWIN Global Summit are generously supported by contributions from the Government of Canada through Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy.
For more information on APF Canada’s upcoming trade mission, Partnering for Sustainability: The Women-only Business Mission to Taiwan and Vietnam, and to apply by the July 19 deadline for this mission, please visit the mission page.
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The Volunteer Abroad Happy Hour
2024-06-27 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | 1404 Scott St, 1404 Scott St, Ottawa, Ontario, K1Y2N2, Canada
The Volunteer Abroad Happy Hour Is Back In Ottawa! Join us to learn more about volunteering abroad, meet new people, and have fun!
Step into a relaxed setting at the WUSC office in Ottawa and connect over our shared passion for global change. This event offers a unique blend of casual networking and insightful learning with the representatives of the Volunteer Cooperation Agencies about the Global Affairs Canada Volunteer Cooperation Program. This program provides opportunities for skilled Canadians and permanent residents to participate in Canada’s international development assistance efforts.
Explore a wide array of opportunities that will allow you to engage with cultures around the world, gain valuable experiences, and contribute to meaningful projects. Whether you are interested in education, gender equality, healthcare, environmental conservation, or refugee and migration issues, you’ll find avenues to make an impactful difference.
Don’t miss this exceptional opportunity to mingle, learn, and discover the right volunteer opportunity for you.
Come casual, leave inspired!
The volunteer cooperation agencies that will be present include: Cuso International, the International Bureau for Children’s Rights, Co-operative Development Foundation of Canada, Carrefour International, Youth Challenge International, Veterinarians Without Borders, CECI, and WUSC.
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Aid data, impact, and the Sustainable Development Goals
2024-07-16 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Toronto) | The Brookings Institution Falk Auditorium, 1775 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC, WA, United States
Transparency of data and other information on development and humanitarian assistance helps stakeholders understand where aid is provided, for what purpose, how it is delivered, and what results it achieves. Transparency also promotes collaboration among aid donors and implementers and ensures accountability to citizens of both donor and partner countries.
With the deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) just six years away, many assessments show these global goals off track. Improved transparency in aid and development data has led to tools that assess progress, identify gaps, and highlight where more effort is needed. How can aid and development data meet information needs for assessing and directing SDG efforts? Specifically, how can this data inform decisions about SDG 2 and emergency food needs? How do donor agencies use aid and development data to understand their own and others’ programs, including results and evaluations? What information do countries need for SDGs, what do they currently use, and what is still required?
On Tuesday, July 16, the Center for Sustainable Development at Brookings will host the release of the 2024 Aid Transparency Index in partnership with Publish What You Fund (PWYF). This event will examine the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP’S) SDG dashboard, and country statistical data as three essential tools that, when combined, can help countries, donors, and citizens better focus their efforts. The event will begin with an introduction by George Ingram, senior fellow at the Global Economy and Development program. It will be followed by presentations by PWYF Chief Executive Officer Gary Forster, and by UNDP’s Director of SDG Integration, Laurel Patterson. George Ingram will moderate a panel with representatives from the development community to discuss the Index findings.
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CFUW National AGM and Realizing Potential Conference
2024-07-22 17:00 - 2024-07-24 19:30 (America/Toronto) | Sandman Signature Edmonton Downtown hotel, 10235 101 Street Northwest Edmonton, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 3E9, Canada
Welcome to the CFUW National AGM and Realizing Potential Conference! Join us for a fantastic event filled with exciting speakers, engaging workshops, and networking opportunities. This in-person event will be held at the Sandman Signature Edmonton Downtown Hotel. Get ready to connect with fellow members, gain valuable insights, and be inspired. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn, grow, and have a great time. We can’t wait to see you there!
The Conference will feature a full schedule of distinguished speakers and a dynamic workshop, with a focus on realizing our collective potential to combat gender-based violence, oppression, colonialism, and climate change.
There will also be a Networking Lunch, a wonderful opportunity to share ideas and forge meaningful connections with CFUW members and other advocates dedicated to social justice and women’s rights.
CFUW Members Only- AGM Business and Policy Meetings- Monday, July 22nd- Tuesday, July 23rd
Realizing Potential Conference – Wednesday, July 24th- Open to external individuals.
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Gen-WASH: Creative and Fun Behaviour Change Approaches for Systemic WASH
2024-08-26 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Toronto) | Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) Room 27, level 2, Hammarbybacken 31 120 30 Stockholm Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
Organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), World Water Week is the leading annual conference on global water challenges and solutions. This year, from August 25th to 29th, global experts, practitioners and enthusiasts will be gathering virtually and on-site in Stockholm to reflect on the 2024 theme: Bridging borders – Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future.
On-site Workshop, Room 27, Level 2 – Monday, August 26th @ 09:00 – 10:30 AM (CEST) Session ID: 11540
This interactive session will highlight innovative methods for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) behaviour change. Combining sports, art, storytelling, drama, and music, the session offers:
– An overview of diverse behaviour change approaches.
– An intergenerational workshop to bridge social barriers and foster teamwork in devising creative solutions. Interactive activities to understand and overcome WASH behavior determinants.
– Facilitated discussions on adapting these methods for local contexts, ensuring scalable and replicable solutions.
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Empowering Futures: Indigenous Water Allies Workshop
2024-08-27 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Toronto) | Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI) Room 26, level 2, Hammarbybacken 31 120 30 Stockholm Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden
Organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), World Water Week is the leading annual conference on global water challenges and solutions. This year, from August 25th to 29th, global experts, practitioners and enthusiasts will be gathering virtually and on-site in Stockholm to reflect on the 2024 theme: Bridging borders – Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future.
On-site session, Room 26, Level 2 – Tuesday, August 27th @ 14:00 – 15:30 PM (CEST) Session ID: 11809
This immersive workshop tackles Indigenous water challenges through systems strengthening and intergenerational collaboration.
Meet with inspiring Indigenous youth leaders from Canada and their allies as we’ll explore:
– An overview of diverse behaviour change approaches.
– An intergenerational workshop to bridge social barriers and foster teamwork in devising creative solutions. Interactive activities to understand and overcome WASH behavior determinants.
– Facilitated discussions on adapting these methods for local contexts, ensuring scalable and replicable solutions.
We are deeply grateful to the Canada Water Agency for making the presence of young Indigenous ambassadors possible at World Water Week.
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Bridging Divides: A New Era of Transboundary Basin Management
2024-08-27 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Toronto) | Hybrid, Canada
Organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), World Water Week is the leading annual conference on global water challenges and solutions. This year, from August 25th to 29th, global experts, practitioners and enthusiasts will be gathering virtually and on-site in Stockholm to reflect on the 2024 theme: Bridging borders – Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future.
Online and On-site, Room C4, Level 2 – Tuesday, August 27th @ 16:00 – 17:30 PM (CEST) Session ID: 11874
This session explores regional coordination for sustainable water management in transboundary basins across the Americas.
Experts will delve into:
– Source-to-Sea management: Understanding how water flows connect ecosystems and communities.
– Resilient water allocation: Balancing water needs for all while anticipating future challenges.
– Stakeholder engagement: Ensuring inclusive participation for effective and equitable solutions.
– Behavioural change: Fostering water-wise practices to build long-term resilience.
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Funder Collaboration for a Sustainable Future – Catalytic Sector Financing
2024-08-28 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Toronto) | Hybrid, Canada
Organized by the Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI), World Water Week is the leading annual conference on global water challenges and solutions. This year, from August 25th to 29th, global experts, practitioners and enthusiasts will be gathering virtually and on-site in Stockholm to reflect on the 2024 theme: Bridging borders – Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future.
Online and On-site, Room C1, Level 2 – Wednesday, August 28th @ 09:00 – 10:30 AM (CEST) Session ID: 11502
In response to the UN 2023 Water Conference’s call for a paradigm shift in financing, this session explores how diverse funders can work together to maximize impact for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects.
Learn from the WASH Funders Group, a model of successful collaboration with 29 foundations and programs, as we showcase how proactive collaboration among diverse funders has fostered peer learning and opportunities for catalytic co-investment and donor efficiency. The session will feature case studies on collaborative funding models and invite audience feedback to share insights on how philanthropic capital can further catalyse sustainable impact.

Ending poverty together workshop
2024-09-14 09:30 - 12:30 (America/Toronto) | East Gate Alliance Church, 550 Codd's Road, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Join us for a dynamic, hands-on workshop that redefines our understanding of poverty through a fresh biblical lens. Together, we’ll challenge our perceptions, discover holistic solutions rooted in reconciliation, and explore impactful ways to engage with vulnerable people in our communities. This experience is designed to inspire lasting change by equipping you with practical insights and a renewed vision for compassionate action in Ottawa.
Ideal for everyday followers of Christ and those who lead them. Make an impact in Ottawa by sharing this opportunity with others!
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Dialogue on the protection of humanitarian and healthcare workers in armed conflicts
2024-09-17 14:00 - 17:00 (America/Toronto) | Global centre for pluralism, 2330 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N0C7, Canada
Humanitarian and healthcare workers often operate in some of the most dangerous environments, including conflict zones, where they are increasingly exposed to violence. Despite international humanitarian law providing them with both general and specific protections, the frequency and severity of attacks against them have escalated in recent years. In 2023 alone, over 563 humanitarian workers were killed, kidnapped, or injured — a grim record that highlights the growing threats they face.
Join us on September 17, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm, for a panel discussion that will raise awareness of the critical challenges confronting humanitarian aid workers and explore actionable solutions to strengthen their protection as they deliver vital services to vulnerable populations.
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