CanWaCH

Introductory Course on Knowledge Synthesis for Knowledge Users
2025-01-01 - 2025-04-30 | Virtual, Canada
Intro to KS for Knowledge Users_course_v5
This course will teach students about knowledge synthesis in general, as well as how to conduct knowledge synthesis projects. Students will begin to conduct knowledge synthesis in the topic of their choice, with guidance from the course directors. Please note that the students will not be completing a full knowledge synthesis project during the duration of the course, due to course timelines.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
– Differentiate between different types of knowledge synthesis, such as systematic reviews and qualitative evidence reviews
– Distinguish between different types of evidence that can be summarized in knowledge synthesis
– Develop a knowledge synthesis question
– Establish the eligibility criteria for knowledge synthesis
– Create a knowledge synthesis protocol
Who should take this course? Graduate students, post-doctoral fellows, early career researchers, new evidence synthesis practitioners, other knowledge users.
All participants must bring a current or proposed knowledge synthesis project to work on in the course. University of Toronto students who are taking the course for credit must be in a PhD program.
Attend here!

International Development Week (IDW) 2025
2025-02-02 - 2025-02-08 | Ontario
Come celebrate IDW 2025 from February 2 to 8.
What is IDW?
Since 1991, IDW is held annually in the first full week of February and spotlights Canadians’ contributions to eradicating poverty and building a more peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous world. It’s a unique opportunity to inform, inspire, involve, and celebrate Canadians’ global impact on international development.
IDW represents a whole-of-Canada approach involving civil society, the private and philanthropic sectors, schools, colleges, cegeps and universities, community organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the general public. Throughout IDW, over a hundred events are hosted from coast to coast to coast in Canada.
Join us as we continue this nationwide initiative, coming together to learn, share stories, and create change for a brighter, more equitable world.

Mobilizing One Health course
2025-02-03 - 2025-03-23 | Virtual, Canada
Course Date: February 03, 2025 to March 23, 2025
Explore the interdisciplinary approach of One Health and its profound implications for addressing complex challenges at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health. Delve into the foundational principles and practical applications of One Health, and become equipped with the essential knowledge and skills to navigate contemporary health issues in an interconnected world.
Through a blend of engaging content, interactive discussions, authentic case studies, and collaborative projects, you will deepen your understanding of One Health as a transformative approach to current challenges involving environmental, human, and animal health. Guest speakers from various disciplines will provide real-world perspectives, enriching discussions on interdisciplinary collaboration, and ethical considerations in One Health practice.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

Explain the core principles, key conceptual components, and value of the One Health approach
Discuss the links and inter-dependencies of human, animal and environmental health problems
Use complexity maps, systems thinking, and interconnectivity to understand complex health problems through a One Health approach
Integrate diverse perspectives, disciplines, and agencies to propose innovative solutions to complex health challenges
Collaborate with peers to problem solve and formulate actionable strategies for operationalizing One Health approaches in practical settings
Reflect on the ethical implications and professional responsibilities inherent in One Health practice

Course Topics

Introducing One Health and Its Approach
Complexity and Problem Solving in One Health
Interactions, Imbalances, and Human Roles within Complex Problems
The Importance of Multiple Perspectives, Communities, and Social Science
Networks and Interconnectivity in One Health
Operationalizing One Health

Additional Requirements
Pre-requisite(s):

This module is intended for adult learners who are at least 18 years of age.
There are no prerequisites for this course.
You can expect to spend 6 to 10 hours per week to complete the readings, activities, discussions and assessment.

Register here!

UN Ambassador Bob Rae Joins U of G for International Development Week
2025-02-03 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Toronto) | Virtual, Canada
The University of Guelph is hosting a virtual conversation with Bob Rae, Canada’s Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations (UN) in New York for International Development week.

Hear from one of Canada’s foremost leaders in diplomacy and international development as he reflects on Canada’s leadership role in promoting sustainable, inclusive and evidence-based approaches to development and international cooperation. Rae has served as Canada’s ambassador to the UN since 2020 and was elected to the UN Presidency of the Economic and Social Council for 2024-25. He also served as the premier of Ontario from 1990 to 1995.

The conversation will take place virtually on Monday, Feb. 3, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. via Zoom. All students, faculty, staff and community members are welcome to attend to hear from Rae and engage with him in a Q&A.

Jason Moreton, U of G’s vice-president external, will provide opening remarks and Dr. Andrea Paras, director of the Guelph Institute of Development Studies, will moderate the discussion.

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to engage directly with one of Canada’s leading global figures who brings insight into the country’s role on the world stage and the pressing international issues of our time. Hosting Rae is an incredible opportunity for U of G students interested in international issues to engage with a leader who has worked on the forefront of our most recent global challenges.

This event is hosted in partnership with the University of Guelph’s Office of International Strategy and Partnerships and the Guelph Institute of Development Studies (GIDS).

Register to attend here!

WUSC art exhibition: "Through my eyes: art for development"
2025-02-03 10:00 - 2025-02-04 20:00 (America/Toronto) | Jock Turcot University Centre, 58 University Private, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 9A7, Canada
To mark International Development Week in February, the art exhibition “Through my eyes: art for development” will be hosted by the University of Ottawa’s WUSC Local Committee, a dynamic campus-based group who support our organization’s awareness-raising efforts. This art exhibition brings together the work of 24 artists from Ghana, Malawi, and Canada. The diversity of their family backgrounds, professional experiences, the contexts in which they lived, as well as the challenges they faced daily, has brought extra depth to their work.
As part of its global development efforts, WUSC created this art exhibition focused on the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs. The exhibition isn’t just about delivering a message, it is about raising awareness in a positive way, shedding light on the global challenges people face and the critical role that individual actions can play.
The art exhibition is free to enter and open to interested visitors from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on February 3 and 4 at Jock Turcot University Centre at the University of Ottawa. The Opening Night Launch Event will be on February 3rd (5-8 p.m. EST) with performances from the student community. The registration link to attend the launch event will be shared soon on the local committee’s social media accounts. However, no registration is required to enter the Art Exhibition display.
For more information, contact us at publicengagement@wusc.ca or visit the art exhibition’s website.

Building Bridges: Pathways and Opportunities in Global Health
2025-02-03 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Toronto) | Room 2108, BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute & Virtually
Join us for our upcoming event, ‘Building Bridges: Pathways and Opportunities in Global Health‘, on Monday, February 3.
This event will focus on the power of our everyday work to create meaningful impact beyond borders. By broadening our perspective and embracing our shared challenges, we unlock new opportunities to advance health equity and expand access to care worldwide. Together, we’ll delve into the journeys of clinicians and researchers from our community who, through unexpected pathways, are making contributions to Global Health, and inspiring us all to see the global potential in our work.
Panelists:

Dr Shahrzad Joharifard, Pediatric Surgeon & Clinical Assistant Professor, Dep’t of Surgery, UBC
Dr Fiona Muttalib, Pediatric Intensivist & Clinical Assistant Professor, Dep’t of Pediatrics, UBC
Dr Harpreet Chhina, Research Associate, Dep’t of Orthopedics, UBC
Dr Michael Kobor, Professor, Dep’t of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, UBC & UBC Chair in Healthy Aging

Location: Room V2-222, CSB; Zoom link will be provided to those attending virtually after registering.
Learn more and register here.

International Development Week Reception and Film Screening
2025-02-03 16:30 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | La Nouvelle Scène Gilles Desjardins, 333 King Edward Ave, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
As part of International Development Week 2025, Cooperation Canada and International Development Research Centre (IDRC) are proud to present a reception and a screening of The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos​, a powerful, thought-provoking film that offers a riveting critique of urban development and forced evictions in Africa’s largest city, Lagos.
Directed by the Agbajowo Collective, this striking debut film combines elements of thriller, documentary, and magical realism to tell the story of Jawu, a warrior spirit trapped in the harsh realities of Lagos’ floating slums. Portrayed by the talented Temi Ami-Williams (known for Eyimofe), Jawu embarks on a perilous journey after uncovering the dark secrets of corrupt politicians and confronting the brutal reality of evictions that threaten her home and community. Although this is a work of fiction many of the scenes described are based on true events that happened over the course of the violent forced eviction of over 30,000 from the Egun fishing community of Otodo Gbame​ between November 2016 and April 2017.
Join us for on February 3, 2025 at 4:30 pm EST for an introductory reception (free admittance serving light snacks of Nigerian cuisine with special presentations by Cooperation Canada, IDRC and Justice Empowerment Initiatives​) followed by this eye-opening screening (minimum $5 PWYC fee) and stay for a discussion on the intersection of urban development and human rights along with a Q&A with key figures from the film’s production.

Film Synopsis:
Jawu, a mother and small market vendor, lives humbly with her son in the Agbojedo community, a floating slum situated on the lagoon that gives Lagos its name. As rumors spread about government plans to demolish their homes for new development, Jawu stumbles upon a corrupt politician burying a stash of stolen cash. Seeing this as a chance to change her life, she takes the money. However, she soon discovers that her actions have set her on a path that will require more than she could ever imagine—facing a battle for survival and the future of her community.
Through this stunning narrative, The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos explores themes of poverty, power, and the destruction of communities, all while blending real-life concerns with the magic of Nigerian storytelling. With an electrifying performance from Temi Ami-Williams and a production that took seven years to bring to the screen, this film is not only a testament to the resilience of Lagos’ residents but also a call to action regarding the issues of forced evictions and unchecked development.
Film Details:

Length: 101 minutes
Languages: Nigerian Pidgin, Yoruba, English, Egun – English subtitles
Country of Origin: Nigeria, Germany, South Africa, United States
Content Advisory: Depictions of suicide, violence, and mature themes

Learn about the film’s impact campaign​ in support of the resettlement plan​, and make a direct donation through this link​, or by writing a cheque to “Justice & Empowerment Initiatives Inc.”. Cheques can be mailed to 91 Cornell Street, Newton, Massachusetts, 02462, USA). Every dollar counts, and will help make the film — and its impact — everything it can be.

Through my eyes: Art for development
2025-02-03 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | Jock Turcot University Centre, 58 University Private, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 9A7, Canada
We are excited to announce that we are hosting the WUSC “Through My Eyes: Art for Development” exhibition!
This unique exhibit features 17 artworks exploring the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their impact on communities worldwide.
Don’t miss this experience!
? Exhibition Dates: February 3 & 4
? Location: UCU
? Don’t miss the special event on February 3rd, 5–8 PM, where we will bring these goals to life in an unforgettable way and serve delicious food!

Navigating GAC Funding to Support Local Organizations and Movements
2025-02-04 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Toronto) | Virtual, Canada
This International Development Week, we are asking: Can Canadian and international organizations meaningfully support locally led development with GAC funding?
Join three Canadian international development organizations (Stephen Lewis Foundation, Oxfam Canada, and Inter Pares) and partner organizations (Women in Struggle for Empowerment, Pakistan and a to-be-confirmed partner) for this thought-provoking, strategic discussion.
We will focus on concrete examples of what has worked and where challenges persist.
This conversation will include a deeper dive into our featured organizations’ experiences with the Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) program, the Act Together for Inclusion Fund (ACTIF), and Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPS). We invite audience members to broaden the conversation with examples from other GAC portfolios and initiatives.
Speakers:

Bushra Khaliq, Executive Director, Women in Struggle for Empowerment (WISE), Pakistan
TBC speaker from East Africa
Roxanne Murrell, Program Officer: Women’s Rights, Oxfam Canada
Bill Fairbairn, Program Manager, Inter Pares, Canada
Leah Odle-Benson, Deputy Director Impact and Learning, Stephen Lewis Foundation, Canada

Background
Local organizations – led by and for their communities—are doing the most effective development work in the world. Yet far too little international development funding makes it to them to support their priorities, growth, and sustainability.
International cooperation organizations and staff at Global Affairs Canada are collaborating to identify and change policies, restrictions, and processes that impede the department’s ability to meaningfully support locally led development. But even with important changes underway, significant institutional challenges persist.
We must continue to advocate around GAC’s funding practices and policies, and at the same time, there is more we can do as the international cooperation sector to improve the ways we work. This conversation is an opportunity to share information, learn from one another and strategize on how we and GAC can best support local organizations and movements.
Attend here!

Together: A story of a Good Neighbours Community Development Project in Bangladesh
2025-02-04 10:30 - 12:00 (America/Toronto) | Centennial College, 941 Progress Ave, Scarborough, Ontario, M1G 3T8, Canada
An interactive documentary screening of a case study of community-led development work in Bangladesh.

Join Good Neighbours Canada for a documentary screening of a case study of community-led development work in Bangladesh, highlighting how this organization fosters sustainable development through empowering young people, supporting livelihoods and utilizing an innovative whole-community support system. The screening will be followed by an interactive Q&A and reflective discussions, where attendees will be invited to engage with Good Neighbours staff and one another while thinking about sustainable development practice.

Location? Event Center, Centennial College, 941 Progress Ave, Scarborough, ON M1G 3T8

Reimagining Partnerships: Collaborating with the Private Sector to Achieve the SDGs
2025-02-05 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Toronto) | Virtual, Canada
Amid a shifting economic and geopolitical landscape, private sector partnerships could emerge as a key trend for 2025 and beyond. Effective collaborations between the non-profit and private sectors can play a crucial role in advancing global health and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Yet, current private sector metrics tend to focus primarily on the financial contributions rather than social impact. At the same time, the diversity of the private sector and assumptions often make non-profits hesitant to engage.
This webinar will challenge traditional perceptions, spotlight unique ways the private sector can support NGOs, and present practical, innovative examples of how mutually beneficial partnerships can thrive.
Speakers:

Caitlin McKay, Lucky Iron Life
Adrienne Jack, Cowater International
Robin Darcy, Alinea
Megan Dover, Cross Border Impact Ventures

Attend here!

Canada and the Global Financing Facility at 10: Delivering lifesaving care for women, children and adolescents
2025-02-05 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Toronto) | Global centre for pluralism, 2330 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N0C7, Canada
With leadership from Canada in support of the G8 Muskoka Initiative, the Global Financing Facility (GFF) was launched in 2015 to accelerate efforts to end preventable maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent deaths by 2030.
This event will mark 10 years of GFF results to unlock additional financing and expand access to affordable, lifesaving health care for hundreds of millions in the GFF’s 36 partner countries. Speakers will reflect on Canada’s pivotal role in supporting the GFF as an innovative global partnership, and the road ahead for continuing advancements in health and nutrition for women, children, and adolescents.
We hope you can join us this week at #IDW2025!
Register here!

Feminist Futures: Exploring Transformative Leadership and Equitable Partnerships
2025-02-06 09:30 - 11:30 (America/Toronto) | Virtual, Canada
In the spirit of advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and fostering more equitable global partnerships, OCIC’s International Development Week 2025 Gender Panel, ‘Feminist Futures: Exploring Transformative Leadership and Equitable Partnerships’, will focus on feminist leadership and inclusive partnerships as transformative forces for creating lasting social change.
Join us to hear powerful stories of hope, agency, and resilience from South Asian and East African regions, drawing attention to how feminist leaders and grassroots collaborations are shaping the future of development.
Meet the Contributors: Opening Remarks: – Senator Paulette Senior Moderator:

Marlen Mondaca, Vice President of Programs and Partnerships, Canadian Feed the Children

Panelists:

Elizabeth Kemigisha, The Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA – Uganda)
Dr. Rubel Manivannan, Regions Beyond Medical Union Society
Gulnora Mukhamadieva, Global Lead for Gender, Aga Khan Foundation
Shobha Shrestha, Women for Peace and Democracy (WPD) Nepal
Dr. Felagot Taddese, CPAR Ethiopia

Thank you to OCIC members; Aga Khan Foundation, Canadian Feed the Children, Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief (CPAR), Crossroads International, Presbyterian World Service & Development (PWS&D), and World Accord.
Attend here!

Webinar: No Woman or Girl Left Behind
2025-02-06 11:30 - 12:30 (America/Toronto) | Virtual, Canada
Join Us for an Exclusive Webinar During International Development Week!
Topic: Insights and Impacts from Partners In Health SRHR Programming in Malawi and Sierra Leone
Date: Thursday, February 6, 2025
Time: 11:30 AM EST
Duration: 1 Hour
From 2019 to 2024, Partners In Health Canada led the transformative No Woman or Girl Left Behind project in Neno District, Malawi, and Kono District, Sierra Leone, with funding from Global Affairs Canada. This comprehensive initiative tackled critical issues in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), empowering women, girls, and adolescents through groundbreaking health interventions and social supports.
To celebrate International Development Week, join us as we reflect on this impactful journey with two leaders who have been at the forefront of the work:
Moderator: Emily Antze
Panelists:

Basimenye Nhlema (Sime), Executive Director, Partners In Health Malawi
Isata Dumbuya, Director of Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (RMCNH), Partners In Health Sierra Leone

What to Expect:

Learn about the challenges, successes, and lessons from six years of transformative health system strengthening.
Hear firsthand stories of impact and policy change in Malawi and Sierra Leone.
Engage in a live Q&A session with our panelists.

Who Should Attend?
Whether you are passionate about global health, gender equity, or international development, this webinar offers valuable insights into driving meaningful change through comprehensive health programming.
Attend here!

Together: A story of a Good Neighbours Community Development Project in Bangladesh
2025-02-06 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Toronto) | Virtual, Canada
An interactive documentary screening of a case study of community-led development work in Bangladesh.

Join Good Neighbours Canada for a documentary screening of a case study of community-led development work in Bangladesh, highlighting how this organization fosters sustainable development through empowering young people, supporting livelihoods and utilizing an innovative whole-community support system. The screening will be followed by an interactive Q&A and reflective discussions, where attendees will be invited to engage with Good Neighbours staff and one another while thinking about sustainable development practice.

Come Savour the Stories, Taste the World!
2025-02-06 17:30 - 20:00 (America/Toronto) | Centre for Social Innovation, 192 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5T 2C2, Canada
Join Cuso International for Taste of the World during International Development Week 2025! Our event, in partnership with Global Affairs Canada, celebrates Canada’s 35-year commitment to international development, highlighting the profound unifying power of food.
Shared meals connect us beyond borders, transforming strangers into allies.

Date: Thursday, February 6th, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Centre for Social Innovation, 192 Spadina Ave. Toronto ON
Please register here

Through storytelling, recipe sharing, and communal dining, we’ll explore how food interconnects with global development and the environment.
You’ll hear inspiring stories from Cuso International volunteers and diaspora communities, all while experiencing the transformative power of a shared meal.
Come Savour the Stories, Taste the World!
This event is in partnership with the Centre for Social Innovation

Cash Bar for alcoholic drinks
Free nonalcoholic beverages
Food sampling from regions of Peru, Ethiopia and Jamaica

Moving the needle: Women & women's health at the forefront of science 2025
2025-02-07 08:30 - 18:00 (America/Toronto) | MaRS Discovery District – Auditorium, 101 College St., Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Join us in-person at the MaRS Discovery District to celebrate the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2025! Enjoy panel discussions, networking opportunities, refreshments, and more.
This free event is for undergraduate or post-graduate students, trainees, and aspiring or seasoned professionals in science.
MORNING SESSION: Pathways to Discovery

Features plenary speaker, Dr. Sheena Josselyn, Senior Scientist, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Living Library networking groups, Rapid Fire Science presentations, and panel discussions with women leaders from top research institutes
Hosted by Women’s College Hospital Research and Innovation Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), Baycrest, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, and Sinai Health Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute
Hosted by UHN Women, a group of students from the University of Toronto will be participating in a Wikipedia Edit-A-Thon, simultaneously as the presentations.
For inquiries regarding this session, please contact Denada Alushaj at denada.alushaj@wchospital.ca

AFTERNOON SESSION: Trajectory to Translation

Features a discussion with leading women’s health innovators and provides opportunities to connect with experts in areas including raising capital, IP, business strategy, and more
Hosted by Women’s College Hospital Research and Innovation Institute, PRiME at University of Toronto and MaRS
For inquiries regarding this session, please contact Louise Pichette at lpichette@marsdd.com

REGISTRATION

Registration is required to secure your spot and spots are limited.

Please note: Registration for the morning and afternoon sessions is separate.

You are welcome to register for one session or both.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Fireside Chat and Networking Lunch with France's Special Envoy on Nutrition Brieuc Pont & Assistant Deputy Minister Leslie Norton
2025-02-07 11:30 - 13:30 (America/Toronto) | Nutrition International HQ, 180 Elgin Street, 8th Floor, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
As part of International Development Week, Nutrition International and Results Canada are pleased to invite you to a fireside chat and networking lunch with Monsieur Brieuc Pont, France’s Special Envoy on Nutrition and Secretary General of the #NutritionForGrowth Summit, and Global Affairs Canada’s Assistant Deputy Minister Leslie Norton.

This gathering provides an opportunity to hear the Special Envoy’s vision for this crucial moment to advance nutrition, celebrate Canada’s leadership, and call for new, ambitious commitments. Your participation will ensure a robust and impactful dialogue.

Please RSVP for the event by this Tuesday, February 4th by filling out this form https://bit.ly/NutritionFiresideChat

We look forward to welcoming you for an opportunity to amplify Canada’s impact on global nutrition and foster meaningful connections.

International Development Week Insight Exchange
2025-02-08 13:30 - 17:00 (America/Toronto) | Centre for Social Innovation, 192 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5T 2C2, Canada
This International Development Week (IDW), join Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), in partnership with the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada’s Youth Advisory Council, for a youth-led afternoon featuring dynamic conversations, networking, and presentations by youth related to intersecting challenges and opportunities in global development.
IDW is held annually in the first week of February to highlight Canada’s role in fighting poverty and encourage Canadians to get involved in global development.
This free networking event is designed to connect people from diverse sectors, generations, and career paths who are interested in supporting sustainable, inclusive initiatives that empower communities in Canada and around the world.
This public afternoon event will feature:

Reflections from youth on the intersecting issues of climate resilience, sexual and reproductive health and rights, conservation, and economic empowerment
Perspectives from sector leaders
An insight exchange (a facilitated opportunity to meet different people with conversation prompts)
Informal networking

The following organizations will have representatives available for you to connect with: Aga Khan Foundation Canada, Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, Oxfam Canada, CARE Canada, Youth Challenge International, WUSC, and more!
Light refreshments will be served.
Notes:

While AKFC and JGIC are hosting this event together, please be aware that JGIC is offering some separate programming throughout the day. Please visit their event site to learn more and register for their activities directly.
If you have already filled out a registration form for the AKFC-hosted roundtables, you are already registered for the afternoon portion.
If you or your organization would like to set up a table with collateral at this event, please email akfc.events@akdn.org.

Accessibility: The ground floor of CSI Spadina is fully accessible, Suite 101 can be reached via an elevator with a door of 30” width. For more information on accessibility at CSI, please visit this link.
For any additional accessibility requirements, please email akfc.events@akdn.org.

Members Virtual Coffee Chats: Community Engagement for Gender Equality
2025-02-12 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Toronto) | Virtual, Canada
CanWaCH is starting the year with our second members virtual coffee chat!
Held on February 12, 2025 at 1 p.m. EST, it will focus on community engagement for gender equality. During the coffee chat, participants can join one of three breakout rooms, each with a specific focus: partnering with youth and youth-led organizations, working with faith and community leaders or engaging with men and boys. (You can switch rooms anytime during the session!)
At CanWaCH, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for experts to gather, share challenges and best practices, and exchange knowledge. Open to all CanWaCH members and partners, Coffee Chats provide an informal setting for members to connect and discuss their work, challenges, and best practices on a specific, predetermined topic. There are no expectations from participants other than being ready to engage by sharing about your work, listening, and learning from each other.
After signing up, you will receive a calendar invite and a link to a Google Doc where you can share questions, reflections, and resources before the discussion. On the date, join the conversation! CanWaCH will facilitate, but we ask you to take an active role by sharing your thoughts, work, challenges, and best practices on the topic and questions raised by others.
Attend here!

Progress and Possibility: A Tribute to SRHR Achievements
2025-02-12 18:00 - 20:30 (America/Toronto) | National Arts Centre, 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Join us for a special evening during Sexual Health Week as we celebrate Oxfam Canada’s and its partners’ achievements in advancing access to sexual and reproductive health services worldwide. This reception will highlight the life-changing impacts of our work and transport you directly into the stories of those at the heart of these efforts through a powerful, immersive virtual reality experience.
Step into our VR space and witness firsthand the resilience and determination of young women and male allies from Her Future, Her Choice – a groundbreaking initiative that has empowered communities in Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Canada over the past six years. These immersive films bring to life the voices of those fighting for their right to bodily autonomy, economic independence, and access to sexual and reproductive health services.
With special guests from the Philippines and Canada, you’ll gain deeper insights into our impact—including the soon-to-close Sexual Health and Empowerment (SHE) project in the Philippines, which has transformed lives for the past seven years.
? Date: February 12, 2025
? Time: 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
? Location: National Arts Centre (Rossy Pavilion), 1 Elgin Street, Ottawa
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage, learn, and step into the future of advocacy through VR. Kindly RSVP by February 10, 2025.
We look forward to seeing you!

Global Health Spotlight Series - In Conversation
2025-02-18 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Vancouver) | BCCHR room 2108
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 Angela’s journey to becoming a global health leader—highlighting her 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, February 18, 2025 |12:00 – 1:00 pm PST
Where: In-Person at Room 2108 BCCHRI (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 first speaker is Dr. Angela Kaida, a global health epidemiologist and community-based researcher at Simon Fraser University where she is an SFU Distinguished Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences and the former Canada Research Chair in Global Perspectives on HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health. She leads a global research program focused on factors and environments that increase vulnerability or protect sexual and reproductive health in the context of HIV. Dr. Kaida works closely with community leaders and decision makers to integrate research evidence into health policy and programming attending to social and gender equity. In 2022, she was elected as a Member of the Royal Society College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists.
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!

Redefining Global Development: Black Leadership in International Cooperation
2025-02-18 13:00 - 14:30, 2025-02-26 14:00 - 15:30 (America/Toronto) | Virtual, Canada
Celebrate Black History Month with an inspiring discussion featuring Black Changemakers, Innovators, and Disruptors shaping Canada’s international cooperation sector. This dynamic panel will highlight the contributions, challenges, and leadership of Black professionals driving change on the global stage.
Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from leaders who are breaking barriers and redefining international cooperation. Engage in meaningful dialogue, gain insights, and be part of the movement toward more inclusive global development.
Register now and be part of the conversation!

World Day of Social Justice
2025-02-20 | Ontario
Social justice is an underlying principle for peaceful and prosperous coexistence within and among nations. We uphold the principles of social justice when we promote gender equality, or the rights of indigenous peoples and migrants. We advance social justice when we remove barriers that people face because of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, culture or disability.
For the United Nations, the pursuit of social justice for all is at the core of our global mission to promote development and human dignity. The adoption by the International Labour Organization of the Declaration on Social Justice for a Fair Globalization is just one recent example of the UN System’s commitment to social justice. The Declaration focuses on guaranteeing fair outcomes for all, through employment, social protection, social dialogue, and fundamental principles and rights at work.

Unstoppable Women: Celebrating Award-Winning Development
2025-02-25 13:00 - 14:30 (America/Winnipeg) | Virtual, Canada
We’re thrilled to honour the winners of MCIC’s 2025 Development Impact Awards and their incredible programs that are transforming lives. Join us and you’ll hear from three of MCIC’s members, Real Humanitarian, Tearfund and UNICEF, who will showcase their projects and how they’re advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
We’ll learn how Real Humanitarian’s Empowering, Educating & Employing Women project is making strides in Ethiopia by training women and girls for a brighter future. This initiative, championed alongside local partner Support Street Mothers and Children, provides training in various trades, offers business and financial instruction, and supports gender equality, helping single parents and families in extreme poverty rise above their challenges.
Tearfund Canada will share how the Empowering Women in Kenya project, in partnership with national partner Fadhili Trust, is creating lasting change by promoting gender equality. This initiative establishes Village Savings and Loan Associations, provides agricultural training, and empowers women and girls to lead, fostering sustainable change and transforming lives for a brighter future.
We’ll explore how UNICEF Canada is creating positive change through the UNdaunted project, by tackling educational barriers faced by girls in Ghana, in partnership with UNICEF Ghana and local education departments. Through a whole-school approach focused on community engagement, this initiative is creating safe learning environments, boosting STEM participation, and training teachers in gender equality, significantly increasing girls’ enrollment and retention in junior high – and helping thousands of girls to pursue their dreams.
Come and discover life-changing projects that are making a positive difference in the world. You’ll get to meet the people behind these initiatives and hear their inspiring stories.
Register now and join us for this celebration of community impact!

World NGO Day
2025-02-27 | Ontario
The universal concept of the World NGO Day is to Celebrate, Commemorate and Collaborate – the various NGOs around the world, and the people behind them that contribute to society all year around.
World NGO Day is to inspire people to become more actively involved within NGO sector and encourage a greater symbiosis between NGOs and both the public and private sector.
World NGO Day is an international calendar day annually observed on 27 February.

Oxfam Canada Youth Summit 2025
2025-03-01 - 2025-03-02 | Ottawa, ON
Real change happens when people come together and use their collective power to lift up their communities. Together we have the ability to represent an array of people, issues and lived experiences, all with a shared passion for advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), and ending the injustice of poverty and inequality. That is why Oxfam Canada is calling on youth activists, community leaders and passionate individuals from across the country to come together and attend the Youth Summit!
About the Youth Summit!
Oxfam Canada will convene young SRHR activists from across Canada to gain skills related to providing, educating on, and advocating for CSE and SRHR in their communities. The Youth Summit is a free, two-day summit that will be packed full of workshops, inspiring speakers, and breakout sessions focused on SRHR issues and advocacy. Participants will leave inspired, connected, knowledgeable and equipped with skills to advocate for positive change under the broad umbrella of SRHR, including an explicit focus on 2SLGBTQIA+ CSE.
Applicants from anywhere in Canada, excluding Quebec, aged 18-29 are welcome to apply. Our overarching goal with these spots is to support young 2SLGBTQ+ leaders by equipping them with the skills and knowledge not only to bring CSE into their community spaces using an intersectional feminist and anti-racist approach, but also advocate for CSE, SRHR, and other 2SLGBTQ+ related issues in political settings.
Youth will participate in interactive sessions that build their capacity in CSE that addresses the needs of diverse populations. They will also learn how to advocate for the needs of themselves and their communities, specifically around CSE and SRH to decision makers.

Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) 2025
2025-03-02 - 2025-03-05 | Kigali Convention Centre, Rwanda
AHAIC 2025, happening on March 2-5 in Kigali, Rwanda, marks a historic moment in Africa’s health resilience. Themed “Connected for Change: Addressing Socio-Ecological Dynamics of Health,” AHAIC celebrates a decade of African-led thought leadership, offering a unique platform to explore innovations and connect with key stakeholders in shaping a self-reliant Africa.
Join us to reimagine global health systems to ensure equitable access to healthcare for everyone, everywhere.
Learn more and register here

Integrating FGS to Optimize Women and Girl's Health in Africa
2025-03-07 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Toronto) | Virtual, Canada
What is FGS?
Female Genital Schistosomiasis (FGS) affects millions of women and girls on the continent of Africa. It is a complication of chronic, untreated schistosomiasis in women and girls. Schistosomiasis is a common neglected tropical disease that is transmitted to people when they interact with fresh-waterways that are home to snails that carry schistosomes – the parasite causing the infection. FGS occurs when the parasite’s eggs migrate to and damage the urogenital tract. If left untreated, FGS can result in severe SRH complications such as ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage and infertility, an increased risk for HIV and HPV. FGS is unrecognised and often misdiagnosed as a sexually transmitted infection. FGS mainly affects women and girls living in vulnerable circumstances, often lacking access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene and primary health care services.
Rationale
The integration of FGS offers an opportunity to deliver comprehensive, quality healthcare services for women and girls. There are various models through which FGS can be integrated into the wider health care system to ensure accurate, timely diagnosis and treatment to prevent the long-term impact from this disease on sexual and reproductive health including infertility and an increased risk of acquiring HIV and HPV. Addressing FGS – a preventable, affordably treatable illness affecting millions of women and girls across Africa – ensures existing investments in health care for women and girls at risk are responsive to their needs.
Objectives

Showcase different models of FGS integration from East, West and Southern Africa
Promote an understanding of how FGS can be integrated into the wider health system, particularly sexual and reproductive health rights and services
Improve engagement and discussion amongst funders and implementers on existing and future opportunities for integration.
