Ask a Fellow: International Youth Fellowship Information Session
2026-01-09 09:00 - 10:00 (America/Toronto) | Virtual, Canada
Join us for a virtual Q&A session to learn more about the application process, the placements, and life overseas!

Calling all internationally minded young people in Canada! Do you want to learn from communities around the globe? Are you ready to apply your knowledge and enthusiasm to initiatives aimed at building a more prosperous, pluralistic world? If so, Aga Khan Foundation Canada’s International Youth Fellowship may be just what you’re looking for! This funded opportunity offers an intensive training program and an eight-month overseas placement for recent university graduates and young professionals aged 30 or under.
Join us on Friday, January 9, 2026 at 9:00am EST for a virtual Q&A session to learn more about the application process, the placements, and life overseas! You’ll have the opportunity to hear directly from International Youth Fellows and AKFC staff. Please bring any questions you may have about the Fellowship and AKFC, and we will do our best to answer them live!
Register for free now to receive a Zoom link. The event will be recorded and published on our website afterwards.
Additional information:

Visit our website to learn more about the Fellowship and Frequently Asked Questions.
Click here to get started on your application. Applications are due on Sunday, February 1 at 11:59 pm EST.

We’re looking forward to seeing you at the event and having you join us in building a world where we all thrive together!
Attend here!

Voices with Impact: January Webinar
2026-01-13 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual, Canada
2026 marks the Year of the Volunteer, a time to celebrate the longstanding impact of service. It’s also a chance for us all to write a new chapter in our lives, inspired by those who have already filled many pages with stories of resilience, compassion, and dedication to their fellow human beings.
Join Cuso International on Tuesday January 13 for the first event in our Voices with Impact winter webinar series – a celebration of the stories, wisdom, and lived experiences that shape the heart of volunteering. This season, we’re turning the pages of powerful books written by Cuso alumni, exploring how service transforms communities and the people who step forward to serve.
Our opening conversation features Wendy Nordick, author of Indelible: A Social Worker in the Wake of Civil War, and Marian Dodds, author of Tizita – A Memoir of Perseverance and Enchantment. Together, they’ll reflect on resilience, compassion, and the enduring impact of global service.
Bring your curiosity, your questions, and your bright New Year energy, because every story becomes richer when we share it.
Attend here!

FutureSHIFT SkillBuilding Labs: Session 1 Power, Pattern, and Fragmentation
2026-01-16 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual, Canada
Format: Online

Learn to decode the signals of power and their patterns,
build the skills that turn foresight into your strategic roadmap for navigating risk, and
step into your power to seize responsibility.

Overview
The international cooperation sector is in a pivotal moment. Cooperation Canada and The Collective Legacy​​ present the FutureSHIFT Lab, a journey to dismantle inequitable systems and build justice-centred futures.
This is not a passive series. It’s a facilitated lab where you will gain practical skills to diagnose power dynamics, apply liberatory design, and co-create a more equitable sector.
Attend here!

Women’s Health Framework call to action
2026-01-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual, Canada
On December 9, Senator Daniele Henkel introduced Bill S-243 for first reading in the Senate. The bill is scheduled for second reading on February 3, 2026, marking a pivotal moment for women’s health policy in Canada. Senator Henkel has shared her vision for the bill in a recent LinkedIn video, underscoring the urgency and opportunity.
The Women’s Health Framework is a complex, pan-Canadian campaign that creates meaningful entry points for every organization and business committed to improving outcomes for women. To support alignment and participation, they are hosting a Grassroots Advocacy and Community Engagement focused information session on January 20, 2026. The session will outline the advocacy strategy, key messages being brought to the Hill in February, and practical ways community organizations and leaders can connect their women’s health priorities to this national effort.
Learn more about the information session here: https://thewhc.ca/whframework/
To RSVP, email Carmen Wyton with the subject line “Industry meeting” or “Community Meeting”.

FutureSHIFT SkillBuilding Labs: Session 2 : Building Strategic Design Through Equity as Technology
2026-01-22 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual, Canada
Format: Online

Learn to flip complex systems into equity-rooted strategies,
design and co-create actionable, future-oriented initiatives, and
gain the confidence to pave the way on core issues including safeguarding, MEL, localization, and beyond.

Overview
The international cooperation sector is in a pivotal moment. Cooperation Canada and The Collective Legacy​​ present the FutureSHIFT Lab, a journey to dismantle inequitable systems and build justice-centred futures.
This is not a passive series. It’s a facilitated lab where you will gain practical skills to diagnose power dynamics, apply liberatory design, and co-create a more equitable sector.
Attend here!

International Day of Education
2026-01-24 | Ontario
Education is a human right, a public good and a public responsibility.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International Day of Education, in celebration of the role of education for peace and development.
Without inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong opportunities for all, countries will not succeed in achieving gender equality and breaking the cycle of poverty that is leaving millions of children, youth and adults behind.

Wellbeing Society Webinar Series
2026-01-26 13:30 - 15:00 | Virtual, Canada
Join PHABC for an engaging forum with Dr. Lindsay McLaren exploring the Wellbeing Economy and its implications for public health.
We warmly invite you to register and take part in this timely and thoughtful discussion. They hope to see you there!
Attend here!

Speaking the unspeakable, Stopping the unstoppable - obstetric violence and birth trauma
2026-01-27 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual, Canada
Learning Objectives from Webinar:

Consider the variant issues related to the naming and voicing of obstetric violence;
Consider the variant causes of birth trauma
Consider the variant impacts and consequences of obstetric violence and birth trauma
Consider the possible options and strategies for stopping obstetric violence and birth trauma as preventable harms

Dr. Heather Mattner
Dr. Heather Mattner is a Perinatal Health Psychologist and Midwife with an extensive background in maternal/infant health care, midwifery practice, research and education, models of practice development and review, perinatal mental health and wellbeing, perinatal Aboriginal health and wellbeing and primary health care. Heather has worked and lived in urban, regional, rural and remote settings across Australia and in New Guinea, Nepal and Swaziland holding university, government, non-government, private sector and consultancy roles. Heather is an Adjunct Associate Professor and an Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer in the School of Psychology at The University of Adelaide. Heather has a private practice in Perinatal Psychology in the Adelaide Hills of South Australia where she sees 80 to 90 clients a month from across Australia many of whom have experienced perinatal trauma. Heather is intensely committed to achieving the prevention of birth/perinatal trauma and is also involved in presenting workshops across Australia with a consumer advocate and human rights lawyer educating maternity care professionals on Better Birth With Consent. Heather has led the writing of a guideline for the prevention of birth trauma published by the Maternity Consumer Network of Australia.
Attend here!

Monthly Pan-Canadian Women’s Health Coalition Grand Rounds: The Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance: Women’s Cardiovascular Health Hub
2026-01-28 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual, Canada
Strengthening Collaboration to Advance Equity in Women’s Cardiovascular Health in Canada
This session explores how meaningful engagement with People with Lived Experience (PWLE) and community partners can strengthen equity, trust, and impact in women’s cardiovascular health. Drawing on the Canadian Women’s Heart Health Alliance (CWHHA) model and collaborative initiatives such as CROWNING US, participants will reflect on what works, where gaps remain, and how to move toward more inclusive, culturally responsive collaboration.
About the series:
The Pan-Canadian Women’s Health Coalition (PCWHC) brings together 10 hubs working to address persistent gaps and under-researched areas in women’s health. Hosted by CanWaCH, the PCWHC Grand Rounds series is designed to spark dialogue, highlight challenges and new questions, and open space for collaboration. On the last Wednesday of every month at 12 p.m. ET, a different Coalition Hub will share insights and updates on their work, the questions it’s grappling with, and the challenges it’s navigating. These interactive sessions invite researchers, CanWaCH members, and other partners to ask questions, exchange ideas, and explore new opportunities for collaboration in women’s health.
Attend here!

FutureSHIFT SkillBuilding Labs: Session 3 : Acting Courageous in Governance & Practice
2026-01-29 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual, Canada
Format: Online

Learn to translate equity strategies into new operational practices,
reconfigure who holds power and how decisions are made, and
harness the courage to anchor enduring change into the foundations of the governing structures.

Overview
The international cooperation sector is in a pivotal moment. Cooperation Canada and The Collective Legacy​​ present the FutureSHIFT Lab, a journey to dismantle inequitable systems and build justice-centred futures.
This is not a passive series. It’s a facilitated lab where you will gain practical skills to diagnose power dynamics, apply liberatory design, and co-create a more equitable sector.
Attend here!

Tuberculosis Beyond the Textbook: Gaps, Innovation, and Health Systems Realities
2026-01-30 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual, Canada
Tuberculosis remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious diseases, a fact shaped by inequity and weak health systems. The Partners In Health Canada × Medical Innovation & Global Health Association Tuberculosis Panel brings together clinicians, researchers, and global health leaders to share real-world experiences from the field.
This session centres honest storytelling, practical lessons, and mentorship, offering insight into what meaningful, equity-driven global health work truly looks like.
Panelists: Dr. Dawit Wolday (PhD, MSc, MD + Associate Professor McMaster + Senior Research Scientist at EPHI) Dr. Ferris Munyonho (PhD, MSc + Innovation + Engineering) Petra Heitkamp (MSc + Executive Director, iLINQ2, Co-Chair Stop TB Canada) Dr. Charity Oga-Omenka (B.Pharm, MPH, PhD + Assistant Professor UWaterloo)
Moderator: Marleigh Austin (Director, Programs and Partnerships, Partners In Health Canada)
Attend here!

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

Advancing Climate Resilience: NbS, Partnerships, and Indigenous Knowledge
2026-02-03 09:00 - 16:30 | Virtual, Canada
As part of the 36th International Development Week, this event highlights this year’s theme, Prosperity through Partnership, and the role of collaboration in advancing climate and development action.
English and French interpretation will be provided.
This national knowledge-sharing event is hosted by Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), in partnership with Global Affairs Canada (GAC), as part of the Government of Canada’s Partnering for Climate initiative and the Nature and Climate Community of Practice.
Throughout the day, participants will engage in high-level panels, interactive discussions, and facilitated breakout sessions focused on advancing inclusive and effective climate change adaptation.
Please note: While in-person participation is reserved for registered Community of Practice members, the virtual public audience is invited to observe and take part in key learning moments from the day.
Sessions:
Morning Session: Opportunities and challenges for nature-based finance and partnerships
The morning session will explore how nature-based solutions can be connected to carbon and nature revenue streams, value chains, blended finance, and private-sector partnerships. Participants joining online will also take part in facilitated breakout discussions with other virtual attendees, creating space for shared reflection, exchange of perspectives, and collaborative learning.
Afternoon Session: Insights from Indigenous partnerships and knowledge sharing
In the afternoon, programming will resume with a panel focused on Indigenous partnerships, program design, and governance in nature-based solutions. The day will also feature the formal launch of the Global Affairs Canada-funded report, Working with Knowledge Holders to Advance Inclusive and Equitable Nature and Climate Initiatives.
The event offers a meaningful opportunity to engage with emerging ideas, lessons learned, and Indigenous approaches shaping inclusive and effective climate and nature initiatives.
Attend here!

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

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

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

Where Dreams Meet Real Opportunities: A Fireside Chat with Ziyaan Virji
2026-02-03 19:00 - 20:30 | Virtual, Canada
Discover how your dreams can meet real opportunities! Join us on February 3 for a fireside chat with Ziyaan Virji, Founder of Leaders of Today.
What does it really take to turn an idea into impact?
Ziyaan Virji is a young social entrepreneur who turned a simple Google Sheet into Leaders of Today — a global platform helping tens of thousands of young people access scholarships, fellowships, and opportunities around the world.
What started as a way for one youth to keep track of opportunities grew into a movement accessed over 3 million times, now reaching 50,000+ young leaders through a weekly newsletter and digital platform built by youth, for youth.
In this conversation, Ziyaan will share:

How he got started before he felt “ready”
What actually worked (and what didn’t) along the way
How young people can turn their interests into real-world impact
Practical advice for navigating opportunities in education, leadership, and social change

Whether you’re curious about social entrepreneurship, global issues, or just figuring out your next step, this session is designed to be honest, interactive, and grounded in real experience.
Featured Speaker:
Ziyaan Virji, Founder & CEO, Leaders of Today
Ziyaan is a 24-year-old award-winning social entrepreneur and speaker. At 15, he founded For the Menstruator, an initiative advancing menstrual equity that has reached over 25,000 people across 10 countries. His work spans climate, health, and education, collectively impacting more than half a million people worldwide. Ziyaan has spoken at TEDx and the United Nations and is a recipient of the Princess Diana Award.
If you have any questions and/or experience any registration issues, please contact AKFC’s Education and Youth Engagement team at: akfc.education@akdn.org.
Attend here!

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

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

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

4) Objectives

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

Attend in-person here!

#IDW2026: Modernizing Farm Advisory Services - online
2026-02-04 08:30 - 18:00 | Virtual, Canada
Modernizing Farm Advisory Services: Linking Canadian Agriculture with Global Innovation

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

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

4) Objectives

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

Attend virtually here!

Youth Policy-Makers Hub Alumni Panel: Navigating Careers in the International Cooperation Sector
2026-02-04 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual, Canada
As a part of the Ontario Council for International Cooperation’s (OCIC) International Development Week 2026 program, OCIC will be hosting a virtual panel for students and other individuals interested in working in the international cooperation and policy sectors in Canada. The panel will profile some of our Youth Policy-Makers Hub alumni to share their experience navigating the sector, and how policy and programming intersect.
The panel will explore:

Panelists’ personal career paths
Reflections on their time in the YPH
Perspectives on the ways their education and experience is relevant to their current positions
Insights into the changing priorities and skills needed for young people as they seek opportunities in their sector
Suggestions for students and professionals looking for work in the sector

Meet the Contributors:

Moderator: Christina Muia, Manager of Social Enterprise, Skills for Change, 2019-2020 Cohort
Panelists:

Allison Kingston, Executive Director, Rayjon Share Care, 2021-2022 Cohort
Laura Perez Gonzalez, Portfolio Management Analyst, Grand Challenges Canada, 2022-2023 Cohort
Hudson Biko Mwalagho, Digital Media Manager, CanWaCH, 2023-2024 Cohort
Tashin Rodoshi, Operations Manager, Office of Councillor Parthi Kandavel, City of Toronto, 2024-2025 Cohort

Check out more International Development Week events and initiatives here: https://ocic.on.ca/programs/international-development-week/
Learn more about the Youth Policy-Makers Hub here: https://ocic.on.ca/programs/youth-policy-makers-hub/
Attend here!

Canada’s Foreign Policy Leadership on LGBTIQ+ Rights
2026-02-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual, Canada
Register for Dignity in Dialogue’s upcoming session on February 5th from 11:00 AM- 12:30PM EDT.
In this session, Stephen Brown (University of Ottawa) and Momin Rahman (Trent University) will present key findings from the Advancing Dignity research report, Canada’s Global Support for 2SLGBTIQI People: Assessing the Implementation of Canada’s Foreign Policy (2016–2025). The report was commissioned by Dignity Network Canada and completed in November 2025.
The presentation will offer a brief, high-level assessment of the past ten years of Canada’s “pro-LGBTIQ” foreign policy, followed by a discussion that looks ahead to where we are at the beginning of 2026 and what comes next for Canada’s foreign policy on these issues.
The discussion will be moderated by DNC’s Executive Director Doug Kerr and will feature: Latoya Nugent (Rainbow Railroad), Kim Vance-Mubanga (Egale), and Michäel Arnaud (Égides).
A public version of the report will be released in conjunction with the webinar.
Simultaneous English–French and French–English interpretation will be provided. Please feel free to share this invitation with your networks.
Attend here!

Voices with Impact: February Webinar
2026-02-05 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual, Canada
The UN has declared 2026 to be the Year of the Volunteer, a time to celebrate the longstanding impact of service. It’s a chance for us all to write a new chapter in our lives, inspired by those who have already filled many pages with stories of resilience, compassion, and dedication to their fellow human beings.
On February 5, join us for the second in a series of three webinars that highlight the strength of volunteering in shaping communities and lives through the written word. We’ll be guided by the reflections found in books written by Cuso alumni, works that capture the spirit of volunteering and the transformative power of service.
Bring your questions, your smiles, and your curiosity, because here at Cuso, every story is better when shared!
Attend here!

Cooperation Canada Awards
2026-02-05 16:00 - 17:00 | Virtual, Canada
The Cooperation Canada Awards recognizes excellence and merit in the field of international cooperation by celebrating individuals and organizations that have distinguished themselves in the past year.
On February 5, 2026, from 4:00 to 5:00 PM ET, Cooperation Canada will celebrate outstanding achievements in humanitarian aid and international development at the annual Cooperation Canada Awards ceremony. The ceremony will be held virtually.
This year’s ceremony promises to be a must-attend event! Join us virtually by registering on this page, and don’t forget to dress up in your finest attire as we come together to celebrate the incredible contributions of the awardees.
We look forward to seeing you on February 5, 2026 at 4:00 PM ET to honour the outstanding individuals and organizations shaping the future of international cooperation.

Attend here!

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation
2026-02-06 | Ontario
Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights, the health and the integrity of girls and women.
Girls who undergo female genital mutilation face short-term complications such as severe pain, shock, excessive bleeding, infections, and difficulty in passing urine, as well as long-term consequences for their sexual and reproductive health and mental health.
Although primarily concentrated in 30 countries in Africa and the Middle East, female genital mutilation is a universal problem and is also practiced in some countries in Asia and Latin America. Female genital mutilation continues to persist amongst immigrant populations living in Western Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand.
To promote the elimination of female genital mutilation, coordinated and systematic efforts are needed, and they must engage whole communities and focus on human rights, gender equality, sexual education and attention to the needs of women and girls who suffer from its consequences.

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

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

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

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

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

Important Information:

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

Attend here!

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

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

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

Doing Hard Things With Friends: Accompaniment as Policy
2026-02-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual, Canada
Join Partners in Health Canada for an informal group discussion on “Accompaniment as Policy,” a talk by Dr. Paul Farmer delivered at the Harvard Kennedy School: https://www.harvardmagazine.com/2011/05/paul-farmer-accompaniment-as-policy.
Paul reflects on what it truly means to “accompany” as a practice of solidarity that shapes how care, development, and policy are carried out. Drawing from his field work, he challenges the idea that expertise alone is enough, and makes the case that lasting change requires a willingness to stay when things get hard.
This session is a space to think together about:

What accompaniment looks like in practice
Why so many well-intentioned policies fail at the implementation stage
How solidarity and imagination can reshape global health systems We look forward to reading (and thinking) together!

Attend here!

International Day of Women and Girls in Science
2026-02-11 | Ontario
Science and gender equality are both vital for the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Over the past 15 years, the global community has made a lot of effort in inspiring and engaging women and girls in science. Yet women and girls continue to be excluded from participating fully in science.
At present, less than 30 per cent of researchers worldwide are women. According to UNESCO data (2014 – 2016), only around 30 per cent of all female students select STEM-related fields in higher education. Globally, female students’ enrolment is particularly low in ICT (3 per cent), natural science, mathematics and statistics (5 per cent) and in engineering, manufacturing and construction (8 per cent).
Long-standing biases and gender stereotypes are steering girls and women away from science related fields. As in the real world, the world on screen reflects similar biases—the 2015 Gender Bias Without Borders study by the Geena Davis Institute showed that of the onscreen characters with an identifiable STEM job, only 12 per cent were women.
In order to achieve full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls, and further achieve gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/70/212 declaring 11 February as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

Measuring What Matters: Inclusive, Monitoring, Evaluation,& Learning (MEL) at the Triple Nexus
2026-02-12 13:00 - 14:30 | Virtual, Canada
Measuring What Matters explores best practices for designing and implementing inclusive MEL systems that support real-time reflection, adaptation, and equity-centered decision-making. Grounded in feminist and locally led approaches, the series supports Canadian international cooperation actors to shift MEL from donor-driven reporting toward locally led learning that strengthens program quality, relevance, and justice across humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding contexts. Sessions combine interactive activities, peer learning, and practical application, with supplemental learning materials to keep participants engaged throughout the training series.
This three-part series is designed for a broad range of practitioners, reflecting a commitment to breaking down silos and fostering collaborative, evidence-based practice. Inclusive, locally driven MEL depends on multi-stakeholder engagement across roles, sectors, and geographies.

This is a cumulative training series, the discussion will build at each session. Participants are encouraged to attend all three of the virtual training sessions. Following the main training sessions, the facilitators will join two additional, optional learning sessions.

Session One – Inclusive MEL at the Triple Nexus: Principals and Pitfalls – Thursday, February 26 at 1:00 – 2:30 PM EST.
Session Two – Power, Participation and What We Measure: Shaping MEL for Equity – Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 1:00 – 2:30 EST.
Session Three: From Data to Insight: Practical Tools for Inclusive & Adaptive Learning – Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 1:00 – 2:30 PM EST.

Learning Spaces (optional): Thursday April 9, 2026 at 1:00 – 2:00 PM EST, Thursday May 7, 2026 at 1:00 – 2:00 PM EST
*spaces are limited so we encourage you to register as soon as you can

Participation fee: $100 per participant for the full course (3 sessions + optional learning spaces)
Cooperation Canada is committed to making our trainings accessible, especially for actors traditionally excluded from sector-wide initiatives due to limited resources. Fee waivers or reduced fees are available. Please email programs@cooperation.ca for support.

Measuring What Matters challenges and supports participants to shift from extractive, top-down monitoring and evaluation systems towards inclusive approaches that are community-centered, and grounded in learning and equity. Rooted in the realities of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, this training series empowers participants to reflect on their MEL practice, explore power dynamics in measurement and learning, and apply tools for real-time reflection and accountability.
This program is designed to equip participants with the ability to:

Explain key principles of inclusive and locally-led MEL within the context of the triple nexus.
Analyze common dilemmas around what is measured, who defines success, and how learning is shared, owned, and acted upon.
Identify opportunities to make MEL systems more adaptive, learning-focused, and equity-responsive.
Apply practical tools that embed real-time reflection, course correction, and community realities into MEL practice.

Who Should Attend? Intended for practitioners across the humanitarian, development, and peace sectors with a basic understanding of MEL, especially those working with marginalized populations, including MEL specialists, program managers, funders, GAC policy and technical leads, and country office and local partners.
Learn more and attend here!

An Introduction to Indigenous Governance
2026-02-17 13:00 - 17:00 | Virtual, Canada
Cooperation Canada, in partnership with SevGen Consulting Inc.,​ invites you to a two-part training designed for boards and the people who support them in the international cooperation. Join us for a high-impact introduction delivered as two training intensives for accelerated, time-compressed learning. We’ll build shared foundations and language, then move quickly into real-world application so participants leave with clarity, confidence, and practical tools. Expect focused sessions that balance thoughtful listening with interaction, offering clear, practical ways to embed Indigenous governance principles across strategy and culture.
Who Should Attend
Board members, executives, and senior leaders from the international cooperation interested in strengthening their understanding of Indigenous governance and reconciliation. We also encourage anyone who works to support boards in their work to join us.
Registration
This session is free and open to both members and non-members.
Register now to reserve your spot!

Decolonizing Ourselves: Learning Through Story
2026-02-17 20:00 - 22:00 | Virtual, Canada
February is a time for storytelling. Come hear traditional storytellers Louise Halfe, Dr. Kathy Walker and Simon Bird share creation stories that are relevant to decolonization today. All are welcome! Attendees will hear the stories and reflect upon them in circles.
“Decolonizing Ourselves: Learning Through Story” will be held online over two evenings, Tuesday, February 17 and Thursday, February 19 at:
5:00 p.m. PST | 6:00 p.m. MST | 7:00 p.m. CST | 8:00 p.m. EST | 9:00 p.m. AST | 9:30 p.m. NST.
You are welcome to attend either or both evenings. Upon registering, attendees will receive one Zoom link which will work for both.
The event is free; please register here: https://link.kairoscanada.org/Decolonizing-Ourselves.
The KAIROS Prairies North Decolonization group is honoured to host this event.
Attend here!
