Reproductive Justice without Borders
2025-06-26 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Toronto) | Virtual, Canada
Get ready for an important conversation! We’ll give you more details later – are you ready!

Across the Americas, reproductive justice movements are built not just through protests or policy win but through the everyday, behind-the-scenes labor of organizers, researchers, and communities working across borders.

In Latin America, this work is rooted in decades of transnational feminist dialogue. VITAL is documenting those strategies—so that we can learn from each other, strengthen our movements, and build justice that lasts.

We will have simultaneous interpretation in English and Spanish.
Attend here!

Global Citizenship Youth Conference 2025
2025-07-03 - 2025-07-06 | Tatamagouche Centre, Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia, Canada
The conference is an opportunity for youth to get informed, get inspired, and take action on local and global issues in a safe and welcoming space. Participants will meet and engage with a diverse group of youth from different communities and cultures across the four Atlantic provinces. Participants will:

Connect with others who are committed to social justice and effective global citizenship

Challenge systems and barriers that block change

Create skills that foster personal and professional social change

Identify actionable Change within their communities and circles

The conference is free of charge, and food and accommodation are provided. ACIC will arrange and cover the expense of all travel for youth participants.

The Global Citizenship Youth Conference invites youth (ages 15-17) to learn about, and take action on, global issues. Hosted by the Atlantic Council for International Cooperation, participants will spend three days (July 3-6, 2025) at the Tatamagouche Centre in Tatamagouche, Nova Scotia.
Through interactive activities, discussion, games, reflection, and more, the conference will explore topics such as peace and conflict, human rights, Indigenous realities, the Sustainable Development Goals, refugee experiences, poverty and food sovereignty, gender equity, environment, anti-racism, 2SLGBTQSIA+ realities, and more.
Learn more here!

Co-créer l’avenir de la santé sexuelle et reproductive et de la santé maternelle, néonatale et infantile: Dialogues entre recherche et acteurs de terrain
2025-07-07 09:00 - 16:00 | Walter Montréal, 85 Rue Saint-Paul Ouest, Montréal, Québec, Canada
*This event will be hosted in French only / Cet événement sera uniquement en français
Malgré des objectifs communs, les collaborations entre les différents acteurs de terrain tels que les OSC et les milieux de recherche restent souvent fragmentées ou déséquilibrées dans le secteur de la santé mondiale, plus particulièrement en matière de santé sexuelle et reproductive et de santé maternelle, néonatale et infantile. Des écarts persistent entre la production de connaissances et leur mise en pratique sur le terrain, posant des défis en matière de circulation, d’adaptation et de mobilisation des savoirs.
Cet atelier se veut une réponse directe à ces enjeux. Il offrira un espace entièrement participatif où acteurs de terrain et membres travaillant dans la recherche pourront exprimer leurs besoins, partager leur expertise et co-construire des pistes concrètes d’action. Cette rencontre vise à renforcer la compréhension mutuelle et à imaginer de nouvelles formes de collaboration.
Entièrement francophone, cet événement s’inscrit dans l’engagement du CanSFE à valoriser nos membres et partenaires francophones et à leur offrir un espace dédié au sein de ses efforts de dialogue, de réflexion stratégique et d’action.
Agenda:
Une journée interactive (avec possibilité d’activités en soirée), comprenant notamment:

3 ateliers participatifs:
Les besoins du terrain: Ce que les organisations d’interventions attendent de la recherche
Les chercheur.e.s prennent la parole
Réflexion et Co-création : ” Quelles sont les prochaines étapes ? “
Mur d’idées participatif pour identifier ensemble les ponts à construire entre recherche et pratique

Attend here!

Join us for a Montréal Dialogue on July 7
2025-07-07 16:00 - 18:00 | Montreal, Quebec
The CanWaCH Dialogue is coming to Montréal on July 7! Hosted from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. EDT, the evening provides an opportunity to casually connect with professionals and colleagues from across the CanWaCH membership and international cooperation sector. English and French participation is welcome!
Register here for free

Webinar Wednesdays: Lessons from WiseGuyz– Engaging Men and Boys Across the Spectrum of Harm
2025-07-09 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual, Canada
This session will explore how to engage men and boys in conversations about harm in a way that fosters both empathy and accountability. Attendees will learn about the approaches that have supported the impact of the Wiseguyz program in working with young men for over a decade. Additionally, we will focus on strategies for addressing sensitive topics with boys without vilifying them, creating a space where they can learn and grow. Participants will leave with practical tools for engaging men and boys across the spectrum of harm in a constructive and compassionate way.
About the Speaker
Stafford Perry is an award-winning actor and community leader with extensive experience in public engagement and facilitation. As a community leader in men’s engagement, Stafford has worked specifically with men and boys to prevent violence and foster social change for over a decade. He was instrumental in coordinating and developing the award-winning WiseGuyz program at the Centre for Sexuality, a groundbreaking violence prevention program for young men and has facilitated over a hundred professional and community workshops across the province. Today, he is the WiseGuyz Scaling Project Manager, supporting sites across the country to implement the WiseGuyz program into their communities. He designs and delivers education workshops, provides consultations and is a featured speaker at local, national, and international conferences.
Attend here!

From Policy to Impact: Canada's Role in Global Health
2025-07-10 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual, Canada
Join us for an interactive conversation with the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health (CanWaCH) hosted by the Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation (SCIC) that pulls back the curtain on how global health policy becomes real-world impact — and where Canada fits into the picture.
Guiding the conversation will be Megan Aikens, Director of Strategic Partnerships and Gender Equality at CanWaCH. With deep expertise in advocacy, stakeholder engagement and global health strategy, Megan will lead a dynamic dialogue exploring how Canada’s commitments to gender equality and health intersect with shifting global priorities. Whether you work in international development or are simply curious about how advocacy shapes global change, this session will offer space to reflect, connect and get a behind-the-scenes look at Canada’s role in the world.
Event Details:
Date: July 10
Time: 12:00 PM CST
Location: Online (Zoom)
Register here!
Note: Zoom link will be sent to you after registration, close to the event. If you have any questions, kindly email membership@saskcic.org

2025 ARC Survey Drop-in session
2025-07-11 11:00 - 12:30 | Virtual, Canada
Come talk to our team to learn about the 2025 ARC survey, get clarifications or support on technical issues.
Attend here!

Webinar Wednesdays: Creating a Culture of Consent- Being an Engaged Bystander
2025-07-16 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual, Canada
This engaging webinar explores the root causes of sexual violence and factors that may prevent people from intervening, while introducing strategies to address harassment in ways that empower the person experiencing harm. Participants will leave this webinar with practical tools for creating safer environments for colleagues and clients, along with a deeper understanding of the role of an engaged bystander can play in creating a culture of consent and anti-violence.
About the Speaker
Nolan E. Hill (he/him) is a Training Centre Facilitator at the Centre for Sexuality in Calgary, AB, Canada. In this role, he facilitates professional development workshops for a variety of professionals around topics related to sexual health and sexuality. He brings background in queer health, HIV, and 2SLGBTQ+ community development to his role. He is passionate about health justice and ensuring queer and trans voices are amplified in the health system.
Attend here!

UNA-Canada High-Level Political Forum Virtual Side Event
2025-07-17 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual, Canada
Virtual Side Event at the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) 2025

“Equity at the Core, Evidence in Action: Canadian Youth Shaping a Sustainable and Inclusive Tomorrow”
July 17, 2025, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM EST
Online (link in bio) – Open to all!
Hosted by @unacanada, this dynamic event brings together powerful youth voices from across Canada to share solutions rooted in equity, lived experience, and science.
From digital justice to cultural healing, gender equity to economic resilience, our delegates and panelists are building the future – one solution at a time. The event will feature powerful youth presentations, rapid-fire panels, and interactive Q&A.
Let’s centre youth in action and ensure no one is left behind.

Zoom link to join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81295839981

Webinar Wednesdays: Respect for Self, Others, and Place- A Parsimonious Framework to Promote Health and Well-Being
2025-07-23 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual, Canada
The ongoing reports of emotional exhaustion in caring professionals provide compelling evidence that innovative preventive efforts to foster well-being are needed now more than ever. The “Tri-Respect Framework” that promotes respect for self, others, and place provides a simple and instrumental tool for health of individuals, relationships, and communities in general. In this webinar, we will review the origin of the “Tri-Respect Framework” and highlight the findings of a recent pilot study with nursing faculty that explored the practicality of this tool, in particular, the component of “respect for self” to increase commitment to self-care in nursing students and faculty. Findings illustrate enthusiasm for the utility of the “Tri-Respect Framework” not only on an individual level but as a framework for examining systems-level factors that impact the well-being of caring professionals.
About the Speakers
Dr. Christine Divin is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Nursing at the University of Texas at Austin. A nurse since 1976, her passion for teaching was shaped by 17 years working with health promoters in marginalized communities across Latin America and along the U.S./Mexico border. She earned her MSN in 1997 from the University of Texas at El Paso and later her PhD from UT Austin in 2015, focusing on intimate partner violence and factors that promote health in adversity.
From 2010 to 2024, Dr. Divin served as a Family Nurse Practitioner in a Central Texas clinic for uninsured patients, also caring for IPV survivors at a local shelter. She has taught FNP students at UT Austin since 2016 and currently serves on wellness committees at both the school and state level. Her current work centers on innovative approaches to well-being in nursing, including the “Tri-Respect Framework,” and she encourages students to prioritize self-care as essential to caregiving.
Dr. Steve Crow is a graduate of the Plan II Honors Program at The University of Texas at Austin and earned his M.D. from the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio in 1991. After completing his internship at John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth and his Family Medicine residency (now Dell Medical School’s program), he has been a licensed physician in Texas since 1992. Since 1998, he has focused his practice exclusively on community health and HIV primary care in Austin.
Dr. Crow’s work is grounded in a lifelong commitment to respect, first explored during his undergraduate studies. He developed the “tri-respect” framework—respect for self, others, and place—and advocates for disempowering abuse, fostering honest and equal dialogue, and promoting compassionate care. He believes that a mutually respectful society is essential to addressing both social and environmental challenges.
Attend here!

New Maternal and Child Mortality Estimates and their programmatic implications for countries in the African region
2025-07-29 09:00 - 10:30 | Virtual, Canada
This is a joint webinar organized by WHO AFRO, UNFPA ESARO and WCARO, and UNICEF ESARO and WCARO on new estimates of maternal and infant mortality. We would like to share the methodology used to obtain the mortality estimates, as well as the current mortality situation and lessons learned from different countries.
Please find below the information and link for registration.

Date: July 29, 9:00 a.m. EST
Location: Online

Attend here!

Towards Equitable Engagement: Lessons from an ICN Research Project
2025-07-29 12:00 - 13:30 | Virtual, Canada
Join us July 29th at 12:00PM (EST) for an important discussion on fostering more just and equitable public engagement practices.
This webinar highlights key insights from a recent Inter-Council Network research project examining how organizations in the international cooperation sector are applying decolonial, anti-racist, and feminist approaches to public engagement.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect and gain invaluable insights!
Register and join us to hear from voices in the international cooperation sector as we explore critical questions surrounding equitable public engagement!
Register now!

TRAINING - Ready, Set, Influence: Navigating Government Relations with a New Parliament
2025-07-30 09:00 - 12:00 | Virtual, Canada
With a new Canadian government now in place, civil society organizations must act strategically to ensure their priorities remain visible and influential. Effective advocacy begins with a clear understanding of political systems and the ability to build trusted relationships with decision-makers.
Join Results Canada’s Advocacy Accelerator for Ready, Set, Influence: Navigating Government Relations with a New Parliament, a half-day capacity-development advocacy training on government relations in this new context.
Designed to support individuals from civil society organizations working in advocacy, policy, and communications in the non-profit sector in Canada, this interactive workshop offers a practical professional development opportunity for organizations navigating the new Carney government, non-partisan engagement, and the public service.
Over 3 hours, you will learn how to:

engage in the new political landscape and parliamentary structure,
identify key points of entry and build long-term relationships with parliamentarians and policymakers, including Global Affairs Canada, and
sharpen your advocacy strategy to achieve impact and change.

Whether you’re new to advocacy or refining an existing advocacy strategy, this training supports building institutional and individual capacity to influence change effectively in a shifting political and policy environment.
Register by July 18 for early bird pricing!

Webinar Wednesdays: “I Know A Guy”- Abuse Thrives in Silence and Has No Boundaries
2025-07-30 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual, Canada
The “I Know A Guy” webinar is an interactive session that will focus on men’s experiences with various forms of abuse. As abuse has no boundaries, this webinar will discuss empirical work and national data that may provide a more comprehensive understanding of abuse. Everyone has the right to a safe environment with supportive people around them. Let’s find ways to synergize our efforts, maximize each other’s expertise and knowledge to combat abuse.
About the Speaker
Dr. Susan Chuang is a Professor at the University of Guelph, ON., and an accredited family mediator. She received a Masters of Science in Elementary Education and a Masters of Science and Doctorate in Human Development at the University of Rochester, New York. After receiving post-doctoral training at the National Institutes of Health, Maryland, she was an Assistant Professor for three years at Syracuse University, New York. In 2006, she joined the faculty at the University of Guelph. With over 25 years, Chuang has expertise in parenting, fathering, parent-child relationships, child/youth mental health, in various sociocultural contexts. Her more recent focus has been on union/family breakdowns, high conflict, family and intimate partner abuse, and false allegations. She has co-authored two undergraduate textbooks on human development (Worth Publishers, McGraw Hill), with a revised version with McGraw Hill coming out this Summer! She has taught over 16,000 students. She has offered over 40+ parenting, youth workshops, and has advised hundreds of families over the last several decades. She has organized 10 international conferences with the next Men and Families conference coming this September in Barbados! She is the Series Editor for Springer on two book series, Advances in Immigrant Family Research, and Men, Family, and Society. Bottom line – knowledge is power and a little bit of knowledge can go a very long way. So let’s work together and strengthen all families.
Attend here!

Localization as a Tool for Change: The importance of leading from the ground up for refugee and IDP education and advocacy
2025-08-06 09:00 - 10:00 | Virtual, Canada
With global cuts to humanitarian and development aid at a time when the need for funding has never been greater, how can we ensure the needs of refugees and internally displaced people are met, especially when it comes to education? Girls who receive an education have more opportunities to reach their full potential. They live healthier lives, wait longer to start a family, usually have fewer children, and are more likely to ensure their children attend school. Local organizations supporting refugees and internally displaced people are working on the frontline to provide essential educational services to fill this gap, but more assistance and resources are needed to expand their formidable efforts. Localization calls us to shift power to local actors and that includes centering the knowledge and leadership of refugee communities themselves, especially women and girls, who are often the most affected yet least heard.

Oxfam Canada will be in conversation with our Geared for Success partners to highlight the importance of localized, gender-responsive education initiatives for refugees and internally displaced people, especially women and girls. Hear directly from those working in South Sudan and Uganda on how they navigate ensuring a community-led and driven approach is taken in their work and advocacy.
Speakers:

Amer Ruben Nhial, Roving Gender Officer, Oxfam South Sudan
Cleto Ireneo Kunda, Executive Director, Hope Agency for Relief and Development (HARD)
Nubuhoro Dinah, Geared for Success Project Officer, RELON Uganda

Attend here!

Webinar Wednesdays: Suing for Silence- Sexual Violence and Defamation Law in Canada
2025-08-06 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual, Canada
Join us on Wednesday, August 6th, as the AVA Webinar Series presents Suing for Silence: Sexual Violence and Defamation Law in Canada, featuring Dr. Mandi Gray from Trent University.
Wednesday, August 6th, 2025
12 – 1:30pm MST
Mandi Gray’s book Suing for Silence critically examines how abusive men can use defamation lawsuits as a weapon against anyone who attempts to hold them accountable. In Canada, formal reports to the police or other institutions such as universities are not protected from lawsuits for defamation or malicious prosecution. Advocates and lawyers who specialize in sexual violence have noted a rise in the use of civil legal action by men accused of sexual violence within the last decade. In this talk, Dr. Gray will use examine critical feminist perspective to explain how the failure for institutions such as police and the courts to respond to reports of sexual violence can make survivors and their supporters vulnerable to retaliatory lawsuits. She argues that if these lawsuits are to continue, we will risk witnessing the disappearance of sexual violence discourse and is yet another barrier to consider before making a formal report.
About the Speaker
Dr. Mandi Gray is an assistant professor at Trent University in the Sociology department. Mandi has worked with women and girls involved in the legal system since 2008. Suing for Silence is her first book. She is also the primary subject and impact producer of the 2018 documentary film Slut or Nut The Diary of a Rape Trial. Her work has appeared in publications including Toronto Star, CBC, Globe and Mail and Toronto Life. Mandi is originally from Winnipeg but has called Toronto home since 2013, where she lives with her sassy little dog CeCe. www.mandigray.com
Register here!

Webinar Wednesdays: Understanding the Health, Educational, Judicial, and Social Outcomes of Manitoba Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence
2025-08-13 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual, Canada
Join us on Wednesday, August 13th, as the AVA Webinar Series presents Understanding the Health, Educational, Judicial, and Social Outcomes of Manitoba Children Exposed to Intimate Partner Violence, featuring Dr. Kelly Russell from the University of Manitoba.
Wednesday, August 13th, 2025
12 – 1:30pm MST
During this talk, we will develop an understanding how intimate partner violence in the home can affect children’s physical, mental, educational, judicial, and social outcomes as they transition into adolescence and young adulthood compared to their peers who were not exposed to intimate partner violence. We will also learn how administrative data can be used to conduct longitudinal studies.
About the Speaker
Dr. Kelly Russell is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Child Health at the Max Rady College of Medicine at the University of Manitoba and holds an adjunct appointment in the Department of Community Health Sciences. She is a research scientist at the Children’s Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba. She has held the Robert Wallace Cameron Endowed Chair in Evidence Based Medicine since 2019.
She completed her PhD in epidemiology at the University of Calgary and a post-doctoral fellowship in sport-related traumatic brain injuries at St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto. Since arriving at University of Manitoba in 2012, she has developed a research program in pediatric injuries, with a concentration in pedatric sport-related concussions. Starting in 2020, Dr Russell applied her skills to developed a second research program in intimate partner violence and brain injuries. She is also interested in the long-term outcomes of children who grow up in households where intimate partner violence occurs. Her research is funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Research Manitoba and the National Football League Scientific Advisory Board.
Register here!

How NGOs Work in a Troubled Environment?
2025-08-18 10:30 - 11:30 | Virtual, Canada
As we approach World Humanitarian Day 2025, Humanity & Inclusion Canada warmly invites you to join us for a free webinar on the daily challenges faced by frontline humanitarian workers.
Hear from four experts who will share their firsthand experiences addressing urgent crises, from refugees in Kenya grappling with funding cuts, to people with disabilities in Afghanistan facing stigma, aid workers navigating political and security challenges in Yemen, and the relentless violence against staff and civilians in Gaza.
Meet the panelists:

Caleb Omollo, HI Project Chief, Kenya
Mahpekai Sediqi, Director, Kabul Orthopedic Organization, Afghanistan
Reshma Azmi, HI Country Director, Yemen
Zaid Am Ali, HI Advocacy Officer, Palestine

Attend here!

Webinar Wednesdays: Shame-To-Guilt and Stalking- Exploring Two Forms of Intimate Partner Violence among Sexual and Gender Minorities and Women Living Rurally
2025-08-20 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual, Canada
Join us on Wednesday, August 20th, as the AVA Webinar Series presents Shame-To-Guilt and Stalking: Exploring Two Forms of Intimate Partner Violence among Sexual and Gender Minorities and Women Living Rurally, featuring Stefan Kurbatfinski from the University of Calgary.
Wednesday, August 20th, 2025
12 – 1:30pm MST
Intimate partner abusers often use shaming tactics to guilt their partner(s), a dynamic this team terms “shame-to-guilt”. Abused individuals who are made to feel ashamed or guilty may be less likely to disclose their experiences of violence, leave the abusive relationship, or prioritize their personal health, thereby sustaining the abusive bond. On the other hand, stalking, which is related to some degree of surveillance and monitoring, is a form of proximity-seeking intimate partner violence (IPV) that is equally detrimental to one’s quality of life and allows the abusive partner to maintain connection to their partner(s). Both shame-to-guilt and stalking are subtle yet harmful forms of IPV that warrant closer attention. For sexual and gender minorities and women living rurally, groups that face unique vulnerabilities such as homophobia and geographic isolation, respectively, shame-to-guilt and stalking can manifest uniquely. This webinar will (1) examine how these forms of IPV can manifest in these groups through the voices of those with lived experiences and relevant service providers and (2) offer practical strategies to improve support and service delivery.
About the Speaker
Stefan Kurbatfinski, BSc, is a 4th year Doctoral Student in the Department of Community Health Sciences Cumming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He is committed to conducting research that targets and identifies health disparities among families experiencing vulnerabilities, with emphasis among sexual and gender minority groups. Mr. Kurbatfinski has a planned post-doctoral position at the University of Toronto in which he hopes to further investigate longitudinal parent-child development among sexual and gender minority parents and their children.
Register here!

Webinar Wednesdays: Reclaim- Financial Advocacy for Trafficked Victims of Coerced and Fraudulent Debt
2025-08-27 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual, Canada
Join us on Wednesday, August 27th, as the AVA Webinar Series presents Reclaim: Financial Advocacy for Trafficked Victims of Coerced and Fraudulent Debt, featuring Julie Moore and Gursharon Singh from Victim Services Toronto.
Wednesday, August 27th, 2025
12 – 1:30pm MST
Reclaim supports human trafficking survivors by working with Canadian creditors to remove coercive and fraudulent debts from the victims name. The program is national in scope, supporting survivors across Canada. The webinar will provide insight into the financial implications of human trafficking as well as best practices and the impact of coerced debt removal on the healing journey for survivors.
About the Speakers
Julie Moore – Director, Anti-Human Trafficking Programs
Julie is a dedicated advocate with over 13 years experience working with survivors of human trafficking and exploitation. With extensive front line experience, she recognizes the importance of immediate and seamless supports being available for survivors to access. Julie has had the privilege of supporting many resilient and courageous individuals as they navigate their journey of healing. Julie works from a trauma informed strength based perspective to empower survivors to rebuild their lives. Julie is an active member on multiple community committees focusing on advocacy, collaboration and education to support individuals impacted by human trafficking.
Gursharon Singh – Financial Advocacy Coordinator
Gursharon Singh is the Financial Advocacy Coordinator at Victim Services Toronto. She joined the Reclaim program in January 2023 after a decade of leadership experience in the financial services and non-profit sector. Gursharon is a graduate of the Assaulted Women and Children’s Counsellor/Advocate program and works to raise awareness of the opportunities to better meet the financial needs of survivors.
Register here!

NCTR Education Presentations: Part 1: The History of the Residential School System
2025-09-02 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual, Canada
Special 3-Part Learning Series
Join our special 3-part learning series, “Understanding the Residential School System: From Historical Legacy to Ongoing Impacts, Reconciliation, and Resilience,” offered exclusively in September 2025 via Zoom. Designed primarily for businesses and organizations to educate their staff, this series is open to all for a cost of $1000 per organization. Links for the Zoom sessions will be provided once an organization has secured their spot. Please note, this series will not be recorded and it will not be possible to access a previous session if an organization registers after the series has begun. More details on each session are provided below.
Part 1: The History of the Residential School System
How the system came to be, what the experience was like, and the legal fall-out of the system (the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation).

Date: September 2, 2025
Time: 12PM CDT

Attend here!

Let's Chat Gender Equity
2025-09-03 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual, Canada
Spur Change invites small and medium-sized organizations (SMOs) and anyone else interested in the topic across Canada and abroad to take part in a conversation series on promoting gender equity in international cooperation. This community discussion series centers on gender equity through an intersectional lens and will be a knowledge sharing moment for the SMO speakers who will present new ideas and examples on how to implement gender innovative strategies in their own projects and programs.
Main Objectives

Highlight intersectional approaches to promoting gender equity implemented by Canadian SMOs and their partners.
Learn from case study examples, tools and methods for promoting gender equity and their applicability to future projects
Promote knowledge sharing within the SMO community and encourage open discussion amongst peers.

September 3 : Gender Equity and Engaging Men and Boys
Speakers:

Darcy Ataman, Make Music Matter
Kamilla Pinter, HealthBridge Foundation of Canada
Caroline Pugeni, SCORE Against Poverty

Read their full biographies and learn more about their work by clicking here.
Each session will be one hour and will take place from 12 noon – 1 pm EDT (9 am – 10 am PDT) over Zoom. The link will be provided after registration. Each speaker will have 10 minutes to present their work at the intersection of gender equity and the topic of the day and the remainder of the session will be a Q&A with participants. Please also note that this webinar will have simultaneous interpretation FR-EN.
Attend here!

Webinar Wednesdays: Rethinking Help-Seeking and Community Responsibility- Canadian Women’s Experiences of Intimate Parter Stalking
2025-09-03 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual, Canada
Join us on Wednesday, September 3rd, as the AVA Webinar Series presents Rethinking Help-Seeking and Community Responsibility: Canadian Women’s Experiences of Intimate Partner Stalking featuring Olivia Peters from the University of Guelph.
Wednesday, September 3rd, 2025
12 – 1:30pm MST
This webinar presents findings from a Canadian research study on intimate partner stalking (IPS), centering women’s experiences of victimization and help-seeking. It explores how women conceptualize stalking, risk, and responsibility, offering insight into the lived realities of IPS. This presentation aims to spark thoughtful discussion about the future of IPS responses, including legal definitions, risk assessment practices, and the role of community supports.
About the Speaker
Olivia Peters is a PhD candidate (ABD) in Sociology at the University of Guelph, researching intimate partner stalking, risk, and help-seeking. She serves as a consultant and on-screen expert for true crime media. Her academic work contributes to research on intimate partner violence and women’s health and wellbeing. Olivia currently holds an Alliance against Violence and Adversity (AVA) internship with the Sagesse Domestic Violence Prevention Society.
She is passionate about interdisciplinary, community-based research and victim/survivor advocacy. Her experience spans anti-violence research at local, national, and international levels. She has served on academic and community boards, informed public health policy, and contributed to multiple research ethics boards.
Olivia is the recipient of the 2024–25 Ontario Women’s Health Scholars Award (PhD) and has received both Master’s and Doctoral scholarships from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.
Attend here!

World Sexual Health Day 2025
2025-09-04 15:00 - 17:00 | Virtual, Canada
We invite you to celebrate World Sexual Health Day, with the Women’s Health Research Institute. World Sexual Health Day (WSHD) is recognized each year on September 4 and is managed by the World Association for Sexual Health (WAS), a global organization dedicated to promoting a world where everyone has access to sexual health, justice, rights and pleasure.
Through our WSHD event, we aim to uphold WAS’s mission by raising awareness and fostering dialogue around this year’s theme: Sexual Justice: What Can We Do? —highlighting the importance of equity and autonomy in all aspects of sexual well-being.
This free hybrid event will feature special guests from Options for Sexual Health and the Sexual Health And Genito-Pelvic pain Knowledge Empowerment (SHAPE) Hub. We’ll be showcasing rapid-fire presentations on sexual and reproductive health research led by trainees.
Event details for #WorldSexualHealthDay2025:
Time: 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm PST
Date: Thursday, September 4th, 2025
Where: The event will be held both virtually via Zoom and in person at SHY D308 on the Oak Street Campus (4500 Oak Street).

We look forward to celebrating World Sexual Health Day 2025 with you!

Attend here!

Special 3-Part Learning Series: Part 2: Ongoing Colonial Impacts of the Residential School System
2025-09-09 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual, Canada
Special 3-Part Learning Series
Join our special 3-part learning series, “Understanding the Residential School System: From Historical Legacy to Ongoing Impacts, Reconciliation, and Resilience,” offered exclusively in September 2025 via Zoom. Designed primarily for businesses and organizations to educate their staff, this series is open to all for a cost of $1000 per organization. Links for the Zoom sessions will be provided once an organization has secured their spot. Please note, this series will not be recorded and it will not be possible to access a previous session if an organization registers after the series has begun. More details on each session are provided below.
Part 2: Ongoing Colonial Impacts of the Residential School System
A look at the impacts of the system including intergenerational trauma, the Sixties Scoop, the child welfare system, MMWIG2S+, forced sterilizations, and other systemic injustices such as food and housing shortages, and a look at how healing can begin.

Date: September 9, 2025
Time: 12PM CDT

Attend here!

An Afternoon with Stephen Rulisa: Reading from The Path Less Travelled
2025-09-09 13:30 - 14:30 | BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, room 2108, 938 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, V5Z 4H4, Canada
Join us on Tuesday, September 9th, 2025 at 1:30 PM for a special reading with Dr. Stephen Rulisa, visiting professor and clinician from Rwanda, as he shares passages from his new memoir, The Path Less Travelled.
Dr. Rulisa’s story traces an extraordinary journey—from a nomadic childhood and the hardships of refugee life to becoming a leading voice in medical academia. Orphaned at a young age, he assumed the role of head of his household, pursued education against all odds, and played an active role in Rwanda’s liberation through the Rwandan Patriotic Front movement. His path led him to medical school, and ultimately, to shaping the future of medical education in Rwanda.
Part biography, part philosophy, and part call to action, The Path Less Travelled reflects on resilience, discipline, and personal responsibility as the true drivers of success. Rulisa’s reflections speak to young people starting their journey, those seeking to change course, and anyone striving to build a purposeful life—one decision at a time.

At this event, Dr. Rulisa will share selected passages from his book, followed by an audience Q&A.
Copies of The Path Less Travelled will be available for purchase at the event (limited supply), and we’ll be raffling off one copy to a lucky attendee. You can also purchase the book online here.
This is a free event but please register for your spot , as space is limited. Food and drinks will be provided for registered guests.
About the author:
Dr. Stephen Rulisais a medical doctor specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, with a PhD in public health focused on malaria. He is a seasoned clinical researcher with over 18 years of experience in epidemiology and public health, particularly in reproductive health, and has a strong interest in health systems strengthening.
He has led and collaborated on numerous research projects, both within Rwanda and in international, multicenter studies. Currently, he serves as a clinician and Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Rwanda and holds adjunct appointments at several international universities.
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Let's Chat Gender Equity: Gender Equity, Climate Action, and Adaptability
2025-09-10 12:00 - 13:00 | Virtual, Canada
Spur Change invites small and medium-sized organizations (SMOs) and anyone else interested in the topic across Canada and abroad to take part in a conversation series on promoting gender equity in international cooperation. This community discussion series centers on gender equity through an intersectional lens and will be a knowledge sharing moment for the SMO speakers who will present new ideas and examples on how to implement gender innovative strategies in their own projects and programs.
Main Objectives

Highlight intersectional approaches to promoting gender equity implemented by Canadian SMOs and their partners.
Learn from case study examples, tools and methods for promoting gender equity and their applicability to future projects
Promote knowledge sharing within the SMO community and encourage open discussion amongst peers.

September 10: Gender Equity, Climate Action, and Adaptability

Speakers:

Ahumuza Ronah, Holistic Actions for Development and Empowerment (HADE)
Nicolas Mbengue, Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles
Ann Thomson, Salasan

More details and bios on the speakers will be shared soon! For now, check out their work and organizations at the links above.
Each session will be one hour and will take place from 12 noon – 1 pm EDT (9 am – 10 am PDT) over Zoom. The link will be provided after registration. Each speaker will have 10 minutes to present their work at the intersection of gender equity and the topic of the day and the remainder of the session will be a Q&A with participants. Please also note that this webinar will have simultaneous interpretation FR-EN.
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Webinar Wednesdays: U.S. Pregnancy-Associated Suicide
2025-09-10 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual, Canada
Join us on Wednesday, September 10th, as the AVA Webinar Series presents U.S. Pregnancy-Associated Suicide, featuring Dr. Qing Li from Rocky Mountain Regional Chapter of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine (RM-SAHM) in Denver, Colorado.
Wednesday, September 10th, 2025
12 – 1:30pm MST
Pregnancy-associated suicide is a leading cause of maternal mortality in the U.S. Intimate partner adversity (IPA), including conflict, violence, and relationship breakdown, is a common factor in female suicides and worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. This cross-sectional study examined trends and circumstances of pregnancy-associated suicide from 2018 to 2022 using data from the U.S. National Violent Death Reporting System. We analyzed 406 incidents across 36 jurisdictions with complete reporting. Annual suicides decreased by 6% from 79 (2018–2019) to 74 (2020–2021), then increased by 23% to 91 in 2022. The proportions of IPA and firearm involvement both rose and fell over time (IPA: 45%, 48%, 34%; firearms: 37%, 46%, 31%). Mental health problems (62%), IPA (43%), and firearms (39%) were common. Among 529 incidents from 49 jurisdictions, suicides involving IPA were more likely to include firearms, alcohol problems, intent disclosed to a partner (all p<0.01), and homicide-suicide (p=0.04). In 13 homicide-suicides, 20 children were additional victims. These findings highlight unique risks associated with IPA-related suicides. Screening and interventions targeting mental health, firearm access, IPA, and alcohol use among reproductive-age women may help prevent pregnancy-associated suicide.
About the Speaker
Qing Li, MD, DrPH, is a board member of the Rocky Mountain Regional Chapter of the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine in Denver, Colorado. She is a certified relationship educator and an OB/GYN-trained perinatal and injury epidemiologist, holding a Doctor of Public Health in Maternal and Child Health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Dr. Li has trained OB/GYNs in China on safe delivery practices and in Mississippi on intimate partner violence screening. Her work focuses on building integrated data systems, evaluating culturally tailored preventive interventions, public health laws, collaborative quality improvement efforts, and integrated systems of care. She is committed to promoting safe motherhood, health equity, relational health, and family resilience.
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Global Reads - AKFC's Book Club (September Edition)
2025-09-11 17:30 - 19:30 | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 1K6, Canada
We live in a time of complex, interconnected challenges — where traditional solutions often fall short and real change demands new ways of thinking and acting. Join AKFC for an evening of thought-provoking discussions about Everyday Habits for Transforming Systems: The Catalytic Power of Radical Engagement. This book is a powerful exploration of how everyday habits can spark transformation in the systems that shape our lives.
In this session, celebrated author and systems change expert, Adam Kahane will be joined by The Honourable Farah Mohamed, to discuss how everyday practices of radical engagement can help us tackle today’s most urgent challenges. Together, they will lead attendees in a dialogue on what it takes to shift entrenched systems by leaning into collaboration, curiosity, and resilience.
If you’re passionate about creating positive change, working across differences, and finding practical ways to transform complex challenges, this event is for you.
Additional information for attendees:

When you register, please indicate your interest in attending in-person at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat or attending online (Zoom) by selecting the relevant ticket option.
Networking/Refreshments: In-person attendees are encouraged to participate in an informal networking session and enjoy refreshments after the event.
Please note that this event will be offered in English only.

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New Innovations to Reduce Maternal and Child Mortality: Tools to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
2025-09-12 15:00 - 16:00 | The Chan Centre for Family Health Centre Education, 950 West 28th Avenue, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Please join the UBC Department of Pediatrics and Institute for Global Health for a Pediatric Grand
Rounds by Dr. Stephen Rulisa, visiting professor and clinician from Rwanda, on “New Innovations to Reduce Maternal and Child Mortality: Tools to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”.
Learning objectives:

Highlight global trends in maternal and child mortality in relation to SDG targets.
Discuss innovative technologies, interventions, and strategies to reduce maternal and child mortality.

Everyone is welcome! We would love to see you in-person at the Chan Centre at BCCHR, but if you are unable to attend, the Zoom details are provided here.
