INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT WEEK 2015 PROGRAM

International Development Week (IDW) is an annual public engagement initiative led by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada to increase awareness of Canada’s contribution to international development. The week provides a national platform for the international cooperation community in Canada to celebrate and share our achievements, and to encourage the active engagement of all Canadians, as global citizens.

OCIC ‘Transformations’ Exhibit Launch Event – February 3

At this celebratory event OCIC  showcased ‘Transformations: Stories of Partnership, Resilience and Positive Change in Peru’, a collaborative photojournalism project intended to increase dialogue and further understanding of international partnerships that address complex global challenges.

OCIC Global Changemaker 2015 Youth Ambassador Awards

Each year during International Development Week OCIC honours the efforts of outstanding youth who have demonstrated active engagement with communities and civil society organizations in the promotion of international cooperation and social justice. In 2015, our awards moved one step closer to action, as recipients took on a new role as OCIC Global Changemaker 2015 Youth Ambassadors.

‘World On a Plate’ Salad Club – February 3

OCIC and CSI Spadina hosted a special edition of Salad Club with Peruvian food, in celebration of the launch of our exhibit ‘Transformations: Stories of Partnership, Resilience and Positive Change in Peru’, featuring special guest Maria Teresa Torres Morales, from kusiROSTROS, Peru.

OCIC at Humber International Development Week Marketplace – February 4

OCIC joined Humber College for their IDW Marketplace, alongside student groups, NGOs and other development organizations showcasing their work and opportunities to get involved. 

Gender, Inclusion and Development: Exploring the Links – February 6

Ontario Gender and Development Network (OGADN) and OCIC held an interactive discussion exploring the links between gender, inclusion and development. This event offered an opportunity for gender and development practitioners and those with interest to share global examples of ways organizations are making links and addressing challenges, within a wide range of development initiatives. Presenters include:

• Susan James, Presbyterian World Service and Development

• Emily Kere, Christian Blind Mission International (CBM Canada)

• Francois Ndibwami, Canadian Churches in Action

• Clara Vaz, Gender Consultant

• Amboka Wameyo, Canadian Feed the Children

OCIC Careers in Global Health Panel – February 9

OCIC members held a panel presentation on Careers in Global Health showcasing the many and diverse pathways to careers in international cooperation. Panelists included: 

• Emily Kere, Senior International Programs Officer, Christian Blind Mission International (CBM Canada)

• Kevin O’Neill, Director of Programmes, Amref Health Africa in Canada

• Maria Teresa Torres Morales, Executive Director, KusiROSTROS

• Anna Wickenden, Director of International Programs, effect: hope (The Leprosy Mission Canada)

• Robbyn Draimin, Results Canada

‘Crowdfunding To Make a Difference’ & OCIC ‘Money Talks’ Launch – February 10

In this session Chris Charlesworth, Co-Founder and CEO of HiveWire,  shared insights on how to launch a crowdfunding campaign for an innovative development initiative, and Michael Carlson shared lessons learned from his successful crowdfunding campaign for Doctors for Doctors and Nurses for Nurses. OCIC then launched our first issue of ‘Money Talks’, a new online publication that offers creative solutions to funding problems for those working in international cooperation. Issue 1 focused on Funding Women’s Rights, and includes a feature on crowdfunding.

‘Ebola: The Ongoing Challenge’ – February 12

Since the Ebola outbreak was confirmed in the West African country of Guinea in March 2014, Ebola has spread across the region and to other countries in Africa, Europe and North America. Over 20 000 cases have been diagnosed and almost 8,500 people have died. In this ICN webinar, Jonathan Jennings, Deputy Executive Director for the Canadian section of MSF, and Clémentine Olivier, Humanitarian Affairs Advisor for the Canadian section of MSF reflected on the situation in West Africa, MSF’s response, and lessons learned from the epidemic.

OCIC Development Drinks Events – Ottawa & Toronto – February 11-12