About us
The Ontario Council for International Cooperation (OCIC) is an expanding community of Ontario-based international cooperation and global citizenship-focused organizations, institutions, and individuals committed to working for global social justice, human dignity and participation for all.
Our Vision
Global social justice, human dignity and participation for all.
Our Mission
As a Council, OCIC strives to increase the effectiveness and collective impact of all our members’ efforts to promote sustainable, people-centred development in a peaceful and healthy environment. OCIC is committed to principles of fair and equitable cooperative international development and promotes public engagement that helps Canadians develop a global perspective and take action for social justice.
Our Mandate
OCIC encourages the development of the Ontario international cooperation and global education sectors and sharing of resources between OCIC members by providing forums for networking, communications and collaborative reflection and action, and facilitating capacity building in public engagement and organizational development. OCIC is a learning organization with inclusive, cooperative and participatory processes that are accessible and accountable to all members.
Land Acknowledgement
OCIC recognizes and honours the Indigenous peoples who have historically, and do presently, live and work on the traditional, both treaty and unceded territories that we operate on. These include the Huron Wendat and Petun First Nations, the Seneca, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishnaabe, the Mississaugas of the Credit River First Nation, and many others. We acknowledge that our staff, Board, volunteers, members and broader community operate on the treaty and unceded territories of these and numerous other Indigenous peoples and nations.
As we reflect on our role within a settler-colonial context, we acknowledge the importance of naming the Indigenous peoples and nations on whose lands we live, work and play, and understand the importance of framing our engagement in the international cooperation sector and beyond through the lens of reconciliation and decolonization. We recognize that we have a responsibility to stand in solidarity with Indigenous peoples who have and continue to fight for social justice on their own lands.
Our Strategic Plan (2025-2030)
Through our four strategic pillars, OCIC seeks to spark curiosity, deepen understanding and open spaces for diverse voices—motivating people to move from awareness to sustained, values-driven action as global citizens. These pillars are interconnected approaches intended to inspire and engage diverse members, partners, and individuals in Ontario and beyond. Through these, OCIC seeks to:
Influence and Inspire Global Citizenship
Facilitate Knowledge Exchange and Capacity Strengthening
Foster Collaboration and Community-led Action
Amplify Diverse Experiences, Perspectives and Priorities
Board of Directors
OCIC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors elected annually by the voting membership of the Council. Board members serve in their individual capacity on Executive, Governance, Finance & Sustainability, and Membership Committees.
Executive Committee
Chair – Jacquelyn Wright, Kinvia
Vice-Chair – Bella Lam, Jane Goodall Institute of Canada
Secretary – Aysha Dawood
Treasurer – Christina Muia
Board of Directors
Emily Antze – Partners In Health Canada
Hyang Cho – Good Neighbours Canada
Aysha Dawood
Molly Grove
Bella Lam – Jane Goodall Institute of Canada
Christina Muia
Alice Ng Bouwma
Efemena Stephenie Ozugha – Rooftops Canada
Kristin Parmera – World Accord
Safa Shahkhalili
Helena Shilomboleni – University of Waterloo
Piera Spinelli Barrile – Rayjon Share Care
Jacquelyn Wright – Kinvia
Staff
Executive Director – Kimberly Gibbons
Director of Operations – Lisa Swainston
Membership & Administration Specialist – Mishka Watin
Communications & Content Specialist – Sarah Judd
Community Engagement & Gender Equality Specialist – Pragya Tikku
Learning & Impact Specialist – Shehara Athukorala
Values
OCIC’s work, both internally and as a collective of members, is grounded in our shared vision of global social justice, human dignity and participation for all. Our policies are designed to meet OCIC’s internal needs as an organization, however they are guided by ideals about anti-oppression, human rights, international cooperation, and the appropriate meeting of human needs articulated in a multitude of places by multilateral bodies, states, and civil society groups.
All OCIC policies and activities are informed by our Vision, Mission, Mandate, and Strategic Directions. Mindfulness of the spirit and letter of these documents is central to the integrity of the Council, as is compliance with the Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC) Code of Ethics, the Istanbul Principles for CSO Development Effectiveness, and OCIC’s Anti-Oppression Policy.
While we do not necessarily support or endorse all activities or positions of our many and diverse members, we encourage all members to work toward ethical and anti-oppressive practice, and to engage in dialogue and critical refection with the Council on issues of collective concern and importance.
By-Laws & Policies
OCIC Bylaws and Policies provide direction to the affairs of the Council at governance, management and operational levels, and are freely accessible to all members and interested parties.
- OCIC Bylaws [PDF] / [Accessible Word]
- OCIC Accessibility Policy [PDF]/ [Accessible Word]
- OCIC Anti-Oppression and Anti-Racism Policy [PDF] / [Accessible Word]
- OCIC Communications Policy [PDF] / [Accessible Word]
- OCIC Environmental Stewardship Policy [PDF] / [Accessible Word]
- OCIC Finance, Financial Controls and Procurement Policy [PDF] / [Accessible Word]
- OCIC Fraud and Corruption Policy [PDF] / [Accessible Word]
- OCIC Gender Equality Policy [PDF] / [Accessible Word]
- OCIC Membership Policy [PDF] / [Accessible Word]
- OCIC Personnel Policy [PDF] / [Accessible Word]
- OCIC Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy and Code of Conduct [PDF] / [Accessible Word]
- OCIC Public Engagement Policy [PDF]
- OCIC Respect in the Workplace Policy [PDF] / [Accessible Word]
- OCIC Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy [PDF] / [Accessible Word]
Incident Reporting for Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment
Please use these forms if you have experienced an incident or incidents of sexual exploitation, abuse and/or harassment, or have witnessed, discovered or suspect an alleged case of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment by anyone involved with OCIC, while engaged in activities of the Council.
Reporting as a survivor
Reporting on behalf of a survivor
Request to make a verbal report form
Annual Reports
Each year, OCIC provides highlights of our programs and audited financial statements to our membership and the public in our Annual Report. You can review our past accomplishments below.
Partners
OCIC is an active member of the Inter-Council Network of Provincial/Regional Councils for International Cooperation (ICN) and the Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC), and receives financial support from Global Affairs Canada.
Inter-Council Network
The Inter-Council Network (ICN) is a dynamic network of provincial and regional member-based Councils for International Cooperation committed to social justice and social change. Rooted in communities across Canada, we are leaders in public engagement at a local and regional level, and are recognized for bringing regional knowledge and priorities to the national level.
Cooperation Canada
Cooperation Canada brings together and advocated for Canada’s international development and humanitarian organizations by convening sector leaders, influencing policy and building capacity.
Global Affairs Canada
The Global Affairs Canada is Canada’s lead agency for development assistance. Global Affairs Canada’s aim is manage Canada’s support and resources effectively and accountably to achieve meaningful, sustainable results, and to engage in policy development in Canada and internationally, enabling Canada’s effort to realize its development objectives.
