OCIC Development Drinks Toronto: UNiTE to end violence against women initiative
Event Summary
This networking event will be an opportunity to meet women’s human rights defenders and chat with international development professionals, activists, students, and enthusiasts
Event Details
On Thursday, November 29th, you are invited to Development Drinks Toronto. This networking event is inspired by the “UNiTE to end violence against women initiative,” and will be a celebration of those working toward ending gender-based violence.
We invite you to join us at Glad Day Bookshop, where you will have the opportunity to meet women’s human rights defenders and chat with international development professionals, activists, students, and enthusiasts. It will be a night of fun where you can connect with Toronto’s International Development network and celebrate and support those working to prevent and end violence against women and girls.
When: Thursday, November 29 – 6:00PM to 8:00PM
Where: Glad Day Bookshop (This venue is inclusive, accessible and a safe space for all)
Fee: Free for OCIC Members / $10 for Non-Members/ $5 for Students
Registration will be available at the door. Cash only.
SPEAKERS:
Heather Shand
Heather Shand’s home is in the Inuvialuit region of the NWT. Her birth family calls Tuktoyuktuk and Inuvik their home.
Heather’s lived experience as an Indigenous woman has been filled with many successes. Currently Heather is on a career journey with Amnesty International as a fund-raising trainee. She shared that the reason she approached Amnesty for a placement is because as an organization, it has made great strides, in partnership and solidarity with Indigenous organizations to create change through the “No More Stolen Sisters” movement. Heather is presently a Fundraising Associate Trainee with AI Canada.
Elena Dumitru
Elena Dumitru received her Law Degree from the Faculty of Law, Bucharest, Romania and then practiced in her native country for a few years until her move to the UK and to the field of mediation and cross-cultural conflict resolution. She immigrated to Canada in the mid 90s and started to volunteer with Amnesty International as well as St Stephen’s Conflict Resolution Centre in Toronto. She landed her dream job with Amnesty International in 1998, promoting human rights issues and enabling local grassroots activism. She believes that positive change is possible and that it is ordinary people who achieve extraordinary results when they bring together their passion, commitment and energy. She loves the arts and the amazing power arts have in reaching people’s minds and hearts. Presently National Leadership Development Coordinator with AI Canada.
Gina Huertas-Franco
Gina Huertas-Franco is the Project Coordinator at Aura Freedom International. She currently coordinates the Human Trafficking Peer Prevention Project, that was just launched in partnership with the City of Toronto. She will be speaking about this project and addressing the role of education in ending violence against women.
