International Development Week 2016 Program

OCIC marked  International Development Week (IDW) 2016 with 10 days of activities undertaken by the Council, our members and friends to increase awareness of Canadians’ contributions to international cooperation, to celebrate and share achievements, and to encourage the active engagement of us all, as global citizens.

Life as a Development Practitioner: Career Paths Discussion and Social Friday – February 5

University of Waterloo, St. Paul’s University College and OCIC hosted an interactive panel presentation, discussion and networking event with:

• Kimberly Gibbons – Executive Director, OCIC
• Michel Labbe – President & CEO, Options for Homes
• Mitra Manouchehrian – Program Manager, Global Fund Unit, Plan Canada
• John Popiel – Projects Manager, Rayjon Share Care
• Betsy Wall – Executive Director, Foundation for International Development Assistance

Perspectives on Post-Earthquake Nepal Panel & Transformations: Stories of Partnership, Resilience and Positive Change in Nepal Exhibit Launch – Waterloo – February 5

OCIC, the University of Waterloo’s School of Environment, Enterprise and Development (SEED) in the Faculty of Environment, St. Paul’s University College, and World Accord, collaborated for to present this IDW 2016 Launch Event, which included presentations of perspectives on post-earthquake Nepal from moderator Larry Swatuk, University of Waterloo, and panelists David Barth, World Accord, Jennifer Cleary, and Laxmi Pant, University of Guelph.

University of Toronto Scarborough Campus International Development Conference presented by UTSC Students, with Development Drinks speed networking with OCIC – February 6

OCIC Trends in Funding International Cooperation Seminar – February 8

OCIC kicked-off IDW with an informative and free fundraising seminar with fundraising expert Ken Wyman.

‘Transformations: Stories of Partnership, Resilience and Positive Change in Nepal’ Exhibit Launch – Toronto – February 8

‘Transformations’ is a collaborative multi-year photojournalism initiative intended to increase dialogue and further understanding of international partnerships that address complex global challenges. In 2016 we presented the work of Women for Peace and Democracy-Nepal and World Accord to empower marginalized women, and their communities. The event presented the stories of women in rural Nepal that re-built their homes and lives following the devastating 2015 earthquake, and are transforming their communities through long-term socio-economic development programs. The stories presented were documented by OCIC and Allan Lissner, Praxis Pictures, during a visit to Nepal in December 2015.

OCIC Ottawa Development Drinks Event – February 10

OCIC Ottawa Development Drinks featured Michelle Manks, WUSC; Kevin Dunbar, Director of CARE Canada‘s Humanitarian Assistance and Emergency Team’ and Jean-Pierre Taschereau, Director of the Canadian Red Cross‘ Emergency Operations, discussing the Syrian Refugee Crisis.

Cuso International Diaspora for Development Event – February 10

OCIC Toronto Development Drinks & IDW Wrap-Up Party – February 11

OCIC and Cuso International hosted the annual Toronto IDW Wrap-Up party, recognizing seven passionate and inspiring youth that are changing the world.