International Development Week 2017 Program

OCIC marked International Development Week (IDW) 2017 with 18 days of activities undertaken by the Council, our members, and our colleagues, 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.

IDW is an annual public engagement initiative led by Global Affairs Canada and undertaken by many civil society and other organizations and entities nationally, to increase awareness of Canada’s contribution to international development.

City of Toronto Proclaims International Development Week 2017 [ PDF / Word Doc]

OCIC Global Citizens Forum 2017: Mobilizing Leadership for Global Sustainable Development at Humber College Centre for Entrepreneurship – February 2 & February 3

OCIC Global Changemaker Youth Ambassador 2017 Awards & ‘If Women Mattered: Stories of Resistance, Stories of Allyship’ in collaboration with the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health, included presentation of OCIC’s Global Changemaker Youth Ambassadors and a series of personal stories from special guests: James Madhier, OCIC Global Changemaker Youth Ambassador 2017; Neesa Medina, Centro de Derechos de Mujeres, Honduras; and Nice Nailantei Leng’ete, Amref Health Africa in Kenya.

OCIC ‘Transformations: Stories of Partnership, Resilience and Positive Change in Tanzania’ Virtual Exhibit Launch – February 3

‘Transformations’ is an award-winning multi-year collaborative photojournalism project intended to increase dialogue and further understanding of international partnerships that address complex global challenges. Kimberly Gibbons, Executive Director, OCIC; Allan Lissner, Photojournalist, Praxis Pictures; Delfina Edward Nyalaja, Country Manager, CPAR Tanzania; Dusanka Pavlica,Executive Director, CPAR Canada and CPAR staff and program participants connecting live from Bunda, Tanzania, launched our Transformations 2017 Virtual Exhibit. This exhibit showcased the work of CPAR Tanzania and CPAR Canada to empower farmers and their communities. For details on the program, click here.

OCIC ‘Transformations’ Micro-Exhibits – February 5-11

 For details on the program, click here.

OCIC Global Changemaker Youth Ambassadors 2017 Profiles – February 5-11

Daily profiles of OCIC’s six Global Changemaker Youth Ambassadors 2017 through OCIC and nominating member communications channels. For details on the program, click here.

Living with a Changing Climate: Implications for Children and Wildlife in Rural Tanzania at West Preparatory Junior School – February 7 

Humber College International Development Week Events:Photo Exhibition- February 7 – 8

For details on the program, click here.

‘Challenges and Opportunities for Women’s Participation in Politics’, with guest speaker Neesa Medina, Security and Gender Analyst, Centro de Derechos de Mujeres, Honduras- February 8

OCIC and Cuso International partnered for an IDW event to encourage people to contribute in strengthening women’s rights and addressing barriers to political participation are critical to achieving gender equality and female empowerment.

A Strategic Outlook of Diaspora Organizations and their 2017 Goals – February 8

For many Canadians as global citizens, this Cuso International event presented an opportunity to learn about the 2017 strategic plans and goals of diaspora organizations and the work and impact they are making locally and globally. 

Humber College Design Thinking Workshop – February 9

During this hands-on 90-minute session, participants were introduced to Design Thinking – a problem-solving methodology that puts the stakeholder insights and rapid prototyping at the forefront in order to go beyond assumptions that block effective solutions. For details on the program, click here.

Ryerson Global Opportunity Fair – February 9

In synchronicity with IDW, Ryerson International hosted a Global Opportunity Fair as an opportunity for attendees to meet with representatives from international volunteer sending organizations and local NGOs engaged in international projects, and to learn about Ryerson University’s overseas development projects, student exchange opportunities and upcoming workshops. For details on the program, click here.

‘Living with a Changing Climate: Implications for Children and Wildlife in Rural Tanzania’ – February 9

OCIC International Development Week Party – February 9

OCIC and international guests from Colombia, Honduras, Kenya and Tanzania gathered at our annual Toronto IDW Party. Attendees played SDG BINGO with guest speakers and other attendees for a chance to learn how others are tackling the world’s greatest challenges, creatively. 

‘Living with a Changing Climate: Social Innovation Community Dialogue’ – February 10

Humber College Student vs Professors International Development Trivia Showdown – February 10

For details on the program, click here.

Bridging Theory & Practice – University of Toronto Scarborough International Development Conference (with “speed networking” facilitated by OCIC) – February 10-11

This year, the International Development Conference highlighted the theoretical development studies and policy research that play a predominant role in shaping development projects. The conference hosted a selection of Canadian NGOs, businesses, and student researchers to showcase the diversity and innovation of new ideas and efforts shaping the development sectors today. For details on the program, click here.

YMCA Youth Leadership for Social Change: A Model of Formative and Transformative Actions to Reduce Inequities and Build Peace – February 13

Monica Aguirre, Coordinator of Youth Civic Participation & Advocacy, and Julian Marin, Coordinator of Memory & Peace of the YMCA of Medellin presented the youth empowerment model that has developed young leaders who are active political influencers and are leading their community’s path to Peace. For details on the program, click here.

OCIC ‘Transformations: Stories of Partnership, Resilience and Positive Change in Tanzania’ Full Exhibit Launch at Metro Hall Rotunda – February 13 – 17

‘Transformations’ is an award-winning collaborative photojournalism project intended to increase dialogue and further understanding of international partnerships that address complex global challenges. The stories presented were documented by OCIC and Allan Lissner, Praxis Pictures, during a visit to Tanzania in November 2016. For details on the program, click here.

OCIC ‘Transformations’ Exhibits at Maria A. Shchuka Library – March 1 – 31

OCIC ‘Transformations’ Exhibits at Elmira Library –  April 1 – 30

Practitioner Roundtable on Gender Analysis Field Tools

Gender roles are a determining factor in the distribution of resources, both economic and political, the allocation of rights and freedoms, and access to services such as education and health care. The focus of international and local development work on gender equality is an acknowledgement of the divergent realities that women and men face around the world and at home. The Ontario Gender and Development Network and OCIC presented this Practitioner Roundtable on Gender Analysis Field Tools as an opportunity to share and discuss.