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Planting seeds: Investing in long-term change

June 6 @ 5:30 pm - 7:15 pm EDT

In today’s world, confronting global challenges, from climate change to economic disparities, necessitates a focus on locally led development, emphasizing sustainable investments and systemic infrastructure to pave the way for lasting positive change. Achieving this goal hinges on the collaborative synergy forged between local action and broader-scale interventions.

Join AKFC (in-person only) on June 6 for an inspiring reception marking the 36th anniversary of its International Youth Fellowship (IYF) program. This event will spotlight the program’s steadfast commitment to tackling development challenges, creating learning opportunities for young Canadians, and emphasizing the indispensable role of fostering trust and rapport between local communities and global development actors in driving sustainable change.

“Planting Seeds” serves as both a recognition and celebration of the professional and personal growth inherent in careers in international development. It starts with a small seed – a spark and desire to make a change – that has the potential to grow into life-long connections, investments, and learnings.

What can you expect?

  • The opportunity to connect with our IYF alums, the 2024–2025 cohort of Fellows, and distinguished speakers.
  • An immersive journey through the powerful narratives of six inspiring women from Asia and Africa, leading impactful health initiatives in their communities, in our “In A Heartbeat” exhibition.
  • A networking reception with light refreshments served

Key Information for Attendees:

  • This event is in-person only
  • In-person attendees are welcome to arrive by 5:30 p.m. EDT to network and enjoy light refreshments.
  • This event will be offered in English only

For accommodation requests, accessibility inquiries, or any other questions, please contact us at [email protected].

Speakers

Adil Khalfan

President and CEO, Kensington Health

International Development Management Fellow (Pakistan, 2001)

Adil has a vast background in nursing, public health, international development, and health system strategy in Canada and internationally. His career has crossed many sectors with diverse populations, including community care, public health, acute care, home care, regional care, and specialty health. He has worked extensively in Ontario and the Middle East, and understands the relationship between accountability and strategy, planning, quality, performance measurement, best-practice implementation, and change management.

Prior to joining Kensington Health as CEO, Adil was Senior Vice President Health System Performance and Support at Ontario Health, where he oversaw Ontario Health’s work to advance provincial strategies, funding, accountability agreements, standards, and initiatives through information, evidence, and other supports to assess, inform, and improve overall health system performance and effectiveness. Before his return to Canada, Adil was the founding CEO of Royale Home Health (of Royale Hayat Hospital in Kuwait), and he also served as Middle East Executive Regional Director and Operational Lead for University Health Network (UHN), where he led an international cancer centre transformation in the region.

Adil is a registered nurse and holds a BSc in Nursing from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Health Administration from the University of Ottawa.

Jacky Habib

Freelance journalist & communications consultant

Young Professionals in Media Fellow (Kenya, 2016)

Jacky Habib is a Canadian journalist, media trainer, and consultant based in Nairobi, Kenya. She has reported from a dozen African countries on humanitarian issues, social justice, and women’s rights. Her work appears in publications including the CBC, Globe & Mail, NPR, Al Jazeera, and VICE News.

Through her Nairobi-based media company, Jacky and a team of fellow creatives support organizations to use storytelling as a tool for social change. Clients include UNICEF, UN-Habitat, CARE USA, and the World University Service of Canada. Jacky is pursuing a master’s in social innovation at the University of Cambridge and holds a Bachelor of Journalism from Toronto Metropolitan University.

Register Today!

Venue

Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat
199 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1N 1K6 Canada

Organizer

Aga Khan Foundation Canada
View Organizer Website