Aga Khan Foundation Canada

Daring to Deliver – Midwives on the Front Lines in Canada and Tanzania
2018-10-30 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Toronto) | Seneca College- King Campus, 13990 Dufferin Street, Toronto, ON, M2J 2X5, Canada
MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON.
Ninety-nine percent of all maternal deaths happen in developing countries, and more than 1 million children every year die on the same day they are born – mostly from preventable causes. Complications are common in the late stages of pregnancy, delivery, and the first hours after birth.
Despite grim statistics, there is light on the horizon. According to a 2014 report by the United Nations Population Fund, death is preventable in four out of five cases with the timely help of a skilled professional.
Midwives are working on the front lines to provide crucial patient-centered care to women and their families during childbirth and support families during pregnancy and after delivery. But midwives often face challenges, including limited professional training opportunities and a lack of recognition of their roles within the community.
With the right education and support, midwives are key to tackling the root causes of poverty and gender inequality.

Girls Making the Grade: Closing the Education Gap in Fragile Settings
2018-12-07 09:00 - 12:00 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6, Canada
Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) and World University Service of Canada (WUSC) are pleased to invite you to an event on girls’ education in fragile settings.
The Government of Canada is boldly committed to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment. This global commitment has been expressed through the Feminist International Assistance Policy and, more recently, the G7 Declaration on Quality Education for Girls, Adolescent Girls and Women in Developing Countries, as well as the historic G7 investment in education for women and girls in crisis and conflict situations.
This policy environment provides a framework to bring together leading thinkers and experts to discuss innovative approaches to achieving transformative change for women and girls through education in fragile contexts. As stated in the G7 Summit communique, “equal access to quality education is vital to achieve the empowerment and equal opportunity of girls and women, especially in developing contexts and countries struggling with conflict.”
This interactive session will bring together practitioners, policymakers, youth and academics to share lessons, challenges and opportunities in achieving access to quality education for girls and adolescent girls in fragile settings and conflict areas.
The program will include presentations, panels, and small group discussions that will allow participants to dive into areas of particular interest to their work. A panel of young women will discuss their educational experiences in conflict-affected areas, helping to ground the conversation in real world experiences.
Confirmed Speakers
Julia Dicum, Deputy Director, Global Affairs Canada
Sarah Holst, Portfolio Lead, Girls Education Challenge
Muno Osman, former WUSC Student Refugee Program participant
Nafisa Shekhova, Global Education Advisor, Aga Khan Foundation
Elizabeth Yom, former WUSC Student Refugee Program participant
Space is limited. Please register in advance.

In conversation with David Beasley, Executive Director of the World Food Programme
2018-12-12 10:15 - 11:45 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6, Canada
Conflict is one of the main causes of food insecurity and hunger globally today, forcing millions of people to abandon their land, homes and jobs and putting them at risk of hunger or even famine. Today, people living in conflict-stricken areas make up 60 percent of the world’s 821 million chronically hungry. They are more than twice as likely to be undernourished as those living in countries at peace.
Please join a conversation with David Beasley, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Alex Bugailiskis, Canada’s Ambassador to Italy and Permanent Representative to the Rome-based Agencies, to discuss effective interventions addressing hunger and conflict.
David Beasley will be drawing on his recent first-hand experiences talking with vulnerable women and girls in the Sahel, Bangladesh, Syria, and Yemen
This armchair discussion will be moderated by Susan Ormiston, Senior Correspondent for CBC.
Doors Open: 9:45 AM
Opening remarks and discussion: 10:15 AM – 11:45 AM
Light refreshments will be served prior to the event.

Register here to attend in person or via webcast.
In partnership:

Financial support:

Speaker biographies:
David Beasley, Executive Director of the U.N. World Food Programme:

At WFP, Mr. Beasley is putting to use four decades of leadership and communications skills to mobilise more financial support and public awareness for the global fight against hunger. Under Mr Beasley’s leadership, WFP kept four countries from slipping into famine in 2017. Mr Beasley is also driving greater focus and attention to WFP’s work beyond emergency food assistance, highlighting the fact that longer term development can bring peace and stability to troubled regions.
Before coming to WFP in April 2017, Mr Beasley spent a decade working with high-profile leaders and on-the-ground programme managers in more than 100 countries, directing projects designed to foster peace, reconciliation and economic progress. He travelled to as many as 30 countries a year, organizing, leading or participating in conferences and missions in Kosovo, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen, among others. His work has allowed him to develop deep relationships with leaders around the world.
As Governor of the U.S. state of South Carolina from 1995 to 1999, Mr Beasley guided the state during years of economic transformation, helping to reshape the state’s economy into a healthy, diverse and robust market. Mr Beasley was the first Governor in South Carolina to make a public push for the removal of the Confederate battle flag from the state capitol dome, a move that earned him the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award.
Mr Beasley received his Bachelor’s degree from Clemson University and a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of South Carolina and taught at the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. He was first elected to public office at the age of 21 as a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives.

Alex Bugailiskis, Canada’s Ambassador to Italy and Permanent Representative to the Rome-based Agencies

In August 2017, Alex Bugailiskis was appointed as Canada’s Ambassador to the Italian Republic, as well as Permanent Representative to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development, with concurrent accreditation as Ambassador to the Republic of San Marino, to the Republic of Malta and the Republic of Albania.
In her last assignment at Global Affairs Canada, Alex Bugailiskis was Assistant Deputy Minister for Europe, the Middle East and the Maghreb where she was closely engaged in the resettlement of 40,000 Syrian refugees in Canada and authored a $1.6 billion three year strategy for Iraq and Syria. She was concurrently the Chief Negotiator of the Canada-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement, which was signed in October 2016 and came into provisional application on April 1, 2017.
From October 2013 to October 2015, Ms. Bugailiskis was Canada’s Ambassador to the Republic of Poland and hosted the first state visit by the Governor General of Canada and two visits by the Prime Minister.
In 2007, she was appointed as Executive Coordinator for the Americas Strategy and served as Assistant Deputy Minister for Latin America and the Caribbean from 2007-2010. She was Canada’s Ambassador to the Republic of Cuba (2003-2007), and Ambassador to the Syrian Arab Republic and High Commissioner to Cyprus (1997-2000).
Ms. Bugailiskis has extensive experience in Central and South America. She previously served as Director General for Latin America and as Director for Central America and Caribbean Affairs and was posted to Guatemala and El Salvador where she supported Canada`s contribution to the UN led peace process. She has also served in West Africa (Ghana) and for the UN Division during Canada`s 1989-1991 Security Council tenure.
Ms. Bugailiskis has received several awards including a Public Service Award for her contribution to the resettlement of Syrian refugees, a Commendation from the Clerk of the Privy Council for her work on the Haiti earthquake (2010), a Merit Award from the Foreign Minister for her contribution to the Summit of the Americas (2001) and was the first recipient of the Canadian Foreign Service Officer of the Year Award (1990) for her work on Namibian independence.
In 2010-2011, Ms. Bugailiskis was concurrently Executive Coordinator for the Business Development Task Force for the 2010 Annual meeting of the Inter-American Development Bank in Calgary, Alberta and the Senior Distinguished Fellow at the Norman Paterson School for International Affairs (NPSIA). During her tenure at NPSIA she co-edited the 2012 Canada Among Nations edition – Canada and Mexico’s Unfinished Agenda.
Ms. Bugailiskis has an MA from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, at Carleton University. She is married to Lieutenant – Colonel (Retired) Alexander Fieglar and has two children, Henry and Angelica.

Susan Ormiston, CBC senior correspondent for TV, radio and online:

Susan Ormiston has reported from 25 countries and conflict zones including Afghanistan, Egypt, Libya, Ukraine, Lebanon, Syria, and Israel.
She’s covered natural and industrial disasters in Haiti, Bangladesh and the Philippines. She’s also reported extensively on Nelson Mandela, covering his election as President of South Africa in 1994, and his death nearly 20 years later.
As London correspondent, she covered the European debt crisis, a royal wedding and baby, and the revolutions in Libya, Egypt and Syria. She has also reported on mega-sporting events including the London Olympics and Brazil’s World Cup.
For her award-winning journalism, she’s captured three Geminis including “Best Reportage” for her work in Afghanistan, and “Best Digital” for a Canadian election special called “Ormiston Online.” In 2011 she won a Foreign Press Association award in London.
Ormiston has interviewed a wide range of newsmakers including U.S. President Bill Clinton, former Governor General Michaelle Jean, U.S. Army General Stanley McChrystal, IMF managing director Christine Lagarde, as well as the musicians Céline Dion, Shania Twain, and Sting.
She’s a frequent guest host for CBC News Network and CBC programs including The National, The Current, As It Happens. She has also reported for CBC’s the fifth estate and Marketplace.
During her time at CTV, Susan was a correspondent and host for W-Five.

Women Delivering: How women are championing global change
2019-06-07 20:30 - 22:30 (America/Vancouver) | Ismaili Centre Vancouver, 4010 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC, V5G 1G8, Canada
On the occasion of the world-renowned Women Deliver conference being held in Vancouver, please join us for an event exploring women’s leadership in global health and development.
Aga Khan Foundation Canada and the Ismaili Council for British Columbia are pleased to welcome you for an evening celebrating leaders who are contributing to women’s empowerment, improved health of women and girls, and global development. A panel of global experts will share their perspectives on how women are leading the charge in Canada and overseas. Speakers will also discuss highlights from the Women Deliver 2019 conference being held in Vancouver from June 3 to 6.
The event will include a moderated armchair conversation, short films, and a networking reception.
Speakers include:
Barbara Grantham, President and CEO, UBC/VGH Hospital Foundation
Marleen Temmerman, Director, Women’s Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aga Khan University
Tamara Vrooman, President and CEO, Vancity; and AKFC National Committee Member
Jane Wanyama, CEO, Aga Khan Hospital, Kisumu
Khalil Z. Shariff, CEO, Aga Khan Foundation Canada
Moderator:
Shachi Kurl, Executive Director, Angus Reid Institute
We hope that you can join us for this exciting event.

In a Heartbeat : a travelling exhibit about women leading change at the Ismaili Centre, Toronto
2019-10-01 - 2019-11-04 | Ismaili Centre Toronto, 49 Wynford Dr, North York, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1K1, Canada
To see the exhibit, book a tour online or visit during open house hours, which are Wednesdays and Fridays between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. (no booking required during those times).

Aga Khan Foundation Canada is pleased to invite you to visit its new touring exhibit In a Heartbeat, which will be installed at the Ismaili Centre, Toronto between September 27 and November 4, 2019.
In this interactive exhibit, visitors meet six women in Asia and Africa who are leading the way to better health for their communities. Their first-person stories educate visitors about the unique challenges that each woman faces – like Dr. Simiyu, who oversees the birth of more than a dozen babies every day on a remote island in Tanzania. Through these powerful stories, visitors catch a glimpse into the lives of these six women, and leave the exhibit with a greater understanding of the humanity that links us all.
Come visit the exhibit at the Ismaili Centre between September 27 and November 4. Book a tour online, or come during open house hours Wednesdays and Fridays between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. (no booking required during these times).
For more information, please visit akfc.ca or email info@akfc.ca.
Other info:
For information on how to get to the Ismaili Centre, Toronto, parking, transit, etc., please visit
https://the.ismaili/ismailicentres/toronto/visiting-toronto
Presented by:

In partnership with:

With financial support from:

Building a brighter future: improving women and girls’ health and rights
2019-10-23 20:00 - 21:30 (America/Toronto) | Ismaili Centre Toronto, 49 Wynford Dr, North York, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1K1, Canada
When women and girls are healthy, they are one step closer to reaching their full potential. But in developing countries, the combined effects of gender barriers and inadequate health care often hold them back. As a result, a 15-year-old girl in a low-income country has a one in 45-lifetime risk of dying due to complications in pregnancy or childbirth. This risk is more than 100 times greater than in a high-income country like Canada.
The statistics are sobering, but hope is on the horizon. Join us to hear first-hand accounts of how Canadian-supported initiatives are contributing to improved health and rights for women and girls in Africa and Asia.
The evening will include a moderated armchair conversation, short films, a reception, and the opportunity to explore AKFC’s newest exhibit, In a Heartbeat.
Speakers include:

Yasmin Karim, Program Head, Social Sector, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme, Pakistan
Dr. Shahirose Sadrudin Premji, Director and Professor, School of Nursing, York University
Humayoon Helal, National Manager, Health Grants and Compliance, Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan
Lindsay Mossman, Senior Gender Equality Advisor, Aga Khan Foundation Canada

The event is free, however advance registration is required.

Speaker biographies:
Yasmin Karim
Yasmin Karim is the Program Head, Social Sector, Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) Pakistan. Since 2011, Yasmin has worked with AKRSP to design and implement community development programs that drive women’s social and economic empowerment. Previously, she worked for the International Rescue Committee, and the Aga Khan Development Network Multi-input Earthquake Reconstruction Programme. In 2005, Yasmin was one of 1000 women collectively nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize through the 1000 Peace Women initiative, and in 2012 she was awarded the Human Rights Defender Award by the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
Lindsay Mossman
Lindsay Mossman is the Senior Gender Equality Advisor at Aga Khan Foundation Canada, where she supports gender equality integration throughout the Foundation’s programs. She is a gender specialist with a Master of Arts in International Affairs from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs and over ten years of experience promoting women’s rights and gender equality in Canada and overseas. Lindsay has particular expertise in gender analysis and mainstreaming, program development, capacity building, coaching and training. She was the CEO of a gender equality consulting firm that she founded in Kigali, Rwanda, which supports development partners, NGOs and private institutions to integrate gender equality in their organisations.
Dr. Shahirose Sadrudin Premji
Shahirose Sadrudin Premji is Director and Professor is Professor and Director of the School of Nursing, Faculty of Health at York University. She has over 20 years’ of experience in newborn health and has practiced clinically and provided technical expertise in countries such as Australia, China, Kenya, Tanzania, Pakistan, Syria, and Uganda. She spent two years as an Associate University Professor at Aga Khan University’s School of Nursing. Dr. Premji leads an international team of academics, clinicians, and policy decision-makers that examines the role of psychosocial factors as both risk factors and targets of intervention to prevent preterm birth. Dr. Premji is the recipient of the Jeanne Mance Award which is the highest award given by the Canadian Nurses Association. In 2017 the Canadian Nurses Association honored Dr. Premji as 150 Nurses for Canada for her pioneering work in health innovation in Canada and globally. She is also the recipient of the College & Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta’s Centennial Award and has been inducted as a Fellow in the American Academy of Nursing.
Dr. Humayoon Helal
Dr. Humayoon Helal is the National Manager, Health Grants and Compliance at Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan. He is a medical doctor and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine (MD) from Nangarhar University (2004) and a Master’s degree in Public Health (MPH) from ABASYN Post Graduate University Pakistan (2010). Helal also has a post-graduate diploma in hospital management from International Institute of Health Management and Research New Delhi. Over the last 14 years Helal has served the health system of Afghanistan in various capacities, including as health program director, program manager, technical manager, community based health care manager, Master Trainer (Gender and health) and health supervisor with international organizations working in Afghanistan. Since April 2016 he has served as the National Manager for health grants and compliance at AKF Afghanistan. Helal has experience in health care service delivery, community health and hospital care, grants management, fundraising, building partnerships, human resource development, and gender mainstreaming and emergency and disaster management at national level.

How COVID-19 is transforming lives: Talent, education, and the economy in a post-pandemic world
2020-09-18 14:00 - 15:00 (America/Toronto) | ON
COVID-19 has been a disruptive force in Canada and around the world. In this one-hour session, keynote John Stackhouse will talk about how individuals and businesses need to pivot to survive the post-COVID-19 world. Khalil Z. Shariff will share examples from Aga Khan Foundation’s response to COVID-19 in some of the most marginalized communities in Africa and Asia. Leila Keshavjee will draw on her experience as a business owner and entrepreneur navigating the pandemic in Canada.
Register here to attend this virtual event.
Please note that this event will be offered in English only.
We will send a recording of the event to all registrants and attendees post-event.
Please contact events@akfc.ca for more information.

Speaker Biographies:
Khalil Z. Shariff, Chief Executive Officer, Aga Khan Foundation Canada:
Khalil joined Aga Khan Foundation Canada as Chief Executive Officer in August 2005. He was previously with the Toronto office of McKinsey & Company, an international management consultancy, where he advised governments, financial institutions, and health care providers on strategy, organization, and operational improvement.
Khalil served on AKFC’s National Committee for five years, and has cultivated his interest in international development and conflict resolution issues through a variety of activities including: Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Harvard Negotiation Law Review; Policy Co-ordinator and Research Associate, Harvard Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research; Legal Intern, Chambers of the Vice-President, International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda in Arusha, Tanzania; Intern, Office of Under-Secretary-General, UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations. He was the youngest member ever elected as a School Trustee in 1993 for the Board of School Trustees in Richmond, B.C.
Khalil holds a B.A. in International Relations and Economics from the University of British Columbia and a J.D. magna cum laude from the Harvard Law School.

John Stackhouse, Senior Vice President, Office of the CEO, RBC
As Senior Vice-President in the Office of the CEO at RBC, John is responsible for the organization’s thought leadership and public advocacy related to macro-economics, sustainable development, and large-scale technology disruptions. Previously, John spent 25 years at The Globe and Mail, Canada’s national newspaper, including terms as Editor-in-Chief (2009-14), editor of Report on Business (2004-09), and from 1992-1999, a foreign correspondent based in New Delhi, India. He has authored three books, Out of Poverty, Timbit Nation, and Mass Disruption: Thirty Years on the Front Lines of a Media Revolution. His next book, Planet Canada, is due to be published in October 2020 by Penguin Randomhouse. John is a Senior Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and C.D. ‎Howe Institute, and sits on the boards of Queen’s University and Aga Khan Foundation Canada.

Leila Keshavjee, entrepreneur and founder of Happy Pops
Leila started Happy Pops in 2016 after graduating with a degree in kinesiology from the University of Toronto. Through her educ

ation, she learned that there are many names for sugar and it is often difficult to find products with ingredients one can recognize. As an athlete and coach, Leila wanted to create a unique line of ice pops suitable for breakfast on the go, post-workout, a refreshing afternoon snack or a great addition to any event.
Leila drew on her South Asian heritage and travels, as well as her family’s experience in the food industry to come up with a flavour line-up that cannot be found anywhere else. From Passion Fruit and Guava to Mango and Strawberry, Happy Pops is a treat that appeals to Canada’s diverse tastes. The ice pops are handcrafted in small batches without artificial ingredients and are sold at retail stores, farmers markets, and festivals across the country. One can also purchase online for home delivery.

In partnership:

With support from:

Then & Now: Decades of public engagement in international development
2021-02-12 13:00 - 14:00 (America/Toronto) | Online
What: As part of International Development Week, Aga Khan Foundation Canada is convening Ted Cogan, Sonya De Laat & Nassisse Solomon, who are leading researchers on Canada’s public engagement efforts over time, from public opinion to documentary photography to crisis response for a discussion hosted by Dr. David Webster, co-editor of the book A Samaritan State Revisited: Historical Perspectives on Canadian Foreign Aid.
When: Friday, February 12, 2021 from 1PM to 2PM ET (10AM-11AM PT)
Why: Enhance your historical knowledge and its influence on contemporary and future approaches to public engagement with unique research and lively conversations with professionals from across the sector.
Panelists :
Ted Cogan
University of Guelph
The Growth of Public Engagement with Canadian Foreign Aid Policy, 1950–1980
Sonya De Laat
McMaster University
Pictures in Development: The Canadian International Development Agency’s Photo Library
Nassisse Solomon
Western University
“Tears Are Not Enough”: Canadian Political and Social Mobilization for Famine Relief in Ethiopia, 1984–1988
David Webster
Bishop’s University
Co-editor, A Samaritan State Revisited: Historical Perspectives on Canadian Foreign Aid

With financial support from:

Teaching the SDGs through Art - Goal #3: Good Health & Well-being
2022-01-26 17:00 - 17:45 (America/Toronto) | Online
Aga Khan Foundation Canada, in partnership with Aga Khan Museum, offers this free professional development workshop for educators who are interested in teaching about global citizenship and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the lens of art.
In addition to imparting arts education teaching strategies, educators will leave with a comprehensive lesson plan containing easy-to-use activities that focus on Goal #3: Good Health and Well-being.
Cet atelier se tiendra également en français le 27 janvier. Plus de détails ici.

This project is funded by the Government of Canada’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Funding Program.

Teaching the SDGs through Art - Goal #5: Gender Equality
2022-02-02 17:00 - 17:45 (America/Toronto) | Online
Aga Khan Foundation Canada, in partnership with Aga Khan Museum, offers this free professional development workshop for educators who are interested in teaching about global citizenship and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the lens of art.
In addition to imparting arts education teaching strategies, educators will leave with a comprehensive lesson plan containing easy-to-use activities that focus on Goal #5: Gender Equality.
Cet atelier se tiendra également en français le 3 février. Plus de détails ici.

This project is funded by the Government of Canada’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Funding Program.

Teaching the SDGs through Art - Goal #6: Clean Water & Sanitation
2022-02-09 17:00 - 17:45 (America/Toronto) | Online
Aga Khan Foundation Canada, in partnership with Aga Khan Museum, offers this free professional development workshop for educators who are interested in teaching about global citizenship and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the lens of art.
In addition to imparting arts education teaching strategies, educators will leave with a comprehensive lesson plan containing easy-to-use activities that focus on Goal #6: Clean Water and Sanitation.
Cet atelier se tiendra également en français le 10 février. Plus de détails ici.

This project is funded by the Government of Canada’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Funding Program.

Teaching the SDGs through Art - Goal #15: Life on Land
2022-02-16 17:00 - 17:45 (America/Toronto) | Online
Aga Khan Foundation Canada, in partnership with Aga Khan Museum, offers this free professional development workshop for educators who are interested in teaching about global citizenship and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through the lens of art.
In addition to imparting arts education teaching strategies, educators will leave with a comprehensive lesson plan containing easy-to-use activities that focus on Goal #15: Life on Land.
Cet atelier se tiendra également en français le 17 février. Plus de détails ici.

This project is funded by the Government of Canada’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Funding Program.

Global Reads
2022-04-14 17:00 - 18:30 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6, Canada
Join us in April for a lively discussion with Thomas Wright, Director of the Center on the United States and Europe and Senior Fellow in the Project on International Order and Strategy at the Brookings Institution, and co-author of our book of the month:
Aftershocks: Pandemic Politics and the End of the Old International Order.
The discussion will be led by Christopher MacLennan, Deputy Minister of International Development, Global Affairs Canada & G-20 Sherpa to the Prime Minister of Canada.
Join Global Reads to:

Forge new connections with likeminded, globally focused thinkers
Encounter inspiring, challenging, and unconventional ideas
Gain a fresh perspective on your work and/or your interest in international development
Reignite your professional development goals

Please register to join us either online or in person! There are separate ticket options on Eventbrite to join us virtually or at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat.
This event will be offered in English only.

ICP Global Health Forum
2022-05-25 17:00 - 19:30 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6, Canada
This event features students from the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board’s International Certificate Program presenting on global health topics of their choice.

Education beyond COVID-19
2022-09-15 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6, Canada
Join a conversation about the future of education systems.
PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS A HYBRID EVENT, OFFERING OPTIONS FOR IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION. PLEASE BE SURE TO SELECT YOUR PREFERENCE AS YOU REGISTER. PROOF OF VACCINATION IS REQUIRED FOR IN-PERSON ATTENDANCE.
Since its onset, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of life. For the education sector, the pandemic disrupted education systems, increased inequalities, and exacerbated existing issues in global education, particularly affecting the most vulnerable learners. As communities continue to work towards greater sustainability and resilience, understanding COVID-19’s socioeconomic impacts is crucial to improving livelihoods and developing well-functioning and durable institutions and systems.
On September 15, Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) welcomes you to join a conversation on the future of education systems. The event will highlight a recent education policy paper developed by Dr. Fernando Reimers and his students (Farhan Karim, Cecelia Scheuer, Ishani Parekh, and Nathalia Trujillo) from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education.
The paper was selected to be a chapter (Ch. 5) in an edited publication entitled Advancing a New Social Contract for Education. The resulting book was featured on UNESCO’s website and featured a forward by Stefania Giannini, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Education.
The paper examines the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of gender-responsive primary education for girls in Kenya, within the Foundations for Education and Empowerment project in East Africa funded by Global Affairs Canada and AKFC.
What to Expect:
This hybrid event will include a brief presentation by the co-authors of the paper, followed by a moderated panel discussion with leading experts in the field of international education policy.
We will explore the following key questions:

What is the future of education and why is this so important today?
Why should Canadians care about the quality of education abroad?
What are the parallels between the current challenges and the future opportunities for education in East Africa and in North America?
What are the societal forces that have prompted a need to articulate a future of education?
What has COVID-19 meant for the realization of this vision?
How does one achieve global consensus on these priorities in an increasingly polarized and fractured political global landscape?

Key Information for Attendees:

When you register, please indicate your interest to attend in-person at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat or to attend online (Zoom) by selecting the relevant ticket option.
Please note that proof of vaccination will be required to join in person.
In-person attendees are welcome to arrive by 8:40 am, to network and enjoy light refreshments.

Moderator:
Khalil Z. Shariff
CEO, Aga Khan Foundation Canada
Panelists:
Dr. Fernando Reimers
Ford Foundation Professor of the Practice of International Education and Director of the Global Education Innovation Initiative at Harvard University
Dr. Reimers is an expert in the field of global education. His research and teaching focus on understanding how to educate children and youth so they can thrive in the 21st century. Dr. Reimers was a member of UNESCO’s Commission on the Futures of Education, which published the report Reimagining Our Futures Together: A New Social Contract for Education. He has developed curriculum aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, which used in schools throughout the world. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he has led numerous comparative studies examining the educational consequences of the pandemic and identifying options to sustain educational opportunity and to build back better.
He directs the Global Education Innovation Initiative, a cross-country research and practice collaborative focusing on education for the 21st century, and has written or edited 45 books.
Louise Holt
Director General, Social Development, Global Issues and Development Branch, Global Affairs Canada
Louise Holt obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics and Comparative Development Studies from Trent University in 1989. She later completed her Masters in Public Administration from Carleton University in 1995 and joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2002. At Headquarters, she has served as the Deputy Director, Gender Equality and Women’s Human Rights (2002-2005); as Director, Social Development Policy (2005 to 2009); and as Director, Sector and Thematic Specialist Division (2009 to 2012) at the Canadian International Development Agency. She has served overseas in Nairobi from 2012 to 2014 and in Pretoria from 2014 to 2016 as Counsellor and Director of Development. From 2016 to 2018, Ms. Holt served as Director General, Canadian Partnerships for Health and Social Development and as Director General, Partnership for Gender Equality from 2018-2020. She is currently Director General, Social Development, Global Issues and Development Branch.
With closing remarks from:
Jean-Bernard Parenteau | Director General, Canadian Partnerships for Health and Social Development, Global Affairs Canada
Presentations by:
Farhan Karim, Cecelia Scheuer, Ishani Parekh, and Nathalia Trujillo from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Education

Global Reads: The Ministry for the Future
2022-11-29 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6, Canada
Aga Khan Foundation Canada is pleased to invite you to join our monthly book club series: Global Reads.
Join us in November for a lively discussion with New York Times bestselling author Kim Stanley Robinson. In a discussion led by Catherine McKenna, we will discuss his novel, The Ministry for the Future, which uses fictional eyewitness accounts to tell the story of how climate change will affect us all.
In Global Reads, we explore a recent literary work focused on international affairs, policy, or practice—with an emphasis on innovation, new voices, and diverse perspectives. Notable leaders and thinkers from international affairs, global development, and allied sectors facilitate lively and inclusive discussions, providing a structure for collaborative interpretation, learning, and growth.  There will be an opportunity to ask questions during a Q&A session as well as connect with other attendees during the session.
Join Global Reads to:

Forge new connections with likeminded, globally focused thinkers
Encounter inspiring, challenging, and unconventional ideas
Gain a fresh perspective on your work
Reignite your professional development goals

Additional Information for attendees

In-person / Virtual Ticket: When you register, please indicate whether you will attend in-person at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat (199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa) or online (Zoom) by selecting the relevant ticket option for each session.
Refreshments: In-person attendees are welcome to arrive before 12 pm ET to network and enjoy light refreshments afterwards.

Questions? Please contact events.akfc@akdn.org

Speakers
Kim Stanley Robinson, Author
Kim Stanley Robinson is a New York Times bestselling author and winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus awards. He is the author of more than twenty books, including the bestselling Mars trilogy and the critically acclaimed Forty Signs of Rain, The Years of Rice and Salt, and 2312. In 2008, he was named a “Hero of the Environment” by Time magazine, and he works with the Sierra Nevada Research Institute. He lives in Davis, California.
Catherine McKenna, Chair, UN’s Secretary-General’s High-level Expert Group on Net-Zero Commitments

With welcoming remarks from:
Khalil Z. Shariff, Chief Executive Officer, Aga Khan Foundation Canada

Better Practices in Gender Lens Investing
2023-04-17 16:30 - 18:00 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6, Canada
On April 17, join Aga Khan Foundation Canada, Criterion Institute, 2X Global, the Aspen Network for Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), and World University Service of Canada (WUSC) for a conversation on gender lens – growing the field, setting new standards, understanding the challenges and shaping the future.
The session will focus on learning from previous initiatives within the sector and raising awareness of new developments and opportunities.
What to expect:

A presentation of the role of ARISE, supported by Global Affairs Canada, in the field of gender-lens investing
Announcement of the ARISE grant recipients and a celebration of their work in the field of gender-lens investing
The launch of a new call for proposals that will support research in gender-lens investing
A presentation of WUSC’s Towards a Gender-Transformative Climate Finance Roadmap: An Ecosystem Approach to Inclusive, Equitable, and Transformative Change for Women Climate Entrepreneurs
Dialogue and reflection on gender lens investing, including learnings from the Accelerating Women Climate Entrepreneurs project, a joint initiative of AKFC, ANDE, and WUSC

Additional Information for Attendees

In-person attendees are encouraged to participate in an informal networking session after the event.

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and greet our speakers!
Questions? Please contact akfc.events@akdn.org

Speakers
Joy Anderson, Founder and President of Criterion Institute
Hundreds of ventures have been shaped by Joy’s insights and experience. As faculty on the leading social innovation award programs, including Unreasonable Institute and Echoing Green, she advises the next generation of leaders. As chair of the board of directors of Village Capital and through involvement in Investor’s Circle, she is actively involved in shaping early-stage social investments. And through her role in developing and leading Structure Lab workshops, she has helped over 300 organizations think through their legal and financial structures. Currently, she leads Criterion Institute which serves as a think tank around shaping markets to create social and environmental good.
Steve Mason, Regional Director, North America (Programs and Partnerships), AKFC
In this role, he is responsible for managing an international development and humanitarian program portfolio spanning 20 countries, developing and maintaining relationships with a variety of governmental and non-governmental partners, and providing intellectual and organizational leadership to the Foundation. Prior to taking on this role, Steve was the founding Regional CEO of Aga Khan Foundation (West Africa), based in Bamako, Mali.
Katie Turner, Consultant
Sam Landon, Director of Programs, WUSC

A Transformative Partnership for Global Development: Canada and the AKU
2024-11-13 09:00 - 12:15 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6, Canada
Join us on November 13 for an inspiring event that will delve into the vital connection between investing in higher education and advancing sustainable development.
During this event, we will celebrate a remarkable 40-year journey of collaboration between Canada and the Aga Khan University (AKU), highlighting the transformative impact of education.
Canada and Canadians have played a vital role in the establishment, growth, and impact of AKU, contributing financial, technical, and intellectual support that has transformed countless lives. This programme will gather Canadian leaders and thought partners to celebrate the partnership between Canada and AKU, while reflecting on the critical role of higher education institutions in advancing sustainable development in the Global South. Together, let’s witness how Canada’s and AKU’s shared commitment is building a brighter, more sustainable future where we all thrive together.
In addition, we invite you to explore “A Transformative Vision”, an exhibition that honors the vision and work of AKU’s founder and Chancellor, His Highness the Aga Khan, the dedication of the thousands of individuals who have helped turn that vision into reality, and the impact AKU has had on countless lives. Featuring rarely seen photography, video, artefacts and documents, new interviews with key figures, the exhibition captures AKU’s evolution from a single campus and hospital to the internationally recognised, continent-spanning institution of today. This exhibition will be open to event participants.
Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to engage with thought leaders and decision-makers, reflect on achievements, and be part of a conversation on the future of higher education and development!
Additional information for attendees:

When you register, please indicate your interest in attending in-person at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat or attending online (Zoom) by selecting the relevant ticket option.
Networking/Refreshments: In-person attendees are encouraged to participate in an informal networking session and enjoy refreshments before and after the event.
Please note that this event will be offered in English only.

Questions? Akfc.events@akdn.org
Learn more and register.
Moderators and Panelists
Opening Remarks:

Khalil Z. Shariff, Chief Executive Officer, Aga Khan Foundation Canada
Dr. Sulaiman Shahabuddin, President, Aga Khan University

Panel 1:

Dr. Elizabeth Cannon, Trustee, Aga Khan University & President Emerita, University of Calgary
Dr. Joy Johnson, President and Vice Chancellor, Simon Fraser University
Julie Delehanty, President, International Development Research Center
Dr. Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Founding Director, Center of Excellence in Women and Child Health, Aga Khan University

Panel 2:

Dr. Tania Bubela, Provost & Vice President, Academic, Aga Khan University
Dr. Salim Virani, Vice Provost Research and the Nizar E. Noor Mohammed Mewawalla Endowed Professor, Aga Khan University
Professor Nancy Booker, Associate Professor and Dean, Graduate School of Media and Communications, Aga Khan University
Dr. Farid Panjwani, Dean, Institute for Educational Development, Pakistan, Aga Khan University
Dr. Jane Rarieya, Dean, Institute for Educational Development, East Africa, Aga Khan University
Dr. Amina Abubakar, Director, Institute for Human Development, Aga Khan University
Dr Emmanuel Sulle, Director, Arusha Climate & Environmental Research Centre (ACER), Aga Khan University
Dr. Yasmin Amarsi, Professor Emeritus, Special Advisor and Founding Dean, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan, Aga Khan University

Closing remarks:

Dr. Christopher MacLennan, Deputy Minister, International Development, Global Affairs Canada
Dr. Mahmood Eboo, Diplomatic Representative of the Aga Khan Development Network to Canada

Register Today!
