Aga Khan Foundation Canada

Migrants, Refugees, and Societies: World Development Report 2023 Launch
2023-06-19 16:30 - 18:00 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6, Canada
Photo caption : 33 million people were affected or displaced by the rainfall and flooding that devastated Pakistan in September 2022. Here, an AKDN staff member surveys stranded communities to determine where healthcare camps should be set up. According to the World Bank’s World Development Report, climate change presents a growing and unprecedented threat to human societies by amplifying pre-existing patterns of movements, exacerbating socioeconomic disparity, and creating new risks to human development. Credit: AKDN / Insiya Syed
About 184 million people—2.3 percent of the world’s population—live outside of their country of nationality. Almost half of them are in low- and middle-income countries. With global economic imbalances, climate change, and other complex factors, migration will become increasingly necessary in the decades to come, with the potential to deepen development challenges. However, the authors of the World Bank’s 2023 World Development Report assert that if migration is managed well, it can result in prosperity and help to achieve the SDGs.
On June 19, join Aga Khan Foundation Canada and Cooperation Canada for an engaging discussion centered on the launch of the 2023 World Development Report. Join us to learn directly from the report’s 2023 Co-Director, Çağlar Özden, about the World Bank’s proposed framework to maximize the positive impact of global migration.
We will also be hosting a panel that will delve into:

Important considerations and lessons related to social and economic integration of migrants within new communities
The importance of partnerships between governments and civil society

Keynote Address
Çağlar Özden, Lead Economist, Development Economics, World Bank
A Turkish national and a professional migrant, Caglar received his undergraduate degrees in economics and industrial engineering from Cornell University and Ph.D. in economics from Stanford University. He is a fellow of IZA, CreAM and ERF. His research explores the nexus of globalization of product and labor markets, government policies and economic development. He has edited three books and published numerous papers in leading academic journals such as American Economic Review and the Economic Journal. His current research projects explore the determinants and patterns of global labor mobility, impacts of migrants on the destination labor market outcomes, linkages between migration, trade, and foreign direct investment flows, medical brain drain and linkages between ageing and global economic integration.
Moderator
Kate Higgins, CEO Cooperation Canada
Kate recently joined Cooperation Canada as Chief Executive Officer. She is an accomplished leader and experienced manager, with over fifteen years of experience in international development, civil society, think tanks, and government. Before joining Cooperation Canada, Kate was the Deputy Executive Director of Oxfam Canada, where she led the organization’s work on strategy and communications and spearheaded several organizational change initiatives, in addition to serving as Interim Executive Director in 2020. Kate worked for CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society organizations, where she led strategy development and the organization’s work on data, sustainable development, and citizen action. She has held senior policy and research roles at the North-South Institute and the Overseas Development Institute, leading work on chronic poverty, protracted conflict, women’s economic justice and international assistance and building several global, multi-stakeholder initiatives. Kate started her career at the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), working on the Indonesia and Papua New Guinea programs. She has lived and worked in Australia, Canada, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Thailand, and Uganda and has undertaken missions in several other countries. Kate has degrees in economics and development studies from the University of Oxford and the University of Sydney.
Speakers
Rema Jamous Imseis, UNHCR Representative in Canada
Ms. Rema Jamous Imseis is the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative to Canada. She formerly served as Deputy Director of the UNHCR Bureau for the Middle East and North Africa, covering operations in North Africa, Yemen, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Israel. Previously, she served as Head of the United Nations Regional Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Middle East and North Africa. She has been with the United Nations since 2003 and has held a variety of positions in political, legal and humanitarian affairs. Prior to joining the UN, she served as Legal Counsel to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario and worked as a litigator in Toronto. Previous work experience includes consultancies and academic research in human rights, judicial independence and the rule of law.
Daniel Rubenson, Individual Researcher, Metaketa Researcher and Professor, Toronto Metropolitan University
More speakers to be announced.

Additional Information for Attendees

In-person / Virtual Ticket: When you register, please indicate your interest to attend in-person at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat (199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa) or to attend online (Zoom) by selecting the relevant ticket option for each session.
Refreshments: In-person attendees are invited to stay after the session to network and enjoy light refreshments.

Don’t miss the opportunity to meet and greet our speakers in-person!

Register Today!

Questions? Please contact akfc.events@akdn.org

Generation Impact: Young Canadians Making a Difference
2023-06-08 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6, Canada
Photo: Gertrude Omoro and Peter Steele, part of the 2022-23 cohort of International Youth Fellows, standing outside the AKF Tanzania office in Dar es Salaam. Credit: Michael Goima / AKFC
We all have a stake in our collective global future, but no one more than today’s young people.

On Thursday, June 8, we hope you will join us for an evening of inspiration, celebration, and networking as we mark the 35th anniversary of our commitment to young Canadians’ global leadership through the International Youth Fellowship. You will hear directly from Fellowship alumni who will share their learnings, challenges, and experiences of working on the ground in some of the world’s most challenging environments, as well as current Fellows who are about to embark on their overseas assignments.
So, if you’re passionate about making a difference in the world and want to learn more about how young Canadians are leading the charge, join us for Generation Impact and help us give our 35th anniversary cohort the send-off they deserve!
Additional Information for Attendees

The program will include opportunities to network with other guests and our previous and current International Youth Fellows
Attendees are invited to enjoy some refreshments while networking at the end of the event
Visit our website to learn more about the International Youth Fellowship program

Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and greet our AKFC’s past and current fellows!
Questions? Please contact akfc.events@akdn.org
Keynote Speaker
Tracey Evans
Director, Global Partnerships at Right to Play
Tracey grew up with parents who worked in the airline industry and spent much of her childhood on planes, bouncing from one country to the next and learning to explore new cultures from a young age.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Development and Global Studies from the University of Ottawa and a Master’s degree in International Conflict Resolution and Mediation from Tel Aviv University. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Education at the University of Toronto where she is investigating the educational experiences of autistic learners during COVID-19 school closures in Ottawa, Canada.
During her undergraduate degree, Tracey spent her summers volunteering in West and South Africa on HIV/AIDS and environmental conservation projects. Afterwards, she spent eight months completing the Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) Youth Fellowship program, which sent her to Bangladesh for eight months where she worked with CARE Bangladesh on women’s economic empowerment projects.
Tracey worked for Aga Khan Foundation Canada from 2015 until 2020 as an Education Program Manager. In 2021, she joined Right To Play as Director of Global Partnerships where she overseas the organization’s institutional relationship with Global Affairs Canada. She is constantly inspired by the learners, teachers and parents she gets to work with, and firmly believes that education is the world’s greatest asset for promoting gender equality. Tracey loves cooking, curling, and is always more than happy to invite her Golden Retriever Birken to make guest appearances on Teams calls!
Panelists
Thomas Orr
Senior Manager, Programs, Partnerships, and Results , AKFC
Thomas (‘Tom’) Orr leads a team responsible for the monitoring, evaluation and learning function of Aga Khan Foundation’s North American-funded programs. He also oversees a diverse portfolio of programs and supports business development efforts with North American institutional donors. His experience in international development spans 13 countries across three continents. Prior to his current role, he was as an AKFC Fellow for AKF in Tajikistan and eventually went on to lead its Partnerships Department. He has also worked in the Evaluation Division of Global Affairs Canada. Tom is passionate about measuring program performance and translating this evidence into action to improve results.
More speakers to be announced!
Register today!

Global Health and Beyond: Resilience in Complex Environments
2023-05-01 16:00 - 18:00 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6, Canada
Join the conversation to discover how COVID-19, climate change, cost of living and conflict are impacting global health!

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted challenges and weaknesses in preparedness and response systems at the global, regional, national, and community levels. The effects of COVID-19 are exacerbated by additional forces contributing to complex emergency environments – climate change, conflict, and an increased cost of living. Collectively, these disastrous factors are known as the 4 C’s.
The 4 C’s place a major strain on the health and nutrition of women and children globally and have demanded increasingly amplified collective action.
On May 1, join Aga Khan Foundation Canada and Canada’s International Development Research Centre for an event focused on exploring the 4 C’s and the actions and innovations required to strengthen resilience, emergency preparedness, response, and recovery.
The discussion is aimed at:

Better understanding the 4 C’s – COVID-19, climate change, conflict, and cost of living – that are gravely affecting the health and nutrition of women and children globally.
Creating a space for stakeholders within the international development and humanitarian communities to engage in learning and dialogue on issues related to resilience, preparedness, response, and recovery within complex environments.

Additional Information for Attendees

In-person attendees are invited to arrive before 4:00PM to network with other attendees and enjoy some light refreshments. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and greet our speakers!

Speakers
Zulfiqar Bhutta, Co-Director, SickKids Centre for Global Child health; Founding Director, Institute for Global Health and Development, Aga Khan University
Dr. Zulfiqar A. Bhutta is Founding Director of the Centre of Excellence in Women and Child Health and the Institute of Global Health & Development, The Aga Khan University as well as the Inaugural Robert Harding Chair in Global Child Health, and Co-Director of SickKids’ Centre for Global Child Health. He holds adjunct professorships at several Schools of Public Health including Johns Hopkins University, Harvard, and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. Dr. Bhutta leads large research groups based in Toronto, Karachi and Nairobi focused on, scaling up evidence-based community interventions, and implementing reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health interventions in humanitarian settings. Dr. Bhutta is a Fellow of the Royal Society, the 2021 IHME Roux Prize recipient for significant research contributions to women and child health and was awarded the John Dirks Canada Gairdner 2022 Global Health Award, one of the most prestigious global health awards.
Fawad Akbari, Director, Humanitarian Innovation, Grand Challenges Canada
As the Director, Humanitarian Innovation at GCC, Fawad is responsible for the ongoing development and implementation of Creating Hope in Conflict: A Humanitarian Grand Challenge (HGC), as well as other potential grand challenges focused on saving and improving lives in conflict-affected areas. He is also responsible for maintaining strategic partnership related to HGC and informing the Canadian and Global humanitarian policies and systems.
Fawad Akbari is a pediatrician, global health, and humanitarian response expert with particular focus on health, nutrition, governance, fragility, and intersection across these themes. Prior to joining Grand Challenges Canada, he was the Regional Deputy Director of Programs and Partnerships with Aga Khan Foundation based in Canada, overseeing a diverse portfolio of multi-sectoral programs and partnerships in Canada and the US, including Global Health, Nutrition and Humanitarian initiatives. Before this, he worked with AKF Afghanistan, Cure International Hospital and Marie Stopes International in different managerial and technical leadership capacities.
Ky’okusinga Kirunga, Executive Director, Amref Health Africa in Canada
Ky’okusinga is the Executive Director of Amref Health Africa in Canada. She has over 15 years of experience in the Canadian and international health sectors, with an intersectional focus on key populations (women, girls, BIPOC, sexual minorities, etc.) and health issues, including the social determinants that underpin them.
Ky’okusinga has held various senior level positions over the last decade including in fundraising, programmatic work and monitoring and evaluation. She has a degree in Languages from the University of Toronto, a certificate in Communications from McGill University, and a Master’s in Public Policy and Public Administration from Concordia University. Originally from Uganda and having made Canada her home, Ky’okusinga is proud to bridge the two continents through inspiring and enriching work. Ky’okusinga is an activist, feminist, human rights defender, and internationalist.

Register today!

Questions? Please contact akfc.events@akdn.org

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

Global Reads: Not in the Ornamental Teapot
2023-03-29 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6, Canada
Aga Khan Foundation Canada, in partnership with the High Commission of the Republic of Cyprus, is pleased to invite you to join our book club series: Global Reads.

Join us on March 29 for an engaging discussion with internationally acclaimed author, Erato Ioannou, whose work “Deserted” was shortlisted for a Commonwealth Short Story Prize in 2019. We invite you to join a conversation on exploring her short story collection – Not in the Ornamental Teapot – where we will delve into themes of conflict, home, and re-defining the narratives and perspectives of women in society and literature.
The discussion will be led by Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General of the Global Centre for Pluralism.
Additional Information for Attendees

Networking/Refreshments: In-person attendees are encouraged to participate in an informal networking session and enjoy refreshments after the event
Book giveaway: Free copies of Not in the Ornamental Teapot will be available for in-person attendees
Don’t miss this opportunity to meet and greet our speaker(s)!

Featuring
Erato Ioannou, Author
Inspired by her life in Nicosia, the last divided capital in Europe, Erato Ioannou is the author of short story collections “Cats Have It All” (2004) and “Not in the Ornamental Teapot” (2020) which is now published in Greek, English, and Spanish. Her work received praise and featured international journals and anthologies. Her short story ‘Deserted’ which is included in her most recent collection was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Short Story Prize (2019) out of approx. 5000 entries. Most recently, her novel Muerta was the winner in the historical fiction category for the Stockholm Writers First 5 Pages Prize out of approx. 800 entries. She served as assistant editor-in-chief of the literary magazine of the Cypriot PEN, “In Focus” (2016 – 2020) and she is the founder and Chair of “Room for Art”.
Meredith Preston McGhie, Secretary General, Global Centre for Pluralism
Meredith Preston McGhie has devoted more than 20 years to addressing conflict and instability in Africa and Asia in some of the most troubled situations. From working with the Naga in Northeast India and indigenous communities on the Thai-Myanmar border, to supporting UN efforts in Kosovo, Northern Iraq and several African countries, her work has straddled frontline negotiation, policy and diplomacy.
She became the Global Centre for Pluralism’s Secretary General on October 1, 2019. Most recently, as Africa Regional Director with the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, she oversaw the HD Centre’s complex mediation and dialogue efforts in Nigeria, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Sudan, Somalia and South Sudan, among other places. In the Kenyan National Dialogue and Reconciliation Process in 2007-08, she advised the Panel of Eminent African Personalities led by the late Kofi Annan. She has contributed annually to the Oslo Forum, a gathering of the world’s leading experts and policymakers in conflict resolution, and teaches mediation practice internationally.
Ms. Preston McGhie studied military and international history at the University of British Columbia before pursuing graduate studies in global security at Keele University in the United Kingdom.

With remarks from:
Khalil Z. Shariff, CEO, Aga Khan Foundation Canada
Efharis Kostala, President of the Parnassos Hellenic Cultural Society of Ottawa
Giorgos Ioannides, The High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus to Canada

About the series
Global Reads is a book club series where participants can connect and learn together with other globally minded professionals. Global Reads primarily explores recent works focused on international affairs, policy, or practice—with an emphasis on innovation, new voices, and diverse perspectives. Notable leaders and thinkers from the international affairs, global development, and allied sectors facilitate lively and inclusive discussions, providing a structure for collaborative interpretation, learning, and growth.
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

Questions? Please contact akfc.events@akdn.org

Navigating Uncertainty in Human Development
2023-02-09 09:00 - 11:00 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6, Canada
About this event
On a global scale, uncertainty has taken on many faces – the war in Ukraine, a decline in the global Human Development Index, economic instability, and climate disasters, among others – which is leading to a myriad of disruptions in day-to-day living.
As stated within the 2021-2022 UNDP Human Development Report, “The hero and the villain in today’s uncertainty story are one in the same: human choice.” How can our continued choices influence our world of tomorrow?
As part of Canada’s International Development Week, AKFC and Cooperation Canada are hosting an event centered on moving forward in uncertainty. The 2021-2022 UNDP Human Development Report will serve as the basis for an important discussion amongst policy makers and senior leaders in international development, on uncertainty and the responsibilities we all have in advancing human development.
Mr. Pedro Conceição, Head of the Human Development Report Office and Lead Author of the report, will deliver a keynote address to highlight the key themes of the report, followed by his participation in a panel discussion. The panel will delve into some of the report’s framing of uncertainty and the proposed way forward.
Keynote Speaker
Pedro Conceição is the Director of the Human Development Report Office, United Nations Development Programme
Panelists
Heriberto Tapia, Research and Strategic Partnership Advisor, United Nations Development Programme
Barbara Grantham, President and CEO, CARE Canada
Tinni Sawhney, CEO Aga Khan Foundation India

Key Information for Attendees
1. In-person / Virtual Ticket: When you register, please indicate your interest to attend in-person at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat (199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa) or to attend online (Zoom) by selecting the relevant ticket option for each session.
2. Refreshments: In-person attendees are welcome stay after the session to network and enjoy light refreshments.
Questions? Please contact events.akfc@akdn.org

Global Reads: What Strange Paradise
2022-12-06 10:00 - 11:30 (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 December for a lively discussion with award-winning author and journalist Omar El Akkad. We will explore his novel, What Strange Paradise, which delves into the complex topic of forced migration from the points of view of two children.
The discussion will be led by Rema Jamous Imseis, UNHCR Representative to Canada.
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 10:00 am ET to network and enjoy light refreshments.

Questions? Please contact events.akfc@akdn.org

Speakers
Omar El Akkad, Author
Omar El Akkad is an author and journalist. He was born in Egypt, grew up in Qatar, moved to Canada as a teenager and now lives in the United States. The start of his journalism career coincided with the start of the war on terror, and over the following decade, he reported from Afghanistan, Guantanamo Bay, and many other locations around the world. His work earned a National Newspaper Award for Investigative Journalism and the Goff Penny Award for young journalists. His fiction and non-fiction writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Guardian, Le Monde, Guernica, GQ, and many other newspapers and magazines. His debut novel, American War, is an international bestseller and has been translated into thirteen languages. It won the Pacific Northwest Booksellers’ Award, the Oregon Book Award for fiction, and the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize, and has been nominated for more than ten other awards. It was listed as one of the best books of the year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, GQ, NPR, and Esquire, and was selected by the BBC as one of 100 novels that changed our world. His new novel, What Strange Paradise, was released in July 2021 and won the Giller Prize, the Pacific Northwest Booksellers’ Award, the Oregon Book Award for fiction, and was shortlisted for the Aspen Words Literary Prize. It was also named the best book of the year by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, and several other publications.
Rema Jamous Imseis, UNHCR Representative in Canada
Ms. Rema Jamous Imseis is the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Representative to Canada. She formerly served as Deputy Director of the UNHCR Bureau for the Middle East and North Africa, covering operations in North Africa, Yemen, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and Israel. Previously, she served as Head of the United Nations Regional Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Middle East and North Africa. She has been with the United Nations since 2003 and has held a variety of positions in political, legal, and humanitarian affairs. Prior to joining the UN, she served as Legal Counsel to the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario and worked as a litigator in Toronto. Previous work experience includes consultancies and academic research in human rights, judicial independence, and the rule of law.
With welcoming remarks from Khalil Z. Shariff, Chief Executive Officer, Aga Khan Foundation Canada

Addressing Loss and Damage - COP27 Debrief
2022-12-01 09:30 - 11:00 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6, Canada
About this event
The unprecedented monsoon rains and flooding affecting Pakistan in 2022 have impacted upwards of 33 million people and claimed an estimated 1,700 lives. Tragically, Pakistan sets a strong example of why loss and damage financing is critical to recovering from adverse climate impacts that outstrip people’s capacity to adapt to climate change.
With loss and damage financing on the negotiating table at COP27, it may end a long history of sidelining the discussion and create a roadmap to address the unfolding climate crisis.
On December 1, join Aga Khan Foundation Canada for a COP27 debrief conversation on the emergence and outcome of loss and damage financing as a critical issue. This panel discussion will feature representatives from the International Development Research Centre and Aga Khan Agency for Habitat on the following key areas:

Outcomes of COP27 regarding loss and damage financing
Challenges of multi-country partnership on loss and damage financing
Canada’s position on loss and damage financing leading in to and post COP27
Aga Khan Development Network’s response to flooding in Pakistan and approach on long-term recovery

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.
In-person attendees are welcome to arrive by 9:00am, to network and enjoy light refreshments.

Speakers
Erin Tansey
Erin is the director of the International Development Research Centre’s Sustainable Inclusive Economies program.
Erin joined IDRC in November 2020. She brings over 20 years of experience in international development and humanitarian sectors within Canadian and international non-governmental organizations, United Nations agencies, and bilateral development programs. She worked with the World University Service of Canada in Malawi, CARE Canada in Bosnia Herzegovina, the United Nations Refugee Agency in Thailand, Algeria and Ghana, the United Nations World Food Programme in various countries in sub-Saharan Africa, and with the United States Agency for International Development in Pretoria, South Africa. Erin has worked on various applied research projects and was the coordinator of research for the International Organization for Migration’s Partnership on HIV and Mobility in Southern Africa, generating new evidence and thought leadership in applied policy in this field.
Most recently, Erin worked on a governance program with Global Affairs Canada together with the South African government. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and French Literature from the University of Western Ontario and a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of Windsor.

Catherine Stewart
Catherine Stewart was appointed as Canada’s Ambassador for Climate Change in August 2022. With over 25 years in the federal government, Ambassador Stewart’s most recent role was Assistant Deputy Minister of International Affairs at Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Since 2014, she has served in senior executive roles at ECCC including as Canada’s Chief Negotiator for Climate Change, Director General Multilateral Affairs and Climate Change, and Director General for the Americas. Prior to joining ECCC, Ambassador Stewart was Director, Strategic Policy and Integration for the National Fighter Jet Procurement Secretariat and served as an executive at the Privy Council Office. She also worked on defence and security policy at the Department of National Defence over the span of a decade, covering areas such as Cabinet affairs, Ministerial speechwriting and Canada’s participation in the NATO Alliance. Prior to joining the federal government, Ambassador Stewart worked on a United Nations peacekeeping and electoral mission in Mozambique. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Carleton University, and is married and has three sons.

Nusrat Nasab
CEO Aga Khan Agency for Habitat Pakistan

Moderator
Kate Higgins, CEO Cooperation Canada
Kate recently joined Cooperation Canada as Chief Executive Officer. She is an accomplished leader and experienced manager, with over fifteen years of experience in international development, civil society, think tanks, and government. Before joining Cooperation Canada, Kate was the Deputy Executive Director of Oxfam Canada, where she led the organization’s work on strategy and communications and spearheaded several organizational change initiatives, in addition to serving as Interim Executive Director in 2020. Kate worked for CIVICUS, a global alliance of civil society organizations, where she led strategy development and the organization’s work on data, sustainable development, and citizen action. She has held senior policy and research roles at the North-South Institute and the Overseas Development Institute, leading work on chronic poverty, protracted conflict, women’s economic justice and international assistance and building several global, multi-stakeholder initiatives. Kate started her career at the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), working on the Indonesia and Papua New Guinea programs. She has lived and worked in Australia, Canada, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Thailand, and Uganda and has undertaken missions in several other countries. Kate has degrees in economics and development studies from the University of Oxford and the University of Sydney.

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

From Knowledge to Practice: Advancing Gender-Responsive Nature-Based Climate Solutions
2022-10-07 10:30 - 15:30 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6, Canada
A capacity-building session and community of practice event

About this event

Nature-based climate solutions (NBCS) that conserve, restore, and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems hold promise in helping people adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) and the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) are hosting an NBCS capacity-building session which will be followed by a community of practice meeting focusing on NBCS and biodiversity led by Global Affairs Canada (GAC).
Session 1: Implementing Gender-Responsive Nature-Based Climate Solutions for Adaptation
On October 7, join AKFC and IISD for a capacity-building session on advancing gender equality through rights-based, inclusive approaches to NBCS for climate change adaptation. The session will include case study presentations and breakout discussions with experienced practitioners including:

Suriname’s Gender-responsive Water Resource Adaptation Strategy: Angie Dazé, Lead, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion with IISD’s Resilience program

Aga Khan Development Network Gender-Responsive Adaptation Initiative : Humaira Daniel, Climate Change Specialist, AKFC

Canadian Coalition on Climate Change and Development Case Study: Speaker TBD

Session 2: Nature-based Climate Solutions and Biodiversity Community of Practice Meeting
GAC welcomes organizations to a meeting of the NBCS & Biodiversity Community of Practice. In this meeting, we will discuss the objectives of the Community of Practice, operating principles, and key areas of focus. Participants will also discuss how issues identified in Session 1 can be addressed through working groups and activities of the Community of Practice. The session will include a brief overview of Canada’s “Partnering for Climate” initiative and a moderated discussion led by GAC officials, including:

Kerry Max, Special Advisor, Climate Finance Partnerships, GAC
Additional speakers TBC

Event Details
Session 1 – Breakout Discussions: The event will include a breakout discussion focusing on the case studies, with the case study presenters and/or additional moderators. There will be an opportunity to sign up for a breakout session closer to the event.
Session 2 – Nature-based Climate Solutions and Biodiversity Community of Practice Meeting:

Introductory remarks by GAC
Overview of Canada’s Partnering for Climate initiative
Presentation of key Menti findings from June 2022 Nature-based Solutions meeting where initial Community of Practice input was requested
Group discussion regarding key objectives, operating principles, and areas of focus
Concluding remarks regarding next steps and preparation for the 2023 International Development Week Community of Practice meeting

French Translation

This event will be offered in English with French interpretation available in the plenary session and designated breakout sessions.
Please specify in your registration if you would prefer to access the French interpretation services in the breakout group.

Additional Information for Attendees

In-person / Virtual Ticket: When you register, please indicate your interest to attend in-person at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat (199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa) or to attend online (Zoom) by selecting the relevant ticket option for each session.
Refreshments: In-person attendees are welcome to arrive at 10:00 am ET to network and enjoy light refreshments prior to session 1.
A light networking lunch will be provided for those attending both sessions in-person.

Questions? Please contact events.akfc@akdn.org.

About the Sessions
This session is co-hosted by AKFC and IISD as part of AKFC’s Speaker Series on Climate Change Resilience and Adaptation and IISD’s Nature for Climate Adaptation Initiative (NCAI).
AKFC’s Speaker Series on Climate Change Resilience and Adaptation
The series aims to bring together practitioners, advocates, and others who share an interest in exploring and discussing how we may use the climate crisis as a catalyst for great leaps in addressing the complex challenges involved in confronting climate change in a manner that advances sustainable development, well-being, and resilient livelihoods for all.

IISD’s Nature for Climate Adaptation Initiative (NCAI)
The NCAI equips civil society organizations and practitioners involved in international development and climate adaptation with the knowledge to design compelling proposals and pursue projects, programs, and partnerships that will unleash the full potential of nature in confronting the climate crisis. The NCAI will create an environment for accelerated action on NBCS for adaptation while promoting gender equality, social inclusion, rights-based approaches, and positive outcomes for biodiversity and ecosystems.
Nature-Based Climate Solutions & Biodiversity Community of Practice
As part of Canada’s $5.3 billion (2021−2026) international climate finance commitment to help developing countries transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient, nature-positive, and inclusive sustainable development, Canada announced that it would allocate a minimum of 20% of funding to projects that leverage nature-based climate solutions and projects that contribute biodiversity co-benefits.
The NBCS and Biodiversity Community of Practice is intended to bring together organizations in Canada and their international partners to share our collective experiences and insights, and help advance knowledge of lessons learned and best practices.

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

Nature-Based Solutions, Climate Resilience, and the SDGs
2022-06-23 09:00 - 10:30 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6, Canada
From mangrove forests in coastal villages to green roofs on city skyscrapers, nature-based solutions are one of the most powerful – and most underutilized – approaches to mitigate and adapt to climate change. By protecting, restoring, and sustainably managing ecosystems, nature-based solutions offer the potential to reduce climate-related risks and address the biodiversity crisis, while delivering social and economic benefits to those living within these ecosystems.
On June 23, Aga Khan Foundation Canada is pleased to host Nature-based Solutions, Climate Resilience, and the SDGs, welcoming a panel of experienced practitioners who aim to reduce climate risks, advance climate resilience, and support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Panellists will discuss the imperative of using nature-based solutions to address climate change and biodiversity loss and share examples of ongoing initiatives and available resources that organizations can draw on to strengthen their own work in this area.
In addition to the panel discussion, participants will be invited to participate in breakout groups led by the speakers. These breakout groups will provide the opportunity to discuss the policy considerations, opportunities, and challenges of using nature-based solutions in development projects aimed at mitigating and adapting to climate change.
Register for the event

Key Information for Attendees

When you register on Eventbrite, please indicate your interest to attend in-person at the Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat or 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 from 8:45 am, to network and enjoy light refreshments.

Event Format/Breakout Sessions
The event will include breakout sessions with each panellist focusing on implementation and/or policy.

In-person participants will be welcome to join a breakout session with Patricia Fuller or Jimena Eyzaguirre.
Online participants will be welcome to join a breakout session with Didier Van Bignoot or Benjamin Simmons.
Please specify your preference for breakout sessions as you fill out the registration form. Space in each session is limited. While we will work to accommodate all preferences, we may shift participants if a session is oversubscribed.

This event will be offered in English only.  Questions? Please contact events.akfc@akdn.org

Speakers
Moderator: Patricia Fuller
Senior Fellow at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa and former Climate Ambassador for the Government of Canada
Patricia Fuller has extensive experience in international affairs and public policy with a specialization in climate change and energy. She served as Canada’s Ambassador for Climate Change from 2018 to 2021, leading engagement with international partners on initiatives related to climate change mitigation and adaptation and promoting Canadian clean technologies in international markets.
Her diplomatic career included serving as Ambassador to Chile from 2012 to 2015 and as Ambassador to Uruguay from 2004 to 2007. From 2015 to 2017 she managed Canada’s Office of Energy Efficiency where she oversaw federal regulations governing energy-using equipment and products, as well as a wide range of federal programs supporting energy efficiency in industry and households. Other executive roles have included responsibility for Canada’s participation in multilateral development banks, and Chief Economist for Global Affairs Canada.
Patricia Fuller holds an MSc. with distinction in International Political Economy from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Studies from Queen’s University.
Panellists:
Benjamin Simmons
Director, Sustainable Infrastructure, and Director, Nature-Based Infrastructure Global Resource Centre at the International Institute for Sustainable Development
Benjamin Simmons is Director of Sustainable Infrastructure and Director of the Nature-Based Infrastructure Global Resource Centre for IISD’s Economic Law & Policy Program. In these roles, Ben manages IISD’s work related to sustainable infrastructure, sustainable finance, and public procurement.

Ben has over 20 years of experience establishing and leading global environmental partnerships and initiatives. Most recently, he worked at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) where he held a number of senior positions, including Head of Secretariat for the Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP). In this role, Ben was responsible for establishing the initiative and developing and implementing its vision, mission, strategy, and work program.

Prior to this, Ben coordinated the Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB) initiative at UNEP and worked as Head of the UNEP Trade, Policy, and Planning Unit. Ben also served as UNEP’s focal point to the United Nations Innovation Network and created the Geneva Environment Lab, a staff innovation network. Before joining UNEP, Ben worked as an environmental lawyer for Arnold & Porter LLP in New York City and served as a Peace Corps volunteer in southern Senegal.

Ben holds a Juris Doctor from Columbia University’s School of Law and a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. He is based out of Washington, D.C.

Didier Van Bignoot
Global Advisor, Agriculture, Food Security, and Climate Resilience at the Aga Khan Foundation
Agronomist and professional trainer of trainers in regenerative agriculture, Didier is a Swiss national with more than 22 years of experience working in integrated rural development, value chain integration, farm system management, food security, and climate resilience building in Africa, the Indian Ocean Islands, Asia, and the Middle East. He joined Aga Khan Foundation in 2014, supporting globally the Agriculture, Food Security, and Climate Resilience portfolios, and is currently based in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

Jimena Eyzaguirre
Senior Climate Change Adaptation Specialist, ESSA Technologies
Jimena is the international team director and business lead for climate change adaptation at ESSA Technologies Ltd. She has 18 years of experience in policy-relevant research and analysis. Her work since 2006 focuses on equipping individuals and organizations to understand and incorporate the implications of climate-related risks and vulnerabilities into plans and decisions that affect environmental and social outcomes. She has a breadth of Canadian and international experience in adaptation and climate resilience, including in program design, policy analysis, vulnerability assessment, knowledge synthesis and monitoring and evaluation. Jimena is vice president of the Canada-Mathare Education Trust, a Canadian volunteer-run charitable organization dedicated to advancing education in Kenya.

About the series
Nature-Based Solutions, Climate Resilience, and the SDGs is part of Aga Khan Foundation Canada’s event series on climate change resilience and adaptation. This series aims to bring together practitioners, advocates, and others who share an interest in exploring innovative ideas for advancing just climate actions and delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Featured speakers explore and engage the audience in discussions on how we may use the climate crisis as a catalyst for great leaps in addressing the complex challenges involved in confronting climate change in a manner that advances sustainable development, well-being, and resilient livelihoods for all.

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.

Reframing Climate Action: Towards a more inclusive and sustainable future
2022-05-12 14:30 - 16:00 (America/Toronto) | Delegation of the Ismaili Imamat, 199 Sussex Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1N 1K6, Canada
As the window rapidly closes to securing a livable future for humans and nature, communities in developing countries are both among the most susceptible to the effects of climate change and face some of the greatest hurdles in mitigating further global warming.
Yet there is also an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate global climate action by pursuing inclusive, sustainable climate initiatives – led and anchored in the developing world.
Join Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) for an intimate discussion on shifting the climate narrative in developing countries from vulnerability to opportunity by advancing climate initiatives aimed at addressing social inequalities, restoring ecosystems and building resilience to climate change.
James Mwangi, Founder of the Climate Action Platform Africa (CAP-A), will offer perspectives on critical considerations around partnering with local communities and ensuring climate initiatives deliver GHG reductions, uphold human rights and advance gender equality.
Key topics to explore:

Africa’s role in accelerating global climate action by pursuing inclusive, sustainable climate initiatives.
Addressing the opportunity for Africa to transition to an inclusive green economy.
Climate initiatives as a catalyst for employment.
Income-generating opportunities across society in sectors such as renewable energy, climate-resilient agriculture, and the blue economy.

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.

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.

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 #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 #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.

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:

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:

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.

#InMyHeart: a creative expression of personal identity during Nuit Blanche
2019-10-05 19:00 - 2019-10-06 02:00 (America/Toronto) | Ismaili Centre Toronto, 49 Wynford Dr, North York, Toronto, Ontario, M3C 1K1, Canada
When we’re healthy, we can live our lives to the fullest and share our potential with the world. So we’re asking you: “Who are you? What do you want to share with the world? What’s in your heart?”
Join us during #nbTO2019 and creatively express your identity and join the conversation on Instagram or Twitter, using the hashtag #InMyHeart.
#InMyHeart is presented by Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), an international development organization and registered Canadian charity.
Presented by:

In partnership with:

With financial support from:

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:

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 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.

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.

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.

Daring to Deliver – Midwives on the Front Lines in Canada and Tanzania
2018-10-29 | University of Toronto, Room 108N (North House) 1 Devonshire Place, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 3K7, Canada
REGISTER HERE.
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.
Speakers:
Wendy Wood is a practicing midwife in Calgary, Alberta and teaches midwifery emergency skills and neonatal resuscitation, building on her prior experience as a paramedic. Her work has taken her around the world, training other midwives in Tanzania, Costa Rica, Peru, Ethiopia, Mexico, and Nunavik.
Tracey Evans
Having grown up with parents working in the airline industry, Tracey spent much of her childhood bouncing from one country to the next and learning to explore new cultures. Those experiences led her to study International Development and Global Studies at University of Ottawa and pursue a Master’s degree in International Conflict Resolution and Mediation at Tel Aviv University. Tracey now works at Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), managing a portfolio of projects across East and West Africa and Central Asia. She has also worked on HIV/AIDS projects in West and South Africa.

CANCELLED- Daring to Deliver – Midwives on the Front Lines in Canada and Tanzania
2018-10-25 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Vancouver) | Life Sciences Centre- University of British Columbia, LSC 1001 LT1 - 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6T 1Z3, Canada
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELLED.
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. That’s why Loveluck Mwasha (Aga Khan University) and Alix Bacon are passionate about strengthening local health systems, institutions, and professional capacities – investments that will pay dividends for years to come.
Speakers:
Loveluck Mwasha is a Senior Lecturer at the Aga Khan University School of Nursing and Midwifery in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and Vice-President of the Tanzania Midwives Association. In July 2017, Loveluck received the prestigious Midwife for Life award from the International Confederation of Midwives in Toronto, Canada.
Alix Bacon is a Registered Midwife and Vice-President of the Canadian Association of Midwives (CAM), President of the Midwives Association of British Columbia, and the Association Strengthening lead on a joint project between CAM and the United Nations Population Fund to strengthen midwifery services in South Sudan. Alix practices at her clinic in Delta, B.C. and has served in Uganda as a junior instructor with UBC Midwifery’s Global Program. In 2016, she was recognized as one of 30 Young Midwifery Leaders by the International Confederation of Midwives.
