Agenda

This year’s International Forum will explore diverse perspectives on the future of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Together, we’ll discuss questions including:

  • What are the success stories buried beneath the headlines of conflict, climate change and poverty, and how can we better support more of these successes as a global community?
  • How can we be creative and bold in coming up with solutions to achieve greater impact?
  • How can we ensure progress amidst a constantly evolving global context?
  • How can we work better together?

Here is an overview of the schedule:

Thursday - February 8th, 2024

FREE Virtual Sessions: Global Perspectives

In recent years, the discourse around gender equality has expanded to recognize the critical role that men and boys play in shaping a more inclusive and equitable world. This evolution stems from a growing understanding that addressing gender dynamics requires active engagement from all members of society, regardless of their gender and identity. From boardrooms to classrooms, from fragile and conflicted afflicted areas to peaceful communities, the positive engagement of men and boys is essential for dismantling harmful and deeply entrenched stereotypes, challenging societal norms, and cultivating a culture of respect and inclusion. This global paradigm shift acknowledges that masculinity, like femininity, is not a uniform construct but a diverse spectrum of experiences that vary across cultures, contexts, time, and individuals.

The proposed dialogue session will explore the significance of engaging men and boys in the journey towards promoting positive masculinity on a global scale. By examining cross-cultural perspectives, sharing best practices and lessons learned, and highlighting transformative initiatives, we aim to inspire collective action and pave the way for a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world for all.

Speakers

  • Innocent Kachingwe, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor, WUSC, Sri Lanka
  • Janani Loum, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor, WUSC, Kenya
  • Wanjiru Kinaynjui, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor, WUSC, Kenya
  • Thomas Sithole, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Advisor, WUSC, Ghana

Young people make up a large percentage of the rural population, where they are often unemployed or underemployed. Indeed, rural youth face many hurdles in trying to earn a livelihood. They seldom see agriculture to be a financially rewarding or prestigious profession, and face increasing challenges posed by climate change to their work and their lives. At the same time, young entrepreneurs and producers are pioneering innovative solutions for climate change and food security through technology and modern practices. They are offering up a host of innovative solutions to climate change impacts and challenges like food insecurity, applying new technologies and techniques.

This panel will bring together a new generation of young agriculturalists and entrepreneurs to reflect on the challenges and opportunities open to young people in a changing global climate.

Speakers

  • Audrey S. Darko, Lead, Sabon Sake
  • Jean Louis Amani, AJLUS, Côte d’Ivoire 
  • Shania Scotland, Climate Smart Agriculture Officer, WUSC
  • Vince Morgan, Young Farmer, Caribbean

Friday - February 9th, 2024

In-person Conference: Canadian & Global Perspectives
Shaw Center, Ottawa

Welcome to the 13th WUSC International Forum! Be sure to arrive early for an SDG networking activity to start the conference, and welcoming remarks from WUSC’s outgoing Executive Director, Chris Eaton.

Meet Your Event Emcees!

  • Cat Binette, Senior Program Officer, WUSC
  • Yanick Daoust, Senior Program Officer, WUSC

Speakers:

  • Chris Eaton, Executive Director, WUSC

Sponsored by the University of Guelph

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a helpful roadmap toward a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world. Yet as we find ourselves at the halfway point toward the 2030 target, it’s clear that climate crises, conflict, and the ongoing pandemic recovery have led us dangerously off course.

It will take a truly global effort—engaging individuals from all walks of life, organizations from all sectors, and all levels of government—to generate the energy and innovation required to get back on track. It is only through this ambitious mobilization that we can unlock the resources and perspectives to do different things and do things differently. Indeed, everyone has a role to play in achieving the SDGs and creating a more peaceful and prosperous future, including each and every person in Canada from coast to coast to coast.

There are many unique opportunities and responsibilities that Canadians have in driving positive change on a local and global scale. Our panelists will bring their diverse perspectives—from academic, private, non-profit, and activist spaces—to explore what it will take to unlock the immense potential of Canadians to have a positive impact on our country and around the world.

To meet the SDGs, together, we will consider:

  • How can we build the bridge from Canadian research to policy to action?
  • What can be done to protect and promote space for civil society participation in Canada and around the world?
  • How can we better bring the energy, ambitions, and optimism of youth to bear on today’s most pressing global issues?
  • How can Canadians support the decolonization of the development agenda?
  • What is the role of creativity in generating new ideas and fostering greater global collaboration?

From prioritizing education and promoting gender equality to creating more economic opportunities and ensuring environmental sustainability, there are many ways for Canadians to deepen their engagement with the SDGs and catalyze meaningful change around the world. Our speakers will share their insights, experiences, and innovative solutions to generate more engagement and unlock our full potential. 

Speakers

  • Amélie Fabien, Executive, Development Impact (Investments), British International Investment
  • Kate Higgins, CEO, Cooperation Canada
  • Katelynne Herchak, Head of Decolonial Policy, Strategy, VIDEA
  • Maiwand Rahyab, Founder & CEO, Resilient Societies
  • Shika Hurrydass, Artist & Communication and Marketing Advisor, Tumaini Letu Malawi
  • Yiagadeesen (Teddy) Samy, NPSIA Director and Professor of International Affairs

Sponsored by the Algonquin College

Despite slow progress, the world is falling far behind achieving quality education for all (SDG4). Without additional measures, it is predicted that by 2030, 84 million children and youth will be out of school, 300 million students will lack basic numeracy and literacy skills, and only 1 in 6 countries will achieve universal secondary education. The effects of the global Covid-19 pandemic compounded the already existing education crisis, causing major disruptions within education systems and significant learning losses for millions of children. Alongside that, the increasing impact of an accelerating climate crisis, growing global displacement, and increases in conflicts around the world are further exacerbating education challenges, further restricting the ability to meaningfully meet the SDG for quality education.

The global reality today is very different to when the SDGs were created, and looking forward to 2030, we can expect it will be even more different still. With a rapidly changing world, the meaning of ‘quality education’ is also changing. As we consider the ways in which different actors are responding to SDG4, we must also consider whether the nature of those responses is adequately keeping up. In other words, in the face of multiple and intersecting global crises, is education action doing what is necessary to respond and to prepare young people for the future they will be facing?

Speakers

  • Jennifer Slawich, Director, Policy & Stakeholder Engagement, Right to Play International
  • Thomas Orr, Senior Manager, Programs, Partnerships, and Results, Aga Khan Foundation Canada
  • Valery Bishala Kulondwa, Refugee Education Council Member
  • Vongaishe Changamire, Education Technical Specialist, World Vision

Halfway to 2030, progress on SDG 5—gender equality—is clearly off track. Gender inequality continues to be a major barrier for women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals. The latest evidence, documented in 2022, on gender equality across all 17 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provides a less-than-positive snapshot of global progress towards gender equality, with many of the gender-related SDG indicators showing backward progress rather than improvement. Global challenges, such as the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, conflict, climate change, and the backlash against women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights, continue to exacerbate gender disparities worldwide, with women and girls widely documented as being disproportionately affected by such crises.

Despite all of this, there are exciting and innovative ways Canadians are tackling SDG 5. Together we will explore what it will take to unlock the immense potential of Canadians to have a positive impact on our lands and around the world through sharing experiences and collective brainstorming.

Speakers:

  • Erica Gates-Gasse, Equality Fund
  • Erin Jex, Manager, Programs and Operations, CanWaCH
  • Sharon Nyangweso, Founder & CEO, QuakeLab

Current estimates suggest a 4.5 trillion dollar annual funding gap between what is required to achieve the SDGs and what is available. This session, jointly hosted by WUSC and the Criterion Institute, will explore how finance can be used to achieve social change.

Over the past two decades, Criterion Institute has worked with investors, governments, and civil society organizations to design financial solutions to advance social justice, gender equality, and socio-economic development goals. Across all of these efforts, financial solutions have the unique potential to mainstream progress toward Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. Investments in the SDGs take many forms, from investing in small and growing enterprises, to large natural resource management projects, to investing in health care or education systems. All of these investments can create or reduce opportunities for decent employment and for achieving positive social outcomes.

Ultimately, increasing the number and quality of jobs and opportunities for young women and men requires mobilizing investments in ways that can create opportunities for dignified work. While finance is central to achieving these goals, many of us feel ill equipped to understand how to influence finance for positive social change. In this session, participants will learn more about Criterion Institute and WUSC’s work and be introduced to the idea of using finance for social change, including key concepts and actors. Following this introduction, participants will jointly identify a number of strategies using Criterion Institute’s Toolkit, a card based kit that can provide anybody with ideas and tools for bridging finance and social issues. At the end of the session, participants should have a better understanding of the challenges and possibilities of using finance to pursue gender equality, social inclusion or environmental justice—all while advancing decent work—and have some practical ideas and tools for future learning.

Speakers

  • Ariane Ryan, Director, Program Design and Social Finance, WUSC
  • Pranay Samson, Criterion Institute

Join us for an engaging discussion with Canadian climate champions at the forefront of sustainability and learn more about the diverse and impactful work being done across the country to combat climate change. Discover innovative approaches, successful initiatives, and the power of collective efforts in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 13: Climate Action. This panel aims to raise awareness, celebrate achievements, and inspire individual and collective action as we navigate the crucial path toward a more sustainable and resilient future.

Speakers

  • Emanuel Lukawiecki, Fairtrade Canada Youth Ambassador
  • Katherine Robitaille, PhD Student, Laval University
  • Nina Lantiga, CEO and co-founder of Nets for Net Zero and G20 YEA Canadian delegate and policy lead for the Climate, Energy and Sustainability Taskforce

Effective and empowering partnerships are essential to realizing each one of the Sustainable Development Goals. The challenges we face as a global community are vast, complex, and interconnected. We can better address the deeply rooted and interwoven causes of global inequalities by working together. Through partnerships, we can unlock new ideas, collaborations, and resources toward a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable world. Join our panelists for a discussion on the role of partnerships in advancing the SDGs, and a reflection on the day’s conversations.

Speakers:

  • Olga Phionah, Student, University of Windsor
  • Stellah Nikuze, Student, Wilfrid Laurier University
  • Thi Dao, Director, Strategic Partnerships, Future of Good

Collaboration to achieve the SDGs by 2030 is often restricted by factors such as geography, language, and funding. But art is universal. Through artistic expression, people with different cultures, experiences, and socioeconomic backgrounds can communicate, collaborate, and get inspired.

Join artists from Canada, Ghana, and Malawi for the launch of a unique art exhibition exploring the impact of SDGs on communities around the globe through more than a dozen artists’ eyes. Immerse yourself in various perspectives, mediums, shapes, and colors to learn more about the different realities people face, and meet some of the fabulous artists behind these diverse interpretations of our common future.

Saturday - February 10th, 2024

Network Mobilization Day
Shaw Center, Ottawa

Closed Session - WUSC Local Committee Members | Canada Hall 1

Closed Session - Student Refugee Program

Closed Session - International Volunteer Alumni | 201

Everyone is welcome to attend, however registration is required. Each year, WUSC members and delegates from across the country attend this important annual business meeting which is conducted in both official languages. The WUSC’s Board of Directors and Executive Director will share important WUSC updates, and we hope you will exercise your right to vote. This year again, we will also reveal and celebrate the Winner of the WUSC Local Committee of the Year at the AGA.