On Saturday, September 22, join ACGC at our Annual General Meeting and ACGC Evening Affair ft. The Yes Men in Edmonton, Alberta. 

2012 ACGC AGM

Embracing Change: Effective

Development in a New Reality

In these difficult times, Alberta’s international development sector finds itself in a crisis. The paradox of declining political support for civil society organizations at a time when Canadians aspire to re-assert our presence on the world stage has presented unique challenges for many in the sector who are struggling to do more with less.

Echoing the discussions occurring nation-wide within the sector, this year’s Annual General Meeting will focus on ways to reclaim our narrative, rediscover our principles, and renew our efforts to engage Albertans on our role in international development in the midst of shifting government policies. In this spirit, ACGC’s 2012 AGM is entitled, “Embracing Change: Effective Development in a New Reality,“ and will be held at the Edmonton Clinic Health Academy on the University of Alberta Campus on Saturday, September 22^nd from 9:30am – 4:00pm. 

The AGM will be an excellent opportunity to network with other Alberta-based international development practitioners, and government representatives while participating in capacity-building workshops and exchanging expertise on maximizing development effectiveness.

AGM presenters will be finalized at a later date, at which point additional information and a detailed agenda will be also be made available.

Registration fees include breakfast, lunch and refreshment breaks on Saturday, access to all meetings and lectures, and a ticket to the Yes Men keynote address at the evening gala. Travel and accommodation subsidies will be made available to ACGC member organizations if required. Please contact catherine@acgc.ca if you have any additional questions.

Getting to the AGM

The 2012 ACGC Annual General Meeting will be held at the Edmonton Clinic Health Academy (11405 87 Avenue). The AGM venue is situated directly across from the University of Alberta Hospital and can be easily reached via Light Rail Transit (Health Sciences/Jubilee station); for a map of the University of Alberta Campus and parking information, click here. 

AGM Workshops

Continuing the AGM theme, this year’s workshops will examine both internal and external changes that have framed the work of the international development sector over the past year. In the first of two afternoon panel discussions, experts on the Istanbul Principles and Joëlle Badman from ACGC will discuss the recently adopted Istanbul Principles for CSO development effectiveness with a case study from the partners of the Change for Children Association (CFCA), represented by Primivito Centeno Perez of the BOSAWAS Biosphere of Nicaragua. The second panel will discuss ways to reclaim civil society space with panelists Pearl Eliadis, human rights lawyer and representative of the Voices-Voix coalition, and Romeo Saganash, Honourable Member of Parliament and Official Opposition Critic for International Development. With other panelists to be confirmed shortly, ACGC is excited to welcome these excellent panelists that will add depth and insight to our AGM proceedings.

Panelist Biographies

Joëlle Badman: Alberta Council for Global Cooperation

Joëlle Badman is the Program Coordinator for the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation. Joëlle completed a Bachelors of Arts in Political Science and International Relations at the University of New Brunswick and a Master of Social Work with a specialization in International & Community Development from the University of Calgary. She has worked extensively in the NGO sector across Canada, on local, provincial and international projects with a focus on human rights and community development. Most recently, Joëlle completed a 4 month community health research project in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Her travels have taken her throughout Europe, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and East Africa. In September, Joëlle will be travelling to Montréal for the Civicus World Assembly.

Primaverto Centeno Perez and Tony Zelaya Lopez: Miskito leaders from the BOSAWAS Biosphere of Nicaragua               

Primitivo Centeno Perez was born and raised in the Miskito village of Pamkawas, located in the BOSAWAS Biosphere rainforest reserve of Nicaragua. Over the last decade, Primitivo has advocated for indigenous territorial rights, while working collaboratively with Change for Children and Centro Humboldt to increase indigenous capacity in the areas of health, education, food security, and sustainable economic development. In 2010, Primitivo was inaugurated as the President of the Government of Indigenous Territory – a consolidation of three indigenous territories of Western BOSAWAS. Today he continues to represent Miskito communities at national and international levels, lobbying for indigenous rights, and managing community-led development projects in collaboration with Change for Children.

The Honourable Romeo Saganash, MP (NDP): Official Opposition Critic for International Development

In politics for nearly 30 years, Romeo Saganash founded the Cree Nation Youth Council in 1985, served as Deputy Grand Chief of the Grand Council of the Cree and now represents Abitibi-­‐James Bay-­‐Nunavik-­‐Eeyou in the House of Commons. Later, he was one of the principal authors of La Paix des Braves – the landmark agreement between the James Bay Cree and the Government of Quebec – and a key player in many national and international initiatives, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Elected in the 2011 federal election as part of the NDP caucus, he is currently the Official Opposition Critic for International Development.

Pearl Eliadis: Voices-Voix Coalition 

Pearl Eliadis is a lawyer based in Montreal, Canada. Her practice focuses on human rights, national institutions and democratic governance. With more than 20 years experience in law, human rights, national human rights insitutions and public administration, Pearl Eliadis advises governments and institutional clients including the United Nations, the European Commission, the OSCE and international consortia and NGOs. She is actively involved in pressing for social justice issues at the community and national levels and advises public interest groups. Pearl Eliadis writes and lectures on human rights issues in Canada and internationally, and has published extensively.

Voices-Voix is non-partisan coalition of Canadians and Canadian organizations committed to defending our collective and individual rights to dissent, advocacy and democratic space. The coalition aims to:

-          Document attacks against organizations, individuals and institutions that have raised their voices to show the pattern of government silencing of free speech

-          Promote debate among its members and allies about how to defend the space for democratic dissent and advocacy in Canada

-          Encourage Canadians to raise their voices so that governments meet their core responsibilities to respect equality, transparency and diversity of voices.